# STL378: The Tweezer Man Cometh

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2026-10-30
- Length: 48m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-10-30-stl378-the-tweezer-man-cometh
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl378-the-tweezer-man-cometh

## Summary

Mike Pekovich, Owen Madden, and Bridgid Gruber of Fine Woodworking discuss how wood science informs practical joinery decisions, specifically addressing Dan Bullock's claim that pinning tenons reduces strength by 20-40%. They argue that while pins create stress risers, the resulting joint remains far stronger than necessary for typical furniture loads, making pinning a valid aesthetic and mechanical choice. The team also covers troubleshooting sticky wooden drawer slides, managing glue squeeze-out in mortise and tenon joints, and using tools like the Stanley 80 scraper and Lee Nielsen plane for difficult grain.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-10-30-stl378-the-tweezer-man-cometh#t=6) Introduction: Wood Science and Pin Joinery
- [2:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-10-30-stl378-the-tweezer-man-cometh#t=124) Analyzing Tenon Strength and Pin Placement
- [6:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-10-30-stl378-the-tweezer-man-cometh#t=411) Contextualizing Joint Strength vs. Load
- [11:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-10-30-stl378-the-tweezer-man-cometh#t=665) Tools for Difficult Grain: Stanley 80 and Lee Nielsen
- [24:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-10-30-stl378-the-tweezer-man-cometh#t=1454) Troubleshooting Sticky Wooden Drawer Slides
- [35:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-10-30-stl378-the-tweezer-man-cometh#t=2120) Glue Application Strategies and Squeeze-Out
- [40:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2026-10-30-stl378-the-tweezer-man-cometh#t=2409) Mortise Depth and Through Tenon Gluing

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Fine Woodworking (company)
- Stanley 80 (tool)
- Lee Nielsen (company)
- Tweezer Man (product)
- Gorilla Wood Glue (product)
- Sutherland Wells (company)
- Chris Gockner (other)
- Dan Bullock (other)
- Dr. Siri (other)
- Mike Pekovich (other)
- Owen Madden (other)
- Bridgid Gruber (other)
- Ben Strano (other)
- Chris Bexford (other)
- Bob Van Dyke (other)
- Titebond (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 163: Live Edge Bowling  Ball](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-04-06-episode-163-live-edge-bowling-ball) (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/2026-10-30-stl378-the-tweezer-man-cometh. 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.