# STL340: Do You De-Tension Your Bandsaw?

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2025-05-02
- Length: 1h 06m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-05-02-stl340-do-you-de-tension-your-bandsaw
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl340-do-you-de-tension-your-bandsaw

## Summary

Ben and Amanda are joined by Phil Huber from the Woodsmith Shop to discuss woodworking tools and techniques. They debate the utility of edge sanders versus jointers, the effectiveness of downdraft tables for dust control, and whether bandsaw blades need to be de-tensioned between uses. The group also shares their all-time favorite tools, including thick-kerf grooving blades, Optivisor magnifiers, and specific double-sided tapes.

## Chapters

- [0:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-05-02-stl340-do-you-de-tension-your-bandsaw#t=5) Introduction and Millennial Pause
- [15:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-05-02-stl340-do-you-de-tension-your-bandsaw#t=937) Edge Sanders vs. Jointers and Planers
- [31:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-05-02-stl340-do-you-de-tension-your-bandsaw#t=1906) Downdraft Tables and Dust Collection
- [38:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-05-02-stl340-do-you-de-tension-your-bandsaw#t=2310) Favorite Tools: Grooving Blades and Optivisors
- [52:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-05-02-stl340-do-you-de-tension-your-bandsaw#t=3131) Double-Sided Tape Recommendations
- [59:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-05-02-stl340-do-you-de-tension-your-bandsaw#t=3568) Bandsaw Tension Debate

## Topics

- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Woodsmith Shop (company)
- Edge Sander (tool)
- Downdraft Table (tool)
- Bandsaw (tool)
- Optivisor (tool)
- Spec Tape (material)
- X Fasten (material)
- Intertape Polymer Group (company)
- Veritas (company)
- Woodpeckers (company)
- Manna (company)
- Delta (company)
- Stumac (company)
- Rio Grande (company)
- Lee Valley (company)
- Snodgrass (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [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)
- [Episode 235: Dreams of Modified Tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-11-01-episode-235-dreams-of-modified-tools) (Making It)
- [479: The One](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-04-18-479-the-one) (Making It)
- [Episode 229: Jimmy made a laser bandsaw.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-09-20-episode-229-jimmy-made-a-laser-bandsaw) (Making It)
- [Making It #009: Fears and Doubts](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-02-12-making-it-009-fears-and-doubts) (Making It)

## 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/2025-05-02-stl340-do-you-de-tension-your-bandsaw. 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.