STL 152: Winter Woodworking Woes
Plus, the guys talk about deciding what to build, Japanese vs Western style saws, favorite techniques, and what you should add to your holiday wishlist01:07 – Question 1:
I’m curious how you guys decide what to build if you don’t have an immediate need in your house? I’d like to build more furniture for our house, but at some point, it’ll be full. What then? Matt what do you do with all of your boxes? Sell them all, or use them around the house? -Andrew
09:18 – Question 2:
With winter quickly approaching, I was wondering if you had any tips or advice for those of us who want to keep the craft going through the cold season. I work in a two-car garage that is semi insulated and is currently not heated. -Tim
18:57 – All Time Favorite Woodworking Gifts… for this year
Less than $20
- Mike – New bottle of glue, empty glue bottle, acid brushes, CA glue and accelorant
- Matt – Cabinet makers rule
- Ben – Olfa snap knife
Less than $75
- Matt – Lie Nielsen 1-in. bevel-edge socket chisel
- Mike – Forrest box joint blade set (at $129)
- Ben – Robin Wood compound curve spoon knife
Less than $500
- Ben – Veritas PMV-11 bench chisel set
- Matt – Veritas or Lie Nielsen shooting plane
- Mike – Festool Domino (at $990!)
33:20 – Question 3:
When I started getting into woodworking, I already owned a decent Japanese style saw, and I have become fairly proficient with it. Listening to the podcast, I have gotten the impression that the STL panel members prefer western style hand saws. Are there certain advantages to this style saw that lead to this preference? I borrowed a western style saw from a friend, and the results weren’t great. Is it worthwhile for me to invest the time required to learn to use a western style saw, or should I just stick with the Japanese style saw that is working well for me? -Kurt
42:30 – All-time favorite technique of all time… for this week
Here is a sneak-peak of the video Ben mentioned (and Jeff found time to edit)
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| Ben Strano Web Producer |
Mike Pekovich Creative Director |
Matt Kenney Special Projects Editor |
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.
Comments
Hey guys, love the show (LTL-FTC).
For question one on choosing what to make, I was surprised to hear that you all are so attached to the objects of your work. Admirers of my woodwork are often surprised to learn that I have no attachment to the finished project. Having had been a (fine) home building contractor for so long before retiring into hobby woodworking, I feel like the workpiece is sentimentally valueless but the experience of designing and building it is the priceless outcome. I choose my projects based on the challenges it presents and the possibility to learn and become a better craftsman. That is to say, once you’ve built something and you know you can build it again (better/faster even) then what is the point of hanging onto that object like some trophy?
Just my 2¢.
While I’m handing out opinions, I would like to add to question two; when my shop (an attached 2 car garage) was uninsulated and unheated, I hesitated going out into it during the winter. later I insulated it and installed a wood burner but still it was a hassle (and a fire hazard) to get things warmed up. But since I dry walled it and added a high efficiency direct vent furnace (a $100 used Empire unit), my workshop is a “mainroom” of my home and I am in my shop everyday. The (still unpainted) drywall really brightens up the space and the furnace is set on 45°F which is warm enough to keep glue and paint ready to work but cold enough to not drive up my heating bill. Anyone considering woodworking should really make these considerations first because, as you all probably know, building motivation to get into the shop is the greatest hurdle to woodworking. Create a warm and comfortable shop and you will spend much more time in the shop.
Thanks guys. Keep it up.
Gk
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