Episode 7 – Wood Movement, Shellac, Mobile Workbench & More!

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Guys Questions

1) What’s u guys! Loving the podcast so far. My question is in two parts. Hardwood suppliers in my area offer rough and S3S lumber – obviously at different price levels. What values do you see in each option. Secondly, I am trying to improve my wood selection keeping in mind grain pattern and unique pieces. Do you have any recommendations in selection particularly with regarding to rough sawn lumber? Thanks gents! -Hubbell woodshop

2) Hey guys I have a question about wood movement. I am currently designing a coffee table for a neighbor made from solid 5/4 walnut. I was thinking about joining the table top to the panels that will be the legs with 3 through, wedged tenons per leg. The top will be 24” wide with the legs being 18-20” wide. Would wood movement be an issue here? My thinking is that because they are similar widths and made sequentially (side to top to side) they would expand and contract at the same rate. If this is an issue what would you suggest as a way to join the top without seeing any fasteners?

Thanks for any help you could provide! Really enjoying the show thus far.- Ed, Atlanta, Ga

Seans Questions

1) Okay, semi odd question and a bit long. I stumbled across this tool last year called a “V-Drum Sander” it’s also sold as the “Flatmaster Drum Sander” Apparently it used to be sold as plans to make your own, but it claims to do way more than a drum sander and that it can act as a jointer and accomplish milling perfectly flat boards with sandpaper that floats around the spinning drum and never clogs up because of centrifugal force.

I know that all sounds nuts, I think so too, but I never hear anyone talk about it and the videos seem kinda convincing. Have you guys heard of this thing/do you think it would work as described? I don’t have tons of space and have been considering it as a useful multipurpose addition to the shop.

Thanks for starting a podcast based solely around the answering the community’s questions! -Jonathan Scott

Here’s a link to their site:
http://stockroomsupply.ca/shop/drum-sanders.html

Here’s a link to a video on it:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lgPLOnXCmdU

Video Sean mentioned during Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV–T8tDdlk

2) Hey guys, I’m loving the podcast. I listen to quite a few woodworking podcasts, and although I do enjoy hearing what folks are up to, sometimes I just want to hear some Q&A. I really like getting your perspectives on listener questions, because many times those questions are relevant to what I’m doing (or may do at some point). On this week’s podcast you mentioned learning how to apply shellac. How do each of you apply it? -Sunrise woodshop

 Huys Questions

1) Hey guys, I want to start out saying I really enjoy the podcast, it’s been very beneficial to me. I’m a beginning woodworker, mostly enjoyed as a hobby. As a beginner I’ve mostly used the kreg jig as my go-to, and would like to eventually get a biscuit jointer. Beyond that, what advice could you give me to graduate to the more complex joinery such as mortise and tenon, dovetails etc. Also, any tips and tools you use for your favorite joinery methods would be much appreciated! Keep up the good work! Thanks, Nate

2) This would be for anyone, although I think Huy would have experience as I’m about to have a similar space as him.

My wife and I are moving and I’ll be upgrading from a small one car garage in a 1950’s rambler to a much more modern 3 car garage. I have the go ahead to turn the third stall into my workshop, and I’ll be able to leave my truck in the driveway and basically have two stalls (weather permitting, I live in MN) to utilize.

My first real project will be shop set up and doing a project I’ve been really dreaming about for years, a real “woodworking bench”. I’m unsure if I will have this on locking castors for space saving or if I’ll keep it stationary.

My question is in regards to style for space and versatility. I see all sorts of table options from the French Roubo to the English Nicholson and every hybrid in between. And my projects range from small trinkets to larger furniture.

What would some of the pros and cons be of these benches being movable vs stationary given their styles. Would a larger assembly table style (like the wood whisperer’s circa 2007) be something that would make more sense considering in the winter I may be dealing with a few feet of snow shrinking my shop back to a single garage stall.
– winter wolf woodworking

Episode 6 – Miter Saws, Prioritizing Shop time, Veneering & More!


Guys Questions

1) I’m doing some veneer work lately and have heard that contact cement isn’t the best adhesive. Although I am using the paperback veneer and I’ve had decent success with it. What do you recommend? The panels are about 24×24. Oh and I do not have a vacuum bag. -Paul Gustafon

2) Love your podcast! I bought a Incra Miter express with 1000HD. I know you are fans of Incra products. I love this product as a cross cut sled, very accurate and repeatable. How do you set it up for angle cuts and cut with the same accuracy and repeatable cuts. Thanks! -Wayne Kempf

 

Seans Questions

1) Woodshop Life hosts…..Really enjoying the podcast as I’m just getting started (literally) with woodworking. Figured I’d ask all 3 of y’all a question on equipment.
So, mitre saws and what do you recommend. 10” or 12”? Sliding or non-sliding? Single or dual bevel?
Brand varies for each user kinda like vehicles, but I am looking at Dewalt, Rigid, Bosch.
Thank you for your time and keep up the excellent info with the podcast and social media.
-Kingdom Concealment

2) General finishes has been my go to finish ever since I quit using Minwax polyurethane. I would like to try other finishes (linseed oil, shellac, Waterlox) but I’m curious as to how well they protect projects compared to general finishes. Obviously it depends on what your finishes. I would just like to hear your all’s pros and cons for different finishes. Thanks so much, love the podcast
-Logan Gross

 

Huys Questions

1) How often do you come up with your own design for projects vs using or modifying a found plan to fit your needs? What helped the most with being able to design your own projects? Books, looking at actual pieces and “dissecting them,” other? Is there any part of a project that you routinely find difficult to design? I’m in the early stages of designing a storage bed for my kids and I’m not the biggest fan of a lot of them online. I want them to be more “fine woodworking” which would require heavy modification of an existing plan or starting from scratch. I’m interested in hearing how you guys evolved your designs.
Ryan @rcrich85

2) I follow all of you on IG and YouTube. Thank you for creating the podcast and for putting your content and knowledge out there for others, including me, to learn. My wife and I are expecting a baby boy in April. Family is my top priority and I also highly value shop time and working out, all of which my wife is very supportive. I know I will need to be much more efficient in the shop and may need to break things down into smaller steps. Huy, I know this is something you are experiencing now with a new baby. I’d love to hear how you all balance your shop time with other life priorities and how you make the most of the sometimes, limited time you have. Thanks guys! Keep up the great work! -Paul Goetz

Episode 5 – Shop Aprons, Advice on Getting Started, Sanding vs. Planing & More!


Guy’s Questions:

1) Sanding vs planing finish. Is there really a big difference? Submitter: aeumber

Marc’s YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC45Cb-p89I

2) Concerning table saw safety. How wide should the board be before you stop using a push stick and start using your hands? Submitter:
Tabb Adams

Sean’s Questions:

1) Everyone podcast has discussions of the woodworker’s favorite tool. But most of the answers are hundreds if not thousands of dollars (cough cough saw stop). Many of us do not have the means to purchase those tools. So, what is your favorite tool under $50? How does it excel and what are its limitations? Submitter: Rusty_Keyboard

2) Hey guys. I plan to buy a SawStop for my garage shop. I’d really want to get the 3hp professional model. I’ll also need to buy a dust collector, and I’m looking at the Oneida mini gorilla or Jet cyclone (to be connected by flex hose to one tool at a time, no duct work). My issue is that I only have a single 220 volt outlet. Should I get a the 3hp/220v saw with a 1.5 hp/110v dust collector or the 1.75 hp/110v saw with a 2hp/220v dust collector? Thanks for your advice. Submitter: David

Huy’s Questions:

1) in reference to shop aprons/vests/tool belt/baby sling(ha, been there on that one) ?? What is the preference of each of you? Is it related to the task at hand or general comfort? I’ve gone to a waxed canvas tool apron, durable but still light. Just enough to hold a small tape, square and any marking tools needed at that time. Curious on how you all approach it. Thanks. Submitter: Wesley

2) where do you start? A keen interest but an empty (basic tools) garage/woodshop.  Submitter: mcsegel

Episode 4 – Glue Sizing, Pre-finishing, Plywood Bottoms & More!

Guys Questions:

1) Hey Guy, love your channel and have been a long time watcher. I have a question semi-related to this video I was hoping you could help with. Here you framed a solid piece of wood, how doesn’t the expansion and contraction of that piece cause cracks in the frame? The reason this came up is that I desire to make a dresser, and was trying to sort out how to frame the sides without using a lamination. Any explanation here would be great. Thanks again. 🙂

2) Was wondering, did you use different glue for the sizing, and did you glue the boarder on while the glue for the sizing was still wet?

Huy’s Questions:

1) Why did you apply a washcoat of shellac (actually, it was a prefinish coat and not a washcoat) on your tool cabinet?

2) Why did you drawbore peg and wedge the through mortise and tenon on your trestle table?

Sean’s Questions:

1) Why did you use a plywood bottom in your mahogany blanket chest?

2) Do you sand between every coat of finish and what do you use to remove dust between coats of finish?

Episode 3 – Table Saws, Climb Cut, Design Software & More!

Guy’s Questions:

  • it’s certainly an impressive tool, but (and i’m not trying to troll here!) is this amount of precision really necessary if you work with wood? I mean, considering the amount wood grows and shrinks under environmental conditions, do you really need .001 precision? it seems kinda overkill and more akin to the world of metal working, cnc machining etc. The aspect of repeatability i do get, though.
  • Is the joint tight enough just by cutting with the veneer saw? No need to shoot it for a snug fit?

Huy’s Questions:

  • I’ve quickly outgrown my job site saw and I’m currently in the market for a new table saw.  What are the differences between a contractor saw and a cabinet saw?
  • You mentioned making a climb cut with your hand held router while using the Leigh FMT Jig.  What is a climb cut, why and when would you need to make a climb cut?

Sean’s Questions:

  • What Software do you use for your designs and how detailed do you get with your designs in the software?
  • With winter fast approaching, how do you heat your shop and is your shop insulated?

Guy Dunlap
http://www.guyswoodshop.com

Huy Huynh
@AlabamaWoodworker on Instagram

Sean Walker
SimpleCove.com
@SimpleCove on Instagram