STL 171: When the Instagram Critics Get To You
Mike, Anissa, and Ben discuss unwanted critiques, sharpening jointer knives, panel glue-ups, and dive pretty deep into fuming oakA winner for the USB archive has been selected. Thanks to everyone who entered, it was fun reading all of the comments. We’ll keep doing things like this. -Ben (09/14/2018 – 10:47:13)
If you have questions you’d like us to answer on the show, send them in to [email protected]. You can also use the voice memo app on your phone and email us a 30 second audio recording, or if you’re old-school you can leave a voicemail by calling 203-304-3456.
Question 1:
From Ray: I recently scooped up a 6″ Delta jointer with steel knives. I’m re-sharpening the knives myself with sandpaper and a granite slab. How can you tell when it’s time to pull the knives and freshen them up? Is there a specific board foot limit or time limit?
- Sharpening Services – Is it worth the time and expense to get your blades sharpened?
- Video: Machine Setup – The Jointer part 1 – Matt Wajda sets the jointer tables using only a straight-edge and some scraps of paper
Question 2: Fuming madness!
From Chris: I have heard that it’s important to ensure all pieces come from the same tree in order for consistent color matching when fuming with ammonia. How do you do that if you are buying from a lumberyard instead of a private sawmill? My lumberyard has stacks of White Oak but it’s impossible to ensure they come from the same tree.
From John: Do you pre-finish panels before glue up so they do not reveal unfinished wood during seasonal changes.
From Vince: I am fuming white oak on a hanging shelf. My test boards look darker after 30 hours in the box, but they have a bit of a greenish hue to them. I was hoping a coat of Waterlox would make the color a bit ‘warmer’, but it didn’t quite get it there. Is there another wiping varnish, or maybe a dye additive that the pros would use to warm up the color?
- Finish Line: Original Arts and Crafts by Nancy R. Hiller #193–Sept/Oct 2007 Issue
- Re-creating a Shaker Finish by Linda Coit #203–Jan/Feb 2009 Issue
- Video Workshop: Mike fumes the white oak of his hayrake table
- Video: How to Fume Furniture with Ammonia by Kelly J. Dunton #186–Sept/Oct 2006 Issue
Segment: Smooth Moves
Anissa – Left an errant screw on the bench while screwing down a tabletop, thus, gouging the top.
Ben – Not trusting his eye and over-trusting layout lines
Mike – Taking too much time in between mock-ups and loosing sight of his original vision
Question 3:
From Aaron: I have seen conflicting information on edge gluing flat sawn material. Some urgently stress the importance of alternating the direction of the growth rings on the end grain. On the other hand, some very reputable sources stress the importance of orienting the boards in whichever position yields the most natural grain progression across the panel. Who is right?
Recommendations:
Ben – MattWhite on Instagram @mattwhite_tmw
Anissa – Wharton Esherick Museum on Instagram @wesherickmuseum
Mike – Brian Boggs on Instagram @brianboggschairmakers
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
Great episode, as always. Is this the place for the USB archive?
I wish you did the podcast each week like the Fine Homebuilding podcast!
Great episode! I always enjoy the casual laid back conversation. The best part about today's podcast was the "behind the scenes" talk about design. I hope someday that I can be as good as Mike. I listen very carefully to the wisdom that you guys share freely. Thank you so much for the time you take out of your day to do this podcast. I appreciate it.
Your friend(wink, wink),
Eric Zander
PS I would think that anyone posting images of a partially completed project, or PIP(project in process) on Instagram is actually opening the dialogue for opinions. Otherwise, as Anissa would say...what is the point?
Always enjoyable, thx
Very Insightful episode as always
From Don Bullock
WB Fine Woodworking
Another great podcast. Mike’s explanation of his fuming process is something I’me Very interested in trying. I have some white oak Arts and Crafts projects planned and would like to try fuming. Then Anissa came up with the Nancy Hiller article on the finishing technique she uses and now I want to try both. The point that Ben made that a process like the one that Nancy uses gives the woodworker full control of the process was excellent. That’s something lacking in a lot of staining processes. Yes, as Mike mentioned using a test board is a good idea but I’ve often found that unless I use a large piece for the test board that process is a lot like paint colors in the racks at the paint store. The color is never the same on a large project. I also have done what Anissa was talking about. I totally removed the stain from a project and started over. It was hard to do but the only way I thought I could be happy with the end product. That’s one where a test board steered me in the wrong direction. Ben you need to get out of your rut and try other finishes. Yes’ it’s nice to use a finish you’re “comfortable with” on major projects but do some experimentation on some projects and you may find a process you like even better as far as the end result is concerned.
I also fully agree with Annisa’s take on gluing up boards. It’s all about the aesthetics, not growth ring direction and Mike’s points about dealing with cupping over the full width rather than the ups and downsand changes in the change in chatoyance that might happen with alternating the sides were excellent.
I love these podcasts because they are sort of like the input and collaboration that Annisa was talking about. Woodworking for the most part is very isolating. Rarely do most of us have any chance for collaboration or input from others. Prior to the Internet my main input came from magazines like Fine Woodworking but today things like this podcast provide even better input because it allows for some interaction between the three of you that very often provides a better idea. Thanks.
BTW — Ben, the search feature on the website needs to be tweaked some. I tried searching for issue 193 but didn’t get the article that Annisa mentioned. Then I tried “Nancy Hiller finish” and ended up with the article on the shelf but not the finishing portion. I had to dig further into the website to find it and quite frankly can’t remember what I did to find it. This type of problem comes up often when I’m searching for things on the Fine Woodworking website. No, I have now idea what it will take to make the search feature better at coming up with results but it’s something that you might check into.
Great episode. Especially liked the discussion on design and how it can go astray.
Fine Woodworking USB archive! Yes please! I'm a 27 year old professional engineer, but an amateur woodworker. The only downside to winning the archive would be finding the time to build furniture when you're not reading through the thousands of amazing articles over the years. Keep up the good work on the podcast!
Oh sure, often my comment is one of two or three comments left for a particular podcast, but give away something and, gee, look at all of the people who think the podcast is just wonderful all of a sudden!
Keep your USB stick! Just hearing Mike, Ben and Anissa, three of the best-looking, most talented artisans, in that room, at that particular time of day, is prize enough for this woodworker.
Thanks for all the answers about fuming oak. Been listening to old episodes of the podcast and just realized I miss the Wizard of Oz "smooth moves" intro. Ah well...
Always enjoy each episode. Can’t wait for each new episode
As always, another great episode.
Just getting ready to listen, but figured I ought to preemptively comment to be in for the archive and go ahead and "like" this episode prior to listening... I always enjoy them. Keep it up.
Count me in for a shot at the archive. Been subscribing since issue 1. Maybe the archive would tempt me to downsize......
Always love watching (or listening). Keep up the good work!
Great podcast, always excited to see it drop in my in box. Keep up the great work and letting folks know you make mistake too... most freeing concept I have heard in a long time.
Another great episode! Would love to win that archive!
Great episode. Its great to hear design nerds geek out. Raise your nerd cards high and be proud. Design Adds Value Everywhere.
It was an excellent podcast as always. I'm sure that I am not going to miss the snark. And weekly would be better
Great podcast!!! Information here is always interesting and informative for those of us who can only hope to make things like you all do. Does Anissa post on Instagram???? If so how do I find her????
Another hour flies by. I always learn from you guys. Anissa, great hand modeling job. You could have another job on the side (just what you need!)
I'd love the archive
really enjoyed the discussion on fuming oak. I have only ever used the serious 28% solution so I was interested to learn that a 10% janitors solution (ace hardware) will also suffice. Thanks.
Thanks for the podcast. You guys should do an episode from the FWW shop I keep hearing so much about. Interesting talk on the jointer knife question - I just went through the replacement process on mine. I wish I had seen Matt Wadja's class before I did it. That 1/8" sliding trick is a really good idea!
Another great podcast!
I only have about 2 years worth of magazines, so I would love to win the archive!!! Fine Woodworking is filled with great info. I look forward to each issue just as I look forward to each episode of Shop Talk Live.
Great Episode. Keep it up.
Good stuff. I liked the variety of topics in the episode. Keep it up!
I went down to read the comments while listening to the podcast, and I was surprised at the number. Ordinarily there would only be 1 or 2 on the day of the podcast. As always I enjoyed it particularly Mike's comment about designing out the negatives to get it right.
Best discussion about the creative feedback process you've done yet. Your experiences and internal thinking processes were clearly described, and could apply to any craft. I admire your willingness to share unfiltered thoughts with us. Thank you.
Shoptalk Live Saturdays are always the best in the shop! Missing Dr Kenney's contribution, but is great to learn more about the other FWW editors. Keep it up, 5 stars, cheers!
The simplicity of Mikes description of the design process after the initial spark made me scramble around my desk searching for a note pad to write that down. Refining my design is often a struggle, looking at it with a new thought process will definitely help. Thank you!
Thanks for another interesting episode. In exchange for a chance to win the USB archive, I'll share some facts about ammonia that you may not have known you wanted to know ;)
First, Mike, all due respect, but ammonia could literally not turn into water because it does not contain the right elements (ammonia is NH3 and water is H2O). The nitrogen (N) in ammonia is key to its chemical properties. Most N-containing compounds are pretty reactive, and potentially very nasty.
Specifically, ammonia has the following well-documented environmental and health effects: (1) it causes eutrophication of the environment (it's a form of nitrogen fertilizer), (2) it causes acidification of the environment, and last but not least (3) it reacts with other compounds in the atmosphere to create microscopic particles, i.e., air pollutants, that cause respiratory diseases and other problems. Nitrogen pollution and specifically ammonia pollution are serious and growing environmental concerns in several parts of the world; for an overview of the situation in the US see the US EPA report "Reactive Nitrogen in the United States": https://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/WebBOARD/INCSupplemental
That said, ammonia fuming of wood is not a big contributor to the problem. Most ammonia is emitted from livestock manure. If you want to reduce your environmental ammonia emissions the easiest way is probably to cut down on meat consumption. Each kg of beef contributes perhaps 1/8 kg of pure ammonia, or the equivalent of more than 1 kg of Mike's 10% janitor's ammonia, released into the environment.
(And just replace kg by lb above if you like imperial units. Greetings from Europe :) )
Not being one of the better graduate students of architecture I have some experience with critiques, good and bad. I have some comments:
I watch every episode - you must be doing something right, but. Crits are meant to improve projects.
The discussions on design are overdue and good.
Mike, recall George Frank's books. He discusses fuming in one of them. Your comments emphasis learning and gaining skill with each project, a sign of a good teacher.
Anissa, find your way to speak up more. You're there because you're knowledgable and have another perspective. Your comments about being in the student setting were familiar.
I really look forward to your podcasts. Your comments about Instagram crack me up. I am a full time artist working wood, but my pieces are whimsical sculpture and kinetic art, so I dont get a lot of comments on my technique. That is until I posted work in progress photos of a split top roubo bench. Then “experts” were there to tell me I’m using my moisture meter incorrectly...
Comment for archive
Thanks for another great episode! Miss Matt :(
Would love the archive! Thanks.
Would love to have the archive. Thanks.
I was in binge listening to the last three episodes while I was sanding my front door for repainting. I couldn’t believe how fast number 171 went. Great job, everyone!
Nice job today. The discussion on fuming oak was excellent.
I had a great laugh as usual listening to the pod cast as you all discussed Annisa's feral kids. I laughed so loud my dog stopped in his tracks and stared at me. I have a small humble shop in my apartment which is also located in a college residence hall where I am a live in professional staff person. Money is tight all the time right now and I wish I could find a tool swap like the one mentioned in the show. I am going to start hunting around Florida for a similar event.
As usual, very good discussion and useful insights. Another vote for weekly!
I'd be delighted to have a copy of the archive. My last one only goes to 2010, and though I have all the paper copies, the archive is really handy for searching articles.
Nice job today with the show and I too like the "feral" description of Anissa's kids. Also, renting a truck as an extra room for fuming furniture would never have occurred to me.
Another great episode. I didn’t realize there were more detailed show notes here. Nice addition. Thanks!
Enjoyed my first time listening. Glad to see even the pros make what some would call silly goof ups! Looking forward to the next one! And I would love to win the archive too!
I always appreciate the conversational nature and insights on woodworking design. Keep it up.
Love all of these episodes. Thanks again for the insight in to your construction and design techniques. They are incredibly helpful for those of us in a small town not close to master woodworkers. :)
Great episode - especially appreciated Mike's thoughts on the process of design. I am looking forward to my soon-to-be-delivered book providing more of the same insight.
I couldn't begin to list all my "smooth moves". The latest was when I had a very small piece of cutoff barely 1/8 in. thick lying on my sled. I placed the next piece on the sled and made my cut. Needless to say it was not 90 degrees and of course it was my last piece of matching stock for the cabinet. Live and learn.
Thanks for another great show. Is this where I give my artistic critique of your show? ;-)
Please enter me in the drawing for the archive too.
Love listening. As a computer scientist who attended graduate school, this is the equivalent education for woodworking. Keep it going!
Love the show. Anissa is a fantastic addition.
Another 5 Star show as always, although we're missing Matt already. Time to update that little photo or start paying Matt some royalties! Thanks for explaining the whole fuming thing - now it makes sense. Yes, a weekly podcast would be super cool. Please consider it... :)
Love listening to these podcasts....usually 3-4 per week until I get caught up. Would love to win a copy of the archive!
So.. what were you thinking? where were your heads going...? What didn't you love about this episode?
;-P
would love the archive.
kudos to /u/user-5032973 for the informative (almost) article on ammonia.
Ben - you should get him to flesh out for a side-bar or something in the magazine.
Great episode as always
Mostly here for the chance to win the archive. But Ben, you gotta go for a Dutch tool chest. Do it in 2 parts so you can still take the necessary stuff with you and it will have a smaller footprint than your last tool box. Also there is a typo in the show notes for mike's smooth move "Mike – Taking too much time in between mock-ups and LOOSING sight of his original vision"
Ooh, archives.
Really enjoy the podcasts.
Love the podcast!
Sure would like the archive.
Great work as always. I wish there was a new episode more often than every two weeks!
I'd love to see more discussions on advanced finishing techniques like sealing on coating or application with shellac to then safely move on to the next step. If you don't like a result you can then strip back down to a step and start over.
Always enjoy the podcast … thanks !
Not trying to pad my chances for the USB subscription, but forgot to request (Roland Jonhson ?) review/comment on the Harvey Gyro Air … there seems to be very little out there on this dust collector … it is very expensive and very different … would hate to make a mistake ! (unisaw, 10" inca jointer planer combo, delta 14" bandsaw, delta 12" disk sander, delta 14" drill press, powermatic benchtop hollow chisel mortise, routers,sanders, etc.
Great podcast. Also commenting for the USB archive!!! But really, to say mostly I miss Matt Kenney. I’m kinda bummed he isn’t there to give his weird sense of humorous , yet philosophical input into the content of the show.
Enjoy the podcasts, and always look forward to the next. Great job folks!
Joe
really missing Matt however i have enjoyed Anissa ever since shes started appearing on the show as well!
Great show. I had never heard of fuming with ammonia so I learned something new. And Anissa's Smooth Move had me cringing. It was like listening to a horror podcast.
Great episode and great podcast. With every new episode your podcast draws me into the Fine Woodworking family. Anissa is a great addition.
Another terrific listen. "Nice" break from Matt. Like his technical commentary, but the "off humor" should be left in the FWW break room. Current hosts are A+ listen. Wide range of experience, perspective and insight.
always enjoy the show, looking for the photo of the ikea chest of drawers as a tool chest Anissa mentioned? Thanks!
Curious about the picture/video of the repurposed Ikea cabinet. Also enter me into the drawing for the archive. Thank you.
I agree -- every week would be great!
Thanks for spending your time making this great content for us! I was sorry to hear that there will be no more Matt, but I appreciate all the different personalities that have been on the podcast.
Please register me for the archive giveaway !
I love the podcast. I look forward to each every other week.
I like others would like to get a weekly podcast from FW. But I know making a quality podcast like yours is a lot of work so and you all have day jobs that you need to attend to. So I have taken to relistening to each podcast a week later. :-) I actually get more information out of the second listen and retain more of the info form it as well. Sounds like a win, win, win to me.
The serials in the USB wont be falling out when we pick it up, right?? MP has some great customer service, though!
Count me in for the archive 😊
Thanks for all you guys do! I really enjoy your pod casts! Wish there where more!
Love the podcast! Would love the USB too.
Great episode.
Good episode. Plans to have Matt on as a guest?
Mike, congratulations on the book.
You guys are all great - funny, articulate, and relatable. I learn a lot and look forward to every episode.
I really enjoy the podcast, don't quit.
Another great episode! Love the podcast... would love the archive also!
Thanks for another fine episode. One of you mentioned Waterlox over garnet shellac as a finish. I may just try that on a cherry dining table I'm about to build. The podcast, like the magazine, is always informative and entertaining.
Best regards to all.
Do enjoy these episodes. I agree with the guy who said "I love these podcasts because they are sort of like the input and collaboration that Annisa was talking about. Woodworking for the most part is very isolating. Rarely do most of us have any chance for collaboration or input from others. Prior to the Internet my main input came from magazines like Fine Woodworking but today things like this podcast provide even better input because it allows for some interaction between the three of you that very often provides a better idea. Thanks." Well said . . .
Tbh, my biggest comment right now is that I’ve logged on multiple times and this page still shows that I’m not logged in. But other than that frustration, I love listening when I can. I’m confused as to what happened to Matt, because you guys seemed to brush over it real fast, unless I missed something. There is a void in the comic relief since he left. Still, I look forward to every forthcoming episode.
Enjoyable episode. Ben asks great questions, and that helps me learn. Anissa and Mike provide great explanations and viewpoints. I will miss hearing Matt.
As usual Ben & company, a great show. When I first started listening my ID at that time was related to my age. Made it past a Cancer scare and am now starting my 5th year in remission. At 81, still learning and trying to clean up the cobwebs so I can get back in the shop to do something marvelous. Hoping too for that USB!
Regards,
Keep up the good work.
Great podcast makes driving around for work enjoyable. Like someone else said all of the regulars feel like friend's
Most of my weekends start and end with a long drive which I have been using to work though all the Shop Talk Live episodes. I'm still fairly new to woodworking and I have learned a lot from y'all, normally after I have made the mistakes y'all cover. Keep up the great work
A comment.
I always enjoy shop talk live, but the extra segment on teaching woodworking to kids really caught my attention. What better project for a woodworking club than introducing another generation to the craft. After watching the video, my club, Florida Westcoast Woodwowrkers Club, floridawoodworkers.com, is investigating where we might work this into out community. One of the avenues we are looking at is the Boys and Girls Clubs. Thanks for all you do.
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in