Matt's Basement Workshop Podcast

Thu, 25 December 2008

As promised, here's part 2 of our December visit with MBW's guest expert Hendrik Varju. This month we're answering questions you sent in regarding the topic of "Advice for beginning woodworkers". We had some really great questions varying from which tools do I need to get started to electrical needs and heating.

To order a copy of Hendrik's new DVD or to learn more about his seminars visit his website at www.passionforwood.com.

Comments, questions or schwag entries - drop me a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com, or head over to the website where you can also leave your comments, or leave me a voicemail at 231 354-2338.

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

Help Support Matt's Basement Workshop by visiting our sponsors!

To download directly to your computer Right Click on direct download, choose "Save Target as"

Direct download: 342_Hendrik_December_Visit_Pt_2.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 10:30 PM

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Thu, 25 December 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone!!!!

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

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Wed, 24 December 2008

341 Hendrik's December Visit Part 1

It's time once again for Hendrik's visit this month and we're answering questions you sent in regarding the topic of "Advice for beginning woodworkers". We had some really great questions varying from which tools do I need to get started to electrical needs and heating.

This is only part 1 of a 2 part series, so don't miss the second half on that'll be released on Friday.

To order a copy of Hendrik's new DVD or to learn more about his seminars visit his website at www.passionforwood.com.

Hendrik sent along this Christmas message to share with all of you:

I'd like to, first of all, thank everyone who has attended seminars here over the past year or taken any form of private instruction. I continue to take pleasure in sharing my techniques with others and especially watching some of my students go from complete beginner to a more confident woodworker. Woodworking skills are easily learned by just about anyone, but it does take a great deal of time and practice in order to refine those skills. For me, teaching is a way to refine my skills even more because being asked question after question such as "Why do you do it that way?" makes a person more aware of not just the skills but the reasons for them. Having to perform those skills in a pressure environment in front of a dozen people all wanting to see "how to do it right" also pushes me to learn more and become a little more efficient when possible.

One of the comments I remember recently happened during the second part of my "Bent Laminations" seminar series. When I showed everyone a completed demi-lune table with curved front aprons, someone asked "How long does it take you to build that project right from start to finish?". When I said how many days it took, the person said something like "Wow! And that's for you to complete it! For the rest of us it would take even longer". While that may or may not be true, I hope you'll all understand that fine work takes time and I don't think you'll ever get away from that. If you look at a project and it overwhelms you to even think about it, the best solution is to just start. As you slowly work your way through the cutting list and parts start getting checked off your list, you start to build up some confidence and excitement. You begin to see your vision coming to life and becoming real. Somehow, the project starts to look managable just by getting some small part of it done. Have you ever looked at an exploded view of a piece of furniture in a magazine and just felt like it is so complicated you don't even want to start? And yet, even a relative beginner can do it if they acquire the skills one step at a time. Starting on that journey is half the battle.

Let's say you don't have large blocks of time for your woodworking hobby, but you can squeeze in a few hours here and there. I think it is all about discipline. If you can carve out just a half-day per week every weekend, that gives you 4 hours per week. Or maybe you can only spare 2 hours on a Saturday, but another hour two nights per week after dinner. In any event, however you do it, if you can devote four hours per week then you will have worked for 48 hours total over a 12 week period. Or 64 hours over a 16 week period. Somewhere between 48 and 64 hours, even a relative beginner can accomplish my demi-lune table once they've learned the basic techniques. If you could devote 4 hours per week to your woodworking and you have a beautiful piece of furniture, albeit a small one, sitting there in your living room in just 3 to 4 months, wouldn't that be spectacular? And if you continue to devote your energy in that way then within a year you might have 3 nice pieces of furniture you've built with your own hands.

So maybe in your first year you build three really small pieces that aren't overly complicated. Then in the second year you decide you would like to build a more complex design such as a bed, a large dining table or even a sideboard. If you get one of those projects done in a year (as a hobbyist), what is there to be ashamed of? In 5 years' time you will have quite a number of hierloom pieces you can be proud of, but none of that will happen if you don't decide today that you are going to become disciplined about your hobby. I'm not trying to take the enjoyment out of your craft and make you feel like you're on a treadmill, but I do want you to see what wonderful things can happen if you commit to it. Lots of people say, "It'll take me a whole year to get that project done!" I don't see anything wrong with that! 5 spectacular pieces of furniture in 5 years is nothing to be ashamed of. The trick is to enjoy the process as much as the result. Work with the end in mind, but not just for the end. Smell the roses every once in awhile and revel in the wonderful material we have to work with.

Anyhow, that is my sermon for the day. Just a few thoughts for you to ponder as you start thinking about New Year's resolutions.

I'd like to close by wishing you a Merry Christmas. Please take the time to appreciate what you have even if times are a little harder for you at the moment. Instead of thinking about what you don't have, just remember that there are millions of people in the world who don't even have the basic necessities of life. Even in difficult economic times, most of us have what we truly need and you only need look in a newspaper to see how much worse off most of the world's population is.

I hope you can all find some time this holiday to curl up on the couch with a warm drink and some great company to ponder the meaning of life with. If you haven't looked your spouse in the eye lately, it might be time. If you haven't really focused on what your kids need from you, it might be time. And if you haven't talked to some of your long time friends lately, it might be time to pick up the phone and set something up. Believe me when I say that "It's time".

Best wishes to all for a wonderful holiday season and all the best for 2009.

Cheers, Hendrik

Comments, questions or schwag entries - drop me a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com, or head over to the website where you can also leave your comments, or leave me a voicemail at 231 354-2338.

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

Help Support Matt's Basement Workshop by visiting our sponsors!

To download directly to your computer Right Click on direct download, choose "Save Target as"

Direct download: 341_Hendrik_in_December_Pt_1.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 6:09 AM

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Tue, 23 December 2008

Guest Post - Marking Gauge Gift Guide by Mitch Roberson

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

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Fri, 19 December 2008

Schwag Saturday!

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 and a Lee Valley Hand Plane Screwdriver. The first one to respond gets first choice!

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:
A Knot Like No Other & A Secret Compartment

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

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Thu, 18 December 2008

340 Using Western Chisels at Woodworking in America

While at the Woodworking in America conference I had a chance to attend a couple of great classes on using Western style chisels for more than choping and paring.

The first class was taught by Adam Cherubini the author of the Arts & Mysteries column and blog at Popular Woodworking. Adam introduced us to the most common chisels you'd find in an early American cabinetmaker's shop, but then he decided to show us a little more hands on of how they'd use those chisels in a way we don't today.

This was a lead in, to what we'd get in another class taught later that day by both Adam and Roy Underhill. This second class was a hands on class where we would not only see these techniques demonstrated but also try them for ourselves...

Since I've been back from WIA I've been enjoying reading and watching all of the posts and pics my fellow bloggers and podcaster have been posting, and I know you will too. So checkout all of these links and see what really happened behind the scenes...with more to come soon!!

Furnitude
The Village Carpenter
The Way of the Galoot
The Folding Rule
Philsville
Woodworking Magazine

Help Support Matt's Basement Workshop by visiting our sponsors!

To download directly to your computer Right Click on direct download, choose "Save Target as

Direct download: 340_WIA_Using_Chisels.mp4
Category: Video -- posted at: 10:35 PM

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Thu, 18 December 2008

340 Using Western Chisels at Woodworking in America

While at the Woodworking in America conference I had a chance to attend a couple of great classes on using Western style chisels for more than choping and paring.

Furnitude
The Village Carpenter
The Way of the Galoot
The Folding Rule
Philsville
Woodworking Magazine

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

Help Support Matt's Basement Workshop by visiting our sponsors!

To download directly to your computer Right Click on direct download, choose "Save Target as"

Direct download: 340_WIA_Using_Chisels.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 10:30 PM

Comments[0]

Thu, 18 December 2008

Wood Talk Online No. 47

December 17, 2008 by thewoodwhisperer · Leave a Comment

Download Episode

Status Report:
Marc’s small entertainment center project was just published on FineWoodworking.com and spent the day playing with his hand planes. Matt is rediscovering why he HATES stains.

Around the Web:
Help out a great international cause: www.jdlohrwood.com.
Kari’s from The Village Carpenter made up a great list, “You Know You’re a Woodworker When…”

News:
The Lumberjocks Winter Woodworking Awards

Hot Deals:
Peachtree Stocking Stuffers under $25.

The rest of the show was devoted to our Holiday Bash! We gave away great prizes from Charles Neil, Popular Woodworking, Lee Valley, Zem Hearing Protection, Hock and The Wood Whisperer. This part of the show went on for about an hour so I decided to cut it out of the audio recording. It was fun if you were there, but no so much if were not. We had about 90 people in the chat room for this event so apparently the lesson here is if you want people to show up, give some stuff away for free. haha!

OH and by the way, I hit Record on the Ustream feed, so if you are interested in hearing nearly the entire show, and watching the video as well, you can do so below. Warning: You’ll have to excuse my less than family-appropriate shirt. I came in from the shop and totally forgot to change.

Online video chat by Ustream

Category: Wood Talk Online -- posted at: 8:43 AM

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Fri, 12 December 2008

Saturday Schwag!

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.

Help Support Matt's Basement Workshop by visiting our sponsors!

Category: general -- posted at: 11:59 PM

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Thu, 11 December 2008

339 Workbenches with Chris Schwarz at WIA

I still have a lot more footage and some great topic ideas from my time at the Woodworking in America conference last month. One of the things I wanted to share with you is this great footage from a class with Chris Schwarz on...what else?...the workbench.

Don't miss out on the next "Wood Talk Online Live". This Wednesday December 17th at 9:00PM EST over at www.thewoodwhisperer.com , see you there!

Help Support Matt's Basement Workshop by visiting our sponsors!

To download directly to your computer Right Click on direct download, choose "Save Target as"

Direct download: 339_WIA_Workbenches_with_Chris.mp4
Category: Video -- posted at: 10:32 PM

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Thu, 11 December 2008

339 Workbenches with Chris Schwarz at WIA

Furnitude
The Village Carpenter
The Way of the Galoot
The Folding Rule
Philsville
Woodworking Magazine

And don't forget! The next Wood Talk Online Live is happening this Wednesday December 17th at 9:00PM EST over at www.thewoodwhisperer.com. Make it if you can!

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

Help Support Matt's Basement Workshop by visiting our sponsors!

To download directly to your computer Right Click on direct download, choose "Save Target as"

Direct download: 339_WIA_Workbenches_with_Chris.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 10:30 PM

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Thu, 4 December 2008

338 Whiteside's Roman Ogee Bit

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

For the entire month of December, 2008 Whiteside's 1/4" Roman Ogee profile is the featured router bit at Woodcraft and here at Matt's Basement Workshop.

The Roman Ogee profile is perhaps one of the most readily recognized and most commonly used bits on the market. The Roman Ogee is a compound profile made up of a roundover and a cove shape that give it a "lazy S" look. The flowing shape of these two profiles complement each other like no others.

If you're not this month's winner of this great bit from Whiteside & Woodcraft, you still can take advantage of the great discounted price until the end of the month click here to visit Woodcraft.

Furnitude
The Village Carpenter
The Way of the Galoot
The Folding Rule
Philsville
Woodworking Magazine

With more to come soon!!

Help Support Matt's Basement Workshop by visiting our sponsors!

To download directly to your computer Right Click on direct download, choose "Save Target as"

Direct download: 338_Roman_Ogee_bit.mp4
Category: Video -- posted at: 10:31 PM

Comments[1]

Thu, 4 December 2008

338 Whiteside's Roman Ogee Bit - Audio Only

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

For the entire month of December, 2008 Whiteside's 1/4" Roman Ogee profile is the featured router bit at Woodcraft and here at Matt's Basement Workshop.

If you're not this month's winner of this great bit from Whiteside & Woodcraft, you still can take advantage of the great discounted price until the end of the month click here to visit Woodcraft.

Furnitude
The Village Carpenter
The Way of the Galoot
The Folding Rule
Philsville
Woodworking Magazine

With more to come soon!!

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

Help Support Matt's Basement Workshop by visiting our sponsors!

To download directly to your computer Right Click on direct download, choose "Save Target as"

Direct download: 338_Roman_Ogee_Bit.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 10:30 PM

Comments[0]

Tue, 2 December 2008

336 Roarockit Skateboard Kit

Building anything with your kids can be a lot of fun, but finding the right project to keep them interested is sometimes a challenge. I found a great project at www.roarockit.com, it's a skateboard!!

Everything you need to build the skateboard is included...the glue, the veneers, the form and even a vacuum bag that works with a hand pump! All you add is the time and fun with the kids...oh and the trucks and wheels...but when it's all done, they have a skateboard and you have a vacuum bag veneering projects in the future!!

Furnitude
The Village Carpenter
The Way of the Galoot
The Folding Rule
Philsville
Woodworking Magazine

With more to come soon!!

Help Support Matt's Basement Workshop by visiting our sponsors!

To download directly to your computer Right Click on direct download, choose "Save Target as"

Direct download: 337_Roarockit_Skateboard.mp4
Category: Video -- posted at: 10:31 PM

Comments[1]

Tue, 2 December 2008

336 Roarockit Skateboard Kit - Audio

Building anything with your kids can be a lot of fun, but finding the right project to keep them interested is sometimes a challenge. I found a great project at www.roarockit.com, it's a skateboard!!

Oh by the way...you didn't miss episode 336...I messed up the numbers!

Furnitude
The Village Carpenter
The Way of the Galoot
The Folding Rule
Philsville
Woodworking Magazine

With more to come soon!!

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

Help Support Matt's Basement Workshop by visiting our sponsors!

To download directly to your computer Right Click on direct download, choose "Save Target as"

Direct download: 337_Roarockit_Skateboard_Kit.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 10:00 PM

Comments[0]

Sun, 30 November 2008

335 Hendrik's Visit in November Part 2

It's time for Hendrik's visit this month and we're talking more about Tablesaw set-up and safety. A few of you sent in some great questions so well tackle those too.

This is the second half of a 2 part series, so enjoy!!

To order a copy of Hendrik's new DVD or to learn more about his seminars visit his website at www.passionforwood.com.

Comments, questions or schwag entries - drop me a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com, or head over to the website where you can also leave your comments, or leave me a voicemail at 231 354-2338.

Furnitude
The Village Carpenter
The Way of the Galoot
The Folding Rule
Philsville
Woodworking Magazine

With more to come soon!!

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

Help Support Matt's Basement Workshop by visiting our sponsors!

To download directly to your computer Right Click on direct download, choose "Save Target as"

Direct download: 335_Hendrik_in_November_Pt_2.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 10:31 PM

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