# STL363: More Than One Way to Cut a Dovetail

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2026-04-03
- Length: 1h 07m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-04-03-stl363-more-than-one-way-to-cut-a-dovetail
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl-363-more-than-one-way-to-cut-a-dovetail

## Summary

Bob Van Dyke, director of the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking, joins Anissa and Ben to discuss the importance of flexibility in woodworking techniques, using the example of cutting dovetails (pins first vs. tails first) and referencing masters like Al Breed and Will Neptune. They also answer listener questions regarding the use of splines for panel glue-ups and the choice between butt, sausage, and invisible hinges for fine furniture. The group promotes the upcoming Fine Woodworking New England event, highlighting speakers like Tom Lee Nielsen, Mark Swanson, and Mary May.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-04-03-stl363-more-than-one-way-to-cut-a-dovetail#t=6) Introduction and Fine Woodworking New England Overview
- [10:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-04-03-stl363-more-than-one-way-to-cut-a-dovetail#t=600) Flexibility in Dovetail Techniques and Problem Solving
- [25:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-04-03-stl363-more-than-one-way-to-cut-a-dovetail#t=1545) Fine Woodworking New England Speakers and Events
- [38:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-04-03-stl363-more-than-one-way-to-cut-a-dovetail#t=2287) Listener Question: Splines for Panel Glue-Ups
- [52:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-04-03-stl363-more-than-one-way-to-cut-a-dovetail#t=3127) Listener Question: Butt, Sausage, and Invisible Hinges

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking (company)
- Fine Woodworking New England (other)
- Al Breed (other)
- Will Neptune (other)
- Tom Lee Nielsen (other)
- Mary May (other)
- James Krenov (other)
- Bloom hinges (other)
- Whitechapel (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 064: Pat the bushes of my brain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-03-25-episode-064-pat-the-bushes-of-my-brain) (Making It)
- [Episode 332: Plywood is good](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-11-27-episode-332-plywood-is-good) (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 163: Live Edge Bowling  Ball](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-04-06-episode-163-live-edge-bowling-ball) (Making It)
- [Episode 259: Pretty alright woodworking](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-05-01-episode-259-pretty-alright-woodworking) (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/2026-04-03-stl363-more-than-one-way-to-cut-a-dovetail. 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.