Shop Talk Live - Fine Woodworking

This week, Fine Woodworking staffers Mike, Owen, and Bridgid interpret wood science for practical use in the shop. We know that drilling a hole through a tenon makes it weaker. The science doesn't lie, but is that reason enough to abandon pinned joinery for good?

Join us on our Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

View the show notes here to find everything mentioned in this episode - http://www.shoptalklive.com

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

For more information about our woodworking dream trips - http://www.finewoodworking.com/trips

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord, linked above!

Seri Robinson, a professor of wood science at Oregon State University, and Dan Bollock, the woodshop operations manager for Purdue Univeristy, sit down in person with Vic and Owen to bust myths about wooden cutting boards, pinned joinery, and appropriate glue usage.

View the show notes here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

For more information about our woodworking dream trips - http://www.finewoodworking.com/trips

Join us on our Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord, linked above!

In this episode, Vic sits down with Fine Woodworking staffers Owen and Bridgid to talk about shop tunes, handplane weight, and ways to systematically shape wood.

View the show notes here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

Sign up for Woodworking in America, October 9-10 in Des Moines, IA - https://woodworkinginamerica.com/

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

For more information about our woodworking dream trips - http://www.finewoodworking.com/trips

Join us on our Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord, linked above!

Crossover episode! This week Bridgid sat down with Popular Woodworking's Logan Wittmer and SawStop CEO Matt Howard to chat about the big bandsaw news revealed at IWF 2026.

View the show notes here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

Sign up for Woodworking in America, October 9-10 in Des Moines, IA - https://woodworkinginamerica.com/

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

For more information about our woodworking dream trips - http://www.finewoodworking.com/trips

Join us on our Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord, linked above!

Fine Woodworking staffers Mike, Owen, and Bridgid sit down to discuss Handworks 2026, wood finishes for kitchen utensils, and the moon's effect on trees.

View the show notes here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

Sign up for Woodworking in America, October 9-10 in Des Moines, IA - https://woodworkinginamerica.com/

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

For more information about our woodworking dream trips - http://www.finewoodworking.com/trips

Join us on our Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord, linked above!

Vic shares this episode with box maker and Fine Woodworking cover author Vasko Sotirov. Vasko is an impeccable woodworker, but he's too humble to say it. Luckily, we have Vic to say it for him. In this episode, the two dicuss box making, design prototyping, and (of course) the metric system.

View the show notes here - http://www.shoptalklive.com/

Sign up for Woodworking in America, October 9-10 in Des Moines, IA - https://woodworkinginamerica.com/

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

For more information about our woodworking dream trips - http://www.finewoodworking.com/trips

Join us on our Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord, linked above!

The old Taunton crew—Ben, Anissa, and Mike—sits down to discuss some exciting changes happening at Fine Woodworking and what the future holds.

View the show notes here and read a special note from Ben - http://www.shoptalklive.com/

Sign up for Woodworking in America - https://woodworkinginamerica.com/

Sign up for the New England American Craft Woodworking Tour - https://store.woodsmith.com/pages/tour/woodworkingtravel-2026oct-newengland?oly_enc_id=7553H1802612J7B

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

For more information about our woodworking dream trips - http://www.finewoodworking.com/trips

Join us on our Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord, linked above!

Vic and Bridgid sit down with furniture maker David Bedrosian to talk about the literal ins and outs of dust collection, along with the versatility of a sliding table saw.

David's Instagram

Links to topics mentioned in this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com/

Sign up for the New England American Craft Woodworking Tour - https://store.woodsmith.com/pages/tour/woodworkingtravel-2026oct-newengland?oly_enc_id=7553H1802612J7B

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

For more information about our woodworking dream trips - http://www.finewoodworking.com/trips

Join us on our Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord, linked above!

Adam Godet sits down with Owen and Ben to discuss honoring the customer's vision when doing commission work and how to protect your hearing long-term in the woodshop.

Links to topics mentioned in this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

Sign up for the New England American Craft Woodworking Tour - https://store.woodsmith.com/pages/tour/woodworkingtravel-2026oct-newengland?oly_enc_id=7553H1802612J7B

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

For more information about our woodworking dream trips - http://www.finewoodworking.com/trips

Join us on our Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord, linked above!

Jamie Gilgen sits down with Vic to discuss building out a shop in a small space, using combination machines and vacuum pressing bent laminations.

Jamie's YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@gilgen_furniture

Jamie's Cello Podium Build - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3BmjI5Y9wU&t=152s

Jamies Light Fixture Build - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU7QYuC5jvY&t=242s

Sign up for the New England American Craft Woodworking Tour - https://finewoodworking.com/tour/woodworkingtravel-2026oct-newengland

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

For more information about our woodworking dream trips - http://www.finewoodworking.com/trips

Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.

Bill Pavlak, head cabinetmaker at Colonial Williamsburg, joins Ben and Bridgid to discuss what it's like working in an 18th-century shop.

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

For more information about our woodworking dream trips - http://www.finewoodworking.com/trips

Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.

Vic interviews Steven Der-Garabedian, a teacher, woodworker and veneer artist, and together they answer questions about finding woodworking solutions in the quiet moments once you've allowed your brain to rest and process.

Visit Steve's website - Black Walnut Studio

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

For more information about our woodworking dream trips - http://www.finewoodworking.com/trips

Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.

Mike and accidental twins, Vic and Ben, discuss woodworking techniques they won't show, thinking about grain direction on drawer parts, prefinishing problems, Barry Manilow's lesser-known banger, and Vic and Ben fanboy over luthier Ted Woodford.

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

For more information about our woodworking dream trips - http://www.finewoodworking.com/trips

Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.

Shea Alexander is a custom furniture maker and the owner of Alexander Brother's lumberyard in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. He has years of experience guiding customers through the process of buying wood, and in this episode Shea and Vic discuss the importance of context when buying materials. What will this walnut table look like in 10 years? Are you sure you want rift sawn oak?

You can see more of Shea's work on Instagram and Substack, or visit the Alexander Brothers Website.

Sign up for Woodworking Travel Tours - https://www.finewoodworking.com/tours

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com/

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.

In this episode, Ben and Dinkle sit down with Phil Huber, of the Woodsmith Shop, to discuss machine upgrades (or lack thereof) along with answering some listener questions.

Sign up for Woodworking Travel Tours - https://www.finewoodworking.com/tours

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com/

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.

Mike and Vic sit down with Konrad Sauer, of Sauer & Steiner Toolworks, to discuss the design process — what constitutes good design? And what should you do in the rare moments where inspiration strikes?

Find Konrad on Instagram here: @sauer_and_steiner

Some of Konrad's favorite Instagram accounts: 5 of Konrad's Favorite Instagram Accounts

Shop Gorilla Glue: https://gorillatough.com/shoptalklive

Register for Fine Woodworking New England - Register for Fine Woodworking New England

Sign up for Woodworking Travel Tours - https://www.finewoodworking.com/tours

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com/

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.

Anissa and Ben sit down with Bob van Dyke of the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking to discuss Fine Woodworking New England and the importance of embracing flexibility in your approach to woodworking techniques.

Register for Fine Woodworking New England - Register for Fine Woodworking New England

Sign up for Woodworking Travel Tours - https://www.finewoodworking.com/tours

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com/

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.

Jeff Miller has been making furniture for 40 years, but he's not afraid to be a beginner. He and Vic sit down to discuss his new-found love of building guitars, the importance of routine practice, and proper woodworking body mechanics.

Register for Fine Woodworking New England - Register for Fine Woodworking New England

Sign up for Woodworking Travel Tours - https://www.finewoodworking.com/tours

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com/

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.

Luthier Aaron Keim chats with Ben about modifying tools to work better with your body, making kitchen shelves with figured maple, being able to work quickly, and of course, some instrument making wisdom is shared.

Register for Fine Woodworking New England - Register for Fine Woodworking New England

Sign up for Woodworking Travel Tours - https://www.finewoodworking.com/tours

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.

Venerring gets weird when Steve Der-Garabedian joins Vic and Ben to discuss the variety of veneer tape, vacuum pumps, substrates, and why he likes his glue stirred, not shaken.

For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

For more information about our Woodworking Fundamentals journey - http://www.finewoodworking.com/fundamentals

Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.