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
STL299: Woodworking Festival Season [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:50
We chat with Father John Abraham of Benchcrafted and Phil Huber of The Woodsmith Shop, and Mike, Amanda, and Ben discuss all of the great woodworking festivals of late. 0:00 - Intro 2:30 - Chatting about festivals 16:35…
STL298: That's a fancy commode! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:24
Bob Van Dyke joins Mike and Ben to discuss sharpening to 80 grit, which wood is best for bending, bandsaw blade issues, and shoulder planes. Sign up for our Woodworking Fundamentals journey here - www.finewoodworking.com…
STL297: The hand tool you need to buy is a bandsaw [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:33
Gary Rogowski joins Vic and Ben to discuss adjusting hinges, using a chamfer bit for box miters, and making Queen Anne furniture without a bandsaw. 0:00 - Intro 1:28 - Adjusting hinges 27:41 - Chamer bit for box miters?…
STL296: Dinkle dreams of bed frames [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:13
Bridgid from Dinkle's Woodshop joins Amanda and Ben to talk about her obsession with building bed frames, the best material for shop furniture, favorite tools, and how beginners can stop overthinking things in the shop.…
STL: Getting Geeky with ISOtunes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:54
An important discussion about hearing health, and why it's important to every woodworker. ISOtunes hearing protection merges certified protection with cutting-edge communication technology to give you a safe, enjoyable,…
STL295: It's not a router, it's a possibility [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:58
Mike, Vic, and Ben discuss (for the last time) shops without a table saw, when to sell a tool, and why the simplest way to get something done is the best way. Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shopta…
STL294: The Chair Geeks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:27
In this episode, we talk about all things Windsor chairs with Aspen Golann and Kelly Harris, as well as their involvement with The Chairmaker's Toolbox. Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive…
STL293: Camber Alert! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:42
Megan Fitzpatrick joins Vic and Ben to discuss round vs. square dogs, drilling at an angle, plane iron camber, and the best material to use on a bathroom vanity. 0:00 - Intro 5:00 - Square on a drill press when drilling…
STL292: Tim Coleman wasn't always great [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:13
Tim Coleman tells us about his early days in woodworking and the difficult yet rewarding choices he made on his journey. Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com Sign up for the Fine Woodwo…
STL291: Bandsaw tension secrets revealed! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:54
Not really—but Mike, Amanda, and Ben discuss their methods for kind of dialing it in, as well as prefinishing strategies, and how they use computer-aided design in their personal woodworking. Links from this episode can…