# STL347: Don't Reinvent the Bench

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2025-08-08
- Length: 1h 10m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-08-08-stl347-dont-reinvent-the-bench
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl347-dont-reinvent-the-bench

## Summary

Host Ben and guests Owen and Amanda discuss their current shop situations, with Owen moving into a small detached garage and Amanda navigating a temporary workspace without a vehicle. They debate the merits of small shops, the necessity of specific tools like bandsaws and CNCs, and the aesthetic appeal of brands like Inca and Martin. Owen shares a 'smooth move' involving a walking fence on a router table, while Ben highlights the utility of small electric screwdrivers and the Milwaukee M12 drill.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-08-08-stl347-dont-reinvent-the-bench#t=6) Introduction and Shop Updates
- [2:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-08-08-stl347-dont-reinvent-the-bench#t=139) Owen's New Garage Shop Plans
- [7:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-08-08-stl347-dont-reinvent-the-bench#t=459) Ben's Desire for Furniture Making
- [11:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-08-08-stl347-dont-reinvent-the-bench#t=672) Amanda's Workspace Constraints
- [15:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-08-08-stl347-dont-reinvent-the-bench#t=911) Small Shop Tool Layouts
- [21:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-08-08-stl347-dont-reinvent-the-bench#t=1295) Dream Tool Brands: Inca and Martin
- [29:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-08-08-stl347-dont-reinvent-the-bench#t=1763) Industrial vs. Hobby CNC Usage
- [45:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-08-08-stl347-dont-reinvent-the-bench#t=2723) Owen's Router Table Failure
- [53:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-08-08-stl347-dont-reinvent-the-bench#t=3200) Favorite Tools: Drills and Screwdrivers
- [1:02:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-08-08-stl347-dont-reinvent-the-bench#t=3739) Workbench Advice for Beginners

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Inca (company)
- Martin (company)
- Milwaukee M12 (tool)
- Dremel (tool)
- Festool MFT (tool)
- Ron Polk (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)
- [Making It #015: Gilligan’s Workshop](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-04-02-making-it-015-gilligans-workshop) (Making It)
- [479: The One](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-04-18-479-the-one) (Making It)
- [Episode 121: Moving It](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-05-26-episode-121-moving-it) (Making It)
- [Episode 158: Jimmy.. destroyer of mailboxes.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-03-02-episode-158-jimmy-destroyer-of-mailboxes) (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/2025-08-08-stl347-dont-reinvent-the-bench. 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.