This episode is sponsored by Woodcraft:

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Question 1: 

From Conor:
I recently just bought a hardware kit to build a wooden handplane. I am wondering what angle I should set the blade at for minimal tear-out and ease of push.

I also have a question regarding french polishing. When I store the rubbers in an airtight jar, the base of the rubber that comes in contact with the wood has started to become moldy. Am I doing something wrong or is this normal? 

A perfect French polish finish In this video series, professional finisher John Coffey demonstrates the French polishing method he’s perfected after 30 years of finishing new pieces and refinishing priceless antiques.

Question 2:

From Dennis:
Do you have any tips for the lumber yard, to help single out troubled boards? Quarter sawn white oak is not cheap to just throw away and our winters in Southern California are not that cold to burn 14 board feet. 

How Pros Look at Lumber There’s more to selecting boards than counting board feet

Segment: All-Time Favorite Technique

Ben – Always storing wooden handscrews in the same orientation-a la Bob Van Dyke

Hand-Screw How-To with Bob Van Dyke and Ben Strano Wooden hand screws are versatile, but they can be confounding to use. We’ll help you eliminate frustration a

Vic – Using a float to keep surfaces flat

	How To Set Up Your New Japanese Chisel by John Reed Fox Prep work and sharpening are different with laminated steel
	Choosing and Using Japanese Chisels by John Reed Fox What you need to know about these superior tools

Mike – Peel-and-stick tenons (measuring in the field)

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Question 3:

From Bob:
In STL 81 Ed’s favorite had to do with making a saw hook for cutting meters.  His process had to do with coming up with a shooting board that would cut perfect angles.  Mat said to not worry about cutting the angles perfect, but to use a shooting board. STL 204 advised to not shoot your miters but to cut them at the correct angle.  Am I missing something?

Note: STL204 was Tom, Mike, and Barry. STL81 was released March 27, 2015

	STL 81: Weird Woodworking Tools MARCH 27, 2015 Come check out our carnival sideshow of weird woodworking tools on an all-new Shop Talk Live
	STL204: Don’t Shoot Your Miters DECEMBER 6, 2019 Tom, Mike, and Barry discuss shooting miters, inlaying, scraper sharpening, and when to baby the burr, and Tom shows Ben up by doing both favorite tools and techniques.

Question 4:  

From Andrew:
I’m a hobbyist, still learning how to master hand tools.  I have a block plane, a #7, and in-between, four #4s. I started with two #4s, that I inherited, and somehow they’ve multiplied.  All planes are sharp, flat, and rust free.  My question, to expand the range of what I can do with my planes, should I grind and hone some of the #4 blades to different angles, or should I just keep my favorite #4, and acquire a couple of other size planes? I have a jointer and planer, so I don’t rely on the hand tools exclusively, but I like to go to them when I can.  I rarely work with highly figured wood.

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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.