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
STL 178: To Glue One Edge or Two? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:20
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STL 175.5: Bonus Episode with Kate Swann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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For more information on The Florida School of Woodwork: http://www.schoolofwoodwork.com/ For more infomation on Fine Woodworking HANDS On 2019 in Tampa, February 1-3: http://bit.ly/2Pbh03U Kate Swann is a lifetime woodwo…
STL177: Pekovich's Primitive Projects [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:11
Question 1: From Matt: I have 3 questions about getting into kumiko: 1.) What (Japanese) chisel would you recommend starting with? Hida Tool - HidaTool.com Iida Tool - JapanTool-Iida.com 2.) What online/printed resources…
STL 176: Why we don't like resawing on the tablesaw [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:34
Leave a comment on this episode's show notes page to enter to win a one of three Shop Talk Live t-shirts! - http://bit.ly/2JzIJZb Question 1: From Damon: It's time for me to start surfacing rough boards, but I don't have…
[not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Just a test, nothing to see here
STL 175: Stressful Panel Glue Ups [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:22
Head over to ShopTalkLive.com and leave a comment on this episode's show-notes page for your chance to win a one-year membership to Fine Woodworking's new UNLIMITED membership! We'll pick a winner November 9, 2018. Make…
STL 174: The power of the spring joint [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:55
Become a member today and get instant access to all FineWoodworking.com content. Start your free two week trial here. Show notes are available here. To see the newest issue of Fine Woodworking. Links mentioned in this ep…
STL 173: The Draw of the Wooden Handplane [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:55
Show notes Links mentioned in this episode: Wood Planes Made Easy by David Finck #196–Jan/Feb 2008 Issue - http://bit.ly/2QU8Ui9 Handwork: Make a coopering plane by Clark Kellogg #263-Sep/Oct 2017 Issue - http://bit.ly/2…
STL 172: You're using your chisels wrong [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:16
Sign up now for your chance to win the Ultimate Router Table Giveaway from Fine Woodworking and JessEm Tool Company Links discussed in this episode: Sanding on the Drill Press - by Michael Fortune #254–May/June 2016 Issu…
STL 171: When the Instagram Critics Get To You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:56
To enter to win a USB archive leave a comment on the show notes page for this episode. Winner will be selected September 14, 2018 Sharpening Services – Is it worth the time and expense to get your blades sharpened? Video…