Wood Talk | Woodworking

Can AI Change How Woodworkers Design Furniture?
Welcome to Wood Talk #618! On today’s show, we’re talking about finishing a squatty potty, troubleshooting planer dust collection, Russian birch, and Sketchup alternatives.
Wood Talk is proudly sponsored by Woodcraft! Stop by your local store November 7 and 8 to turn a pen for a U.S. service member. Use code WT2026 for 10% off regularly priced merchandise. (Can’t be combined with other offers, exclusions apply).
Our show is also sponsored by the generous contributions of people like you. Support us and get an ad-free version of the show at Patreon.com/woodtalk. Thanks to our newest Patrons:
Jordan Ginebaugh
James Roberts
Andrei Zmievski
News and Announcements
Marc: Released a new video on his walnut dining table build and angled joinery.
Matt: Launched his Built-in Breakfast Nook Bench course.
Kickback
Larry: Shared the story of a blanket rack project he started in 1992 that he's still working on!
Group Discussion
Thoughts on Sketchup alternatives for designing furniture, including Hew and IngeTrazo.
Questions
John: What finish would you use for a squatty potty?
Scott: Planer keeps bogging down and leaving huge piles of chips on 12-inch wide 10/4 walnut slabs. Is it a planer issue or a dust collection issue?
Bob: How is Baltic birch currently getting out of Russia?
Links and Resources
Hew 3D
IngeTrazo
Turn for Troops Details
Woodcraft Events and Deals
Turn for Troops (Nov 7-8): Turn a pen for a U.S. service member. Woodcraft provides the equipment and instruction for free.
JessEm Demo Days (Nov 13-14): 15% off JessEm products in-store, tool demos, and a sweepstakes.
Local Woodcraft Events and Classes
Turn for Troops (Nov 7-8): At stores nationwide.
Alex Snodgrass Tour: Nashville (Nov 5-7), Chattanooga (Nov 8), Baltimore (Nov 13-14).
Contact the Show
Send questions at woodtalkshow.com, find us on Instagram at @woodtalkshow, or send us a voicemail using your phone at woodtalkshow@gmail.com.
You can find us individually on Instagram at @mattcremona, @woodwhisperer, and @renaissancewoodworker.
Thanks to Todd and Margaret.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bandsaw Mill Curious
Welcome to Wood Talk #617! On today’s show, we’re talking about a cutting method for small parts, a faster way to make picture frame stock, and annealing steel.
Wood Talk is proudly sponsored by Woodcraft! Woodcraft is your trusted source for quality woodworking machines and power tools. Use code WT2026 for 10% off regularly priced merchandise. (Can’t be combined with other offers, exclusions apply).
Our show is also sponsored by the generous contributions of people like you. Support us and get an ad-free version of the show at Patreon.com/woodtalk. Thanks to our newest Patrons:
Barr
Dylan Elder
BC Spear
News and Announcements
Explanation of the last show.
We raised over $25k for the PHP!
What’s on the Bench
Marc: Filmed Dave Boyt and Norwood Sawmills.
Matt: Not much.
Shannon: Wall shelf.
Kickback
Von Welch: Finished his workbench.
Eric Pellerin: Found purpose in a local makerspace.
Questions
Tom: What size dumbbells to use for adding weight to large glue-ups?
Joseph: Safe ways to cut small, thin parts on manual miter saws.
Mitch: How to speed up cutting rabbets and roundovers on picture frame stock.
Stephen: Advice on annealing and re-hardening steel for hand tool restoration.
Links and Resources
Harvesting Backyard Exotics with Dave Boyt
Horn Dog Maps
Woodcraft Stained Glass Collection
Local Woodcraft Events and Classes
Minneapolis, MN: Electric Guitar Design (Oct 20).
Salt Lake City, UT: Halloween Carving Classes (Oct 22, 24).
Orlando, FL: Fall Extravaganza (Oct 30-31).
Lexington, KY: Stained Glass Pumpkin Workshop (Nov 1).
Alex Snodgrass Tour: MN, WI, IL, and WV dates between Oct 22-31.
Contact the Show
Send questions at woodtalkshow.com, find us on Instagram at @woodtalkshow, or send us a voicemail using your phone at woodtalkshow@gmail.com.
You can find us individually on Instagram at @mattcremona, @woodwhisperer, and @renaissancewoodworker.
Thanks to Todd and Margaret.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wood Talk #616, Should I Buy a Jointer?
On today’s show, we’re talking about whether you should buy a jointer, glue-up strategies, and shop walls.
Wood Talk is proudly sponsored by Woodcraft, your trusted source for quality woodworking machines and power tools. Whether you’re just getting started or looking for your next upgrade, they’ll help you find the right tools to power your woodworking.
Use code WT2026 for 10% off regularly priced merchandise. Cannot be combined with other offers, exclusions apply.
The show is also supported by the generous contributions of our patrons. You can support the show and get the ad-free version at Patreon.com/woodtalk.
This week, we thank:
Stephen Stribling
Katherine Sanborn
Michael Bateman
Jordan Needles
Sign up for the Wood Talk Newsletter.
What’s on the Bench
Marc decided to go with the two-saw setup and is trying to make that happen.
Matt is working at the sawmill.
Shannon took a New York trip and saw expensive stuff.
Kickback
Chris at Lazy Gretl Wood Works follows up on the metric vs. imperial discussion and points out that relative measurements do a lot of the precision work in a project.
Jonathan P. Szczepanski writes in to thank the guys for the talk and levity during a rough morning.
Chris Williams suggests that someone who uses both metric and imperial in the shop should be called a hybrid woodworker.
Philip writes from Northern Ireland as a proud imperial user, even though he learned metric in school and still uses metric when needed.
Questions
Brian asks whether he should use drywall, plywood, or something else for the walls in his new walkout basement shop.
Jason asks whether he should buy a jointer, cram in a jointer/planer combo, or keep using his planer sled, track saw, and table saw workflow.
Mick asks about keeping parts aligned during glue-up and how to handle squeeze-out when clamps are in the way.
Links and Resources
Woodcraft
Wood Talk Newsletter
Woodcraft Events and Deals
October 9 and 10, in-store Woodpeckers event: Tool demos and 15% off Woodpeckers products in-store only.
In-store sweepstakes: Prizes include an Adjusta-Joint Box Joint Sled, an in-DEXABLE Miter Sled with Drop Zone, and a Woodcraft gift card. No purchase is necessary.
Local Woodcraft Events and Classes
Lexington, Kentucky: Free Turn-N-Learn demo, Thursday, October 8, from 4 to 6.
Boise, Idaho: Woodpeckers tool demo, Saturday, October 10, from 1 to 2.
Pelham, Alabama: Free Turn & Learn demonstration, Thursday, October 15, from 4 to 6.
Charlotte, North Carolina: Cheese slicer and cutting board demo, Saturday, October 17, from 1 to 2.
Store Classes and Events: Check your local Woodcraft store at Woodcraft.com.
Contact the Show
Send questions at woodtalkshow.com, find us on Instagram at @woodtalkshow, or send us a voicemail using your phone to woodtalkshow@gmail.com.
You can find the guys individually on Instagram at @mattcremona, @woodwhisperer, and @renaissancewoodworker.
Thanks to Todd and Margaret.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s show, we’re talking about whether it’s finally time to go metric, using live oak for a workbench and dining table, and the Jointmaker Pro.
Wood Talk is proudly sponsored by Woodcraft, your trusted source for quality woodworking machines and power tools. Whether you’re just getting started or looking for your next upgrade, they’ll help you find the right tools to power your woodworking.
Use code WT2026 for 10% off regularly priced merchandise. Cannot be combined with other offers, exclusions apply.
The show is also supported by the generous contributions of our patrons. You can support the show and get the ad-free version at Patreon.com/woodtalk.
This week, we thank:

John Emerson
Chris
Tim Dahl
Sign up for the Wood Talk Newsletter.
What’s on the Bench

Marc has been working on maker space upgrades and PM2000 fixes.
Matt is getting ready for sawing.
Shannon is doing fall cleaning, and his air filter finally gave up.
Kickback

Kyle follows up on the smoke detector question from episode 614. He installed a flame detector in his garage because he has lawn care batteries, two EVs, and a whole-home battery backup in there. It detects actual flame instead of smoke, and it sends him a phone notification.
Questions

Mick Monahan asks whether it’s finally time to switch woodworking over to the metric system.
John Emmerson asks whether California live oak makes sense for a Roubo workbench, a dining table, and whether its density affects the finishing plan.
Lars asks Shannon when he actually uses the Jointmaker Pro and whether it earns its keep in a shop that already has a full set of tools.
Links and Resources

Woodcraft
Wood Talk Newsletter
Flame Detector
Woodcraft Deals

All Rikon bandsaws are 10% off through September 30.
Starrett bandsaw blades are 20% off through September 30.
Local Woodcraft Events and Classes

September 18 and 19, participating Woodcraft stores: Kreg Demo Days.
September 19, Richmond, Virginia: Art of the Blade Festival.
September 24, Columbus, Ohio: Turning a Fishing Lure.
September 25 through 29, New England: Alex Snodgrass continues his Maximizing Your Bandsaw tour.
September 26, St. Louis, Missouri: Woodcraft’s Maker’s Resource Event with Marc Spagnuolo, the St. Louis Woodworkers Guild, and local makerspaces.
Store Classes and Events: Check your local Woodcraft store at Woodcraft.com.
Contact the Show
Send questions at woodtalkshow.com, find us on Instagram at @woodtalkshow, or send us a voicemail using your phone to woodtalkshow@gmail.com.
You can find the guys individually on Instagram at @mattcremona, @woodwhisperer, and @renaissancewoodworker.
Thanks to Todd and Margaret.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s show, we’re talking about smoke detectors in the shop, whether it’s worth upgrading dust collection ducting, and double-sided tape.
Wood Talk is proudly sponsored by Woodcraft, your trusted source for quality woodworking machines and power tools. Whether you’re just getting started or looking for your next upgrade, they’ll help you find the right tools to power your woodworking.
Use code WT2026 for 10% off regularly priced merchandise. Cannot be combined with other offers, exclusions apply.
The show is also supported by the generous contributions of our patrons. You can support the show and get the ad-free version at Patreon.com/woodtalk.
This week, we thank:

Levi McNett
Jim at the.accidentalwoodworker
Sooner Woodworking
News and Announcements

Sign up for the Wood Talk Newsletter.
The Guild Back to School Sale ends September 4.
All episodes are now on the website.
SawStop has a bandsaw.
Harvey has the Dream Saw.
What’s on the Bench

Marc pivoted from Ava’s bed to the laundry room.
Matt is working on a coffee table.
Shannon is selecting veneer for a tabletop.
Kickback

Von Welch tested the advice about not running an air filter until leaving the shop. His air quality meter showed the air got worse for about a minute, then quickly improved. He now runs the air filter while making dust and leaves it on a timer after he’s done.
Questions

Vaibhav asks how to handle smoke detectors in a garage shop when sawdust can set them off, but fire risk from lithium batteries and oily rags is still a concern.
Chris asks whether upgrading from HVAC ductwork to Nordfab ducting is worth it for a new shop with a 3HP Oneida cyclone and several large machines.
Keith asks what brand of double-sided tape to use for templates.
Links and Resources

Woodcraft
Wood Talk Newsletter
Woodcraft 2" Double-Sided Tape
Permacel Double-Sided Tape
Local Woodcraft Events and Classes

September 9, Allentown, Pennsylvania: Alex Snodgrass presents his Maximizing Your Bandsaw seminar from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.
September 12, Sacramento, California: Woodturning, Segmented Screwdriver runs from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
September 12, Parkersburg, West Virginia: Beginner Leather Keychain class runs from 10 AM to 1 PM.
September 13, Minneapolis, Minnesota: Tiny Dwellings, Beginning Bark-House Carving runs from 10 AM to 4 PM.
September 14, Downingtown, Pennsylvania: Alex Snodgrass brings his Maximizing Your Bandsaw seminar to Downingtown from noon to 1 PM.
Store Classes and Events: Check your local Woodcraft store at Woodcraft.com.
Contact the Show
Send questions at woodtalkshow.com, find us on Instagram at @woodtalkshow, or send us a voicemail using your phone to woodtalkshow@gmail.com.
You can find the guys individually on Instagram at @mattcremona, @woodwhisperer, and @renaissancewoodworker.
Thanks to Todd and Margaret.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.