# STL359: Making the Most of Shop Time

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2026-02-06
- Length: 42m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-02-06-stl359-making-the-most-of-shop-time
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl359-making-the-most-of-shop-time

## Summary

Mike Pekovich, Vic Tesla, and Amanda Russell discuss strategies for managing limited shop time, emphasizing the use of detailed checklists and 'order of operations' to minimize setup friction and decision fatigue during short work sessions. The hosts address how to handle interruptions in large projects by breaking tasks into small, definable steps and using visual markers like grease pencils to track joinery locations. They also debate the value of deliberate practice, suggesting that building functional, low-stakes items like trays or boxes is more effective for skill acquisition than repetitive drills on scrap wood.

## Chapters

- [0:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-02-06-stl359-making-the-most-of-shop-time#t=5) Introduction: Shop Talk Live Episode 359 and Upcoming Events
- [1:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-02-06-stl359-making-the-most-of-shop-time#t=119) Host Updates: Teaching, Commission Work, and Shop Setup
- [7:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-02-06-stl359-making-the-most-of-shop-time#t=436) Managing Shop Time: Checklists and Order of Operations
- [13:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-02-06-stl359-making-the-most-of-shop-time#t=782) Stoicism, Radical Acceptance, and Color-Coded Progress
- [18:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-02-06-stl359-making-the-most-of-shop-time#t=1136) Process Efficiency: Grease Pencils, Grain Marking, and Board Orientation
- [28:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-02-06-stl359-making-the-most-of-shop-time#t=1689) Deliberate Practice: Sawing, Dovetails, and Unconscious Competency
- [38:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-02-06-stl359-making-the-most-of-shop-time#t=2311) Low-Stakes Practice: Building Functional Items vs. Scrap Drills

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Fine Woodworking (company)
- Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking (other)
- Woodworking in America (other)
- Rosewood (other)
- Philip Morley (other)
- Garrett Hack (other)
- Kelly Mehler (other)
- Gary Rogowski (other)
- Phil Huber (other)
- Logan Whitmer (other)
- John Benson (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 030: Productivity.geocities.com](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-07-31-episode-030-productivity-geocities-com) (Making It)
- [Episode 032: Listener Questions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-08-13-episode-032-listener-questions) (Making It)
- [Episode 60: Don’t match your socks](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-02-26-episode-60-dont-match-your-socks) (Making It)
- [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 062: Totally bananas](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-03-11-episode-062-totally-bananas) (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/2026-02-06-stl359-making-the-most-of-shop-time. 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.