Wood Talk | Woodworking

Wood Talk #616, Should I Buy a Jointer?
On today’s show, we’re talking about whether you should buy a jointer, glue-up strategies, and shop walls.
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:
Stephen Stribling
Katherine Sanborn
Michael Bateman
Jordan Needles
Sign up for the Wood Talk Newsletter.
What’s on the Bench
Marc decided to go with the two-saw setup and is trying to make that happen.
Matt is working at the sawmill.
Shannon took a New York trip and saw expensive stuff.
Kickback
Chris at Lazy Gretl Wood Works follows up on the metric vs. imperial discussion and points out that relative measurements do a lot of the precision work in a project.
Jonathan P. Szczepanski writes in to thank the guys for the talk and levity during a rough morning.
Chris Williams suggests that someone who uses both metric and imperial in the shop should be called a hybrid woodworker.
Philip writes from Northern Ireland as a proud imperial user, even though he learned metric in school and still uses metric when needed.
Questions
Brian asks whether he should use drywall, plywood, or something else for the walls in his new walkout basement shop.
Jason asks whether he should buy a jointer, cram in a jointer/planer combo, or keep using his planer sled, track saw, and table saw workflow.
Mick asks about keeping parts aligned during glue-up and how to handle squeeze-out when clamps are in the way.
Links and Resources
Woodcraft
Wood Talk Newsletter
Woodcraft Events and Deals
October 9 and 10, in-store Woodpeckers event: Tool demos and 15% off Woodpeckers products in-store only.
In-store sweepstakes: Prizes include an Adjusta-Joint Box Joint Sled, an in-DEXABLE Miter Sled with Drop Zone, and a Woodcraft gift card. No purchase is necessary.
Local Woodcraft Events and Classes
Lexington, Kentucky: Free Turn-N-Learn demo, Thursday, October 8, from 4 to 6.
Boise, Idaho: Woodpeckers tool demo, Saturday, October 10, from 1 to 2.
Pelham, Alabama: Free Turn & Learn demonstration, Thursday, October 15, from 4 to 6.
Charlotte, North Carolina: Cheese slicer and cutting board demo, Saturday, October 17, from 1 to 2.
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 woodtalkshow@gmail.com.
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 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 woodtalkshow@gmail.com.
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 woodtalkshow@gmail.com.
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 woodtalkshow@gmail.com.
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 woodtalkshow@gmail.com.
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.