Episodes

  • STL369: Calling All Choppers!
    Jun 27 2026

    Bill Pavlak, head cabinetmaker at Colonial Williamsburg, joins Ben and Bridgid to discuss what it's like working in an 18th-century shop.

    For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

    For more information about our woodworking dream trips - http://www.finewoodworking.com/trips

    Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

    Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

    Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

    Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • STL368: It Appeared to Me in a Dream
    Jun 12 2026

    Vic interviews Steven Der-Garabedian, a teacher, woodworker and veneer artist, and together they answer questions about finding woodworking solutions in the quiet moments once you've allowed your brain to rest and process.

    Visit Steve's website - Black Walnut Studio

    For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

    For more information about our woodworking dream trips - http://www.finewoodworking.com/trips

    Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

    Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

    Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

    Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

    Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.

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    56 mins
  • STL367: Mike Didn't Get The Memo
    May 29 2026

    Mike and accidental twins, Vic and Ben, discuss woodworking techniques they won't show, thinking about grain direction on drawer parts, prefinishing problems, Barry Manilow's lesser-known banger, and Vic and Ben fanboy over luthier Ted Woodford.

    For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

    For more information about our woodworking dream trips - http://www.finewoodworking.com/trips

    Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

    Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

    Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

    Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

    Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.

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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • STL366: No Mallet is Safe
    May 15 2026

    Shea Alexander is a custom furniture maker and the owner of Alexander Brother's lumberyard in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. He has years of experience guiding customers through the process of buying wood, and in this episode Shea and Vic discuss the importance of context when buying materials. What will this walnut table look like in 10 years? Are you sure you want rift sawn oak?

    You can see more of Shea's work on Instagram and Substack, or visit the Alexander Brothers Website.

    Sign up for Woodworking Travel Tours - https://www.finewoodworking.com/tours

    For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

    Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

    Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

    Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

    Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

    Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.

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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • STL365: The Thrifty Trio Convenes
    May 1 2026

    In this episode, Ben and Dinkle sit down with Phil Huber, of the Woodsmith Shop, to discuss machine upgrades (or lack thereof) along with answering some listener questions.

    Sign up for Woodworking Travel Tours - https://www.finewoodworking.com/tours

    For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

    Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

    Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

    Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

    Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

    Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.

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    1 hr
  • STL364: Good Design Goes Unnoticed
    Apr 17 2026

    Mike and Vic sit down with Konrad Sauer, of Sauer & Steiner Toolworks, to discuss the design process — what constitutes good design? And what should you do in the rare moments where inspiration strikes?

    Find Konrad on Instagram here: @sauer_and_steiner

    Some of Konrad's favorite Instagram accounts: 5 of Konrad's Favorite Instagram Accounts

    Shop Gorilla Glue: gorillatough.com/shoptalklive

    Register for Fine Woodworking New England - Register for Fine Woodworking New England

    Sign up for Woodworking Travel Tours - https://www.finewoodworking.com/tours

    For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

    Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

    Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

    Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

    Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

    Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.

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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • STL363: More Than One Way to Cut a Dovetail
    Apr 3 2026

    Anissa and Ben sit down with Bob van Dyke of the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking to discuss Fine Woodworking New England and the importance of embracing flexibility in your approach to woodworking techniques.

    Register for Fine Woodworking New England - Register for Fine Woodworking New England

    Sign up for Woodworking Travel Tours - https://www.finewoodworking.com/tours

    For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

    Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

    Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

    Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

    Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

    Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.

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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • STL362: Hold the Saw like a Baby Bird
    Mar 20 2026

    Jeff Miller has been making furniture for 40 years, but he's not afraid to be a beginner. He and Vic sit down to discuss his new-found love of building guitars, the importance of routine practice, and proper woodworking body mechanics.

    Register for Fine Woodworking New England - Register for Fine Woodworking New England

    Sign up for Woodworking Travel Tours - https://www.finewoodworking.com/tours

    For more information about our eLearning courses - http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning

    Join us on our new Discord server! - https://discord.gg/8hyuwqu4JH

    Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com

    Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter

    Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited

    Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking's biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@finewoodworking.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page. Join us on our Discord server here.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 8 mins