STL325: From logs to lumber

Shop Talk Live · 20 Sept 2024 · 58m

What this episode covers

Brennan Plourd and Logan Wittmer, Editor-in-Chief of Popular Woodworking, discuss the processes of milling logs and drying lumber. They cover equipment choices like the Wood-Mech LT 35 and Norwood sawmills, sourcing free logs, and specific drying techniques including air drying and Plourd's solar kiln. The conversation highlights practical decisions on board thickness, species selection, and the challenges of storage and hoarding high-quality wood.

Mentioned

Companies
Popular Woodworking, Fine Woodworking
Products
Wood-Mech LT 35, Norwood
Also
Anchor Seal, Woodworking In America

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Making It · 1h 07m

    420: People Who Cut Wood

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their current projects, including Diresta's Graveyard House series and leather bag production, Clagett's rental property renovations, and Clagett's shop cleaning. They share personal reflections on solitude, family dynamics, and the value of vintage machinery, specifically highlighting Keith Rucker's restoration of a massive wheel bandsaw. The conversation also touches on the emotional weight of letting go of family heirlooms, like a non-tunable player piano, and the importance of supportive communities in maker culture.

  • Product Startup · 50m

    041: Testing Stereo Components with Jay DeMerit of RockIt Logs

    Jay DeMerit, founder of RockIt Logs, explains how he combined reclaimed wood from British Columbia with Bluetooth speaker technology to create unique, portable stereos. He details the rigorous testing of wood species like cedar and hemlock to manage cracking, and the selection of specific full-range speakers and 60-watt electronics to ensure performance within a compact log enclosure. DeMerit discusses his decision to standardize internal components to streamline production while offering high visual customization, and his strategy of launching a local boutique market before scaling via a Kickstarter campaign.

  • Making It · 1h 11m

    Episode 326: You can always sell a drumset…

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss major life and business updates, including Diresta buying a commercial building to house his office and production, Clagett completing a large post-and-beam barn, and Picciuto planning a costly garage expansion. They also cover Clagett's acquisition of a massive 4-foot throat railway bandsaw, the success of Workbench Con, and the technical details of finishing wood and metal projects.

  • Making It · 1h 05m

    Episode 033: More listener questions

    Hosts Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto answer listener questions about woodworking materials like walnut and teak, safety protocols after Jimmy's table saw injury, and the business of making. They discuss the drivers of the maker movement, including TV shows and YouTube, and offer advice on sourcing reclaimed wood, managing shop fatigue, and starting electronics projects with resources like Adafruit and SparkFun. The conversation also covers dealing with difficult customers, the saturation of YouTube channels, and the importance of community among makers.

  • 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.

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.