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
STL252: The pull of the Japanese handplane [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:44
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…
STL251: Assume the glue is going to fail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:12
This episode is sponsored by Festool 0:00 - Intro 1:52 - End grain glue myths! 21:34 - Joints in long runs of crown molding 32:43 - Segments 45:22 - Floating tenon joinery options We're hiring an assistant digital editor…
STL250: Catching up with Ed Pirnik [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:21
Visit FoundationsOfWoodworking.com for more information on Mike's online course, The Foundations of Woodworking. Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com Sign up for the Fine Woodworking we…
STL249: MDF on a jointer? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:30
Bob Van Dyke joins Mike and Ben to discuss story sticks, cooling glue to get more open time, spring joints and admits to milling MDF on his machines! Sponsored by Grizzly Industrial 0:00 - Intro 1:30 - Are woodworking cl…
STL248: Best of Shop Talk Live #1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:52
Segments from: STL179 https://www.finewoodworking.com/2018/12/21/stl179-barrys-insane-scrub-plane STL185 https://www.finewoodworking.com/2019/03/15/stl185-reading-bob-van-dykes-mind STL214 https://www.finewoodworking.com…
STL Profile: Erika Torres [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:20
Erika Torres is a woodworker in Oregon who has been building in some form or fashion since 2002. After completing Gary Rogowski's mastery program at the Northwest School of Woodworking, she has begun her woodworking care…
STL247: Drop the baseline [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:31
Mike and Ben discuss getting rid of marking gauge lines on dovetails, how long their blades last, more apron and pencil preferences, and why Mike has a day job. This episode is sponsored by Pony/Jorgensen 0:00 - Intro 1:…
STL246: The mighty biscuit joiner vs. the domino [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:22
0:00 - Intro 6:33 - How do you keep track of huge projects? 17:17 - Should a semi-pro get a slider? 34:20 - Biscuit joiner vs. domino 47:23 - Dealing with big glue ups? Mike's YouTube page - https://www.youtube.com/c/Mik…
STL245: Hope chest or nope chest? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:58
This episode is sponsored by Maverick Abrasives - https://www.maverickabrasives.com/ 0:00 - Intro 8:14 - How do you approach a new project? 22:51 - Breadboard end pinned on a glue joint 29:11 - Smooth moves 44:00 - Oil s…
STL244: Laura Mays–The Inquisitive Furniture Maker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:10
Jon Binzen interviews Laura Mays, woodworker and director of The Krenov School, about her journey to woodworking and the inspiration behind her inquisitive work. This episode is sponsored by Maverick Abrasives - https://…