# STL: MTC-Not how it's always been done

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2024-05-24
- Length: 58m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2024-05-24-stl-mtc-not-how-its-always-been-done
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl-mtc-not-how-its-always-been-done

## Summary

Hague Haswell and Vic Tesolin of Melbourne Tool Company explain how retailer Timbecon identified a supply gap for premium hand planes and launched MTC to fill it. They detail the design process led by Rowan, focusing on ergonomics for users of all sizes and the decision to use M2 high-speed steel for durability. The conversation highlights specific product innovations, such as the router plane's bevel-down straight blade and the spokeshave's integrated cast handles with cork inlays, which solve traditional issues like chatter and weight. The guests discuss their manufacturing partnership with a precision machine tooling factory and the importance of offering tools that work out of the box for hybrid woodworkers.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2024-05-24-stl-mtc-not-how-its-always-been-done#t=6) Introduction: Melbourne Tool Company and Timbecon
- [4:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2024-05-24-stl-mtc-not-how-its-always-been-done#t=291) Timbecon's History and the Gap in Premium Hand Planes
- [9:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2024-05-24-stl-mtc-not-how-its-always-been-done#t=555) Design Process: Ergonomics, Rowan, and Iterations
- [17:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2024-05-24-stl-mtc-not-how-its-always-been-done#t=1038) Specific Tool Designs: Block Planes, Spokeshaves, and Router Planes
- [36:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2024-05-24-stl-mtc-not-how-its-always-been-done#t=2176) Manufacturing Partnerships and Precision Tolerances
- [42:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2024-05-24-stl-mtc-not-how-its-always-been-done#t=2522) Quality Control, M2 Steel, and Out-of-the-Box Performance
- [56:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2024-05-24-stl-mtc-not-how-its-always-been-done#t=3377) North American Distribution and Customer Support

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Melbourne Tool Company (company)
- Timbecon (company)
- Stanley (product)
- Lubin (product)
- Hongshing (product)
- Rowan (other)
- Alexandra Pontonio (other)
- M2 high speed steel (material)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [102: Keen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2023-08-17-102-keen) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [18: No Cool Cheap Screwdrivers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2016-09-17-18-no-cool-cheap-screwdrivers) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [87: We Should Probably Cut This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2022-10-19-87-we-should-probably-cut-this) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Making It #010: If it looks straight….](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-02-26-making-it-010-if-it-looks-straight) (Making It)
- [126: Ten Years](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-09-11-126-ten-years) (Thoroughly Considered)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2024-05-24-stl-mtc-not-how-its-always-been-done. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Shop Talk Live.