STL191: A Jointer Worth Traveling For

STL191: A Jointer Worth Traveling For

Author: FineWoodworking.com June 7, 2019 Duration: 1:10:52

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Question 1:

From Joseph:
I bought a new house in 2017 and instead of moving a lot of tools, I sold most of them and started over with new ones. There are 2 things I haven't yet invested in  - a router table and a dado stack. I'm primarily a hand tool guy, but I like to use power tools for dados/grooves and rabbets. Currently I am using my tablesaw with a FTG blade to nibble away at them, but I've reached my breaking point and want something a bit faster. I've used both a dado stack and a router table in the past. Both have some pluses and minuses for me; set up time being a major minus, but equally annoying for each. I'm also open to other alternatives that don't include joinery planes. Been there, bought the planes, sold the planes. I'm a lefty, and using planes right handed isn't fun for me.

Question 2:

From Nick:
I have a question regarding a long distance relationship with a beautiful jointer. I am member of a "local" woodworking guild which has nice shop that is outfitted with a 16" jointer, a few nice planers. Unfortunately, I live a little over 2 hours away and at my home shop I currently only have a DW735 planer and no jointer. I would like to use all this nice equipment to do everything required to get straight, flat and square stock to take home and finish my projects. My concern is that by the time I throw it in the back of the truck and drive 2 hours home I would defeat the purpose. Does wood move that quickly when you're driving 80... ahem.. 70 mph? Can I get home and put in my climate controlled basement shop before I've warped everything out of flat/square? How would weather effect this (i.e. cold dry winter/hot humid summer weather?).

Segment: All-Time Favorite Technique
Mike: Peter Galbert using a heat gun to straighten out riven stock Bob: Flush cutting on the tablesaw

Ben: Drawing an extra line when sawing on the left side of your layout line

Question 3:  

From Jim:
I am planning to build a sewing table for my wife. The plans call for using cherry plywood for several major panels of the case. While the stability of plywood is certainly an advantage, it is expensive and I like the idea of using glued up panels made from 4/4 stock. What would you do and why?

Recommendations:

Ben - Sharpen your marking gauge, because you know it's dull
Mike -  Get a Soda Stream


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
STL337: The Trinity of Woodworking Details [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:23
Amanda chats with Vic and Mike, who have both recently picked up some exciting new tools. Sign up for Randy's wood identification course here: https://courses.finewoodworking.com/identifying-wood-randy-wilkinson For more…
STL336: Applause From The Maestro [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:58
Sergei Gerasimenko thought he was just dropping off his latest commission. Instead he received a well-deserved round of applause. Check out Sergei on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smgwoodworking/ Check out Sergei'…
STL335: Morley takes on Maine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:45
Ben and Amanda chat with Phil Morley, the newest Lead Instructor for Center for Furniture Craftmanships nine month comprehensive. Sign up for Randy's wood identification course here: https://courses.finewoodworking.com/i…
STL334: Understanding Hoadley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:25
Randy Wilkinson joins Amanda and Ben to discuss his work as a furniture conservator and wood identification expert. Sign up for Randy's wood identification course here: https://courses.finewoodworking.com/identifying-woo…
STL333: A bigger jointer won't fix it [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:47
Vic, Anissa, and Ben discuss jointing very long boards, woodworking with younglings, hand-tool dust clean up, and their all-time favorite tools of this week. For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.…
STL332: Any way into marquetry is a good one. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:53
Amanda chats with Chelsea Van Voorhis and Albert Kleine, two marquetry artists with entirely different approaches. Check out Woodsmith's Build Your Own CNC course here: https://woodsmith.mykajabi.com/building-shopnotes-c…
STL331: "The Face of Concern" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:08
Ben, Vic, and Amanda catch up, answer listener questions, and talk about how they're wrapping up 2024. Fine Woodworking members can sign up for the issue preview livestream here: https://www.finewoodworking.com/2024/11/2…
STL330: Our least favorite questions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:13
Mike and Ben answer a pile of listener questions to help you through your holiday weekend. Fine Woodworking members can sign up for the issue preview livestream here: https://www.finewoodworking.com/2024/11/26/issue-315-…
STL329: The 1-3-7 Rule [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:48
Amanda chats with Kate Swann, who runs Florida School of Woodworking, and Morgan Grove, a student and team leader at the USDA Forestry Service in Baltimore. Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalk…
STL328: Imperfect Precision [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:20
Mike, Vic, and Ben discuss the precision really needed in woodworking, methods for creating tapered bevels, and tracksaw techniques. Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com For more inform…