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
STL270: Should I get a shaper? Oh.. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:38
This episode is sponsored by the Society of American Period Furniture Makers - http://www.sapfm.org 0:00 - Intro 1:46 - Marquetry 24:49 - Crossgrain banding 34:26 - Shaper vs. router table 48:41 - **graphic injury discus…
STL269: How we absorb woodworking information [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:51
Mike, Vic, and Ben discuss how they find information they need to learn a new technique and the impulse buys that they just can't walk away from. This episode is sponsored by the Society of American Period Furniture Make…
STL268: What flavor are your chisels? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:07
Mike, Barry, and Ben discuss working with thin stock, combination milling machines, chisel handles, and Barry and Ben get a little too close to being fired on air. This episode is sponsored by Woodcraft and Pony/Jorgense…
STL267: The router queen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:56
Larissa Huff wows Vic and Ben with her harrowing tales of freehand letter routing and many other woodworking feats. This episode is sponsored by Shaper and Pony/Jorgensen 0:00 - Intro 15:23 - Different edge treatments 26…
STL266: Pro day with Hiller and Farrington! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:48
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…
STL265: CA glue is the new hide glue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:16
This episode is sponsored by Triton Tools 0:00 - Intro 7:25 - Segment potpurri 12:40 - Shop flooring 20:17 - The carriage maker's plane 22:41 - Workbench height 34:08 - Milling lumber in advance 48:23 - Using epoxy Links…
STL264: This doctor prescribes Japanese tools [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:06
Wilbur Pan wears many hats. It's just that sometimes those hats are a white coat, or a community organizing pin, or a shop apron. A full-on M.D., Ph.D, Wilbur's spent over 20 years in oncology, including almost 18 treati…
STL263: The new FWW Shop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:08
Thanks to our shop launch partner Grizzly Industrial for sponsoring this episode. This episode was also sponsored by Pony/Jorgensen For more information on our newest online course: https://finewoodworking.mykajabi.com/…
STL262: The old tool trinity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:17
Sponsored by the Northwest Woodworking Studio's Online Mastery Program: http://www.Northwestwoodworking.com Bill Pavlak's blog: https://www.finewoodworking.com/2022/03/22/new-shops-and-old-movies 0:00 - Intro 1:18 - Rand…
STL 261: Russ Filbeck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:45
This interview is was done in 2019, and originally posted to FineWoodworking.com in 2020. It's new to the podcast audience and we thought the world could use a dose of Russ Filbeck right now. For more information on Russ…