Wood Talk | Woodworking

On today’s show, we’re talking about why workbenches are better than the floor, managing customer expectations, and thick, thick workbenches.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 at Patreon.com/woodtalk.This week, we thank:Kenneth ButzZachary GourdeZane ClarkDave 4CTyler AguirreMike at WorkshopFloorplan.comSign up for the Wood Talk Newsletter.What’s on the BenchMarc talks about the recent open house, the final stages of the dining table, and the loss of Duggee.Matt is rehabbing a bandsaw.Shannon is doing some flea market flipping.KickbackJanae writes in after watching episode 609 and hearing Alex Snodgrass talk about bandsaw blades that break at the weld. Less than two hours later, her new-to-her Grizzly bandsaw made a loud pop. Because of the episode, she calmly shut down the saw, confirmed the break happened at the weld, and contacted the manufacturer.Kaylin asks why more cordless tool platforms don’t offer AC adapters like Metabo’s 36V line.Joshua shares his experience upgrading to a premium Milwaukee cordless set and how much better it has been for drilling, fence work, concrete, mixing mud and paint, and property cleanup.We also get a list of Ten Reasons I Hate Marc.QuestionsJoel Bjornstad asks why chisel work improved so much after moving from the floor to a Roubo-style workbench. Is it posture, physics, or woodworking magic?Monte Bell asks how to manage customer expectations when commissioned furniture takes longer than expected.Emil built a 6 1/4" thick southern yellow pine workbench top and wants to know how thick a top can be while still working with vises, bench dogs, and holdfasts.Links and ResourcesWoodcraftWood Talk NewsletterLocal Woodcraft Deals, Events, and ClassesJuly Deal: 15% off Crown M42 Cryo Turning Tools.July Deal: 40% off WoodRiver Toggle Clamps.July Deal: 40% off Brazilian Cherry / Jatoba.July Deal: 40% off Padauk.July Deal: 40% off Gaboon Ebony turning stock.Store Classes and Events: Check your local Woodcraft store page.Colorado Springs: Woodturning 101, Amazing Apple Project with Raleigh Lockhart, Saturday, September 12, 2026, 10 AM to 4:30 PM.Contact the ShowSend 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.

On today’s show, we’re talking about the pros and cons of cordless tools, using Blade Cote on a SawStop, workbench setup for a southpaw, and how our design sensibilities have changed over the years.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 at Patreon.com/woodtalk.This week, we thank:Blakey LakeTommy EvansTom KrushRocky SmithScott MacIntyreAlexander H, SanyoWhat’s on the BenchMarc cut the big bevels on the table legs before heading out on vacation and is prepping the shop so it’s not awful to come back to.Matt is working on a coffee table commission.Shannon made a cheese slicer, because Woodcraft told him to.KickbackMichael Summer shares his experience with Mike Farrington’s sanding disc, especially the benefits of the taper, the clean edge it produces, and the ability to keep two grits loaded.Freddie also writes in about the Mike Farrington double-taper sanding disc and says it’s fantastic for casework, glue lines, sheet goods, cabinet parts, and sneaking up on final dimensions.QuestionsDavie Brown asks whether using Blade Cote on a SawStop blade could cause problems with the brake system or electronics.Rich asks how the guys’ design sensibilities have changed over the years and whether Matt has found a new kind of figure to fancy.Ed Lilla asks how a left-handed woodworker should think about bench workholding and vise placement.Links and ResourcesWoodcraftLocal Woodcraft Events and ClassesFree Demo, Stay Sharp: Saturday, July 11 at 1pm.Free Demo, Dust Collection Basics, Machinery and Accessories: Saturday, July 18 at 1pm.Store Classes and Events: For in-store classes and events, please check your local Woodcraft store page.Contact the ShowSend 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.

On today’s show, we’re talking about Alex Snodgrass. Like, the entire time. From his early days as a mustachioed little baby to today, as he’s in the home stretch of his Next Cut Tour.We’re recording live at the Woodcraft Vendor Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky, which means this is the first face-to-face Wood Talk recording in years.Wood Talk is proudly sponsored by Woodcraft, the leading authority in woodworking, making, and creating. They have the tools, supplies, expertise, and hands-on classes to inspire creativity at every level.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 at Patreon.com/woodtalk.What’s on the BenchThis week, the bench is all Alex.We talk about how the Next Cut Tour is going.We ask why Alex became so closely associated with bandsaws.We discuss whether the world has enough bandsaw reindeer yet.We get into small-shop and startup bandsaw setup advice.Questions for AlexMatt Parker asks how old Alex was when he first grew that glorious mustache.Tom asks how to deal with a 14" Powermatic bandsaw with a riser kit that refuses to track straight.Greg Batt asks whether upgrading a common 14" bandsaw from a 1 HP motor to a 2 HP motor is worth the cost and effort.Joe Lapolito asks how often a hobbyist needs to go through Alex’s full bandsaw setup process once the machine has been dialed in.Martin asks how to clean the blade and machine after cutting wet wood.We also ask why Carter guides over blocks or other bearing guides.And when a bandsaw blade breaks, what’s the first thing to check?Links and ResourcesAlex Snodgrass, The Next Cut TourLocal Woodcraft Events and ClassesMinneapolis: Summer Lumber Deal runs through June 20. Get a $20 gift card with a $100 lumber purchase.Minneapolis: Free Bandsaw Tune Up demo, Saturday, June 20 at 1pm.Boise: 3 Stone Cairn Lamp class.Greenville: Celtic Knot Rolling Pin class.Contact the ShowSend 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.

On today’s show, we’re talking about the 2026 Woodcraft National Sales Conference & Vendor Trade Show, the best trade show you’ll never go to. We’ll talk about our experience at the show and some of the standout products and companies we saw.Wood Talk is proudly sponsored by Woodcraft, the leading authority in woodworking, making, and creating. They have the tools, supplies, expertise, and hands-on classes to inspire creativity at every level.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 at Patreon.com/woodtalk.This week, we thank:David DahlCoreyKKickbackRich Harwood follows up on the aluminum WoodRiver straight edges and how he uses them in the shop. He keeps a Starrett steel straight edge as his protected reference tool and uses it to verify that the cheaper straight edges are still within tolerance.Standout Companies and ProductsWe saw a lot of great products and talked to a lot of great companies, so we can’t cover everything. But a few of the standouts include:MicroJigSawStopKreg, including the Edge Joiner and upcoming trim routerOliverIzzy Swan and Swan ToolsOld MastersWoodRiverWalrus OilEasy Wood ToolsCarbon MethodGrit GripJessEmTemple ToolsPowermaticLinks and ResourcesWoodcraftLocal Woodcraft Events and ClassesMinneapolis: Summer Lumber Deal runs through June 20. Get a $20 gift card with a $100 lumber purchase.Minneapolis: Free Bandsaw Tune Up demo, Saturday, June 20 at 1pm.Boise: 3 Stone Cairn Lamp class.Greenville: Celtic Knot Rolling Pin class.Contact the ShowSend 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.

On today’s show, we’re talking about, what are straight edges good for anyway, color changing desks, and edge jointing quandaries. Wood talk is proudly sponsored by Woodcraft! Use code WT2026 for 10% off regularly priced merchandise, can’t be combined with other offers, exclusions applyIf you want to help support the show, you can do so by going to Patreon.com/woodtalk and signing up to become a patron of the show. We’d like to thank: Joe Clauss and Paul O’HareWhat’s on the Bench?Marc: A little more work on the table. Bought the walnut. $1600 in and I haven’t even cut the wood yet.Matt: Breakfast table launch and Epoxy coffee tableShannon: helping a student with dovetailsKICKBACKRyan had a great experience at a Woodcraft swap meet.Larry has a suggestion for a plane that helps with inside corners.QuestionsLisa wants to know if she should buy a straight edge: https://www.woodcraft.com/products/woodriver-stainless-steel-cabinetmarkers-ruleAzeem has three questions related to UV color changing wood, Osmo use, and jointing an edge.Resource: https://thewoodwhisperer.com/videos/aging-wood-with-baking-soda/ Woodcraft HappeningsA few stores, including Spokane, Seattle, and Denver, are hosting either a Summer Clearance Event or a 15% Off Sale over the weekend of June 13th and 14th.In Seattle and Denver, the first 25 customers to spend $25 on clearance items will receive a free Pinnacle marking and measuring tool.There are also some interesting classes coming up around the country.Sacramento has a Thor’s Hammer class, where students shape a wooden hammerhead on the table saw and turn a custom handle on the lathe.St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Nashville have the Drunken Cutting Board class, which uses a bandsaw technique to create that wavy checkerboard pattern.Greenville has a Celtic Knot Rolling Pin class, with both youth and adult sessions. 

On today’s show, we’re talking about small shop organization, how to use a push stick with the JessEm guides, why are there always mistakes?! Our show is also sponsored by the generous contributions of people like you! Thank you!If you want to help support the show, you can do so by going to Patreon.com/woodtalk and signing up to become a patron of the show. We’d like to thankAlmost PerfectionWhat’s on the Bench? Marc: Started MCM table for friend of hisMatt: Finished the breakfast nookShannon: teaching sawing and chiselingKICKBACKJeremy - Has some thoughts on losing a job and relying on the shop.Bryan - Tells us his thought process behind using toothpicks.Paul - I was wondering since Mother’s Day is so close and I’m not ready for it if you could put it off a couple of weeks so I have time to make a picture frame for my wife.Questions!David - I use the Jessem Table Saw guides and noticed Marc uses them also. I find that using a push stick with them isn't easy. The only one I find useful are the long stick type that is included with table saws. Which push stick do you use with the Jessem guides.https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-101642234-13817089?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.woodcraft.com%2Fproducts%2Fjessem-rip-stick-for-ts-and-sts-stock-guides%3Fvariant%3D47228246360202&cjsku=196955Brandon - Over the years, I've made many things I've eventually been proud of, but it seems like with every project, no matter how hard I try, no matter how careful I am, no matter how much planning I do, I mess up something smallish that I didn't need to. Examples (feel free to edit): I'll cut dados for shelves, and all but one of them will be nice and tight, but one of them will be a tiny bit oversized and have a visible gap. I'll carefully clamp pieces of a lumber cart together while gluing-and-screwing it, only to realize that one of the shelves is noticeably crooked when I finish. I'll drop a piece off the table saw or workbench, denting a corner that really needed to be crisp and sharp. I'll go to put my name on something with either my iron or my laser, but the placement will be slightly off or the iron will be too hot. Etc. Etc. Etc. Something like this seems to happen on almost every project. Sometimes it's my fault, sometimes it's just a random accident.My question for you guys is this: When/how do you determine when a mistake/accident/major screw-up is significant enough to warrant repair vs. redoing vs. just giving up? Do you have a rule for your own work for when you ignore a mistake and just keep going, or are you all so awesome that a question about mistakes is alien to you? Silas - I love listening to the show I'm a teenager worker.I've only been woodworking for around a year now.I have a small job site table saw and a small lunchbox.Plainer , that's really it , I'm hoping soon to start building a small shed for my workshop.It will only be around sixteen by twelve I Want to know If you guys have any ideas on storage or anything, I'd love to hear like I said, I'm a beginner so I don't know that much.