STL187: Desert Island Dream Projects

STL187: Desert Island Dream Projects

Author: FineWoodworking.com April 12, 2019 Duration: 1:13:02

Question 1: From Paul: Heide Martin's serving trays in the May/June 2018 are beautiful and I have since made a couple. My question is about keeping the bottom boards flat. I cut some walnut that had been air dried for probably 20 years. In an hour or two both boards cupped. I then sequentially tried wetting one side, wetting both sides, soaking in water, soaking in fabric softener, each time clamping the boards to keep them flat and leaving for days and days to dry out. None of these things worked and in the end I ended up using some walnut plywood instead. How do you folks keep wide, thin boards flat?

Question 2: From Richard: In reality we all have limited amount of shop time available.  However, if the amount of time you could work on a project was not limited what one piece would you choose to make?

Segment: All-Time Favorite Technique

Mike: Using pocket holes to quickly make and change full-size mockups

Tom: Beveling an edge of a workpiece with a handplane

Ben: Riding the back of the blade to start a cut on the edge of workpiece

Question 3:   From Mark: I have been building furniture full-time for just over a year. Is it legal and/or ethical to build something from the magazine or a video workshop and then sell it? For instance, if a client asks me to build 4 Adirondack chairs, my thought is build them loosely based on what I find at Fine Woodworking, vs. reinventing the wheel with my own design every-time.

Question 4: From John: I was reading a FWW article by Steve Latta in issue #241 about draw-bored tenons where he said, "I make pins from riftsawn or quartersawn stock...". If you're making dowels, how can it possibly make any difference whatsoever if you use quartersawn or plain sawn boards? I still like Steve Latta, btw.  Keep up the great work, see y'all at FWWlive!


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
STL195.5: Scott Landis of Greenwood Global [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:39
For more than 25 years GreenWood has worked with artisans in Honduras and the Peruvian Amazon to produce high-quality wood products from well-managed forests. They train woodworkers to use appropriate tools and technolog…
STL195: New Tools From AWFS in Vegas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:13
Rollie Johnson and Justin Fink join Tom, Barry, and Ben to discuss new tools being shown at the AWFS fair in Las Vegas
STL194: New-Fangled Finishes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:56
Danish Modern Desk with Tim Rousseau Question 1: From Devin: Over the years of listening to your show, reading Fine Woodworking, and watching instructional videos, I've heard a million different suggestions for how long…
STL193: Pocket Screws vs. Dominos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:01
Start Woodworking Season 1 by Matt Berger, Asa Christiana https://www.finewoodworking.com/videoworkshop/2019/07/start-woodworking-season-1 Question 1: From Dan: I recently built a pair of desks featured in issue #270. I…
STL192: Learning To Cut Dovetails [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:12
Dovetailing episodes from Chris Gochnour's Enfiled Cupboard Video Workshop: Ep 4a: Case Dovetails – Tails Ep 4b: Case Dovetails – Pins Ep 4c: Handcut Rabbets and Dovetail Fitting Video: Chris Becksvoort–The Dovetail Mast…
STL191: A Jointer Worth Traveling For [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:52
If you are interested in learning more about how you can support Old Sturbridge Village's cabinet shop, contact their development office at development@osv.org for more information. Question 1: From Joseph: I bought a ne…
STL190: Assembling a Lumber Stash [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:05
Become a Fine Woodworking Unlimited member today and get instant access to all FineWoodworking.com content. Start your free two week trial here. Question 1: From Tom: I'm now semi-retired and finally have the time to cre…
STL189: Nancy Hiller, Chris Becksvoort and Vic Tesolin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:58
Guest 1: Joe Taylor - Director of Sales for Rikon Joe gave us the ins and outs of a few of Rikon's new products Model 10-326DVR: 14″ Deluxe Bandsaw with Smart Motor DVR Control Blade Speed – Variable from 100 RPM (45 SFP…
STL188: FWW Live Pregame Show [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:19
Question 1: From Al: I am having some trouble laying out the pins and tales on the Wenge in the more traditional way, unlike what Mike shows. Wenge is extremely hard and not at all forgiving and the grain tends to be a p…
STL186: Machinery Placement Guidelines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:32
Question 1: From Harry: How can I prevent Camellia from becoming all gummy. After letting a plane set for a few weeks that had been wiped down with Camellia Oil it was next to impossible to get the plane apart. I actuall…