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
STL308: Cold weather woodworking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:01
Larissa Huff joins Vic and Ben to discuss working in the cold, dovetail layout, fancy tape measures, and if spokeshaves are in fact worth it. For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.…
STL307: Old-school resawing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:31
Bill Pavlak and Dan Faia join Ben to discuss inspecting historic furniture, resawing by hand, and sharpening drawknives. For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning For mor…
STL306: Be kind to the cast bro! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:11
Woodsmith's Phil Huber joins Mike and Ben to discuss taking care of fine furniture, making tools and jigs, and the new home of Fine Woodworking. For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworki…
STL305: Be nice at the lumber yard! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:19
Gary Rogowski joins Vic and Ben to discuss lumber yards, ungluing a chessboard, weird router bits, and hybrid sharpening setups. For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning…
STL304: All roads lead to Becksvoort [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:47
Mike, Anissa, and Ben discuss Shaker furniture, fixing a bench top, oddball shelf joinery, and the conversation comes back to Christian Becksvoort over and over. 0:00 - Intro 1:31 - Random chat 11:12 - Becksvoorts Shaker…
STL: Digital woodworking with MatterHackers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:31
MatterHacker's Dave Gaylord joins Ben to discuss the plethora of digital tools available to woodworkers. This episode is sponsored by MatterHackers Check out MatterHackers on Youtube here: @MatterHackers You can find lin…
STL303: Oops! All bandsaws!! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:18
Well, not ALL bandsaws, but Rollie Johnson joins Vic and Ben to discuss the weird noises your bandsaw makes, resawing wood by hand, and flattening boards with handplanes. 0:00 - Intro 3:19 - Bandsaw noises and setup 40:3…
STL302: Broken tenons and shattered dreams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:59
Anissa and Ben welcome David Johnson onto the show to discuss his work repairing furniture in LA. For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning For more information about our…
STL301: Those goggles ain't gonna cut it [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:17
Mike, Vic, and Ben discuss vacuum bags, coping saw blades, and ammonia fuming. 0:00 - Intro 3:03 - Catching up with Vic 10:52 - Vacuum bags 25:05 - Coping saw and fret saw blades 37:38 - Segments 50:54 - Fuming with ammo…
STL300: A tricentennial celebration! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:51
Not really, it's really Mike, Anissa, and Ben discussing jointers and planers. For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning For more information about our Woodworking Fundam…