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
STL260: LVL Workbench IRL [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:59
Sign up here to be notified when registration opens for our newest online Foundations course, SketchUp Fundamentals for Furniture Design With Dave Richards - https://www.foundationsofwoodworking.com/sketchup Links from t…
STL260: LVL Workbench IRL [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:59
Sign up here to be notified when registration opens for our newest online Foundations course, SketchUp Fundamentals for Furniture Design With Dave Richards - https://www.foundationsofwoodworking.com/sketchup Links from t…
STL259: Do homemade bandsaws make financial sense? (no) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:21
Rollie Johnson answers a batch of listener questions about dust collectors, homemade bandsaws, tool steel, cutter speed, power feeders, classic furniture drawings, machine restoration, and drying lumber. This episode is…
STL258: Making pretty things and blowing up their spots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:38
Woodworker, artist, and author, Danielle Rose Byrd joins Barry and Ben to discuss greenwoodworking techniques and culture, taking care of your body, wood allergies, sharpening, and how to find your own style. This episod…
STL257: Barry gets a tablesaw [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:01
This episode is sponsored by Peters Valley - http://petersvalley.org/ 0:00 - Intro 1:26 - Shop resolutions 9:41 - Budget tablesaw woes 22:05 - Building a base for a bandsaw? 35:21 - Segments 47:55 - Finer furniture pads…
STL256: Just'a planin' and a scrapin' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:33
For more information on Mike's online course -http://www.foundationsofwoodworking.com Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.…
STL255: Vic's plywood workbench [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:24
This episode is sponsored by Garrett Wade Check out Mike's online class, Foundations of Woodworking. 0:00 - Intro 2:36 - Economy shop help 20:38 - Vic's Baltic birch workbench 37:01 - Sharpening a toothed blade 47:18 - S…
STL254: Iron and oak (and maple?) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:12
This episode is sponsored by Titebond, Pony/Jorgensen, and Garrett Wade 0:00 - Intro 2:33 - Shop Talk 14:23 - Ben's router lift score 18:45 - Fancy box hinges 32:06 - Ebonizing techniques 43:38 - Segments 1:02:56 - Paint…
The Innovators: Grizzly Industrial [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:13
Mike Pekovich and Rollie Johnson chat with Grizzly's own Jameson Hawn to get a behind-the-scenes look at the company. Grizzly's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/GrizzlyIndustrialInc Jameson's YouTube channel: h…
STL253: Woodworking is just tricks and fixing mistakes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:16
This episode is sponsored by Titebond, The Northwest Woodworking Studio, and Pony/Jorgensen 0:00 - Introduction and catching up with Ellen 11:05 - Putting a shop into extended storage 24:30 - How long should a jointer be…