Podcast – Woodworking Online

Jig plans for cutting circles, adjustable dadoes, and a flush trim jig are included in this week’s Woodsmith Woodworking Seminar Podcast. Bryan Nelson will also give the low down on how to build a hinge mortising jig and a unique router table sled that holds narrow workpieces firmly while routing across end grain. Check out the Woodsmith Podcast Store for more deals on router bits and the seminar guide.

How many times have you overheard somebody make this comment? “Finishing is my least favorite part of woodworking. It’s so hard to figure out the difference between BLO and Danish oil and Teak oil, and all the other brands of varnishes and oils available.” I’ve been woodworking for years and I totally agreed with the comment. But it doesn’t have to be such a mystery. Doug Hicks has a clear and concise way of explaining it all during this weeks Woodsmith Woodworking Seminar Podcast. Instead of “…apply two coats and let dry,” his directions for finishing with varnishes and oils will make everything crystal clear. You’ll want to pick up the Seminar Guide at the Woodsmith Podcast Store. It’s full of great information on oils and varnishes.

I have a half dozen different squares in my shop. My framing square isn’t accurate enough for fine woodworking. A good try square is plenty accurate, but its uses are limited. The combination square, on the other hand, is one of the most versatile layout and measuring tools in my shop. That’s why it tops the list of my “10 Essential Hand Tools for Your Shop.” If you’re interested in purchasing any of the items I mention in this Woodsmith Woodworking Podcast, be sure to check out the Woodsmith Podcast Store. You’ll find links to many of the items listed there.

In this weeks Woodsmith Woodworking Seminar Podcast, Brian Simmons will show us the basics for turning pens in hardwood, burls, and man-made materials. He’ll give some tips for preparing the blank, mounting the blanks to a mandrel, and turning the pen. Finally, he’ll wrap things up by sanding, finishing and assembling a pen. Links to the seminar guides and products that you’ll see being used during the seminar podcast can be found at the Woodsmith Podcast Store.

This week, Dennis Perkins, assistant editor for Woodsmith and ShopNotes, is going to give us some pointers on using hand planes and scrapers for a smooth finish. He’ll also spend some time showing us how he likes to sharpen his scrapers during this week’s Woodsmith Woodworking Seminar Podcast. As usual, all of the links to articles, seminar guides, and products that you’ll see being used during the seminar podcast can be found at the Woodsmith Podcast Store.

Erich Lage has been a senior illustrator (and editor) for Workbench Magazine for 12 years now. Before that he owned his own remodeling-design business. In 1977 he started his journey in residential construction as a concrete finisher and ultimately worked as a trim carpenter and service manager in the Home Building Industry in the Midwest. During this month’s Woodsmith Woodworking Seminar Podcast, Erich will provide you with suggestions on how to troubleshoot all your home repair questions. During the seminar he’ll talk about everything from basement window repair to installing box beams in a family room. Once again, the seminar guide is available for sale at the Woodsmith Podcast Store.

Pocket holes are one of the simplest forms of joinery in all of woodworking. All you need is a pocket hole jig to drill the holes and some special pocket hole screws to connect two pieces together. They’re great for avoiding problems with laying out your workpieces and with alignment. Plus, they eliminate the need to clamp up a lot of pieces during glue up. During this week’s podcast, Phil Huber will show you some tricks for using pocket screws and he’ll build a complete patio table using pocket screw joinery. As usual, all of the links to articles, seminar guides, and products that you’ll see being used during the seminar podcast can be found at the Woodsmith Podcast Store. They include a link to the seminar guide, a couple of great project articles from Woodsmith magazine that feature pocket hole joinery, and several great Kreg Tool Co. products for sale. Be sure to check it out by clicking on this link: Woodsmith Podcast Store

Some woodworkers consider a band saw the most useful tool in a woodworking shop. You’ll learn why Doug Hicks feels this way during this week’s Woodsmith Woodworking Seminar Podcast. During this podcast, you’ll get some tips for buying a band saw and blades. Plus, you’ll learn how to properly set up a band saw and a few techniques you can perform with this versatile machine. If you’re interested in picking up a downloadable copy of the seminar guide (in case you want to follow along during the podcast), be sure to check out the Woodsmith Podcast Store. Also this week at the store, you’ll find a link to some good deals on a few band saw upgrades that Doug mentioned during his seminar. And as always, all of the great information provided during the seminars comes right from the pages of Woodsmith magazine. If you like what you see in the podcasts, click here for a free preview issue of the magazine.

Tapering, pattern cutting, coves, kerf bending, and raised panels. Those are just 5 of the things you may not have realized you could do with your table saw. During the Woodsmith Woodworking Seminar podcast, Ted Raife, associate editor for Woodsmith and ShopNotes, gives us safe, fast, and efficient tips on completing all five techniques. Be sure to check out the Woodsmith Podcast Store. If you’re interested in picking up a downloadable copy of the seminar guide, so you can follow along during the podcast, you’ll find it there. Plus, there’s a link to a good deal on the Forrest Woodworker II Premium table saw blade that Ted used during the seminar.

During this week’s Woodsmith Woodworking Seminar podcast, you’ll get to see a great new fixture that’s featured in ShopNotes Issue No. 93. Bryan Nelson (who is managing editor of ShopNotes magazine) will be routing machine-cut dovetails using the Porter-Cable 4212 dovetail jig. And to make it even more interesting, he uses the new Dovetail Jig Workcenter. The workcenter is loaded with features that provide storage for the jig and all its accessories, imporved accuracy, and added comfort as you work. Once again, the jig is featured in the lastest issue of ShopNotes (on newsstands now). After the podcast is finished, stop by the Woodsmith Podcast Store. You’ll find links to project plans, the seminar guide, and a few of the tools and accessories that Bryan used during the seminar.

Jonathan Benson, a master furniture builder, designer, and author takes us step-by-step through some of his favorite methods for veneering during this week’s Woodsmith Woodworking Seminar podcast. Jonathan has just finished writing a book called “Veneering: A Comprehensive Guide.” (You can see examples of his work at his website.) He builds beautiful furniture. When you’re done watching, be sure to check out the Woodsmith Podcast Store. You’ll find links there on how to purchase some great veneering project plans and this week’s seminar guide.

When it comes right down to it, most cabinets are just boxes made out of plywood. Add a drawer and a slab door and you’ve got utilitarian storage for a garage or workshop. But if you’re building cabinets for your kitchen or bath, chances are you’ll want something sturdy that also looks good. That’s when you’ll want to build a door using frame and raised panel construction. So get out the router table, during this week’s Woodsmith Woodworking Seminar podcast, Joel Hess shows you how to build a frame and raised panel door using three highly specialized router bits. After the podcast is finished, stop by the Woodsmith Podcast Store. You’ll find links to project plans, the seminar guide, and a few of the tools and accessories that Joel used during the seminar.

Is the jointer fence square to the table? How long has it been since the knives in the thickness planer have been sharpened? How about the table saw, is it due for a tune up? You’ll need all three of these tools (or their hand tool equivalents) in good working order, if you want to end up with a perfect workpiece. Bryan Nelson shows us how to square up lumber during this Woodsmith Woodworking Seminar podcast. When you’re done watching, be sure to check out the Woodsmith Podcast Store. You’ll find links to project plans, the seminar guide, and a few of the tools and accessories that Bryan used during the seminar.

The challenge is this — build an elegant accent table with curved stretchers. Would you use bent laminations to make the stretchers? Or is steam bending the answer? Chris Fitch will demonstrate both during this week’s Woodsmith Seminar Podcast. During the seminar, Chris talks about a couple of projects that feature curved pieces made from bent laminations. Both of the projects were taken from recent issues of Woodsmith magazine. If you’d like to subscribe to Woodsmith, or simply purchase plans for these projects, click here: Woodsmith Podcast Store. You’ll also find a link to the seminar guide provided during the seminar and a great article on choosing the right glue for your projects.

In an effort to improve the podcasts, we’d like to get some feedback from you. To do this, we’ve put together a short survey. If you’re interested in taking the survey, your name will be entered in drawing for a FREE one-year subscription to Woodsmith magazine. We’ll also have a few other prizes to give away, like Woodsmith Store caps and coffee mugs. To take the survey, watch the short video below. There’s a clickable link in the video that will open up your browser to the survey. Or, you can click here: Podcast Survey