This episode is sponsored by Lee Valley and Titebond.

Free webinar: Tools and the furniture maker with Allan Breed Register now! Join period furniture maker Allan Breed, a master of carving as well as casework, Thursday, June 25th, for a free webinar.

Question 1: 

From Brendan:

I’m a beginner apartment woodworker in San Francisco who volunteers at City College of SF’s woodshop as an assistant. At home, my kitchen counter peninsula is my bench, so building a Moxon vise is making more and more sense. I tried to reverse-engineer the practicalities from all the commercial kits and plans for twin-screw / Moxon and there’s one persistent dimension: 24″ between the screws — though each mentions 16-in. is more practical for all but casework.

Looking at all the casework around me (dressers, kitchen cabinets, drawer boxes, bathroom vanities, console tables) nothing is actually deeper than 20″, and most are 3-8″ drawers or 12-18″ carcasses. So why is 24″ the norm? Are deep armoirs and waterfall desks that outer limit? Or is there another practical workholding use for Moxons at 24″ that escapes me? Is the answer as simple as you don’t want your workpiece too close to the screws? Or is “go big or go home” prevailing only so you won’t need two Moxons?

	The Power of the Pull Stroke One craftsman’s passion for Japanese handsaws
	Don’t build a new workbench Chris Schwarz demonstrates how to improve any existing bench with a few inexpensive pieces of wood and steel.
	A Benchtop Bench For routing and handwork, this minibench raises the action to a comfortable height

Question 2:

From Will:

A few weeks ago my buddy and I got to discussing the different merits of high end marking tools, specifically a Starrett 6″ combo square vs a set of try squares from Woodpecker. He asked what I felt I was getting with the Starrett vs the Woodpecker for approximately the same price. While I know why I like the added versatility of the combo square and it tends to fit better with my wood working style, I came to the conclusion that I also would not mind having the Woodpecker squares.

 That said, what do you think is a better investment as a first high end square? Or would you look at something completely different? Something like the veritas Sliding Square or the Bridge City Toolworks tri squares (which look dope AF).

	Combo Squares: The Basics and Beyond Tips and tricks for getting better joinery from these must-have layout tools
	Truing Up a Combination Square If your combo square isn’t as accurate as you’d like, don’t buy a new one. It’s relatively simple to square it up!
	Tool Test: Squares Why you need two and which two to buy

Segment: All-Time Favorite Tool Storage of All Time… for this week.

Ben – Matt Kenney’s traveling tool chest

Another peek at my traveling tool cabinet Progress on the traveling tool cabinet is great. Here’s my solution to securing the planes in place on the till ramp.

Megan – Her Dutch tool chest

Let’s Go Dutch Megan’s Dutch tool chest on the Lost Art Press blog.

Barry – His workbench – wah wah

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Question 3:

From Aaron:

Is there a real benefit to a wooden-bodied plane versus a cast-iron? I know there are very pricey versions of both, and I’m wondering why someone would forego a slick Veritas or Lie Nielsen for a unique, wooden-bodied beauty. Also what are the pros of building your own wooden-bodied plane.

Question 4:  

From Robert:

When the secondary bevel on my plane irons become too wide, I normally use sandpaper on a granite block to restore the primary bevel; which can be very slow.  I have used grinding wheels to do this in the past , but I have upgraded to premium blades and don’t want to deal with the inconsistencies that grinding can cause.  I was thinking that an extra-extra coarse diamond plate (120 grit) may work just as well and be quicker than sandpaper.  What do you think?

	Bench Grinder Basics Learn how to use a conventional bench grinder for perfect bevels on your chisels and plane irons
	Grind Perfect Edges Without Burning In just seconds, get a tool ready for honing

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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.