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.
