Wood Talk | Woodworking

On today’s show, we’re talking about finding a woodworking mentor, leaning bench dogs, and turning riven oak into boards.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:Ben DadoverDick KnottsPhil McCrackenSign up for the Wood Talk Newsletter.What’s on the BenchMarc started messing with Gridfinity and is wondering whether that was a mistake.Matt is between things.Shannon shellacked his chest, and now the girls all swoon.KickbackAlexander Hähnsen asks whether the best Wood Talk listening experience is to keep working backward from newer episodes or go all the way back to episode 1.Kyler Goodwin and Dave suggest using an ozone generator to help remove the odor from Shannon’s chest of drawers, with the warning that ozone needs to be used carefully because it is harmful to breathe.QuestionsBrandon asks how to find a woodworking mentor, how to avoid asking for too much unpaid time, what a developing woodworker can offer in return, and what a healthy mentoring relationship looks like.Josh asks how to turn split, wedge-shaped oak log sections into straight boards when there’s no flat reference edge and no way to get the logs to a sawmill.John asks whether old Wood Talk episodes are still available and whether round bench dog holes for a Benchcrafted tail vise should be drilled at a 2-degree angle.Links and ResourcesWoodcraftWood Talk NewsletterKreg Edge early access through WoodcraftLocal Woodcraft Events and ClassesCincinnati: Intro to Scroll Saw workshop, Thursday, August 20.Washington, DC-area Woodcraft: Date Night, Friday, August 21.Harrisburg: Free Easy Wood Tools demo with Dave Schell, Saturday, August 22.Columbus: Fall meeting of the Society of American Period Furniture Makers, August 22 and 23.Seattle: 8th Annual Tool Swap, Saturday, August 29.Store Classes and Events: Check your local Woodcraft store at Woodcraft.com.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 whether subscriber numbers matter anymore, cutting long miters, and pressing veneer without a vacuum bag.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:Eric PellerinPeter KulupkaSign up for the Wood Talk Newsletter.What’s on the BenchMarc started a repair job for his mother-in-law on a 23-year-old project.Matt is working on a workbench base.Shannon is doing chest of drawers remediation.KickbackGary writes in with criticism of the discussion around Shannon’s use of “off the reservation.”Michael Johnson writes in to thank the guys for that same discussion and shares why those words carry weight for many Indigenous and First Nations people.Anthony from Grey Design Workshop shares his experience using Accoya and Tricoya for exterior cupboard doors in southern England and asks whether the material is easy to get in the US.QuestionsJean-Luc Desselle asks whether YouTube subscriber count still matters and whether milestones like 1 million or 500K still mean anything to the guys.Tom asks how to cut large, long miters for mitered casework that exceeds 24 inches in width or depth.Drew asks about pressing veneer without a vacuum bag, including larger cauls, screw presses, and whether multiple panels can be pressed at the same time.Links and ResourcesWoodcraftWood Talk NewsletterFormaligna StudioGrey Design WorkshopLumber Update, Modified WoodsLumber Update, AccoyaLocal Woodcraft Events and ClassesWest Springfield, Massachusetts: August 8, hands-on Festool cordless-tool demo with a factory representative.Dayton, Ohio: August 13, free CNC Users Group meeting for CNC owners, new users, and anyone who needs help with Vectric software.Minneapolis: August 14 and 15, Mystery Envelope Secret Sale, with chances to save 15% or 20% on a purchase, or 25% on one item.Store Classes and Events: 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 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.