# STL349: Finishers on Flexner

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2025-09-05
- Length: 1h 09m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-09-05-stl349-finishers-on-flexner
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl349-finishers-on-flexner

## Summary

Mike Mascelli, John Coffey, and Mitch Kohanek discuss the legacy of Bob Flexner, author of 'Understanding Wood Finishing,' and his role in creating a community for professional finishers. The guests highlight how Flexner’s book demystified finishing chemistry and fostered a network of experts, contrasting his technical approach with the storytelling of George Frank. They also address the current state of the industry, noting the decline of formal trade school programs and the shift toward short, hands-on workshops and corporate training.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-09-05-stl349-finishers-on-flexner#t=6) Introduction: Mike Mascelli, John Coffey, and Mitch Kohanek on Bob Flexner
- [1:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-09-05-stl349-finishers-on-flexner#t=99) Bob Flexner's Background and the Creation of 'Understanding Wood Finishing'
- [14:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-09-05-stl349-finishers-on-flexner#t=857) John Coffey on French Polishing, Shellac, and Learning from Flexner
- [25:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-09-05-stl349-finishers-on-flexner#t=1540) Mitch Kohanek on His 9-Month Program and Teaching with Flexner's Book
- [44:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-09-05-stl349-finishers-on-flexner#t=2690) The Decline of Trade Schools and Rise of Hands-On Workshops
- [52:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-09-05-stl349-finishers-on-flexner#t=3166) George Frank's Storytelling and Passion for Finishing
- [1:02:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-09-05-stl349-finishers-on-flexner#t=3722) Modern Furniture Trends and the Future of Finering Chemistry

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Intellectual property](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/intellectual-property)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Understanding Wood Finishing (product)
- Fine Woodworking (other)
- Center for Furniture Craftsmanship (other)
- Dakota County College (other)
- Mark Adams (other)
- Woodshop News (other)
- Professional Refinishing (other)
- Mortise and Tenon (other)
- Osmo (product)
- Rockler (other)
- Benco (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [436: In Case I Saw A Witch Fly By](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-03-29-436-in-case-i-saw-a-witch-fly-by) (Making It)
- [Episode 162: An eyeball, tongue, ear and 2 big thumbs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-03-30-episode-162-an-eyeball-tongue-ear-and-2-big-thumbs) (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)
- [494: Jumping on the Refrigerator, While We Can](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-08-15-494-jumping-on-the-refrigerator-while-we-can) (Making It)
- [430: I Want This Finish To Be Drinkable](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-02-16-430-i-want-this-finish-to-be-drinkable) (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/2025-09-05-stl349-finishers-on-flexner. 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.