# STL353: A Big Bit of Community

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2025-10-31
- Length: 1h 06m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-10-31-stl353-a-big-bit-of-community
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl353-a-big-bit-of-community

## Summary

Ben and Mike Pekovic discuss the latest Fine Woodworking issue, highlighting a printing error with non-peeling mailing labels and new shop lighting upgrades. They then interview Megan Shannon, founder of A Tiny Bit Of Wood, a community-focused woodworking school in Lansing, Michigan. Shannon details her journey from milling local lumber with a Wood-Miser LT25 to building an accessible, inclusive school that offers diverse classes for all ages, including challenging kids' summer camps. The conversation covers the financial and logistical hurdles of running an affordable, community-integrated business, including securing insurance and navigating nonprofit status.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-10-31-stl353-a-big-bit-of-community#t=6) Introduction: Mike Pekovic and Fine Woodworking Magazine Updates
- [1:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-10-31-stl353-a-big-bit-of-community#t=107) Printing Issues: Mailing Labels and Shop Lighting Upgrades
- [4:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-10-31-stl353-a-big-bit-of-community#t=288) Shop Setup: Bandsaw-Centric Workflows and Sandpaper Resources
- [12:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-10-31-stl353-a-big-bit-of-community#t=723) 3D Printing in Woodworking: Course Preview and Template Techniques
- [19:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-10-31-stl353-a-big-bit-of-community#t=1188) Listener Question: Sourcing and Preparing Air-Dried Walnut Lumber
- [25:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-10-31-stl353-a-big-bit-of-community#t=1530) Megan Shannon and A Tiny Bit Of Wood: School Origins and Lumber Milling
- [32:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-10-31-stl353-a-big-bit-of-community#t=1943) Location Strategy: Downtown Lansing Space and Renovation Decisions
- [38:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-10-31-stl353-a-big-bit-of-community#t=2321) Curriculum Evolution: From Adult Classes to 80+ Topics
- [43:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-10-31-stl353-a-big-bit-of-community#t=2599) Kids' Summer Camps: Insurance, Safety, and Community Projects
- [55:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-10-31-stl353-a-big-bit-of-community#t=3314) Business Challenges: Affordability, Rent, and Nonprofit Transition

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Fine Woodworking (company)
- A Tiny Bit Of Wood (company)
- Wood-Miser LT25 (tool)
- Fusion 360 (tool)
- SawStop (tool)
- Gorilla Wood Glue (product)
- Dap Weldwood (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 033: More listener questions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-08-21-episode-033-more-listener-questions) (Making It)
- [Episode 092: Good Clean Fun with Nick Offerman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-10-14-episode-092-good-clean-fun-with-nick-offerman) (Making It)
- [134: Kevin Kelly Remains Undefeated](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2026-06-24-134-kevin-kelly-remains-undefeated) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [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)
- [226: Building a Community of Machine Shop Entrepreneurs Featuring Russell Winter, Founder of US MFG](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-03-04-226-building-a-community-of-machine-shop-entrepreneurs-featuring-russell-winter) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## 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/2025-10-31-stl353-a-big-bit-of-community. 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.