STL 364: Good Design Goes Unnoticed

STL 364: Good Design Goes Unnoticed

Author: FineWoodworking.com April 17, 2026 Duration: 1:19:58

Mike and Vic sit down with Konrad Sauer, of Sauer & Steiner Toolworks, to discuss the design process — what constitutes good design? And what should you do in the rare moments where inspiration strikes?

Find Konrad on Instagram here: @sauer_and_steiner

Some of Konrad's favorite Instagram accounts: 5 of Konrad's Favorite Instagram Accounts


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Ever find yourself in the middle of a project, staring at a tricky joint or a piece of lumber that just won't behave, wishing you could ask an expert? That's the space where Shop Talk Live-Fine Woodworking lives. Hosted by the editors and seasoned contributors from Fine Woodworking magazine, this isn't a formal lecture. It's the sound of a conversation happening right in the workshop, where real questions from woodworkers at every level meet practical, time-tested answers. You'll hear the specifics-discussions on tool tuning, finishing nuances, joinery adjustments, and design problem-solving-all grounded in decades of collective hands-on experience. The dialogue is direct and the advice is applicable, whether you're building your first box or restoring a classic piece. This podcast from FineWoodworking.com pulls back the curtain on the craft's finer points, turning those moments of frustration into breakthroughs. It’s like having a master woodworker right there with you, offering clarity and confidence for your next cut. Tune in for the kind of shop talk that makes your time at the bench more productive and a lot more enjoyable.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Shop Talk Live - Fine Woodworking
Podcast Episodes
STL297: The hand tool you need to buy is a bandsaw [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:33
Gary Rogowski joins Vic and Ben to discuss adjusting hinges, using a chamfer bit for box miters, and making Queen Anne furniture without a bandsaw. 0:00 - Intro 1:28 - Adjusting hinges 27:41 - Chamer bit for box miters?…
STL296: Dinkle dreams of bed frames [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:13
Bridgid from Dinkle's Woodshop joins Amanda and Ben to talk about her obsession with building bed frames, the best material for shop furniture, favorite tools, and how beginners can stop overthinking things in the shop.…
STL: Getting Geeky with ISOtunes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:54
An important discussion about hearing health, and why it's important to every woodworker. ISOtunes hearing protection merges certified protection with cutting-edge communication technology to give you a safe, enjoyable,…
STL295: It's not a router, it's a possibility [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:58
Mike, Vic, and Ben discuss (for the last time) shops without a table saw, when to sell a tool, and why the simplest way to get something done is the best way. Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shopta…
STL294: The Chair Geeks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:27
In this episode, we talk about all things Windsor chairs with Aspen Golann and Kelly Harris, as well as their involvement with The Chairmaker's Toolbox. Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive…
STL293: Camber Alert! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:42
Megan Fitzpatrick joins Vic and Ben to discuss round vs. square dogs, drilling at an angle, plane iron camber, and the best material to use on a bathroom vanity. 0:00 - Intro 5:00 - Square on a drill press when drilling…
STL292: Tim Coleman wasn't always great [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:13
Tim Coleman tells us about his early days in woodworking and the difficult yet rewarding choices he made on his journey. Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com Sign up for the Fine Woodwo…
STL291: Bandsaw tension secrets revealed! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:54
Not really—but Mike, Amanda, and Ben discuss their methods for kind of dialing it in, as well as prefinishing strategies, and how they use computer-aided design in their personal woodworking. Links from this episode can…
STL290: Lightning round with Vic and Ben [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:49
Vic and Ben answer eight listener questions, ranging from table saw throatplates to shiplap board spacing. This episode is sponsored by the Texas Woodworking Festival: https://texaswoodworkingfestival.com/ Use the code "…
STL289: Dan Faia's next 30 years [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:05
Dan Faia joins Ben to answer listener questions, talk about the last 30 years of his woodworking journey, and what he hopes for out of the next 30 years. This episode is sponsored by The Center For Furniture Craftmanship…