STL180: Designing Without Drawing

STL180: Designing Without Drawing

Author: FineWoodworking.com January 4, 2019 Duration: 1:02:31

Question 1: From Cameron: I'm thinking of making a bench inspired by Mark Edmundson's "Modern Danish Cord Bench" from issue #194-Nov/Dec 2007. I'm want to stretch the width to 6' to use at my 7' table.  Will the front and rear rails be enough to support 4 well fed adults or will I have a hilarious story to tell for the next 30 year about the thanksgiving collapse of 2019?

Question 2: From Mark: I saw a video where Matt Wajda drew a tool chest, full scale by hand.  Is this a common method? I draw Architecture for a living, I am tired of drawing.  I'm not interested in SketchUp, I already spend way too much time with AutoCAD. Woodworking is my release. I completely understand that you can work issues out on paper long before you even touch a board.  I am curious about designing without drawing. Does anyone you know use a design process that does not involve drawing?

Segment: Shop Resolutions

  • Mike - Learn a new skill this year
  • Anissa - Draw every day
  • Ben - Finish working on his shop, and start working in his shop… by May

Question 3: From Andy: Any idea how to go about achieving the finish in the attached image? I've never seen a finish like this one that's pretty vibrant, yet maintains the appearance of the grain. Is it just a watered down paint?

Question 4: From Bob: I have some Japanese chisels that I'm starting to use.  About 3/16" behind the edge of the blade is a cove. When you grind back to that cove, the back will no longer be flat.  Do you have to toss the chisel out at that point?


Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@taunton.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! 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.


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
STL280: Bench top jointers and ditching the table saw [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:21
Vic and Ben discuss life without a table saw, how much room a bandsaw takes up, bench top jointers, and how to be a good Instagram community member. 0:00 - Intro 2:04 - Instragm Trolls 21:15 - Life without a table saw an…
STL279: Don't forget about Fun Woodworking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:11
Asa Christiana joins Mike and Ben to discuss tool libraries, the best way of fairing curves, and what one listener might be doing wrong with their hand plane. 0:00 - Intro 1:17 - Asa's new book 15:18 - Are tool libraries…
STL278: Fine Plywood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:48
Mike, Anissa, and Ben discuss their favorite plywoods, how flat an assembly table needs to be, Mike's tormek, and corner desks. 0:00 - Intro 4:58 - Flatness of assembly tables 14:42 - Best plywood for fine woodworking 30…
STL277: When good enough is good enough [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:38
This episode is sponsored by Titebond. Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter Sign up for a Fi…
STL276: Too flawless to cut [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:11
This episode is sponsored by Titebond and Shaper Sign up for PantoRouter's webinar on October 20th: www.finewoodworking.com/webinars 0:00 - Intro 1:39 - Teaching online 13:40 - The important parts of a mortise 31:10 - Us…
STL275: Tighten those router bits! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:14
Bob Van Dyke joins Mike and Ben to discuss table saw blade sharpening, drill press height, scary router bits coming loose, and his upcoming dovetail bootcamp. Larissa Huff's Hand-routed Lettering video: https://www.finew…
STL274: Inside Highland Woodworking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:56
Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - h…
STL273: Shaper Origin—Then and Now [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:08
Mike and Ben interview Joe Hebenstreit and Adi Rao about their work with Shaper—from the early prototypes to their newest offerings, Shaper Studio and Plate. This episode is sponsored by Shaper. For more information head…
STL272: The end of the end-grain cutting board? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:55
Mike, Anissa, and Ben debate cutting boards and talk about taking box-making skills to the next level, fixing shellac mistakes, and solid-wood door movement. 0:00 - Intro 1:20 - Cutting boards 24:58 - Solid-wood door wit…
STL271: Making Dull > Getting Sharp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:07
Megan Fitzpatrick joins Vic and Ben to discuss replacement plane blades, grinding angles, rabbeting dovetails and our first ever (we think) live call in! 0:00 - Intro 1:47 - Replacement plane blades 9:07 - Grinding prima…