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01:31 – Question 1:

I am a novice woodworker building my collection of basic hand tools. I need to get a handsaw, but there are so many out there and they all have different functions. Which hand saws do you consider essential to your work and which would you suggest for a beginner? -Drew

10:03 – Question 2:

My question is about finishing drawers, specifically, the outside of the drawer.  Sometimes I will leave my drawer unfinished or often will give it just a coat or two of shellac.  But on the outside of the drawer, I want to give it some finished to show off the dovetails. if I start finishing the entire side, it looks odd with the rest of the drawer box finished differently, especially if there is any color to the finish applied.  What do you do for your case pieces? -Evan

13:45 – All Time Favorite Technique of All Time… for this week:

Ben – Mora #106 Sloyd Knife
Mike – Bob Van Dyke’s Tablesaw L-Fence
Tom –  His “Bench that’s easy to make”

25:18 – Question 3:

When I first began building furniture last year, I purchased a #4 plane, but recently added a #6 and block plane to my toolbox. Since then, I have not touched the #4 and am considering selling it. I work in pine and cherry, and mill everything by hand. I sharpen daily and get great surfaces. The #6 is more comfortable and works well for every task, so will I ever need a narrower, shorter, and less massive plane? -Jordan

30:09 – Question 4:

I’m building a cabinet for my sister’s wedding gift. I have cherry face frames and two doors with cherry frames and curly maple panels. What is the best surface prep before shellacking the panels. I was planning to plane or card scrape it, but I’ve heard using a lower grit sand paper can help the figure pop. -Devin

35:50 – All Time Favorite Furniture of All Time… for this week

Mike – Opposing wedges
Ben – Using an allen wrench as a spacer block
Bob Van Dyke’s – Keyway Keys Guarantee Accuraracy
Tom – Using a spacer block to trim dowels to the perfect length

46:50 – Question 5:

I am going to not have access to my shop for about 5 months due to a move, and was wondering if you have ideas on how I can continue with some woodworking while living in an apartment with neighbors above, below and to the side of me, as well as a family that would appreciate not having too much woodworking stuff sitting around.  I have considered learning and taking up spoon carving, and perhaps bowl carving, but was wondering if you have some additional ideas? -Zeke

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Tom McKenna Editor	Michael Pekovich Executive Art Director	Ben Strano Web Producer

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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 [email protected] 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.