Matt's Basement Workshop - Audio

Not to long ago Fine Woodworking Magazine announced the arrival of their first live woodworking event, Fine Woodworking Live. I had the pleasure of talking with FWW Editor Asa Christiana about the magazine and to fill us in on what Fine Woodworking Live is all about. We get all the details about the upcoming event, and even a few scoops on things that may still be in the works to round out the whole weekend. Fine Woodworking Live starts on Friday and Saturday morning with a large general session discussions and then branches off into small-group sessions in the afternoon to discuss topics by a variety of experts you'll recognize from the pages of Fine Woodworking Magazine. Saturday night, Nick Offerman, star of NBC's "Parks and Recreation" and a die-hard woodworker, will be the guest speaker at an optional banquet dinner. Then to wrap it all up on Sunday, there's a number of additional sessions being offered on specific topics in a small class setting. Some of these are limited in space and numbe

After the last episode of Samantha's mirror frame project many of you wrote me to ask how I installed the mirror in the frame. It was a SLIGHT oversight on my part not to cover the topic, so I'm coming back with a third episode to remedy that mistake. While we're talking about how I did it, I'll share with you some other potential option for taking care of the same task. My own technique was a little unconventional, so it's important to see a few that are more traditional. Once we've covered the topic of installing the mirror in the frame, I wanted to address a couple more questions that came in regarding the construction process. A few of you wondered about options for cutting the rabbets using other techniques than the single blade method and a couple of you wanted to know about another way to create the stopped chamfers. Hopefully we'll answer your questions and concerns in today's show. Please take a moment to answer our listener survey for Matt's Basement Workshop Podcast. A few simple, anonymous ques

On today's show we'll continue where we left off last week on the construction of the Cherry Mirror frame I recently built for my wife. As I mentioned in the last episode we purchased a full-length mirror for our bedroom and after getting it home I decided it was just a little too plain for our tastes. Thankfully I've been holding on to a stash of Cherry for a while now and this seemed to be the perfect project to break it out for. Last week we ripped and crosscut the stock to size (I also admitted to messing that up and having to re-draw the plans to accommodate for the mistake), we also cut the mortise and tenon joinery we'll use to assemble the project. This week we rabbet an edge on the backside of the frame to support the mirror. That sounds easy, but I chose to use just the tablesaw and I had to create stopped rabbets for the stiles. Then we chamfer the edges of the rails and stiles, but not end to end, instead we create a nice little stopped chamfer on the router table. We glue it all together and t

Today we start a new build project. We've (and by "we" I mean my wife) been in need of a full-length mirror in our bedroom for quite a longtime now. We (this time I mean "us") finally purchased one not to long ago and I intended to hang it behind the door in our bedroom. Even though it's beveled on the edges it just looked to plain, so we were trying to decide if it should be hidden away in a closet? It didn't take very long to think about it, but what we really needed was a nice frame to set it in and mount in position. So I headed to the basement and decided it was time to break into my stash of aged cherry. Now that we have the backstory of today's project, let's get started building it. This is a two part build video, starting with the basics of ripping and crosscutting the stock to its dimensions and then moving into "handcut" mortise and tenon joinery. Then next week we'll wrap it all up.

This week we return again to the stack of listener suggested topics and questions that have come in over the years. After bringing the 14" Steel City band saw into the basement workshop, many of you had questions specifically about the riser block I installed. The obvious benefits of a riser block to a 14" bandsaw is the increase in height. Normally the maximum resaw height on a saw this size is about 6" at most. By adding a riser block system you increase that significantly. What does that mean? It means all those wide boards you'd love to bookmatch for stunning panels are now possible, it means you can resaw your own veneers from WHICHEVER species of wood you want, it means all sorts of options. But with a variety of options available that also means there's some limitations too. While not necessarily significant anytime you alter a machine from it's original configuration, regardless of whether you use original manufacturer's kits, you're still going to run into hiccups that may require t

Today's episode is the first of a series answering many of the questions and topic suggestions you the audience has sent me over the last 6 years. I frequently get questions regarding choosing tools, stock, projects and great feedback on things we've already covered. Unfortunately I haven't had a chance, all that often, to take these questions and turn them into the great content they'd make. So while I'm currently finishing up a couple of project builds, I thought we'd do start tackling the list of audience inspired episodes. In today's show, a listener asked about choosing a shoulder plane. He asked specifically about two models, the Stanley No.92 and the Ron Hock Shoulder plane kit. While I prefer not to make specific recommendations on which tool to purchase, I do have an opinion on the features that make a good one and things to consider when thinking of purchasing. I'd love your feedback on today's episode and your suggestion for this listener and also the many others who have asked very similar ques

Back in episode 470 I shared with you the construction of a "super simple" wooden box I've been making for my wife's photography business Shutter Sam Photography. I mentioned in the episode that since filming the original footage I had started to streamline the construction process. Just like with any project where you find yourself repeating the build over and over (think cutting boards, jewelry boxes, pens, etc.) you discover little shortcuts that can help to cut the production time down, but not affect the quality of the results. As I've mentioned before, I really appreciate tips and suggestions from you the audience. And once again, you've come through for me with a great tip that I'm using from this point out when building the boxes. Don (no last name in the email) suggested I checkout an article over at Fine Woodworking Magazine it's titled 2 Fast Ways to Build a Box and was written by Bill Nyberg. On page one of the downloadable PDF (it does require a membership to the digital media) Bill

It's a new year, but we have a little work to finish up from the previous year. As promised, today's episode is the wrap up to our "Shelves and drawers" series. In part four we complete the "Shelves and drawers" by building the drawer fronts from solid maple, attaching the bases to each of the units and then adding all the final touches from painting to hardware. A lot of you had questions about using MDO; its workability, paintability, cost and more. Rather than addressing each of your questions as they come in, I tried to include all of them in the video. Hopefully I answer yours, but if not, don't hesitate to contact me.

In part three of the "Shelves and drawers" build we tackle the construction of the solid maple bases. All four pieces stand on the same style of bases, so except for the lengths of the support beams between the tall shelving units and the short drawer units, we can once again gang up and make similar cuts and actions. And even though the bases will, for the most part, be hidden out of sight that's no reason to not take a few minutes to design something that looks nice. You never know when someone will take a look! Help support the show - please visit our advertisers

In today's second episode of the "Shelves and drawers" build we move on to the drawer construction. Just as we saw with the first episode, large projects can appear complicated but when you take the correct approach they can be completed quickly, easily and more importantly accurately. By ganging similar cuts for each component, you can take advantage of a single setup on your tool to eliminate unnecessary steps. Not to mention it also eliminates the possibility of making miscuts too. Help support the show - please visit our advertisers

Today's show is the first of several episodes covering the construction of a shelving and drawer set. A good friend of the family approached me about building two tall shelving units and two short units with drawers. All four pieces would stand on top of solid maple bases and the drawer fronts would be solid maple also. These would be left natural with a clear finish while the shelving units and drawer bodies will be painted a glossy white. The entire project, except the base and drawers themselves, will be made from MDO - medium density overlay. This is my first experience with MDO and as we'll talk about in the final wrap-up episode, it won't be my last. Help support the show - please visit our advertisers

I mentioned on a recent episode of Wood Talk Online Radio I was building some small boxes for my wife Samantha's photography business -Shuttersam.com. The boxes are best described as being nothing more than a "Super simple box". No extravagant ornamentation, no exotic species and no complicated joinery. The idea was a plain box that would be given to her clients with a DVD of their images inside, along with maybe a few proofs. I have no delusions that these boxes will be passed down from generation to generation, but in fact expect them to be set aside on a shelf somewhere or maybe even re-purposed for some other task. So the design for the box was that it wouldn't take long to build, be inexpensive and just be functional. The first few took me a little while to get the building process tweaked. But after having built about a dozen or more so far, it now only takes a couple of hours to batch out up to 6 at a time. In fact the bottleneck now is waiting for the glue to dry. I'm planning to experime

I'm late to the game as usual, but in this case, being late is better than never showing up at all. What am I talking about? The Woodworkers Fighting Cancer Charity Build. If you're not familiar with Woodworkers Fighting Cancer it's a charity started by our good friend Marc Spagnuolo - The Wood Whisperer to help raise funds and awareness about research to fight a disease that has probably touched each and everyone of us at some time in our lives. The most recent fund raiser involves individuals building a Rocking Horse from free downloadable plans available through WOOD Magazine. The project was one that could be accomplished with a minimal number of tools and wasn't so much a challenge that even brand new woodworkers would feel comfortable tackling it. The build was a lot of fun and I learned a few things along the way...especially an important lesson about spray adhesives and my disdain for jigsaws. But you'll hear and see more about that in the video. For more information on Woodworkers Fighting Cancer,

Hi everyone I just wanted to let you know that while there aren't any rumors floating around yet about the show podfading (except the ones I snuck in at a few key locations just to see if anyone was paying attention). I have been very busy over the last few weeks with getting some build projects and creating content as we head into the busy holiday season. So please except this quick little update video as a small appetizer until I have the first of the new content edited and up for your viewing pleasure. I appreciate your patience! Speaking of patience, I know some of you have been entering your name in the schwag drawings all summer and up until recently too. This is another area I've neglected, so we'll be remedying that this month also. If you've already submitted your name any time since July, consider yourself all set. If you're not sure and want to get it in "just in case"...go for it. We have some great schwag to give away and I'll let you know more about that shortly also. Did I thank yo

As promised, today's episode is the second of two episodes featuring selected clips from some of the classes I attended at Woodworking in America 2011. There were a lot of great classes to choose from and the lecturers were equally fantastic. In today's episode I've included clips from Megan Fitzpatrick's "Your first dovetails", Charles Brock's "Sculpting by hand & power", Chris Schwarz's "12 rules for toolboxes" and Steve Shannesy's "Veneers in contemporary furniture". To learn more about each of these lecturers, books, DVDs or possible upcoming classes visit the following link for each: Steve Shannesy & Megan Fitzpatrick - www.popularwoodworking.com Chris Schwarz - www.lostartpress.com Charles Brock - www.charlesbrockchairmaker. Help support the show - please visit our advertisers

This week starts the first of two episodes featuring selected clips from some of the classes I attended at Woodworking in America 2011. There are a lot of great classes to choose from and the lecturers are equally fantastic. While Woodworking in America is usually billed as a hand tool event, over the years several new topics have been added to round out the experience of attendees. From design and Sketchup to power tools and even Japanese hand tools. Woodworking in America lecturers are covering a wide variety of topics. In today's episode I've included clips from Graham Blackburn's "Hand planes for joinery", Chuck Bender's "Secret drawers & hidden compartments" & Charles Brock's "The Sculpted Rocker - A study of form and function". To learn more about each of these lecturers, books, DVDs or possible upcoming classes visit the following link for each: Graham Blackburn - www.blackburnbooks.com Chuck Bender - www.acanthus.com Charles Brock - www.charlesbrockchairmaker.

Regardless of how many times I've been to Woodworking in America the one place that gets all my attention, and apparently that of the vast majority of show visiters, is the Marketplace. Where else will you find some of the most unique tool makers in the woodworking world all under one roof? Not only can you get your hands on these tools, but more importantly you have an unique opportunity to talk with the tool makers themselves. Ever wonder about having customized tools made? Have questions about the design or function of a tool? Or just want to play with some really cool tools? The Woodworking in America marketplace is the perfect place to do all of that and more. It's truly the woodworker's candy store. But if you've visited this year or in previous years you also know there's more to the marketplace than tools and supplies. There's great freebie demonstrations from the likes of Roy Underhill and Adam Cherubini to name a few. Along with drawings for amazing door-prizes, opportunities to meet with televis

This week I'm getting things ready to head to Cincinnati, Ohio for Woodworking in America 2011. After having attended almost every since it's start, these conferences feel more like homecoming than classes. And this year is no different. With all the great conference instructors, the even larger marketplace and even more great attendees than in the past, this year should add up to quite the event. I can't list all the great things that are happening, so I'll just share what I can without rambling on more than usual. If you can make it down, even for just one day or for just one hour, you won't be sorry. Conference attendees can choose from 1 day passes on either Friday or Saturday, 3 day passes for the entire weekend or pay as little as $8 (online) or $10 (at the door) for access to the marketplace. And in the marketplace you'll of course find all those manufacturers and vendors you keep hearing about, along with the like of Tommy Mac of the Rough Show, Rob Cosman and I heard even Scott Phillips will be in

The holiday season is practically knocking on our doors and it's the perfect time to start thinking of projects for loved ones and friends. Who doesn't love receiving a gift you know was made with their own two hands? I know my family does, and up until this year they've been sadly disappointed in the past. Not this time around! Ever since the guys at Bell Forest have become an advertiser on the site I've been haunting their website looking at amazing stock for projects. One thing that caught my eye early on was some of the project kits they had available. These are kits perfect for a weekend build or just for someone looking for an easy to assemble gift without a lot of hassle with designing and planning the construction of them. The Paddle Cutting Board is one of those kits. Sent with everything you need to build, the wood, the template, the directions. All you add is time, tools, glue and you. Who could ask for more? To find out more about the Paddle Cutting Board kit or any of the other great offerings

Summer might as well be officially over. The kids are back in school, the warmest days are now almost equal to the coldest nights from just a month ago and I'm heading back into the shop with the video camera to start building more great stuff to share with all of you. Yes, I'd say Summer is about ready to be tucked away under a pile of dead leaves very shortly. So that means it's time to start posting some of this content I've been filming. To get these new episodes started on a solid footing I'm posting my recent build of Benchcrafted's Moxon Vise Kit. If you're not familiar with Benchcrafted already, you might want to take a few moments to visit their website and checkout their amazing bench hardware and plans. Jameel and the guys don't mess around with quality, they have one set of standards...GOLD. I've never read a review or commentary that didn't involve their hardware being praised in the highest way. So when I had a chance to try one of their Moxon Vise Kits I jumped at the opportunity. AND MAN WA