# STL343: Don't Moose It!

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2025-06-13
- Length: 1h 05m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-06-13-stl343-dont-moose-it
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl343-dont-moose-it

## Summary

Vic Teslin, Ben Strano, and Amanda Russell discuss techniques for woodworkers who rarely use a lathe, including using a router sled to cut perfect cylinders and tapers. They advise beginners buying their first lathe to prioritize power and affordability over bed length or high-end features, suggesting used equipment as a starting point. The hosts also share practical shop tips, such as using a Stu Mac nut vice for small parts, and emphasize the importance of maintaining sharp tools to avoid 'mousing' or forcing cuts. Finally, they address the difficulty of sourcing denatured alcohol in regulated states, recommending grain alcohol or culinary solvent as alternatives for shellac.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-06-13-stl343-dont-moose-it#t=6) Introduction and YouTube Channel Transition
- [12:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-06-13-stl343-dont-moose-it#t=762) Vic Teslin's Router Sled for Turning Cylinders and Tapers
- [25:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-06-13-stl343-dont-moose-it#t=1556) Advice for Buying a First Lathe: Power vs. Bed Length
- [44:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-06-13-stl343-dont-moose-it#t=2687) Using a Stu Mac Nut Vice for Small Workholding
- [46:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-06-13-stl343-dont-moose-it#t=2804) The Philosophy of 'Don't Moose It': Sharp Tools and Maintenance
- [55:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-06-13-stl343-dont-moose-it#t=3301) Sourcing Denatured Alcohol and Shellac Reducers

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Shop Talk Live (other)
- Fine Woodworking (other)
- Stu Mac (product)
- Veritas (company)
- Delta (company)
- Shopsmith (company)
- Craftsman (company)
- Jet (company)
- Grizzly (company)
- Bad Axe Toolworks (company)
- Festool (company)
- Sunnyside (company)
- Clean Strip (product)
- Everclear (product)
- Culinary Solvent (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 157: Wizard Robes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-02-23-episode-157-wizard-robes) (Making It)
- [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 254: Inch everything along](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-03-25-episode-254-inch-everything-along) (Making It)
- [Episode 056: #freetools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-01-29-episode-056-freetools) (Making It)
- [Episode 094: Being a hoarder is a big job…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-10-28-episode-094-being-a-hoarder-is-a-big-job) (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/2025-06-13-stl343-dont-moose-it. 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.