Wood Talk | Woodworking

On today’s show, we’re talking about whether it’s finally time to go metric, using live oak for a workbench and dining table, and the Jointmaker Pro.

Wood Talk is proudly sponsored by Woodcraft, your trusted source for quality woodworking machines and power tools. Whether you’re just getting started or looking for your next upgrade, they’ll help you find the right tools to power your woodworking.

Use code WT2026 for 10% off regularly priced merchandise. Cannot be combined with other offers, exclusions apply.

The show is also supported by the generous contributions of our patrons. You can support the show and get the ad-free version at Patreon.com/woodtalk.

This week, we thank:

• John Emerson
• Chris
• Tim Dahl

Sign up for the Wood Talk Newsletter.

What’s on the Bench

• Marc has been working on maker space upgrades and PM2000 fixes.
• Matt is getting ready for sawing.
• Shannon is doing fall cleaning, and his air filter finally gave up.

Kickback

• Kyle follows up on the smoke detector question from episode 614. He installed a flame detector in his garage because he has lawn care batteries, two EVs, and a whole-home battery backup in there. It detects actual flame instead of smoke, and it sends him a phone notification.

Questions

• Mick Monahan asks whether it’s finally time to switch woodworking over to the metric system.
• John Emmerson asks whether California live oak makes sense for a Roubo workbench, a dining table, and whether its density affects the finishing plan.
• Lars asks Shannon when he actually uses the Jointmaker Pro and whether it earns its keep in a shop that already has a full set of tools.

Links and Resources

• Woodcraft
• Wood Talk Newsletter
• Flame Detector

Woodcraft Deals

• All Rikon bandsaws are 10% off through September 30.
• Starrett bandsaw blades are 20% off through September 30.

Local Woodcraft Events and Classes

• September 18 and 19, participating Woodcraft stores: Kreg Demo Days.
• September 19, Richmond, Virginia: Art of the Blade Festival.
• September 24, Columbus, Ohio: Turning a Fishing Lure.
• September 25 through 29, New England: Alex Snodgrass continues his Maximizing Your Bandsaw tour.
• September 26, St. Louis, Missouri: Woodcraft’s Maker’s Resource Event with Marc Spagnuolo, the St. Louis Woodworkers Guild, and local makerspaces.
• Store Classes and Events: Check your local Woodcraft store at Woodcraft.com.

Contact the Show

Send questions at woodtalkshow.com, find us on Instagram at @woodtalkshow, or send us a voicemail using your phone to [email protected].

You can find the guys individually on Instagram at @mattcremona, @woodwhisperer, and @renaissancewoodworker.

Thanks to Todd and Margaret.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s show, we’re talking about smoke detectors in the shop, whether it’s worth upgrading dust collection ducting, and double-sided tape.

Wood Talk is proudly sponsored by Woodcraft, your trusted source for quality woodworking machines and power tools. Whether you’re just getting started or looking for your next upgrade, they’ll help you find the right tools to power your woodworking.

Use code WT2026 for 10% off regularly priced merchandise. Cannot be combined with other offers, exclusions apply.

The show is also supported by the generous contributions of our patrons. You can support the show and get the ad-free version at Patreon.com/woodtalk.

This week, we thank:

• Levi McNett
• Jim at the.accidentalwoodworker
• Sooner Woodworking

News and Announcements

• Sign up for the Wood Talk Newsletter.
• The Guild Back to School Sale ends September 4.
• All episodes are now on the website.
• SawStop has a bandsaw.
• Harvey has the Dream Saw.

What’s on the Bench

• Marc pivoted from Ava’s bed to the laundry room.
• Matt is working on a coffee table.
• Shannon is selecting veneer for a tabletop.

Kickback

• Von Welch tested the advice about not running an air filter until leaving the shop. His air quality meter showed the air got worse for about a minute, then quickly improved. He now runs the air filter while making dust and leaves it on a timer after he’s done.

Questions

• Vaibhav asks how to handle smoke detectors in a garage shop when sawdust can set them off, but fire risk from lithium batteries and oily rags is still a concern.
• Chris asks whether upgrading from HVAC ductwork to Nordfab ducting is worth it for a new shop with a 3HP Oneida cyclone and several large machines.
• Keith asks what brand of double-sided tape to use for templates.

Links and Resources

• Woodcraft
• Wood Talk Newsletter
• Woodcraft 2" Double-Sided Tape
• Permacel Double-Sided Tape

Local Woodcraft Events and Classes

• September 9, Allentown, Pennsylvania: Alex Snodgrass presents his Maximizing Your Bandsaw seminar from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.
• September 12, Sacramento, California: Woodturning, Segmented Screwdriver runs from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
• September 12, Parkersburg, West Virginia: Beginner Leather Keychain class runs from 10 AM to 1 PM.
• September 13, Minneapolis, Minnesota: Tiny Dwellings, Beginning Bark-House Carving runs from 10 AM to 4 PM.
• September 14, Downingtown, Pennsylvania: Alex Snodgrass brings his Maximizing Your Bandsaw seminar to Downingtown from noon to 1 PM.
• Store Classes and Events: Check your local Woodcraft store at Woodcraft.com.

Contact the Show

Send questions at woodtalkshow.com, find us on Instagram at @woodtalkshow, or send us a voicemail using your phone to [email protected].

You can find the guys individually on Instagram at @mattcremona, @woodwhisperer, and @renaissancewoodworker.

Thanks to Todd and Margaret.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s show, we’re talking about finding a woodworking mentor, leaning bench dogs, and turning riven oak into boards.

Wood Talk is proudly sponsored by Woodcraft, your trusted source for quality woodworking machines and power tools. Whether you’re just getting started or looking for your next upgrade, they’ll help you find the right tools to power your woodworking.

Use code WT2026 for 10% off regularly priced merchandise. Cannot be combined with other offers, exclusions apply.

The show is also supported by the generous contributions of our patrons. You can support the show and get the ad-free version at Patreon.com/woodtalk.

This week, we thank:

• Ben Dadover
• Dick Knotts
• Phil McCracken

Sign up for the Wood Talk Newsletter.

What’s on the Bench

• Marc started messing with Gridfinity and is wondering whether that was a mistake.
• Matt is between things.
• Shannon shellacked his chest, and now the girls all swoon.

Kickback

• Alexander Hähnsen asks whether the best Wood Talk listening experience is to keep working backward from newer episodes or go all the way back to episode 1.
• Kyler Goodwin and Dave suggest using an ozone generator to help remove the odor from Shannon’s chest of drawers, with the warning that ozone needs to be used carefully because it is harmful to breathe.

Questions

• Brandon asks how to find a woodworking mentor, how to avoid asking for too much unpaid time, what a developing woodworker can offer in return, and what a healthy mentoring relationship looks like.
• Josh asks how to turn split, wedge-shaped oak log sections into straight boards when there’s no flat reference edge and no way to get the logs to a sawmill.
• John asks whether old Wood Talk episodes are still available and whether round bench dog holes for a Benchcrafted tail vise should be drilled at a 2-degree angle.

Links and Resources

• Woodcraft
• Wood Talk Newsletter
• Kreg Edge early access through Woodcraft

Local Woodcraft Events and Classes

• Cincinnati: Intro to Scroll Saw workshop, Thursday, August 20.
• Washington, DC-area Woodcraft: Date Night, Friday, August 21.
• Harrisburg: Free Easy Wood Tools demo with Dave Schell, Saturday, August 22.
• Columbus: Fall meeting of the Society of American Period Furniture Makers, August 22 and 23.
• Seattle: 8th Annual Tool Swap, Saturday, August 29.
• Store Classes and Events: Check your local Woodcraft store at Woodcraft.com.

Contact the Show

Send questions at woodtalkshow.com, find us on Instagram at @woodtalkshow, or send us a voicemail using your phone to [email protected].

You can find the guys individually on Instagram at @mattcremona, @woodwhisperer, and @renaissancewoodworker.

Thanks to Todd and Margaret.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s show, we’re talking about whether subscriber numbers matter anymore, cutting long miters, and pressing veneer without a vacuum bag.

Wood Talk is proudly sponsored by Woodcraft, your trusted source for quality woodworking machines and power tools. Whether you’re just getting started or looking for your next upgrade, they’ll help you find the right tools to power your woodworking.

Use code WT2026 for 10% off regularly priced merchandise. Cannot be combined with other offers, exclusions apply.

The show is also supported by the generous contributions of our patrons. You can support the show and get the ad-free version at Patreon.com/woodtalk.

This week, we thank:

• Eric Pellerin
• Peter Kulupka

Sign up for the Wood Talk Newsletter.

What’s on the Bench

• Marc started a repair job for his mother-in-law on a 23-year-old project.
• Matt is working on a workbench base.
• Shannon is doing chest of drawers remediation.

Kickback

• Gary writes in with criticism of the discussion around Shannon’s use of “off the reservation.”
• Michael Johnson writes in to thank the guys for that same discussion and shares why those words carry weight for many Indigenous and First Nations people.
• Anthony from Grey Design Workshop shares his experience using Accoya and Tricoya for exterior cupboard doors in southern England and asks whether the material is easy to get in the US.

Questions

• Jean-Luc Desselle asks whether YouTube subscriber count still matters and whether milestones like 1 million or 500K still mean anything to the guys.
• Tom asks how to cut large, long miters for mitered casework that exceeds 24 inches in width or depth.
• Drew asks about pressing veneer without a vacuum bag, including larger cauls, screw presses, and whether multiple panels can be pressed at the same time.

Links and Resources

• Woodcraft
• Wood Talk Newsletter
• Formaligna Studio
• Grey Design Workshop
• Lumber Update, Modified Woods
• Lumber Update, Accoya

Local Woodcraft Events and Classes

• West Springfield, Massachusetts: August 8, hands-on Festool cordless-tool demo with a factory representative.
• Dayton, Ohio: August 13, free CNC Users Group meeting for CNC owners, new users, and anyone who needs help with Vectric software.
• Minneapolis: August 14 and 15, Mystery Envelope Secret Sale, with chances to save 15% or 20% on a purchase, or 25% on one item.
• Store Classes and Events: Check your local Woodcraft store page.

Contact the Show

Send questions at woodtalkshow.com, find us on Instagram at @woodtalkshow, or send us a voicemail using your phone to [email protected].

You can find the guys individually on Instagram at @mattcremona, @woodwhisperer, and @renaissancewoodworker.

Thanks to Todd and Margaret.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s show, we’re talking about why workbenches are better than the floor, managing customer expectations, and thick, thick workbenches.

Wood Talk is proudly sponsored by Woodcraft, your trusted source for quality woodworking machines and power tools. Whether you’re just getting started or looking for your next upgrade, they’ll help you find the right tools to power your woodworking.

Use code WT2026 for 10% off regularly priced merchandise. Cannot be combined with other offers, exclusions apply.

The show is also supported by the generous contributions of our patrons. You can support the show at Patreon.com/woodtalk.

This week, we thank:

• Kenneth Butz
• Zachary Gourde
• Zane Clark
• Dave 4C
• Tyler Aguirre
• Mike at WorkshopFloorplan.com

Sign up for the Wood Talk Newsletter.

What’s on the Bench

• Marc talks about the recent open house, the final stages of the dining table, and the loss of Duggee.
• Matt is rehabbing a bandsaw.
• Shannon is doing some flea market flipping.

Kickback

• Janae writes in after watching episode 609 and hearing Alex Snodgrass talk about bandsaw blades that break at the weld. Less than two hours later, her new-to-her Grizzly bandsaw made a loud pop. Because of the episode, she calmly shut down the saw, confirmed the break happened at the weld, and contacted the manufacturer.
• Kaylin asks why more cordless tool platforms don’t offer AC adapters like Metabo’s 36V line.
• Joshua shares his experience upgrading to a premium Milwaukee cordless set and how much better it has been for drilling, fence work, concrete, mixing mud and paint, and property cleanup.
• We also get a list of Ten Reasons I Hate Marc.

Questions

• Joel Bjornstad asks why chisel work improved so much after moving from the floor to a Roubo-style workbench. Is it posture, physics, or woodworking magic?
• Monte Bell asks how to manage customer expectations when commissioned furniture takes longer than expected.
• Emil built a 6 1/4" thick southern yellow pine workbench top and wants to know how thick a top can be while still working with vises, bench dogs, and holdfasts.

Links and Resources

• Woodcraft
• Wood Talk Newsletter

Local Woodcraft Deals, Events, and Classes

• July Deal: 15% off Crown M42 Cryo Turning Tools.
• July Deal: 40% off WoodRiver Toggle Clamps.
• July Deal: 40% off Brazilian Cherry / Jatoba.
• July Deal: 40% off Padauk.
• July Deal: 40% off Gaboon Ebony turning stock.
• Store Classes and Events: Check your local Woodcraft store page.
• Colorado Springs: Woodturning 101, Amazing Apple Project with Raleigh Lockhart, Saturday, September 12, 2026, 10 AM to 4:30 PM.

Contact the Show

Send questions at woodtalkshow.com, find us on Instagram at @woodtalkshow, or send us a voicemail using your phone to [email protected].

You can find the guys individually on Instagram at @mattcremona, @woodwhisperer, and @renaissancewoodworker.

Thanks to Todd and Margaret.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s show, we’re talking about the pros and cons of cordless tools, using Blade Cote on a SawStop, workbench setup for a southpaw, and how our design sensibilities have changed over the years.

Wood Talk is proudly sponsored by Woodcraft, your trusted source for quality woodworking machines and power tools. Whether you’re just getting started or looking for your next upgrade, they’ll help you find the right tools to power your woodworking.

Use code WT2026 for 10% off regularly priced merchandise. Cannot be combined with other offers, exclusions apply.

The show is also supported by the generous contributions of our patrons. You can support the show at Patreon.com/woodtalk.

This week, we thank:

• Blakey Lake
• Tommy Evans
• Tom Krush
• Rocky Smith
• Scott MacIntyre
• Alexander H, Sanyo

What’s on the Bench

• Marc cut the big bevels on the table legs before heading out on vacation and is prepping the shop so it’s not awful to come back to.
• Matt is working on a coffee table commission.
• Shannon made a cheese slicer, because Woodcraft told him to.

Kickback

• Michael Summer shares his experience with Mike Farrington’s sanding disc, especially the benefits of the taper, the clean edge it produces, and the ability to keep two grits loaded.
• Freddie also writes in about the Mike Farrington double-taper sanding disc and says it’s fantastic for casework, glue lines, sheet goods, cabinet parts, and sneaking up on final dimensions.

Questions

• Davie Brown asks whether using Blade Cote on a SawStop blade could cause problems with the brake system or electronics.
• Rich asks how the guys’ design sensibilities have changed over the years and whether Matt has found a new kind of figure to fancy.
• Ed Lilla asks how a left-handed woodworker should think about bench workholding and vise placement.

Links and Resources

• Woodcraft

Local Woodcraft Events and Classes

• Free Demo, Stay Sharp: Saturday, July 11 at 1pm.
• Free Demo, Dust Collection Basics, Machinery and Accessories: Saturday, July 18 at 1pm.
• Store Classes and Events: For in-store classes and events, please check your local Woodcraft store page.

Contact the Show

Send questions at woodtalkshow.com, find us on Instagram at @woodtalkshow, or send us a voicemail using your phone to [email protected].

You can find the guys individually on Instagram at @mattcremona, @woodwhisperer, and @renaissancewoodworker.

Thanks to Todd and Margaret.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s show, we’re talking about Alex Snodgrass. Like, the entire time. From his early days as a mustachioed little baby to today, as he’s in the home stretch of his Next Cut Tour.

We’re recording live at the Woodcraft Vendor Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky, which means this is the first face-to-face Wood Talk recording in years.

Wood Talk is proudly sponsored by Woodcraft, the leading authority in woodworking, making, and creating. They have the tools, supplies, expertise, and hands-on classes to inspire creativity at every level.

Use code WT2026 for 10% off regularly priced merchandise. Cannot be combined with other offers, exclusions apply.

The show is also supported by the generous contributions of our patrons. You can support the show at Patreon.com/woodtalk.

What’s on the Bench

This week, the bench is all Alex.

• We talk about how the Next Cut Tour is going.
• We ask why Alex became so closely associated with bandsaws.
• We discuss whether the world has enough bandsaw reindeer yet.
• We get into small-shop and startup bandsaw setup advice.

Questions for Alex

• Matt Parker asks how old Alex was when he first grew that glorious mustache.
• Tom asks how to deal with a 14" Powermatic bandsaw with a riser kit that refuses to track straight.
• Greg Batt asks whether upgrading a common 14" bandsaw from a 1 HP motor to a 2 HP motor is worth the cost and effort.
• Joe Lapolito asks how often a hobbyist needs to go through Alex’s full bandsaw setup process once the machine has been dialed in.
• Martin asks how to clean the blade and machine after cutting wet wood.
• We also ask why Carter guides over blocks or other bearing guides.
• And when a bandsaw blade breaks, what’s the first thing to check?

Links and Resources

• Alex Snodgrass, The Next Cut Tour

Local Woodcraft Events and Classes

• Minneapolis: Summer Lumber Deal runs through June 20. Get a $20 gift card with a $100 lumber purchase.
• Minneapolis: Free Bandsaw Tune Up demo, Saturday, June 20 at 1pm.
• Boise: 3 Stone Cairn Lamp class.
• Greenville: Celtic Knot Rolling Pin class.

Contact the Show

Send questions at woodtalkshow.com, find us on Instagram at @woodtalkshow, or send us a voicemail using your phone to [email protected].

You can find the guys individually on Instagram at @mattcremona, @woodwhisperer, and @renaissancewoodworker.

Thanks to Todd and Margaret.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s show, we’re talking about the 2026 Woodcraft National Sales Conference & Vendor Trade Show, the best trade show you’ll never go to. We’ll talk about our experience at the show and some of the standout products and companies we saw.

Wood Talk is proudly sponsored by Woodcraft, the leading authority in woodworking, making, and creating. They have the tools, supplies, expertise, and hands-on classes to inspire creativity at every level.

Use code WT2026 for 10% off regularly priced merchandise. Cannot be combined with other offers, exclusions apply.

The show is also supported by the generous contributions of our patrons. You can support the show at Patreon.com/woodtalk.

This week, we thank:

• David Dahl
• CoreyK

Kickback

• Rich Harwood follows up on the aluminum WoodRiver straight edges and how he uses them in the shop. He keeps a Starrett steel straight edge as his protected reference tool and uses it to verify that the cheaper straight edges are still within tolerance.

Standout Companies and Products

We saw a lot of great products and talked to a lot of great companies, so we can’t cover everything. But a few of the standouts include:

• MicroJig
• SawStop
• Kreg, including the Edge Joiner and upcoming trim router
• Oliver
• Izzy Swan and Swan Tools
• Old Masters
• WoodRiver
• Walrus Oil
• Easy Wood Tools
• Carbon Method
• Grit Grip
• JessEm
• Temple Tools
• Powermatic

Links and Resources

• Woodcraft

Local Woodcraft Events and Classes

• Minneapolis: Summer Lumber Deal runs through June 20. Get a $20 gift card with a $100 lumber purchase.
• Minneapolis: Free Bandsaw Tune Up demo, Saturday, June 20 at 1pm.
• Boise: 3 Stone Cairn Lamp class.
• Greenville: Celtic Knot Rolling Pin class.

Contact the Show

Send questions at woodtalkshow.com, find us on Instagram at @woodtalkshow, or send us a voicemail using your phone to [email protected].

You can find the guys individually on Instagram at @mattcremona, @woodwhisperer, and @renaissancewoodworker.

Thanks to Todd and Margaret.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s show, we’re talking about, what are straight edges good for anyway, color changing desks, and edge jointing quandaries. 

Wood talk is proudly sponsored by Woodcraft! Use code WT2026 for 10% off regularly priced merchandise, can’t be combined with other offers, exclusions apply

If you want to help support the show, you can do so by going to Patreon.com/woodtalk and signing up to become a patron of the show. We’d like to thank: Joe Clauss and Paul O’Hare

• Marc: A little more work on the table. Bought the walnut. $1600 in and I haven’t even cut the wood yet.
• Matt: Breakfast table launch and Epoxy coffee table
• Shannon: helping a student with dovetails

• Ryan had a great experience at a Woodcraft swap meet.
• Larry has a suggestion for a plane that helps with inside corners.

Lisa wants to know if she should buy a straight edge: https://www.woodcraft.com/products/woodriver-stainless-steel-cabinetmarkers-rule

Azeem has three questions related to UV color changing wood, Osmo use, and jointing an edge.

Resource: https://thewoodwhisperer.com/videos/aging-wood-with-baking-soda/

A few stores, including Spokane, Seattle, and Denver, are hosting either a Summer Clearance Event or a 15% Off Sale over the weekend of June 13th and 14th.

In Seattle and Denver, the first 25 customers to spend $25 on clearance items will receive a free Pinnacle marking and measuring tool.

There are also some interesting classes coming up around the country.

• Sacramento has a Thor’s Hammer class, where students shape a wooden hammerhead on the table saw and turn a custom handle on the lathe.
• St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Nashville have the Drunken Cutting Board class, which uses a bandsaw technique to create that wavy checkerboard pattern.
• Greenville has a Celtic Knot Rolling Pin class, with both youth and adult sessions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s show, we’re talking about small shop organization, how to use a push stick with the JessEm guides, why are there always mistakes?! 

Our show is also sponsored by the generous contributions of people like you! Thank you!

If you want to help support the show, you can do so by going to Patreon.com/woodtalk and signing up to become a patron of the show. We’d like to thank

Almost Perfection

What’s on the Bench? 

Marc: Started MCM table for friend of his

Matt: Finished the breakfast nook

Shannon: teaching sawing and chiseling

KICKBACK

Jeremy - Has some thoughts on losing a job and relying on the shop.

Bryan - Tells us his thought process behind using toothpicks.

Paul - I was wondering since Mother’s Day is so close and I’m not ready for it if you could put it off a couple of weeks so I have time to make a picture frame for my wife.

Questions!

David - I use the Jessem Table Saw guides and noticed Marc uses them also. I find that using a push stick with them isn't easy. The only one I find useful are the long stick type that is included with table saws. Which push stick do you use with the Jessem guides.

https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-101642234-13817089?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.woodcraft.com%2Fproducts%2Fjessem-rip-stick-for-ts-and-sts-stock-guides%3Fvariant%3D47228246360202&cjsku=196955

Brandon - Over the years, I've made many things I've eventually been proud of, but it seems like with every project, no matter how hard I try, no matter how careful I am, no matter how much planning I do, I mess up something smallish that I didn't need to. Examples (feel free to edit): I'll cut dados for shelves, and all but one of them will be nice and tight, but one of them will be a tiny bit oversized and have a visible gap. I'll carefully clamp pieces of a lumber cart together while gluing-and-screwing it, only to realize that one of the shelves is noticeably crooked when I finish. I'll drop a piece off the table saw or workbench, denting a corner that really needed to be crisp and sharp. I'll go to put my name on something with either my iron or my laser, but the placement will be slightly off or the iron will be too hot. Etc. Etc. Etc. Something like this seems to happen on almost every project. Sometimes it's my fault, sometimes it's just a random accident.

My question for you guys is this: When/how do you determine when a mistake/accident/major screw-up is significant enough to warrant repair vs. redoing vs. just giving up? Do you have a rule for your own work for when you ignore a mistake and just keep going, or are you all so awesome that a question about mistakes is alien to you? 

Silas - I love listening to the show I'm a teenager worker.I've only been woodworking for around a year now.I have a small job site table saw and a small lunchbox.Plainer , that's really it , I'm hoping soon to start building a small shed for my workshop.It will only be around sixteen by twelve I Want to know If you guys have any ideas on storage or anything, I'd love to hear like I said, I'm a beginner so I don't know that much.

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