When a sculptural rocking chair project went wrong, I nearly walked away from woodworking for good. What followed was an unexpected act of kindness from the legendary Sam Maloof—and a reminder from my wife that failure isn’t the end of the story. This episode of The Joiner’s Bench is about perseverance, humility, and rediscovering why we make things in the first place.

Episode Summary: The Joiner's Bench - "Sharpen Your Skills"

In this episode of "The Joiner's Bench," host Stephen Ricks delves into the often overlooked yet essential aspect of woodworking: sharpening. Stephen not only highlights how sharpening is crucial for both the performance of woodworking tools and the overall woodworking experience but also attempts to demystify the process by sharing personal insights and practical tips. He discusses recognizing when a blade is dull, the importance of tool maintenance, and cost-effective strategies for keeping tools sharp. Additionally, the episode includes stories from the workshop, experiences with sharpening techniques, and the importance of maintaining sharp tools to enhance one's craft. Beyond technical advice, Stephen emphasizes the mental clarity that accompanies working with well-maintained equipment, setting the stage for a rewarding and productive woodworking journey.

Introduction (00:00:15 - 00:00:42)

- Host Stephen Ricks introduces the episode focused on the importance and satisfaction involved in sharpening woodworking tools.

- Emphasizes the correlation between sharp tools and a sharp mind.

Segment 1: What's Happening on My Bench (00:00:44 - 00:03:59)

- Discussion of recent woodworking classes with increasing participation due to fall.

- Anecdote about a dull blade during a class resaw project, emphasizing the importance of replacing or maintaining blades for optimal work.

- Brief mention of various ongoing classes, such as basic woodworking and intermediate projects like whiskey cabinets.

- No progress on the "Washington Tea Table" project.

Segment 2: The Craft - Sharpening (00:04:03 - 00:17:00)

- Exploration of sharpening techniques and the philosophy of "sharp is sharp."

- Stories about the host's father using oilstones for sharpening, and a method using a handheld belt sander for quick sharpening.

- Discussion on the importance of maintaining sharp tools efficiently without getting bogged down by the process.

- Insight into various tools and the subjective efficiency related to sharpening methods.

Segment 3: Maker’s Moment (00:17:30 - 00:29:13)

- Host discusses card scrapers, particularly a personal story of learning how to use them effectively.

- Emphasizes the difference between proper and poor sharpening using personal anecdotes.

- Introduction of high-quality card scrapers available through Lost Art Press as the best he's used.

- Encourages a mindset shift towards regularly maintaining sharp tools to enhance woodworking productivity.

Segment 4: Ask a Joiner (00:32:00 - 00:33:02)

- Question on identifying when tools need sharpening, with specific tips:

  - Feeling resistance instead of control.

  - Visual inspection of the blade for undue light reflection.

  - Loss of joy in tasks potentially indicating a need for sharper tools.

Conclusion (00:33:18 - 00:36:56)

- Summary of the episode’s key message: keeping tools sharp lessens frustration and enhances workflow.

- Encouragement to clean and sharpen tools using different methods briefly discussed during the episode.

- Invitation for listeners to ask questions and share the podcast.

This episode provides a detailed exploration of the sharpening process, sharing practical tips, personal anecdotes, and philosophical insights into why sharp tools are vital in woodworking.

In this episode of The Joiner’s Bench, Steven takes a deep dive into one of the most versatile and beginner-friendly machines in the shop: the bandsaw. From safety essentials like why you should never back out of a cut, to understanding feed pressure, blade drift myths, and how to properly set bearings and adjustments, this episode is packed with practical advice for new woodworkers. Along the way, Steven shares personal shop stories, highlights inspiring ways to use the bandsaw, and answers common beginner questions about blades, cutting techniques, and setup. Whether you’re tackling your first project or looking to get more from your bandsaw, this episode will help you cut straighter, safer, and with more confidence.

Sections & Topics Covered:

• What’s On My Bench – Steven’s current projects and how the bandsaw plays a role.
• The Craft – Safety basics, proper cutting techniques, avoiding back-out, the truth about drift, and making simple adjustments (blade tension, tracking, bearings).
• Maker’s Moment – Inspiration from projects that showcase the versatility of the bandsaw, from resawing to curves.
• Ask the Joiner – Common beginner questions: what blade to start with, how to handle wandering cuts, and when it’s time to change a blade.

Episode date: September 10, 2025

Host: Steven Ricks

Length: ~28 minutes

Episode Summary

Measuring might sound basic, but it’s where most beginner mistakes start. In this episode, Steven breaks down a practical, low-stress measuring system for shared shops: prioritize consistency over absolute precision, use the same measuring tools every time, and be consistent in how you mark and how you cut. We also hit Bench Notes (new shop benches, member projects, classes, and the Joinery Path), a Maker’s Moment about leveling table legs, and Ask the Joiner (the first measuring tool beginners should buy).

Segments

What’s On My Bench (Bench Notes)

• Upgrading shop workbenches with drawer modules and laminated tops (easy glue-ups, cleanup, and Joinery orange 💪).
• Quick jig build for 45° miters on a collectible-card box; proof you can design/build jigs fast when you focus on the task.
• Intro to Woodworking classes: first class filled; second added; fall sessions open on weeknights and weekends.
• Joinery Path launched: earn points for classes, projects, meetups; redeem for rewards up to 10% discount or a free class.
• Washington Tea Table project: no update (life happens!).

The Craft — Measuring (Deep Dive)

• Core idea: Consistency beats abstract accuracy in most furniture work.
• Use one measuring device (ideally your own) to avoid tolerance drift between different tapes/rules—especially in a shared shop.
• Marking matters: be consistent about which side of the line you cut.
• Pencil is fine if you’re consistent; a marking knife (an affordable X-Acto works great) gives a crisp, split-the-tick reference when joints demand precision.
• Mechanical pencil (0.5 or 0.7 mm) helps with thin, readable lines; you can darken knife lines with pencil for visibility.
• Carpenter’s Triangle: always point the triangle to the outside face and place it on the top reference edge. Number parts inside the triangle. This speeds orientation, prevents “what was I doing?” moments, and makes reassembly obvious.
• Project example (table aprons): matching opposing parts is more important than hitting an abstract dimension. If one short apron is 10-3/8”, the other should be 10-3/8”—that’s what keeps things square and joints fitting.

Maker’s Moment

• Getting four table legs perfectly level is a seductive time sink. Real floors aren’t perfectly flat, and wood moves with humidity.
• If a finished table rocks ~1/16” (even ~1/8”), consider leaving it—especially if it will live on carpet or a not-quite-flat floor. Save the heroic corrections for showroom pieces or egregious wobble.

Ask the Joiner

Q: “What’s the first measuring tool I should buy?” — Brian

A: A 4” (or 6”) adjustable square you trust. It’s pocketable, checks squareness everywhere (machines, parts, boxes), doubles as a depth gauge (set to 3/4” for planing checks), and complements your tape. Bring your own tape in a shared shop; smaller tapes (6–12 ft) are handier and tend to stay truer in the ranges you actually use. Pair with a reliable marking pencil (see links).

Tools, Brands & Resources Mentioned

• Blue Spruce Toolworks (marking knives/layout): https://bluesprucetoolworks.com/
• Starrett (squares, measuring): https://www.starrett.com/
• iGaging (affordable squares, measuring): https://tinyurl.com/26v83a3a
• Pica (layout/marking pencils): https://tinyurl.com/23c9xqot
• Amazon (X-Acto knives/blades, affordable marking knives): https://bluesprucetoolworks.com/products/classic-marking-knife-1

Host: Steven Ricks

Release Date: August 25, 2025

Length: ~38 minutes

Listen in as Steven explores the difference between simply operating a tool and truly mastering it. From the “ballet” of the miter saw to the pitfalls of relying on YouTube, this episode unpacks why real growth happens when you understand not just what to do, but why you’re doing it.

🪚 What You’ll Learn:

• Why familiarity isn’t the same as mastery.
• The hidden dangers of “I’ve been doing it this way for years.”
• The ballet of the miter saw: the sequence that leads to safer, cleaner cuts.
• Why YouTube is inspiration—not instruction.
• How in-person feedback accelerates learning.

🔧 Tools & Tips Mentioned:

• Introduction to Woodworking Course – 10 hours covering everything from milling to joinery.
• Basic Woodworking: Build a Tool Tote – A new 3.5-hour hands-on starter class for all new Joinery members.
• Marc Adams School of Woodworking – Steven’s long-time source for advanced training and inspiration.

🪑 Segment Highlights:

• Bench Notes – Updates on the new Basic Woodworking course, The Joinery’s new member training requirement (starting Sept. 1), and fall shop news.
• The Craft – A deep dive into the difference between operating a tool and mastering it, using the miter saw as a prime example.
• Maker’s Moment – A story from Steven’s time at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking, where a simple adjustment in stance changed his dovetail cuts forever.
• Ask the Joiner – Steven tackles the big question: Why take a class if you already know how to use the tools?

📬 Have a Question?

Send your woodworking quandaries to: [email protected]

Steven might answer it on a future episode!

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with a friend, or leave a review—it helps us grow this community of curious, confident woodworkers.

Until next time: keep learning, keep making, and keep building with confidence.

Host: Steven Ricks

Release Date: August 5, 2025

Length: ~33 minutes

Listen in as Steven explores the ever-shifting world of wood movement—what causes it, how to plan for it, and how it’s more than just a technical detail. From humid summers in Wisconsin to blown-apart breadboard joints in Texas, this episode blends woodworking wisdom with a bit of lived humility.

🪚 What You’ll Learn:

• Why wood moves (hint: it’s not just a tree being difficult).
• Practical tips for:
• Acclimating lumber to your shop
• Managing moisture during milling
• Designing with seasonal expansion in mind
• The surprising physics of “a bundle of straws”
• Real-world examples: from Juniper firewood to Hickory heartbreaks

🔧 Tools & Tips Mentioned:

• Unifi by Ubiquiti video camera system: Ubiquiti’s UniFi product line
• USDA Wood Handbook — the go-to guide for movement values by species
• 📘 Download the PDF here
• By Hand & Eye by George R. Walker and Jim Tolpin
• 🛒 Available from Lost Art Press

🪑 Segment Highlights:

• Bench Notes – Upgrades at The Joinery: video monitoring, facial-recognition door locks, and mentoring moments.
• The Craft – A deep dive on how, why, and when wood moves—and what that means for your projects.
• Maker’s Moment – Steven shares the story of his beloved (and betrayed) hickory blanket chest.
• Ask the Joiner – A question from listener Steve on how to approach proportions in furniture design, with a sneak peek into future episodes on the topic.

📬 Have a Question?

Send your woodworking quandaries to: [email protected]

Steven might answer it on a future episode!

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with a friend, or leave a review—it helps us grow this community of curious, confident woodworkers.

Until next time: keep making and keep discovering what you’re made of.

🪑 Episode 2: The Tool That Changed Everything

Host: Steven
Length: ~23 minutes

🔧 In This Episode

In Episode 2, Steven dives into the transformative power of tools—not just how they cut wood, but how they shape confidence, skill, and craft identity. From the humble card scraper to the mighty power mortiser, this episode is a deep-dive into the tools that make woodworking click.

You’ll hear:

• A shop story featuring a member’s “mandolin-style” card scraper moment
• Why Steven finally embraced the power mortiser (and which one now lives at The Joinery)
• Thoughts on choosing the right tool without breaking the bank—or your spirit
• A reflection on the first tool that opened Steven’s eyes to fine woodworking: a precision fence upgrade that changed everything
• Tips on avoiding "unitasker" gimmicks and spending smarter on tools
• Ask the Joiner: Rip vs. Crosscut blades—do they really matter?

🔎 Mentioned Resources

• Mark Adams School of Woodworking
• Lost Art Press – Especially the “Never Sponsored” blog on Substack 
• Powermatic Mortiser
• Simple Green Cleaner for blade maintenance
• Diablo 40T Combination Blade – Steven’s go-to for most cuts

🛠 Tools & Topics Mentioned

• Card Scraper / Cabinet Scraper – What it is and how to use it correctly
• Power Mortiser – Specifically, the Powermatic floor-standing mortiser now available at The Joinery [link needed]
• Mark Adams School of Woodworking – Highly recommended for hands-on learning [link needed]
• Biesemeyer Fence – The upgrade that took Steven from “industrial” to “intentional” [link needed]
• Tool buying strategy: Why waiting (and trying before buying) is often the smarter move
• The “Unitasker” Rule – Inspired by Alton Brown’s kitchen wisdom: avoid gimmicky, single-use tools
• Combination Table Saw Blades – Are they enough? (Spoiler: yes, in most cases)
• Blade Maintenance Tip: Clean with 50/50 Simple Green for a sharper edge without sharpening

🧰 Pro Tips from the Bench

• Don’t rush tool buying—try tools in class or community shops first

Welcome to the very first episode of the Joiners Bench podcast, where Steven, the founder of the Joinery, shares reflections, lessons, and stories from inside the workshop. This episode addresses the fear of starting a new woodworking project and offers advice on breaking the ice.  Listen in as he discusses how to overcome hesitation, choose beginning projects, and gradually build skill and confidence. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced woodworker, there's something here for everyone. Don't forget to send in your questions for future episodes!