# STL342: What We Wish We Knew

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2025-05-30
- Length: 1h 05m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-05-30-stl342-what-we-wish-we-knew
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl342-what-we-wish-we-knew

## Summary

Bridgid Gruber of Dinkle's Woodshop joins hosts Ben and Amanda to discuss what she would tell her younger self after starting woodworking eight years ago. Gruber, a former engineer turned video editor, shares advice on avoiding niche jigs like router dovetail jigs, understanding power tool physics, and the value of taking classes or joining maker spaces. The conversation highlights her work editing workshops for Fine Woodworking and Lost Art Press, emphasizing that making woodworking accessible and overcoming the fear of mistakes are key to growth.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-05-30-stl342-what-we-wish-we-knew#t=6) Introduction and Sponsor Read
- [2:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-05-30-stl342-what-we-wish-we-knew#t=124) Bridgid Gruber's Background and Fine Woodworking Projects
- [11:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-05-30-stl342-what-we-wish-we-knew#t=718) Lost Art Press Chair Workshop and Stick Chair Making
- [26:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-05-30-stl342-what-we-wish-we-knew#t=1588) Advice for Younger Self: Classes, Guilds, and Tools
- [36:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-05-30-stl342-what-we-wish-we-knew#t=2180) Power Tool Physics and Safety
- [43:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-05-30-stl342-what-we-wish-we-knew#t=2609) Overcoming Perfectionism and Designing vs. Building
- [55:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-05-30-stl342-what-we-wish-we-knew#t=3342) Mental Health, Mistakes, and Community Feedback

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)
- [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Dinkle's Woodshop (company)
- Fine Woodworking (company)
- Lost Art Press (company)
- Tim Coleman (other)
- Chris Schwartz (other)
- Jerry Osgood (other)
- Phil Morley (other)
- Mike Pekovich (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 224: Jumping-in-furing-out-i-tiv-ness](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-08-16-episode-224-jumping-in-furing-out-i-tiv-ness) (Making It)
- [Episode 074: They’re not gonna take away your birthday](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-06-10-episode-074-theyre-not-gonna-take-away-your-birthday) (Making It)
- [503: It’s Made Me a More Fearless Maker](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-10-31-503-its-made-me-a-more-fearless-maker) (Making It)
- [528: Grippy Bits](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2026-06-05-528-grippy-bits) (Making It)
- [242: Sometimes you make art…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-01-03-242-sometimes-you-make-art) (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/2025-05-30-stl342-what-we-wish-we-knew. 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.