On this week's episode, FWW editor Asa Christiana travels to Ontario for an exclusive tour of Lee Valley/Veritas' manufacturing operations.
Update October 24, 2012: Be sure to catch our exclusive video tour of Lee Valley Tools’ manufacturing operation in Ottawa, Ontario.
Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answer 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!
Listen to the podcast, or catch it in iTunes. Remember, 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. And don’t forget to send in your woodworking questions to [email protected].
Shop Talk Live 17: Behind-the-Scenes at Lee Valley Tools
On this week’s Special Edition of Shop Talk Live, FWW editor Asa Christiana heads to Canada, for an on-location interview with Lee Valley President, Robin Lee, and an inside look at the manufacturing process for Veritas tools. It’s a no-holds barred, all-access pass to the inside scoop on how some of your favorite hand tools are made–from the design and concept stage, all the way up through manufacturing and packaging.
New Shop Stumper Segment and a Special Prize
On this week’s podcast, we debut a brand-new segment dubbed the “Shop Stumper.” From time-to-time, we’ll offer up a tasty woodworking-related puzzler question, and to sweeten the deal, we’ll even give away the occasional prize to a listener selected at random from among all those who provide us with the correct answer in the comments section at the bottom of this post.
For this, our debut Shop Stumper segment, we’re offering a copy of contributing editor Garrett Hack’s woodworking classic, The Handplane Book (photo-R). Just listen to the audio Shop Stumper in this week’s episode. If you can correctly identify the sound (just post your answers in the comments section below) we’ll automatically enter you into the random drawing for Garrett’s book.
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On this week's episode, FWW editor Asa Christiana travels to Ontario for an exclusive tour of Lee Valley/Veritas' manufacturing operations.
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Also appearing on this week's podcast is product designer Steve Jones, one of the folks behind Veritas' Buck Rogers-like NX series block planes.
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Nowadays, manufacturers can quickly turn out prototypes using incredible 3D printers that automatically produce models made out of plastic.
Comments
Shop Stumper - its a SawStop Saw safety fire - stopping the blade cold..
Either that, or a BAD kickback hitting the wall..:>)
Great Special Show BTW. More special guests in future!
Chris
The sound was a SawStop killing a blade :)
Okay, I guess it's a SawStop Saw activated stopping the saw blade. I think someone else might have said that.
Definitely a SawStop!
triggering sawstop
Sound is a Sawstop saw blade safety retracting
That's definitely the most controversial sound on the woodworking interwebs: Sawstop being activated.
I'll try to think of another name for the segment.
Here's my thoughts on a new title: Playne Tracks (pronounced Playin' Tracks). I'm a big believer in puns.
-Shawn
Asa's interview with Robin Lee was fantastic, especially the discussion on the future of the craft. Rob's take on this important issue was very impressive as you would expect. It's their business to reflect on these broader trends and I found his thoughts to be insightful and thought provoking - smart man!
As I was listening, I kept thinking wouldn't it be cool to get Rob Lee, Thomas Lie-Nielsen, and other industry leaders together to discuss this very issue? It's a topic that's frequently discussed individually among hobbiests, professionals, bloggers, magazine editors/staff and manufacturers, but never collectively as a group with similar interests from different perspectives and expertise.
Anyway, I'm just thinking out loud here. Speaking of which, the Shop Stumper (aka Shop Quandaries) sound was decidedly NOT the triggering of SawStop's safety mechanism. It was the sound of Matt Kenney tossing Ed's sound-effects gizmo into the path of a Powermatic 5hp PM2000. ;-)
I heard a SawStop doing what it does best.
I also think this was the best episode so far. Great interviews with a great company that I really respect.
Thank you Asa!
Sounds like the Sawstop cutting through some wood and probably hitting a hotdog.
On the subject of getting new people into building stuff, has Fine Woodworking thought about getting a presence in the Maker Faire arena? Lots of people there are learning by building lots of things and some even involve woodworking.
I think it's a Sawstop eating lunch!
I have to go with SawStop stopping
Sawstop stopping? or a serious bruise & maybe bleeding?
Definetely a saw blade from sawstop table saw that gets stopped by the special finger activated system that stopped the blade very quickly!
Aww! everyone got the same answer as me. It's a Sawstop stopping.
Good podcast by the way. I have to leave my 5 stars here as I don't do I tunes.
Have to agree with most who commented. It was without doubt the sound of ultimate safety: A SawStop stopping and retracting. I've heard it twice at live demos at my local Rockler store. (And I jumped both times even though I knew it was coming!)
How about "Shop Talk Tracks" or "Shop Talk Sounds"?
SawStop being thrown into emergency stop (hopefully, a hot dog!)
Definitely a sound I only want to hear as a demo- a Sawstop triggering the blade brake and blade lowering mechanism, saving another finger or more. As for another name for your Shop Stumpers feature.......how about Shop Savvy. The tidbits shared make us all a little smarter about how we work in our shops.
Clearly a SawStop tipping. Think there will be lots of folks in the "give away pool". Really enjoyed the interview.
I agree--it is a SawStop blade stopping. But I don't understand how this is a contest or a stumper since the answers posted are all public and available for all to see and borrow.
Great interview - as a Canuck, it was interesting to hear of the Lee Valley roots again - both sets of my grandparents started off on the Saskatchewan prarie in shacks - ingenuity was a must.
Also, Rob Lee's humble style is so evident in the interview. Nice to hear more of the details and history.
Thanks again;
Dave B
The sound was Sawstop triggering the blade brake!
Yep, Saw Stop hittin' the ol' wiener.
The sound is a Sawstop Blade brake in action.
The sound I heard was a table saw blade destroyer (SawStop) being activated.
I really enjoyed the podcast. I'm a very loyal customer of Lee Valley, usually purchasing a new item every couple of weeks.
Sounded exactly like the Sawstop blade brake activating.
Sawstop being triggered is the soundbite.
Interesting podcast. Kool to hear the history of Lee Valley/Veritas and Robin Lee's comments. Refreshing to see a company that has not moved manufacturing offshore. Hopefully Rob will continue this tradition.Kudos to Rob on sticking to quality and principles.
Mike
So apparently all is now forgiven of FWW by Lee Valley? I know they would not advertise with FWW for many years. apparently because of what they (LV) saw as intellectual property theft or infringement, and FWW's refusal to issue an apology.
It sucks without video.
Sawstop brake activating
The sound of my fingers still being attached to my hand
Great show. and Great to see it is in the Stitcher app
Saw stop brake engaging the blade.
Woodenwork/ Ed P:
Do both - video and audio.
Podcast trivia sound: SawStop technology that just saved a finger... Or two!
Well your sound bite give away did exactly what you wanted it to do, thus far increased your blog post by 3x...very simple and smart idea. Another great pod cast, keep up the good work.
A.J.
PS - saw stop triggering
The sound? The sound of both revolution and evolution being stopped cold.
The revolution of a blade is stopped so the Darwin's evolutionary process can be subverted; someone gets to continue doing stupid things without consequence.
Pity goes to the blade!
The question raised among my peers is; why the preocupation in Fine Woodworking with the saw-stop?
As a collection of folks with all ten digits each, this overwhelming support of a feature proven to be uneeded by professionals must be driven by amatures - both outside and within the magazine staff. Or is it simply the easiest and most lucrative source of advertising?
Nice interview on Veritas.
Sound was a Saw Stop blade being stopped cold.
A saw stop blade stop activating
Its a SawStop blade brake activating that or an electric nail gun.
Its a SawStop blade brake activating that or an electric nail gun.
The sound stumper is Safestop being stopped cold.
berferdt: not gonna tell you what the sound in the podcast is or isn't but if it were a sawstop - it'd be there simply because it's a cool sound.
Cheers,
E
I wonder if using on iTunes popularity as your measure of success is setting up your program for failure. Not everyone that listens to you podcast is doing so via iTunes.
By the way.... I'm one of those 4 people that miss the video. Woodworking and woodworking tools are just an inherently visual story.
Thanks, Mike
Shop Stumper = It is a "SawStop" being activated, stopping the blade.
Good show also!
Sawstop activating
Definatly the sound of a SawStop being put to full use (stopping a blade)
SawStop activating
(NOW how am I going to cut this hotdog?)
SawStop Brake Activating. Yep, apparently everyone else figured it out too.
Good episode, enjoyed the interview with Rob Lee.
Sounds like a sawstop brake engaging to me.I listen to every episode of shoptalk live keep up the good work.
Great interview with an excellent toolmaker. Definitely a SawStop safety firing off.
Thanks for the bigger play button! :)
BTW... I agree with Thognar... I'm one of the 4 who miss video.
The shop stumper is definitely A Saw Stop brake engaging. I wonder if there is a way to submit your guess without seeing what others have guessed. I think some folks could guess by just seeing what the most guessed question is and not really figuring it out.
It is a saw stop brake engaging.
The answer to #& Shop stumper is a SawStop tablesaw when the blade stopping mechanism is activated.
Saw stop mechanism activating and wiping out a blade.
Radio type interviews are good on NPR because they are dealing with ideas and facts that require no visualization. Touring a tool factory without being able to view the process is a waste of time.
I to think the podcast without video is seriously flawed. It is way too difficult to sit in front of the computer listening to audio only and remain engaged the entire time. I think I miss about 50% of the content as my mind begins to wander. Woodworkers have creative minds that need stimulation. Some like to pretend that they can listen wile performing another task. But it simply is not possible. It is just background noise till you move your focus back to what is being said. I would like to think the folks at FWW would value there efforts a bit more than allowing them to becoming background noise.
What is the issue regarding keeping the video?
Is there a way to receive emails when posts are made to this topic?
Sound is a Saw-Stop brake engaging.
No VIDEO???? Your kidding, right. Your magazine is top-shelf, but you are SERIOUSLY dropping the ball on this. Good news, you can add video to correct this faux-podcast.
I concour, a SawStop stopping a blade. Excellent interview, I sent it to some other folks. It's nice to know there are still family owned companies who operate with scruples.
rorynidaho: Not sure what you are referring to. This is the biweekly podcast, not a video series. Sorry for any confusion.
Best,
-Ed
The Sawstop is the answer to the Shop Stumper segment.
Great podcast this week. Awesome to hear quality tools using advanced materials are still being made in NA.
And in regards to the shop stumper, even without reading the countless sawstop references below- I've watched a hot dog get rammed into a spinning saw blade enough times I'd know that sound anywhere.
Since there's been a lot of comments about the video, I'd like to put in my vote for audio. I love to listen to it while I exercise and the feed in iTunes along with my iPhone makes this pretty easy.
To each his own.
If you keep putting this out, I'll keep listening. Keep up the good work.
-Shawn
The answer to the Shop Stumper question is a SawStop blade break being activated.
Sawstop activating
The shopstumper sound is a SawStop tablesaw blade dropping into the brake.
I also have a suggestion for the podcasts. I've been listening to these podcasts for a long time now, and I find it disappointing that you guys repeatedly apologize to the listeners for being nerdy and geeky when discussing technical aspects of tool making, woodworking history, etc. We, as listeners and subscribers of your Fine Woodworking magazine, actively seek out your podcasts precisely because we are nerdy and geeky about woodworking. Interrupting the podcasts to say how nerdy you're being sends the signal that we should be ashamed of loving woodworking and fine craftsmanship as much as we do. Listening to some historical stories about woodworking helps to make the connection between our current work and work performed decades ago. People who aren't involved with woodworking aren't going to just stumble across this podcast and think, "Wow, these guys are too nerdy about woodworking for me to continue to listen."
Please continue your in-depth, historical, and techincal discussions because I think I speak for the rest of the Fine Woodworking when I say that's a big reason we continue to listen and read your work!
Keep up the great work you're doing on these podcasts, the online videos, recruiting the top craftsman, and the magazine. I have two small boys who are just getting to the age when they can create with me in my basement shop, and I hope they will continue to have access to your material without feeling ashamed that they enjoy the work as much as I do.
The sound is a sawstop blade brake in action.
Great pod cast. The first pod cast I've ever listened to and I found it very informative and entertaining. Keep it up. I especially like hearing that even you guys make mistakes.
Like many listeners, I too was disappointed when the decision to go with an audio-only podcast first came out, but with nearly 10 podcasts in this format, I can honestly say that the lack of video hasn't detracted one bit from its quality. In fact, the content is getting better.
The bottom-line for me is having Shop Talk Live continue in whatever format. I'm assuming this was Ed's baby from the start and he's done a fantastic job - the best woodworking podcast out there as far as I'm concerned.
So kudos to Ed and the rest of the FWW team for this informative and entertaining resource. Oh yeah, and the last time I checked it was still free!
That is the sound of the sawstop safety brake firing.
Great podcast. keep em coming.
The sound was a SawStop Brake Cartridge engaging.
The sound was the "Saw Stop" doing its thing.
Keep the good podcast going, love hearing about the best tools, (at least for the day), and the mistakes you guys make.
When can we sign up for "FWW Live" can't wait?
Sounds like a SawStop snapping to attention.
Saw stop breaker?
This podcast BEGGED for video (or even pictures). Even the title "Behind-the-Scenes" suggests that we might SEE something. It was an interesting and worthwhile interview, but a missed opportunity in my opinion.
Keep up the good work.
-Scott
sound bite - saw stop blade activation
saw stop blade brake being engaged. The blade goes from spinning to impacting the alum brake as the blade is dropped below the table's surface.
berferdt writes: The sound? The sound of both revolution and evolution being stopped cold.
The revolution of a blade is stopped so the Darwin's evolutionary process can be subverted; someone gets to continue doing stupid things without consequence.
Pity goes to the blade!
The question raised among my peers is; why the preocupation in Fine Woodworking with the saw-stop?
As a collection of folks with all ten digits each, this overwhelming support of a feature proven to be uneeded by professionals must be driven by amatures - both outside and within the magazine staff. Or is it simply the easiest and most lucrative source of advertising?
Posted: 10:32 pm on October 14th
concur....................................
A saw stop saftey being engaged. As opposed to the normal hotdog I saw Roy Underhill do it southern style with a piece of fried chicken.
Saw Stop brake in action is my guess.
The "secret sound" was a saw stop saw with the "stop" being triggered...
I aggree with "usachief".
I belong to a club with over two hundred members and almost all are amatuers. No one can use a machine until they are accredited for it and this entails instruction and observation under supervision to ensure that the safety precuations are adhered to as a matter of habit without reference to any form of instruction or checklist.
"Fingers" - "all present and correct sir"
The Sawdust Maker
The link to the video tour of the Lee Valley shop gives a 404 here.
There are a whack of blank comments below. I mean a serious whack. Cleaning them up would make things neater and perhaps even more efficient.
I did not know the sound was a SawStop stopping, but I am glad to learn this.
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