STL236: Does a jointer save you money?
Mike, Barry, and Ben debate if every piece needs the strength of dovetails, cast iron vs. aluminum on bandsaws, whether a jointer saves you money, and the lifespan of tool tests.Use the code “finewoodworking” to save 10% at https://www.maverickabrasives.com/
Question 1:
From Brian:
Reading the article from Nov/Dec 2015 titled ‘The Enfield Cupboard, Updated’ by Matt Kenny generated a question about joint choices during case construction. Matt dovetails the subtop, but uses standard dados for the rest of the shelves. Since the dovetails are hidden, I’m assuming he did that for strength. Why that joint up top, but not a sliding dovetail for the bottom? Maybe this is a broader question about why you choose different joints for case construction.
The Enfield Cupboard, Updated
Video workshop: Enfield Cupboard with Hand Tools featuring Chris Gochnour
Video workshop: Build a Shaker Chimney Cupboard
Question 2:
From Scott,
Hey guys,
I’ve been buying s4s lumber and was wondering how long it takes to pay off a combo jointer/planer machine with the savings. While I’m sure it would be nice to have, am I ever going to save enough money to make it financially worth it?
Question 3:
From Pete
I am ready to buy a band saw. I have narrowed my choice to two models. One with cast iron wheels and trunnions, and one with cast aluminum wheels and trunnions. Is there an advantage to one or the other? Does it even matter?
Question 4:
From Bob:
I’ve been reading through old Fine Woodworking issues in the archive that I bought. There have been a lot of tool and machine tests over the years. How far back can I go and still use the tool test recommendations? I know that tools and machines are updated periodically, but not as often as many consumer items. Would recommendations for hand tools stay current longer than for machines?
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
Ben asked about how audio only podcasts would be accepted. I can only speak for myself, but I prefer the video. Some of the early pod casts were audio only, and I had trouble paying attention. This is kind of odd because I don't watch a lot of TV, but I do enjoy listening to old radio programs. Go figure.
With the limited production of just zoom headshots the video adds very little. When in the studio showing that favorite tool or table on screen was the video value. I listen mostly in the shop so for me audio only is the norm.
I was slow to get into watching shop talk live episodes at first for the very reason Ben mentioned near the end of this latest episode. That is investing over an hour of time listening to dialogue. Now I'm hooked and just bite the bullet, but I can't imagine it with out the video. I like the video.
I would (and do) listen to the podcast sans video. I would even give it a five-star rating and share it with all two of my woodworking friends.
A few things for your leisurely perusal:
1. Per Laguna’s website, both of their 14” bandsaws, the 14|12 and the 14|BX, come with cast iron wheels—so they don’t give up any thing to Grizzly (or anyone else) with regards to that particular criterion. It’s cast iron wheels or go home, it seems, at this level of production.
2. Audio only? Sure. I kinda like watching you guys’ mugs while you’re talking. [I keep hoping Mike will start making shadow puppet figures while Ben’s talking....] But the real value is in the discussion, so, yeah, you betcha, I’d “tune in” even if it’s just an audio podcast.
3. Have you guys considered doing an occasional segment on tool/machine purchase selection? Bandsaws present a great opportunity—lots of woodworkers want/need/feel compelled to buy bandsaws, and once the urge become strong enough, many turn to the internet, where just the simple number of, say, 14” bandsaws on the market can be overwhelming. Grizzly alone offers what, four, maybe five 14” saws. Jet has at least three, I think, and there are of course offerings from Laguna, Powermatic, Rikon, ShopFox, and more, such as the “lesser” brands: Wen, Delta (yes, they’ve been relegated to the second division), Craftsman (sigh—I can recall when this name meant something else), and others. For the newbie, a discussion of what to look for, what to avoid, the “musts” and “nevers”, etc. could be illuminating—and even better if you’re willing to get into the details of what makes the one you’re in love with better than the rest, and the seemingly little things that make another an absolute no-go. (No foot brake?!? No quick-release blade tensioner?!? A non-magnetic power switch?!? Absolutely &^%* guides?!?)
Keep up the good work, gentlemen!
Ciao,
Perry
PS: A parsec is not a unit of time. [Might I cautiously suggest not using Star Wars movies as a source of technical or scientific information? ;-) ] It is a unit of distance, approximately equal to 3.26 light-years; the actual definition includes such things as parallax angles, Astronomical units, subtending angles, and even, to the chagrin of middle-schoolers in love with the Star Wars franchise, mathematics.
Audio only is just fine by me. Most of the time when I'm listening to the show my phone is in my pocket anyhow.
Audio only podcasts would be great for me, and would probably work very well for the type of podcasts Ben was suggesting (interviews are what come to mind immediately.)
Audio-only is fine with me. I only watch the video when I can't figure out what you're describing and need to see a picture.
Audio only works for me. I mostly listen to STL in the car.
I listen in the car so I'm only ever audio only
Audio only is great - I only use the video when other platforms are being wonky, and even then I just listen to it, I don't actually want the video.
Of course, video adds another dimension but audio only is fine, especially if it helps you get out more content.
Audio is better,especially if it's less work for you guys.Been a fan since Ed and I've only watched two podcast.I would rather listen in the shop than waste time staring at a screen.
I have listened to the podcast for years and am fine with audio only. There are plenty of other opportunities to see all of you in one of the awesome videos you produce. Keep up the good work.
I keep forgetting that there even is a video version... I mostly listen while cooking or driving and can't really spare the time to just sit down and watch. Not to say I wouldn't benefit from doing so, and there may be topics where I want to come back and see what the visuals were, but folks generally do a remarkable job of describing things so that I understand without video.
I should also say I do really enjoy the podcast; supporting it is a lot of why I signed up for an Unlimited membership, and it keeps me engaged and hopeful about finding time to get back into the shop and making better use of the rest of the benefits.
Audio-only would be fine, Ben. For episodes that are exclusively audio--on the assumption you don't abandon video altogether, "Use your words," as I often tell my son, to sketch a picture when it's needed.
More audio only podcast would be great. I exclusively listen when I am in the car or the shop. I have never watched the video. Bring on more audio.
If the question is about additional podcasts in audio, then yes, yes, and YES! I'll take more STL anyway it's offered. But if the question is about switching to audio only, as some of the previous comments suggest, then no, no NO! Lockdown Zoom is not so appealing (I never realized before that Mike keeps his head so immobile), but for now it's what we have. I also love seeing the inside of everybody's shop, and seeing their cat, kid, or spouse enter the frame. And during the Connecticut summer and fall, the outdoors was quite nice.
Ben asked would audio only podcasts would be OK. I've fatefully been listening to the podcasts for years. All the way back to the days of Ed and the sound effects. In all these years, I've never watched a single podcast, only listened via audio downloads. So sure, audio only is fine by me.
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