STL278: Fine Plywood

Shop Talk Live · 4 Nov 2022 · 1h 04m

What this episode covers

Mike, Anissa, and Ben discuss plywood options for fine furniture, noting the scarcity of Baltic birch and recommending Rowan Woodworks' guide to sheet goods. They debate whether a dead-flat assembly table is necessary for glue-ups, concluding that joinery technique and clamping pressure matter more than surface flatness. The hosts also share their favorite deceased woodworkers to hang out with, with Anissa choosing Peter Moe for his innovative designs like the retractable window bed. Finally, they offer advice on building an L-shaped desk using hardware from Häfele and discuss Mike's specific use of his Tormek grinder for establishing hollow grinds.

Mentioned

Companies
Häfele
Tools
Tormek
Materials
Baltic birch
Also
Peter Moe, Chris Gockner, Michael Fortune, Dinkles Woodshop

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Making It · 57m

    Episode 064: Pat the bushes of my brain

    Hosts Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto brainstorm upcoming woodworking and electronics projects, including a Sam Maloof-style chair, a Death Star-inspired bentwood chair, and a custom guitar case. They discuss specific materials like door skin plywood and West System epoxy, and techniques such as laminating, CNC tiling, and using Domino joinery. The conversation also covers the hosts' experiences with YouTube engagement, managing email notifications, and finding inspiration through antique shopping and online communities.

  • Making It · 59m

    Episode 163: Live Edge Bowling Ball

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss the longevity of design styles, contrasting timeless clean lines with ephemeral trends like river tables and burnt wood. David Picciuto details a significant failure involving warped plywood in a large cabinet project, while Jimmy Diresta shares his experience at the Carolina Shoe Factory and his work on a live-edge puzzle. The hosts also debate the material properties of epoxy versus glass in river tables and the future of furniture design, including 3D printing.

  • Making It · 1h 08m

    Episode 332: Plywood is good

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss recent projects, including Jimmy's construction of a two-stage blacksmith bellows using plywood and his design of a car rotisserie utilizing farm jacks and steel tubing. The hosts debate the value of modern tools like CNC machines versus traditional hand skills, using a Looney Tunes analogy to illustrate how technology prioritizes speed over quality. They also share personal updates, such as David's popcorn bowl experiment and Jimmy's installation of a treehouse zip line, before reflecting on their gratitude for their audience and community.

  • Making It · 47m

    Making It #010: If it looks straight….

    Hosts Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss listener questions, starting with Diresta's potential action figure campaign through Toy Backer and Clagett's silicone mold making using Smooth-On materials. The trio debates the value of cheap versus expensive tools like those from Harbor Freight and DeWalt, and compares sharpening systems such as the Veritas MK2 and Workshop 3000. They also offer advice on managing workshop space, comparing radial arm saws to table saws, and navigating client relationships in custom woodworking.

  • Making It · 1h 06m

    361: It’s complicated

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their recent personal projects and industry observations. Jimmy details a failed attempt to cool his attic using ridge vents and the resulting HVAC issues, while Bob recounts the success of his 'Jimmy Speedway' go-kart event and the sudden death of his Festool miter saw. David shares his vacation experiences and the high cost of materials like Baltic birch plywood, while the group discusses Japanese tools like Otoro clamps and Toyo Steel toolboxes.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Shop Talk Live. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.