Episode 50: I Can’t Believe I Missed That!
Drop off the grid for a little while and you’re bound to miss out on some exciting happenings in the woodworking world. In this week’s episode, I do a quick survey of some of the interesting goings-on that I didn’t get to talk about over the past few weeks.
Episode 49: Woodworking Media
This week I give a rundown of the most prevalent forms of woodworking media available today and rank each on the Modern Woodshop Relevance Scale (TM). As a footnote, I killed a really scary looking spider during the recording of this episode (only slightly smaller than Shelob from LOTR); see if you can pick out when that happens. I bet you can’t… that’s professionalism, baby!
Episode 48: All That’s Granite Is Not Good
This week I have a discussion on whether granite is a technological breakthrough for stationary power tools or just a hopeless gimmick. Also, I throw in a fun little story about my own personal computer gremlins.
Episode 47: Good, Bad, and Indifferent
Buying a new stationary power tool can be confusing if you don’t have a lot of experience using that particular tool. The products in your price range probably only have minor differences, so how do you know which one will work best for you? This week, I give you a rundown of my major power tools and the features which I think are good, the features that I think are bad, and those about which I’m indifferent. Also, be on the lookout for the words “always” and “crazy” this week. I used those two words a lot for some reason. Ten MW points go to the first person to give an accurate count for each word.
Episode 46: Woodworking Fanboys
A sale at Woodcraft, fun with the Urban Dictionary, and a survey course on the history of woodworking fanboys.
Episode 45: Orphaned Projects
Every woodworker has at least one abandoned project sitting around the shop. This week I talk about some of my orphaned projects and how I’m playing the role of Daddy Warbucks by bringing new life to them in unexpected ways. And, in an unrelated note, I just couldn’t resist talking about the new Woodriver bench planes and Lie-Nielsen’s cross peen hammers.
Episode 44: Burnout
In a short episode this week I discuss the trials and tribulations of woodworking burnout.
Episode 43: The Pendulum
Happy New Year! Welcome to the first Modern Woodshop Podcast episode of 2009! This week I give you a brief synopsis of my hectic holiday season (there were these three annoying ghosts that wouldn’t let me get any sleep on Christmas Eve), I talk a bit about woodworking resolutions for the new year, and I tell you all about “The Pendulum.”
Episode 42: A Bunch Of Random Stuff That Happened
I’m wrapping up 2008 with a rapid fire random topic show that will leave your head spinning. At least, that’s how I felt when it was over… or maybe that was from the varnish fumes.
Episode 41: Pretty Pretty Handplane
A status report on my dollhouse / activity table project, I get called out for a misguided rant in a previous episode, and I wonder about the purpose of purchasing pretty planes.
Episode 40: The Tortoise and the Hare
I’m constantly trying to learn new things. I’m not always successful, but it’s a worthy goal. I’ve recently concluded, however, that I’ve been unknowingly sabotaging this goal with regards to my woodworking for many years. I’ve been acting like a hare, when I really wanted to be a tortoise. Which one are you? I also learned that the term “Crockpot Mojo” means something different to other people… and Google sent a lot of those folks over to modernwoodshop.com this past week.
Episode 39: Crockpot Mojo
You’ve used your drafting skills, your routing skills, and your dovetailing skills to design and build projects. I bet you’ve even used the Pythagorean Theorem once or twice. But have you ever used Crockpot Mojo while in the shop?
Episode 38: Sharpening
We all know that the ancient mysteries of sharpening are guarded by an elite group of ninjas that live high up in the mountains. I mean, c’mon, everyone knows that. In today’s episode, I will reveal some of those mysteries. If the ninjas ask… you didn’t hear this stuff from me.
Episode 37: Review of SmartFlix.com
This week’s episode is an in-depth review of SmartFlix.com, a DVD rental service for how-to woodworking videos (and other hobbyist videos, as well). If you’d like to try out the service, use the coupon code MODERNWOOD when you check out to save $2! The subscription-based sister site that I mention during the review is Woodturner University.
Episode 36: Dream Shop
Let me guess… your current shop is less than ideal, right? Too dark? Too cold in the winter, too hot in the summer? Lots of spiders? Wasps? Yeah, me too. In this week’s episode, I’m giving you a rundown of the 6 changes I would make to turn my current shop into my dream shop. What would you change about yours?
Episode 35: Now With LASERS!
It seems like manufacturers keep trying to turn our power tools into high-tech gadgets. This week, I give a rundown of the most common technological trickery that gets inflicted upon us, and I cut through the hype to determine what’s useful and what’s not. Also, the Modern Woodshop buzzer makes an appearance this week for the first time since episode 4! This time, it’s much louder and scarier.
Episode 34: Luxury Tools
This week I talk about the top 7 luxury tools that I wish I had in my shop.
Episode 33: The Path Of The Hand Tool Warrior
This week we discuss the concept of a role model for the woodworking community, I ask the immortal question, “What’s up with that?”, and I train you to walk The Path of the Hand Tool Warrior.
Episode 32: The Router is Your Friend
Roses are red, violets are blue, the router is my friend, and I’m sure you’ll like it, too.
Episode 31: Reversal of Fortune
Over the last five years, the hobbyist woodworking community has undergone a dramatic 180 degree shift in our attitude toward tools and tool pricing. In this week’s episode I explore this phenomenon and look for a reason as to why we all simultaneously performed the half-hokey-pokey. Here’s the links for more information on the new Delta Unisaw and new Sawstop saw that I mention.
Episode 30: What’s Your Failure Threshold?
“Professional grade” tools are dying out, Roubo is selling out, and I’m preparing to exceed my failure threshold. Here’s a link to the post that I mention from Chris Schwarz’s blog about the new Lie-Nielsen Roubo bench.
Episode 29: Watch Out For Falling Clamps
We all know that we should be careful around the sharp pointy objects in the shop, but did you know that there are many other non-tool-related items in your workshop that pose a real hazard? In this week’s episode, we are discussing the hidden dangers that lurk in the shadows…
Episode 28: Watch Out for the Woodworking Police
The enforcers of woodworking justice are on the loose. They don’t want us encouraging folks to take up the hobby, and they don’t think anything you’ve ever built should be considered “fine woodworking.” Watch out!
Episode 27: Bread and Butter
This week we are talking about the mortise and tenon joint, the furniture maker’s bread and butter.
Episode 26: I Invented the Hammer
What’s that you’re saying about the hammer being a common carpentry tool? No way, man. I totally invented that.
Episode 25: Where The Heck Is My Router?
In this week’s episode we discuss the various options available for handheld power tool storage.
Episode 24: Where The Heck Are My Chisels?
In this week’s episode we discuss the various options available for hand tool storage. Ten bonus points will be awarded to those who can correctly identify how many times I say the word “lament.”
Episode 23: Remember Where You Came From
Take some time to remember… really think… about how overwhelming woodworking seemed when you were brand new to the craft. I reflect on that a bit and offer some helpful tips to help brand new woodworkers get some traction in their new hobby. This week we’re also celebrating the arrival of the Festool Kapex to stores all over the US… hooray!
Episode 22: You Say Potato, I Say Festool
If you’re looking for the quickest way to start a fight at the meeting of your local woodworking club, then this episode is for you. Today we’re surveying the most hotly debated topics in the woodworking world. And no… “tastes great” vs. “less filling” is not one of them.
Episode 21: The Lazy Woodworker’s Guide to Building Jigs
Are you cheap? Are you lazy? Me too. In today’s episode, I discuss how to use those attributes to your advantage when building jigs. Also, I discuss the new Oneida V-Systems cyclone and Fine Woodworking magazine.
Episode 20: Woodworking Digitally Remastered (Part 2)
This week we wrap up our two part series on using technology to enhance your woodworking experience. And I have a follow-up story on the “Mower Grassbuster.”
Episode 19: Woodworking Digitally Remastered (Part 1)
Feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of woodworking information available today? Need some help collecting, organizing, and using it? In this two part series I give an overview of some of the most useful technologies for enhancing your woodworking infortainment experience.
Episode 18: Stay Outta My Clubhouse!
Dust, overlooked woods, and clubhouses. ‘Nuff said.
Episode 17: The Top 10 Rejected Woodworking-Related Social Events
They say that Thomas Edison made 324 million failed attempts before building the first working lightbulb. Well, ok, I made that number up, but I’m pretty sure he didn’t nail it on the first try. For every great idea, there are dozens of rejected ones… and that’s the focus of this episode. The top 10 rejected woodworking-related social events.
Episode 16: Do the Safety Dance!
It’s Safety Week! In this episode I safely discuss a plethora of safety topics in all their safetiness. We cover protecting yourself financially through insurance, keeping visitors to your shop safe, keeping your shop safe when you’re not around, the safety concerns when loaning out tools, and loads of other good stuff. I also take a short tangent to discuss the new (and rather unusual looking) JDS 2100-CK 2HP cyclone that just hit the market.
Episode 15: Woodworking. Believe it… Or Not.
This week I discuss the conundrum of discerning fact from fiction amidst all the woodworking information available to us today. And let’s just say I’ve got a bone to pick with the Postmaster General.
Episode 14: The Six Most Embarrassing Tools That I Own
Everyone has a couple of tools that they never use, but what about the tools that you are ashamed to admit you even have? This week, I open up my tool chest of shame and share the six most embarrassing tools that I own.
Episode 13: Father Time Is A Lousy Shopmate
This week I discuss how time can be both our best friend and our worst enemy in regards to improving our woodworking skills and completing projects. I might also go off on a tangenty rant about video editing software for Windows.
Episode 12: The Romanticizing of Woodworking
This week I discuss the differences between professional and amateur woodworkers and the “romanticizing” of woodworking. Also, I coin another new woodworking phrase: “sawdusty goodness.”
Episode 11: Like Sand Through an Hourglass…
Evil Dave, an angry guy dressed up like the Statue of Liberty, and a broad discussion of dust collection options. What more could you ask for? The book I mention is Woodshop Dust Control by Sandor Nagyszalanczy.
Episode 10: Upcoming Shop Improvement Projects
This week I discuss the top six shop improvement projects that I have planned. Oh… and remember back in Episode 2 (My Workbench Can Beat Up Your Workbench) when I referred to Christopher Schwarz as the Oprah of woodworking? Well, Chris found out about that. I’ll tell you the story of how that came about.
Episode 9: Furniture Design for the Artistically Challenged (Part 3)
This week we discuss crashing computer servers, my jointer knife debacle, and the return of The Woodworking Channel. I know… I know… that alone would be an action packed show, but in this episode we also wrap up our discussion of furniture design.
Episode 8: Furniture Design for the Artistically Challenged (Part 2)
In part 2 of my series covering basic furniture design concepts, we walk through the process of designing a piece of custom furniture step-by-step. The furniture standards reference that I mention is available at http://www.woodbin.com/.
Episode 7: Furniture Design for the Artistically Challenged (Part 1)
If you’re interested in getting started in furniture design, and you’re artistically challenged like me, then this is the episode for you. In episode seven, part one of a series of podcasts discussing design, I help you to define your likes and dislikes, and also build a reference library for inspiration. Oh, yeah, and I also somehow manage to bring iPODs, eight track tapes, and the musical abilities of a goat into the conversation.
Episode 6: Don’t Play Air Guitar While Woodworking
In this week’s episode we discuss my upcoming plans for shop maintenance, we talk about how fear and confidence affect our woodworking skills, and well, maybe we play a little bit of air guitar.
Episode 5: Toolishness
This week we wrap up the series on tools and shops. I discuss my recent lumber run, tool collecting, and the age-old question of why stamp collectors don’t want to be referred to as “mailmen.”
Episode 4: A Contrarian’s Guide to Setting Up Shop
In this week’s episode we debunk some commonly held beliefs about setting up shop. This information may be tough to hear, but somehow, we’ll get through this together.
Episode 3: Digital Woodworking
This week we discuss the impact of computers on woodworking, all of the amazing electronic resources that we have available today, and I reveal the “Mystery Science Theatre” of woodworking podcasts.
Episode 2: My Workbench Can Beat Up Your Workbench
In this week’s episode we discuss workbench wars, woodworking groupies, and the “Oprah” effect.
Episode 1: 2007 Tool Innovations
This week we discuss innovative tools that were released in 2007. The Popular Woodworking review of the Glen Drake dovetail saw that I mentioned is available here.
