I've been thinking of upgrading one or two stationary power tools in my shop, but I could also easily just upgrade the components of each that are lacking.

At what point is the price to upgrade not worth it?  I've upgraded a few components on both the tablesaw and the bandsaw with the results being very satisfying.  But there are more I'm interested in doing, so where do I stop??

Get your questions in for the next talk with Hendrik.  Hendrik is coming back to discuss properly tuning hand planes, both new and used.  Believe it or not even new planes from the likes of Lie-Nielsen and Veritas need a little TLC before they're used.

Drop us a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com with your questions and feedback!

On with the show!!  This is the second half of the traditional joinery discussion with Hendrik Varju, owner and operator of Passion For Wood. 

In today's episode we cover more questions submitted by you the listeners regarding dovetails, dados, rabbets, etc.

Remember, next month Hendrik returns and we answer questions regarding properly tuning all of your hand planes, both new and used.  Afterall even new planes need a little TLC before they're used.  So if you have questions, drop us a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com

For more information on Hendrik, including a chance to purchase his DVD "Jointer and Planer Secrets" visit his website www.passionforwood.com

A listener of the show asked a couple of questions regarding waterstones.  He recently purchased a couple of combo waterstones and a truing stone. 

To find out more about Norton Waterstones and flattening stones click on the image below.

The first question is whether you need water involved in the truing of the stones and the second question is how long do the stones need to be in water before being used.

On an unrelated note, I forgot to draw a winner for today's episode.  Since it's the anniversary week I was planning on drawing a name on each episode to celebrate.  So instead they'll just be one more winner on friday!

Not entered for schwag yet?  Just drop me a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com

Over the weekend a couple of questions came in that were raised by Feature Friday's DVD review of the Lie-Nielsen title "Forgotten Hand Tools".

The use of nails in furniture construction is still a hot button issue with many woodworkers, and for good reasons.  Does nailing components together cause problems down the road when it comes to seasonal wood movement?  And is the toenailing of brad nails the same as using cut nails?

Great questions and hopefully I give some decent advice?!?!??

Get your name in for the big 2nd anniversary drawing coming up on friday mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com .  Also, coming up in February Hendrik Varju returns for another question and answer segment on hand plane tune ups, so get your questions in!!!

For today's Feature Friday we're reviewing the Lie-Nielsen DVD "Forgotten Hand Tools" featuring Christopher Schwarz.  But don't let the name fool you, it's not a lengthy discussion of a long list of tools that woodworkers have discarded over time.

But instead it's a look at, and explanation of, three techniques using hand tools that most modern woodworkers have turned away from or forgotten altogether.  Starting with the nail and hammer, leading into drawboring and ending with handsaws.  Chris has once again taken some of the mystery out of what many would consider ancient technology and proves it has its place in the modern shop.

Below is a little sneak peak of what's in the video so enjoy!

Interested in picking up your own copy? Click here to find it at Woodcraft!  Or if you just want to rent it click here Smartflix.com

Congrats to this week's winner Paul Troublefield! Next week is the 2nd Anniversary of MBW so get your name in for schwag if you haven't already mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com  

This is a reposting of the Router Bit of the Month video for January, 2008.

 

 

Click To Play

It's the first Router Bit of the Month for 2008 and we're off to a great start.  This month we're trying out Whiteside's 90 degree Vee Groove bit.

Just like with all of Whiteside's router bits, this is a carbide tipped bit that's made to last.  And thanks to Woodcraft we can take advantage of the discounted price for the entire month of January to pick one up for our shops.

The 90 degree Vee Groove bit works great for sign making, but it can also be used for decorativing grooving/veining and even as a miniature chamfer bit in tight reach spots.

Congrats to this month's schwag winner Mike Strube!  But if you weren't Mike and you wanted to get your hands on this bit just Click Here to Order yours from Woodcraft.com

If you haven't entered your name for free schwag, remember Whiteside sent us a great 7 piece router bit set to give away for the second anniversary of MBW Podcast so get your name in to win!!!

 

 

Chris was asking about the importance of using the higher grit waterstones, i.e. 4000 or 8000 grit, along with a couple of other questions.

While putting a fine polish on a blade will help make it sharp, in some situations being that sharp isn't as important??

You may have noticed the past couple of days that I've had some problems with my feeds, both the last audio episode and the video loaded over the weekend.  My hosting service had some problems, but they appear resolved, except for the RBM video posted on this feed.  By the time you read this I should have reposted the video, so hopefully it's working correctly.

Click on this link to find out more about the Lie-Nielsen Rabbet Block Plane.

Don't forget to get your name in for the schwag drawings if you haven't done it already - mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com and keep those questions coming.

Over the holidays a number of you sent me some great questions and topic suggestions.  Thank you very much!!

One such question that came in was from Brian who was curious about which smoothing plane to go with, the No.4 or the No.4 1/2.

Both are great smoothers, but for a first smoother I think the...you'll have to down load and listen!!

Keep those questions and comments coming in, and don't forget to get your name in for the schwag drawings.  Send them to mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com

Download Episode

 

We covered a bunch of topics in Episode 27, including The Wood Whisperer Network, Kaleo’s new baby Taz, Christmas gifts, Matt’s Stretchy Pants, Chris Schwarz’s new book Workbenches, the new Woodworking Magazine announcement, flattening workbenches, and new changes at The Woodworking Channel.

We also answered a few great emails. David wanted our opinions concerning copying other woodworkers’ designs. Brian has a small shop and needs some pointers for using the space efficiently. And finally Tony asks about using a fence with his new #7 plane.

And don’t forget to download your free issue of Woodworking Magazine.

If you have a woodworking question, please feel free to email us at WoodTalkOnline@gmail.com or call us at (623) 242-2450.

It's the first Router Bit of the Month for 2008 and we're off to a great start.  This month we're trying out Whiteside's 90 degree Vee Groove bit.

Just like with all of Whiteside's router bits, this is a carbide tipped bit that's made to last.  And thanks to Woodcraft we can take advantage of the discounted price for the entire month of January to pick one up for our shops.

The 90 degree Vee Groove bit works great for sign making, but it can also be used for decorativing grooving/veining and even as a miniature chamfer bit in tight reach spots.

Congrats to this month's schwag winner Mike Strube!  But if you weren't Mike and you wanted to get your hands on this bit just Click Here to Order yours from Woodcraft.com

If you haven't entered your name for free schwag, remember Whiteside sent us a great 7 piece router bit set to give away for the second anniversary of MBW Podcast so get your name in to win!!!

We all make New Year's Resolutions but are they ever truly realistic?  I know I've made a few that were way more wishful thinking than I was ever going to follow through on.

But I'm thinking that since I have all of you, if I share these resolutions I'm going to feel a little more like I have to do them.  So here goes nothing!!!

My main resolutions for the woodshop include 1) reorganizing the shop for better workflow, 2) come up with smart storage solutions, 3) design and build a new workbench...and...well you'll just have to listen and find out if they're on your list too!

Don't forget to get questions in for the next interview with Hendrik.  Have any questions regarding traditional joinery?  Drop me a line to ask Hendrik.  Also don't forget to get your name in for the free schwag if you haven't done it already and of course keep those questions and feedback rolling in.

So this is the first episode of the new year and it's very exciting!!  We're only a couple of weeks away from the 2nd anniversary of Matt's Basement Workshop. 

It's hard to believe that about 2 years ago the first episode went up and perhaps about 3 or 4 people downloaded it, now there are alot more than that and more of you keep stopping by!  I can't begin to explain how much I appreciate hearing from all of you and and I look forward to hearing from even more in the coming months.

As usual these first few episodes are justing getting the ball rolling and getting my feet wet.  I've got a lot of great topics that many of you have suggested so let's get the ball rolling!!