STL295: It's not a router, it's a possibility

Shop Talk Live · 14 Jul 2023 · 1h 05m

What this episode covers

Mike Pekovich, Vic Schaefer, and Ben Steinhauer discuss whether a small shop can function without a table saw, concluding that tools dictate workflow and that a track saw or router table can replace a table saw if the user adapts their design philosophy. The hosts debate the merits of specific tools like the MFT, track saws, and CNCs, emphasizing that there is no single correct way to woodwork. They also cover when to sell unused tools, advising that proceeds should be reinvested into the shop, and share favorite techniques, including using magnetic spacers and a Dremel trammel for custom projects.

Mentioned

Companies
Festool, Axminster, Veritas, Stanley, H&T Gordon
Products
Laguna 14 BX bandsaw, Bosch contractor saw, SawStop, MFT, Shaper Origin, Dremel
Also
Philip Morley, Rosewood, Michael Fortune

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • 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 · 53m

    Episode 032: Listener Questions

    Hosts Bob Clagett, Jimmy Diresta, and David Picciuto answer listener questions about workshop management, tool maintenance, and maker psychology. They discuss strategies for handling shop layout, such as positioning table saws near entrances, and debate the merits of sharpening versus replacing saw blades. The conversation also covers overcoming creative blocks, managing project priorities, and encouraging young people, particularly girls, to engage in making by showcasing finished, desirable projects rather than just tools.

  • Making It · 49m

    Making It #015: Gilligan’s Workshop

    Host Bob Clagett, along with guests Jimmy Diresta and David Picciuto, discuss their current shop projects, including David's April Fools' baseball card epoxy piece and Jimmy's work on signs, a beer caddy, and a distillery model. The trio then engages in a 'Gilligan's Workshop' thought experiment, debating which three tools they would choose if stranded on a deserted island with no electricity, covering everything from hand saws and hatchets to bandsaws and circular saws. They conclude by reflecting on how physical and tool limitations can foster creativity and help makers develop a distinct style, using examples like David's use of a Leatherman multi-tool and Bob's experience with bow ties and chisels.

  • Making It · 48m

    Making It #009: Fears and Doubts

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss the fears and doubts associated with using powerful shop tools and creating content. They cover specific safety concerns with milling machines, lathes, and router tables, sharing personal injury stories and techniques to mitigate risks, such as using SawStop table saws and specialized router bits. The conversation also touches on the psychological fear of failing to pass on curiosity to their children and the anxiety creators feel when branching out into new mediums like leatherwork or metalworking.

  • Making It · 1h 06m

    Episode 120: We don’t have a toaster

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their current projects, including Diresta's move to a new shop in upstate New York and his custom plasma-cut knife display. They answer Twitter questions regarding tools they have a love-hate relationship with, such as Bob's jigsaw and chisels, and Jimmy's CNC machines, highlighting the frustration of setup errors and the need for checklists. The hosts also debate how to turn $100 into $1,000 by building farmhouse tables and discuss the evolution of their target audiences and content strategies on YouTube.

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.