STL264: This doctor prescribes Japanese tools

STL264: This doctor prescribes Japanese tools

Author: FineWoodworking.com April 22, 2022 Duration: 1:16:06

Wilbur Pan wears many hats. It's just that sometimes those hats are a white coat, or a community organizing pin, or a shop apron. A full-on M.D., Ph.D, Wilbur's spent over 20 years in oncology, including almost 18 treating kids. As an FWW editor once put it, "He's basically a superhero." He's also a tool nut and science nerd, two passions that seem to feed into each other. Indeed, he may be the only podcast guess to say, "I know just enough metallurgy to get me into trouble." His particular tool nuttiness is for Japanese tools, which are on display above his bench. For years he's run the blog giant Cypress, a tremendous resource for learning more about Japanese tools whether it's which ryoba to buy first or why Japanese tools are tools, not mystical magic wands.

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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

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