Thu, 22 January 2009 UPDATE AS OF JANUARY 23, 2009 Thanks to a very observant listener I've discovered why the original feed that most of you were subscribed too wasn't working in iTunes. In an effort to make the transition as painless as possible, I accidentally typed in the wrong feed address. It may take a day or two, but iTunes should automatically redirect the old feed http://www.mattswoodshop.libsyn.com/rss to the new one. Hey folks I've got a new and much improved website and I'm putting the finishing touches in place as we speak. If you haven't done so yet, please stop by and visit it at www.mattsbasementworkshop.com. Please bookmark it as a favorite and visit often LOL!! Also, you may have noticed a problem with your feeds. I've tried to make this as painless as possible, but I think you may need to resubscribe to continue getting the latest episodes. I apologize for this and I'm still working to get everything in place. To make it easy for you to subscribe, or resubscribe if necessary, click here to be taken to the new website where you'll find three choices for getting the show the way you want it. The full feed with everything; video, audio, PDF, etc. The video only feed or the audio only feed. Thanks for everything and I look forward to another year of Matt's Basement Workshop with all of you!! Category: general -- posted at: 10:12 PM Comments[0] |
Thu, 1 January 2009 Happy New Year to everyone!!! 2008 was a very good year for Matt's Basement Workshop. I had a chance to meet so many of you in person, through emails, forums and more. All of these opportunities to meet you only helped to confirm something I've known all along...woodworkers make the best friends!! So if I haven't said it enough already...THANK YOU! Thanks for being you and thanks for being my new best friend. As always, with the beginning of a new year occassionally there comes some new changes. And to start with, very soon you'll be noticing some dramatic changes to the appearance of the website. It's been a longtime coming and thanks to some close friends of the show, Marc and Nicole, it's finally happening. While the actual appearance of the website will be different and far more organized the content and everything else will be the same. As a head's up for everyone, the only other dramatic change you'll discover is that the feed for the show will also be changing. But to help make this change as simple as possible, I'm going to keep the old feed up and running and adding content to it until at least February. I figure this will give everyone an opportunity to stay up to date and make the transition as smooth as possible. I'll of course keep you up to date throughout this transition and if you have any concerns or need help making changes don't hesitate to contact me! Happy New Year again to everyone, I know 2009 will be even better!! Category: general -- posted at: 5:43 PM Comments[0] |
Thu, 25 December 2008 Hey everyone I just wanted to wish a very heartfelt and warm Merry Christmas to all of you celebrating it today. While it's important to be with family and friends on a day such as today. It's more important to carry that love and warmth you feel in your heart right now with you the whole year through (it's hard, trust me I try!!) While I can't send all of you a Christmas card, since I don't have that much time or stamps or your addresses. I thought I'd share with you, this year's Vanderlist Christmas card. All the credit goes to my wife and her mad photographer skills!
Category: general -- posted at: 12:01 AM Comments[6] |
Tue, 23 December 2008 Marking Gauge Rundown With the holidays coming at us like a freight train, I was thinking about gift ideas that could...ahem...wind up in front of your significant other just in the nick of time. One such idea is a marking gauge -- a necessary tool for laying out dovetails and also useful for many other tasks. You could make a huge mistake and buy a cheap, lousy one like I did (which is more expensive in the long run because now I need to get another one) or buy one that will give you excellent results and last a long time. The most important feature of a marking gauge is the knife. A guage (like mine) that tears fibers instead of shearing them makes a rough line that will make the baseline of your dovetails look messy. The side of the knife facing the fence of the marking gauge should be flat. The top of the knife should be rounded and parallel to the fence. This shape produces a clean line in both directions. Adjustability is less important to me than a good knife. As long as the gauge can be adjusted easily and held firmly in place, it will do its job. Having better adjustability is less frustrating and more efficient, and this is one place where the price starts to go up. The next place is in the aesthetics. Other considerations are the style of the gauge -- basically, how it is set up -- and the size. If you plan to layout carcass dovetails, then a large marking gauge would feel more solid. If you are making smaller projects, like boxes or drawers, then a large marking gauge might be overkill and a small one more appropriate for the task. Here are three marking gauges in a fairly wide price range. Any of these will do the job well and last years if not decades. They are three distinctly different styles and all have large and small versions. I have used versions of all of these, so I can confirm that they are well-made and work exceptionally well. The Tite-Mark, made by Glen-Drake Toolworks, was an instant classic. It's a design so simple and smart that I can't believe someone didn't think of it years ago. Made entirely of brass, it feels great in the hand, the knife (round in this case) is the right shape for shearing and the adjustment is absolutely solid and precise. You can get the standard Tite-Mark and the Tite-Mark Mini at www.glen-drake.com or from several dealers listed on the website.
The Hamilton marking gauge is innovative for its minimalist shape. It has all it needs to have -- a nice fence (with inlayed brass), simple adjustment and a great knife -- and nothing more. It comes in large and small versions and is the most affordable of the three featured here. It is made by Hamilton Woodworks (www.hamiltontools.com) and sold exclusively by de legno woodshop supply at www.dlws.com.
I also wanted to throw in a high-end marking gauge for those for whom aesthetics is as important (or nearly so) as utility. Made in Australia, the Chris Vesper marking gauge is traditional in design, with the exception of an innovative recess in the fence that allows clearance for the knife. Otherwise, the hardware is brass and exceptionally well made. Of course, the biggest draw is the hardwoods Chris uses for his tools (the one pictured is made of Tasmanian Blackwood). They are incredibly dense, but are so well finished that they feel great and will hold up to years of use. They are also available in premium timbers such as 5,000-year-old Black Red Gum. Check them out at www.vespertools.com Any one of these marking gauges will provide a lifetime of crisp lines. I guarantee they will elevate the quality of your work and make the experience of woodworking even more enjoyable. Happy Holidays! By Mitch Roberson of Furnitude at www.furnitude.blogspot.com Category: general -- posted at: 2:27 PM Comments[0] |
Fri, 19 December 2008 SCHWAG SATURDAYS!!! It's all the same great schwag, and entering is just as easy...simply drop me a line with your name and a request to be entered and "you're in 'til you win!" One entry is all it takes, so if you've already entered you're all set, if you haven't...what are you waiting for?? This week's winners are: Todd & Jimmy * Both Todd & Jimmy have been contacted and claimed their prizes This week we're giving away a Milescraft Blade Changer Hendrik is back in December and our discussion will be "Advice for Beginner Woodworkers" so send in you questions about machinery and tool selection, shop set-up (electrical, lighting, shop heat). Recommended projects, etc. Send those along with your comments, questions or schwag entries to mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com, or leave a voicemail at 231 354-2338. The Holiday Season is here again! To make it easier for you to find the perfect gift for that woodworker on your list, use these links to head to your favorite online store while also helping support this show. Thanks!
Winter 2009 edition of the LumberJocks Woodworking Awards is here. The two categories this year are: And The Best Overall LumberJock will get a special Grand Prize – a brand new DeWalt Tracksaw. For more info Click Here. Help Support Matt's Basement Workshop by visiting our sponsors! Category: general -- posted at: 11:59 PM Comments[0] |
Fri, 12 December 2008 I've decided to shake things up a little bit around here and move the schwag giveaways from Friday to Saturday...thus creating SCHWAG SATURDAYS!!! Essentially it's all the same great schwag, and entering is just as easy...simply drop me a line with your name and a request to be entered and you're in 'til you win. One entry is all it takes, so if you've already entered you're all set, if you haven't...what are you waiting for?? This week's winners, yes there's more than one this time, are: Pete Schwartz Marshall Brodsky Congratulations!! Both Pete and Marshall have won a pair of ZEM hearing protection from the great folks over at Sensgard. If you have entered yet or just have a comment question or suggestion, drop me a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com. And don't forget, this Wednesday December 17th, the next episode of Wood Talk Online Live! Check it out at 9:00PM EST over at www.thewoodwhisperer.com. The Holiday Season is here again! To make it easier for you to find the perfect gift for that woodworker on your list, use these links to head to your favorite online store while also helping support this show. Thanks!
Help Support Matt's Basement Workshop by visiting our sponsors!
Category: general -- posted at: 11:59 PM Comments[0] |
Tue, 18 November 2008  As you've heard me mention, I had a chance to meet with a number of fellow bloggers and podcasters at Woodworking in America. The great thing about meeting them was to compare notes and find out how much more we had in common than we already knew. Since I've been back I've been enjoying reading and looking at all of their posts and pics and I know you will too. So checkout all of these links and see what really happened behind the scenes... Furnitude With more to come soon!! Category: general -- posted at: 11:19 PM Comments[0] |
Wed, 12 November 2008 Hey everyone, tomorrow Thursday November 13th I'll be heading to Berea Kentucky for the Woodworking in America Conference. I know probably many of you won't be able to attend for whatever reason, so I'll be sure to bring back as much information as possible to share with all of you. I'm bringing my video camera, my .mp3 recorder, my computer and anything else that I can think of to get the information out to all of you as quickly as possible. For those of you who will be attending I'm posting my current schedule of classes, so if we're attending a class together please say HI! And if you're not attending and one of these classes if of particular interest to you...please let me know and I'll make a note for myself to pay particularly close attention for you. Friday 8:00 AM "Modern Tool: Tolerances and Myths" 9:45 AM "Master the Spokeshave and Drawknife" 1:30 PM "Rehabbing Old Tools Workshop" 4:15 PM "Vintage Tools: Advantages, Disadvantages, Value" Saturday 8:00 AM "Introduction to Western Chisels" 9:45 AM "Setting Up a Hand-Tool Shop" 1:30 PM "Mortise & Tenon: 3 Solid Methods" 4:15 PM "Old School Chisel Techniques" Sunday 9:00 AM "Advanced Dovetailing Techniques" 10:45 AM "Eliminating Tear-Out When Planing" As of right now I don't have anything planned in the way of a get together, but I'm open to suggestions!! Category: general -- posted at: 8:51 AM Comments[0] |
Sun, 7 September 2008 Hey everyone Marc and I are back after an extended summer break. And we just finished the latest episode of WTO. Lot's to talk about... Listen to today's show by clicking on the player below Status Report: Where have we been for nearly 2 months?!?!?! Marc gives a Gadget Station update and talks about the “project hump”. Matt announces that his next project will be a bedside table for Madison. Around the Web: Working Wood by Tom Fidgen News: Steel City introduces spiral head lunchbox planer. Hot Deals: Bessey Tradesman Bar Clamps Buy 2 - Get the 3rd FREE! Topics: Tom’s Tip: Keeping the shop clean. Category: general -- posted at: 8:15 PM Comments[0] |
Tue, 15 July 2008 Click here to download latest episode Status Report: Marc goes into a bit more detail on his Gadget Station: grain direction and acclimation. Matt is making his new bench out of……….(drum roll)……….PLYWOOD! Around the Web: Safety reminder - Tablesaw injuries to remind us of what we learned during safety week. Review of Final Cut Saw Blade and more info. News: Hot Deals: Topics: if you have a question or comment, you can email us at woodtalkonline@gmail.com or leave us a message at 623-242-2450.
If you have the time, please take the new listener survey at Matt's Basement Workshop and possibly win an iPod Touch. Head over to the website to learn all about it.
Category: general -- posted at: 10:58 PM Comments[0] |
Tue, 1 July 2008
LumberJocks Woodworking Awards Summer 2008 It’s time to get busy and creative again…the Summer 2008 edition of the LumberJocks Woodworking Awards is here. Feel free to compete in one or both of the following categories:
Serve It Up With Class – Summer is the time to take your meals and refreshments outside. Use your woodworking skills to create a serving tray using at least 2 different varieties of wood. Use inlay, marquetry, carving, and/or stains to turn your serving tray into a piece of art!
Thanks to our great Awards Sponsors you can win some very cool prizes in each category. You also have a chance of winning a unique rosewood trophy as the Best Overall LumberJock. Excellent way of decorating your workshop, huh? Category: general -- posted at: 11:06 PM Comments[0] |
Mon, 16 June 2008 We are trying a new format for this show, where we actually have a number of segments including News, Hot Deals, Around the Web, and more…. Status Report: Marc has a new column in Popular Woodworking Magazine and is currently working on an entertainment center. Matt is finishing up his series on a very cool bookcase. Around the Web: Matt discusses a great blog entry he found over at the Highland Woodworking blog about removing and preventing rust on tools. News: Hot Deals: Epifanes Marine Varnish from Jamestown Distributors - $16.02/500ml Bessey K-Bodies Clamp Blowout at Woodcraft. 24″ K-Body Clamp reg. $35.99 Sale $26.99, 40″ K-Body Clamp reg. $44.99 Sale $33.74 True Value Coupon - $5 coupon off $25 purchase Ryobi buy one combo kit get a free Ryobi One Plus tool by mail in rebate from Home Depot. Topics: Tom’s Tip (from Tom’s Workbench): Waxing the sole of your plane. Voicemails: Email: if you have a question or comment, you can email us at woodtalkonline@gmail.com or leave us a message at 623-242-2450 Category: general -- posted at: 3:36 PM Comments[0] |
Thu, 1 May 2008 For your listening pleasure today we're presenting the recorded version of the latest episode of Wood Talk Online. If you couldn't make it to the live broadcast you can still enjoy all the fun the rest of us were having that night. Topics: Marc’s visit with Popular Woodworking and the Wood Werks Supply Inc., and Woodworker’s Safety Week. Voicemails about bandsaw blade sparks, flattening waterstones, and vacuum veneer press systems. We also discussed a really cool woodworking event coming up: Woodworking in America- Hand Tool & Technique Conference: Nov. 14th-16th in Berea, KY. Appearances by Roy Underhill, Frank Klausz, Michael Dunbar, Adam Cherubini, James Blauvelt, Robin Lee, Thomas Lie-Nielsen, Larry Williams and Don McConnell, John Economaki, Konrad Sauer, Wayne Anderson, Ron Hock, and Mike Wenzloff. If you are interested in attending, please visit the web site that is dedicated to this conference at WoodworkinginAmerica.com and sign up for the conference’s newsletter. You’ll then be the first to be notified of when registration will open (it will be before July 1) and the pricing for this event. Then we took on tons of LIVE CHAT QUESTIONS. Because the show turned out to be so long, I didn’t include our normal after-show comments. So expect a bunch of those next week including advice for setting up shop for $2500 (a question from last week). Related Links: Joewoodworker.com, Veneersupplies.com, Vacupress.com, inexspensive vacuum pump If you want to leave us a voicemail: 623-242-2450 Listen to today's show by clicking on the player below  Category: general -- posted at: 8:32 AM Comments[0] |
Wed, 30 April 2008 Hey everyone if you haven't heard already, Marc and I are trying another great experiment. We're taking Wood Talk Online to a live format tonight at 8:00PM EST!! Of course for those of you who can't make it, the show is being recorded as usual. But if you have the time and just want to see what it's like when we're recording an episode of WTO stop on by to watch. This can all be seen at www.thewoodwhisperer.com just click on the blog link and you'll have a front row seat to the show. Also, there's probably going to be a little Q&A for anyone signed into the chat room. So get there early to see all the fun...afterall nothing is funnier than watching me try not to hurt my brain on a hard question (OK easy questions too!!)
Category: general -- posted at: 8:08 AM Comments[0] |
Mon, 17 March 2008 Topics: Marc's new finishing room, The Earlex Spray Station, self-cleaning blast gates, "lazy people food", taking photos of your work, accepting credit cards, and dyed through tenons. Relevant links: Steve Kaeser Lights If you want to leave us a voicemail: 623-242-2450 Category: general -- posted at: 9:33 PM Comments[0] |
Tue, 11 March 2008 Topics: If you want to leave us a voicemail: 623-242-2450 Category: general -- posted at: 4:45 PM Comments[0] |
Tue, 26 February 2008 Wood Talk Online - 30 Topics: Category: general -- posted at: 6:17 AM Comments[0] |
Thu, 20 December 2007 You asked for it, and you got it! A hot and fresh episode before the holiday! Topics covered include simple finishes, cheap pocket hole jigs, rough table saw cuts, and the introduction of Kaleo’s new podcast on KaleosWorkshop.com. The show is a little rushed because I had a vet appointment for my dog, but there are quite a few tidbits worth listening to. Enjoy! Category: general -- posted at: 7:37 AM Comments[0] |
Wed, 28 November 2007
As we approach the holiday season, its time to think about the truly important things in life. Things like your gift list! Matt and Marc each discuss their top 5 most wanted tools. Price and shop size were not a consideration. These are dream lists. So if you have a dream list of your own, give us a call at 623-242-2450 and tell us about it. We will play them on the show next week. We also read a few emails as well. Luis had a question about the many different types of glue on the market. Mark asked for information on cleaning, restoring and identifying old hand tools. He also recommends checking out the Internet Archive for old woodworking texts. And finally, Mike needs some advice on gluing up miters for a recipe box. Category: general -- posted at: 11:08 PM Comments[0] |
Thu, 21 June 2007 Wood Talk Online No.11 is now available. More fun than should ever be allowed in a wood shop. Show notes to follow soon ... but here's a link to the feed in case you want to listen ... Wood Talk Online No. 11 Category: general -- posted at: 6:47 AM Comments[0] |
Fri, 25 May 2007 Click on this link to go to the latest and greatest Wood Talk Online Wood Talk Online No.8 Enjoy!!! Category: general -- posted at: 12:16 PM Comments[0] |
Mon, 14 May 2007 Here it is, another Wood Talk Online for your listening pleasure. We've introduced a new feature where you can talk back to Marc and Matt, just leave us an voicemail at www.woodtalkonline.com . So to hear the show click here Wood Talk Online No.7. Happy listening!!! Category: general -- posted at: 10:42 PM Comments[0] |
Thu, 10 May 2007 Hey everyone, the lastest episode of Wood Talk Online is up and available for your listening pleasure!! In case you're not already subscribed to the Wood Talk Online feed here is an easy link for you to download the new episode Wood Talk Online No.6 Category: general -- posted at: 12:59 PM Comments[0] |
Tue, 1 May 2007 Wood Talk Online Episode 5 is up and available for you to listen too. Marc and Matt spend close to an hour talking about and answering the emails, you the listener, sent them. Click here to download Wood Talk Online Episode 5 Category: general -- posted at: 6:58 PM Comments[0] |
Mon, 15 January 2007 Sorry about the high pitch whining noise in the background of Tips From the Scrap Pile No.47. I think the fan on my computer is giving out and I'm just use to the noise, so I didn't notice how bad it was until I listened this morning to the latest show. I promise it will be fixed and our hearing won't be damaged by whiny computers (well at least not by mine...) Thanks for sticking in there, Matt Category: general -- posted at: 12:17 PM Comments[0] |
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