This episode is brought to you by Maverick Abrasives.

Question 1: 

From James:
I’ve been woodworking for several years, but I am just now beginning to incorporate hand tools in my work.  I mainly use reclaimed antique long-leaf pine, running it through my jointer and planer, then I use a belt sander and random orbital sander to get to a finish surface.  I’d like to eliminate some of the sanding and use a handplane. Can I go from the planer straight to a smoothing plane, or should I use something larger first like the 7 or 8?  I don’t currently own any hand planes so any advice on what to buy would help.

	Handplane Tune-Up Tips By Garrett Hack Learn tips on tuning up vintage handplanes from a furniture pro
	Fundamentals of Handplanes with Mike Pekovich By Michael Pekovich Nothing exemplifies the quality of an accomplished and experienced woodworker better than the full command of handplanes.

Question 2:

From Tommy:
I would like to build Mike’s ‘famous’ hanging tool chest, but with frame and panel construction. I think it’s awesome as is, but frame and panel construction with plywood panels seems to be more in my budget. How can I securely join the panels together for such a heavy piece in my small, mostly hand tool shop?

	A Cabinet for Hand Tools By Michael Pekovich #237–Tools & Shops 2014 Issue Make the outside plain or fancy, but design the inside around your tools
	Video Series: Build a Hanging Tool Cabinet Michael Pekovich shows you how to build a traditional hanging tool cabinet with beautiful dovetail joinery, step-by-step, in this Video Workshop series.

Segment: All-Time Favorite Tool

Ben – Digital calipers

Machinist’s Calipers By Tim Rousseau #247–May/June 2015 Issue When you need an exact measurement, nothing beats this precision tool

Mike – His new smaller, essential toolchest

	Tool Chest with Drawers By Michael Pekovich #234–July/Aug 2013 Issue Store your hand tools in style
	Video: Inside The Essential Tool Chest By Michael Pekovich Learn what makes this heirloom-quality tool chest tick

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Question 3:

From Matt:
I love the look of Chris Gochnour’s sideboard in FWW #277, have added it to the must-build list.  I wondered if you had any tips for sourcing rift-sawn white oak. Is it just a matter of getting the widest possible flat sawn boards and gluing the outer portions into a panel?  Would the rip-and-flip method on a thicker board be realistic for a piece this size?

Build a Contemporary Sideboard By Chris Gochnour #277-Sep/Oct 2019 Issue Chris Gochnour’s sideboard combines usefulness, strength, and beauty in a contemporary case piece

Question 4:  

From David:
When I’m ripping on my tablesaw I use an English style fence – which is nothing more than an auxiliary board that I mount on my fence with t-bolts and ends at the center of the blade. Doing this virtually eliminates kick-back, because after your workpiece is cut, it can not be pinched between the fence and the back of the blade.

Most of my woodworking buddies have never heard of this, and I have never seen it in photos within articles in Fine Woodworking. This seems to me to be something that would be standard in most shops. Is there some reason that most woodworkers in North America don’t use this system?  Is there a loss of accuracy, or a safety issue that I’m not aware of? If so, I’d like to know so I can stop doing it, if not then I’d like to hear your guesses as to why this isn’t more widely used.

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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.