I'm back...last week I ended up flat on my back thanks to the flu!!  I'm still a little weak, but feeling a ton better!!

Today's episode is my response to a listener's email that came in awhile ago.  Scott's in the market for a new router table and maybe a router and was wondering what I might look for if I were looking to get a new one.

Regardless of the manufacturer there are key items and accessories that I consider to be crucial in models I'm looking at.  So for today I'll share with you my thoughts on the router and on the next episode it's time to take a look at router tables.

For anyone interested, coming up on April 11 & 12, 2008 there's a great little tool demo and woodworking school openhouse going on at J. Miller Handcrafted Furniture in Chicago. The details can be found at Lie-Nielsen, there will be some great demos by a number of well known woodworkers and I'm planning on checking it out myself.

Don't forget to get your questions in for Hendrik's next visit in April, we're talking lumber defects and how to work around them.  For comments, questions and schwag entries drop me a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com.

Listen to today's show by clicking on the player below

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For anyone interested in learning the right way to prep and sharpen their hand plane blades this DVD from Lie-Nielsen is a great tutorial.  David Charlesworth is already known for being a great woodworking instructor and "Hand Tool Techniques Part 1" just reinforces it even more so.

Covering topics from truing and prepping waterstones for sharpening to accurately setting up a honing guide repeatedly.  Other topics inside include flattening waterstones, understanding which ones to use and also setting up chipbreakers for your blade assemblies. 

The demonstrations in this DVD will have you sharpening your plane's blade in no time and getting scary sharp results right away.

To order your own copy  from Woodcraft just click on the DVD cover below:

Or head over to Lie-Nielsen to order directly.

Don't forget coming up in April, Hendrik is back and answering our questions about dealing with cup, bow, twist or other lumber imperfections.  So get your questions in soon.  Send them to mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com, that's also where you can submit your name for free schwag, questions for the show or feedback.

And don't forget to head over to Chris Schwarz's blog to learn more about his classes, Lost Art Press.

Listen to today's show by clicking on the player below

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On March 16th I attended my first woodworking class.  I know it's hard to believe that it's taken me so long to get my feet wet, but I've taken the plunge and I couldn't be happier.

Chris Schwarz's "The Forgotten Art of Handsawing" was just the kind of class I've been waiting to take for quite awhile.  As a huge admirer of Chris and a self proclaimed hand tool lover this was a golden opportunity to mix the two.

Not to mention that this was also a great opportunity to meet and make a number of new friends.  So thanks to all of you!  Here are some links to pics of the class, these were sent to me by listeners who happened to come across this at two different forums Pics from Woodcentral.com and Pics from Penturners.org.

For more information on what's new with Chris Schwarz and to find out where his next class is being held check out his blog at Lost Art Press.

If you're interested in checking out upcoming classes being offered at this Woodcraft location click on this link Classes at Sterling Heights Woodcraft

Don't forget to get your questions, comments and schwag entries in.  Drop me a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com.

Listen to today's show by clicking on the player below

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As promised here is the video for our discussion on freehanding chamfers and roundovers using our block planes.  The technique is quick, easy and with a little practice you'll be doing it in no time!

Comments, questions, suggestions and schwag entries?  Send them to mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com.  Also in case you missed it, I posted the wrong file for Part 2 of Wood Science 101 with Hendrik.  I reposted this file so if you haven't heard it yet, you can find it at the website.

Click Here to Download

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

Hi Everyone...I was just informed by a very astute listener of the show that I posted the wrong file!!  Here is the correct one!

Sorry for the inconvience and thanks for listening!

Today we're talking Wood Science 101 with Hendrik Varju.  All of us have been, or should be at sometime concerned with what wood movement can do to our finished projects.  So understanding how and why wood moves is crucial to designing and building pieces that will last through the years.  So check out today's show, which is the first half of a two part discussion on one of the most crucial topics in woodworking.

I'd really like to thank Hendrik for agreeing to come back and talk with us again.  If you're interested in learning more about Hendrik or to order a copy of his DVD "Jointer and Planer Secrets" stop by his website at www.passionforwood.com .  

Coming up next month we're talking about dealing with twist, cup, bow and other wood problems.  So if you have questions drop us a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com and that's also where you can enter for the free schwag drawings too!!

Today we're talking Wood Science 101 with Hendrik Varju.  All of us have been, or should be at sometime concerned with what wood movement can do to our finished projects.  So understanding how and why wood moves is crucial to designing and building pieces that will last through the years.  So check out today's show, which is the first half of a two part discussion on one of the most crucial topics in woodworking.

I'd really like to thank Hendrik for agreeing to come back and talk with us again.  If you're interested in learning more about Hendrik or to order a copy of his DVD "Jointer and Planer Secrets" stop by his website at www.passionforwood.com .  

Coming up next month we're talking about dealing with twist, cup, bow and other wood problems.  So if you have questions drop us a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com and that's also where you can enter for the free schwag drawings too!!

Today we're talking Wood Science 101 with Hendrik Varju.  All of us have been, or should be at sometime concerned with what wood movement can do to our finished projects.  So understanding how and why wood moves is crucial to designing and building pieces that will last through the years.  So check out today's show, which is the first half of a two part discussion on one of the most crucial topics in woodworking.

I'd really like to thank Hendrik for agreeing to come back and talk with us again.  If you're interested in learning more about Hendrik or to order a copy of his DVD "Jointer and Planer Secrets" stop by his website at www.passionforwood.com .  

If you're interested in meeting Hendrik, he'll be making an appearance at the Kitchener-Waterloo Woodworking Show this weekend March 14-16, 2008.  For more information on the show head over to Wood Shows for dates, times and so much more.

Coming up next month we're talking about dealing with twist, cup, bow and other wood problems.  So if you have questions drop us a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com and that's also where you can enter for the free schwag drawings too!!

Topics:
Kaleo Kala’s visit to Marc’s shop, “The Schwarz�, woodworking classes, Lie Nielsen’s backorder, new tools from Festool and Powermatic, Forstner bits without spurs, and milling lumber with only a planer and a router table.

If you want to leave us a voicemail: 623-242-2450

Not only is freehand chamfering easy as we described on Monday, but freehanding a roundover is quick and easy too.

The technique is quick and simple to learn, and with a little practice your roundovers can look as good or even better than those you can make with your router.

Comments, questions, feedback and schwag entries can be sent to mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com .

There's more you can do with a block plane than just cleaning up end-grains.  I love to use mine for freehanding chamfers on projects.

The technique is quick and simple, and with a little practice your chamfers can look as good or even better than those you can make with your router.

Comments, questions, feedback and schwag entries can be sent to mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com .

It's the first Friday of the month and that means it's time for ROUTER BIT OF THE MONTH!!!

This month we've had a chance to try out Whiteside's 3 Flute Flush Trimmer Bit.  A really great bit for when you're working with veneers, laminates or any thin material that can easily splinter and tear when you're trimming it flush.

Just like with all the other Whiteside Router Bits we've tried before, this one is no different when it comes to construction and reliability, they're well worth the money.  And considering they're on sale at Woodcraft for the entire month of March the price is even better.

Click To Play

So if you're interested in picking one up for your next veneer or laminate project head to your local Woodcraft or just click on the picture below to find it at Woodcraft.com

Don't forget to get your name in for upcoming schwag drawings if you haven't already, or if you have a question, topic suggestion or feedback.  Send them all to mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com .

Do you have questions about wood movement, acclimation or storage?  Submit them soon for our next talk with Hendrik.

It's the first Friday of the month and that means it's time for ROUTER BIT OF THE MONTH!!!

This month we've had a chance to try out Whiteside's 3 Flute Flush Trimmer Bit.  A really great bit for when you're working with veneers, laminates or any thin material that can easily splinter and tear when you're trimming it flush.

Just like with all the other Whiteside Router Bits we've tried before, this one is no different when it comes to construction and reliability, they're well worth the money.  And considering they're on sale at Woodcraft for the entire month of March the price is even better.

So if you're interested in picking one up for your next veneer or laminate project head to your local Woodcraft or just click on the picture below to find it at Woodcraft.com

Don't forget to get your name in for upcoming schwag drawings if you haven't already, or if you have a question, topic suggestion or feedback.  Send them all to mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com .

Do you have questions about wood movement, acclimation or storage?  Submit them soon for our next talk with Hendrik.