Shop Tour: Vic Tesolin
Vic Tesolin is known as “The Minimalist Woodworker.” You’ll see what that means when we show you how many tools he has stashed away in his shop.
Vic Tesolin preaches that you don’t need thousands of dollars’ worth of tools before you can start building beautiful furniture—and he’s right! People all over the world build wonderful pieces with only a few beat-up tools. But let’s be honest, I’m not alone when I say that half of the fun of woodworking is acquiring and using the tools–all the tools, be they hand tools or power tools. Gimme the tools.
Vic goes by “The Minimalist Woodworker,” so I thought it would be fun to see just how many tools this “minimalist” has. Well, I can tell you I was shocked when I discovered that Vic has more than his fair share of tools. His 400-sq.-ft. shop was filled with them. Big tools, little tools, old tools, new tools. After I got over my feelings of being betrayed by one of my favorite Canadians, I realized that there was something different about Vic’s shop.
As I looked around Vic’s shop, it started to make a bit more sense. Vic has dozens—no hundreds—of tools, but I’d be hard pressed to find an “extra” tool. By that I mean Vic’s shop is filled with tools he uses—if it’s going to take up space in Vic’s shop, it’s for a good reason. So take a look around Vic’s shop. It’s filled with intentional tools–tools with a purpose. I think while you’re at it, you’ll glean more than a trick or two from the Minimalist Woodworker.
More on FineWoodworking.com:
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- Track Saws – For fast, accurate cuts in plywood and more, these compact saws are hard to beat
- Tool Test: Drill Presses – Floor-standing models have more power, capacity, and convenience than benchtop models
Comments
This a great interview. Very much worthy watching -- and chuckling, too.
Enjoyed this video very much. Nice interview and a look into a "minimalist woodworkers" shop. Well done FW!
I enjoyed the part where Vic talked about using the track saw/table combo as a substitute for a table saw. Could a future video show how he uses this to perform certain tablesaw-style cuts he described? I am dealing with space considerations in my shop as well and as such I don’t have the room for a table saw.
Enjoyed the interview ... especially enjoyed the sense of humor surrounding the issue of using mm instead of inches in measurement!
Tesolin and Strano, I think you have Italian origins, in your ancestors. I'm following you from Italy. thank you
There are a million ways to 'skin a cat' (not swing). As long as he is getting the job done and having fun. There should be some rethinking about a table saw (and jointer not mentioned) is you are doing 'flat work'. Small shop space, think small shop tools, don't forget one of the oldest coolest inventions, "Wheels" on tools and multi-puropose tool benches.
In case anyone is interested in the depth of my comment, customcabinetmakers.com
Great lighthearted interview. Good thing Vic wrote the minimalist woodworker before he added all of those machines - not much talk about hand tools.
Well done
Anyone else want to weigh in on the "track saw and table vs table saw" thing? What limits might there be when the table saw is not there? Good comment from matt101.
I threw out my table saw and substituted with the track saw (which I have had for years) and MFT table a year ago, and I am still happy. It works fine for cross-cutting (also angled cuts) and shoulders. Have not tried a router at the track yet. I do all ripping at the bandsaw and use a router table for "dadoblade-work".
The MFT table makes a lot of sense for us without the means or space for a Saw Stop, especially if you own a track saw already. I'lll have to check out how my Makita would work on the Festool system.
Great interview; nice shop. I have a small shop too so interesting to see how other folks utilize space. Also noticed the poster of Pat Metheny's Pikasso 42 string guitar...nice touch!
"Minimalist woodworker" ?? Really??
Swing a cat is actually a cat o nine tails. A method of punishment in the days of square riggers and galleons it’s a rope with nine ends that you were beaten with. If you were in a confined space there was no room to swing a cat. Maybe British only?
Vic, as always you are a hoot! Quite a contrast between your reputation as a minimalist woodworker, and a sales wizard for Lee Valley who is anything but minimalist.
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