On today’s show we’ll be discussing our favorite articles from the magazines and the blogosphere, a few good posts coming from the Wood Talk Online forum, and how to fix an exposed Domino or biscuit. We’ll also have a fun game of Pick the Fake Story, and we’ll have a little technique roundtable that I think you guys are really going to enjoy.

Remember, you can reach us by email at woodtalkonline @ gmail.com or you can pick up the phone and leave us a message on our voice mail at 623-242-2450. You can also find all three of us on Twitter as @MBWPodcast @WoodWhisperer or @renaissanceWW . And we’re even on the Facebook too.

What’s on the Bench:
Marc – Painting the Advent Calendar
Matt – Brese plane is done!
Shannon – walnut card table

Articles/Blog Posts:
Marc – Cutting Edge First Aid FWW Tools & Shops 2010
Matt – $5 for a 1/8? Twist Drill? Only in America… - “John’s Blog”
Shannon: Giant Cypress: Overheard at a Lie Nielsen Tool Show – NOT SAFE FOR WORK OR LITTLE EARS!
The Saw Blog

From the Forum:
Power Tools and Hand Tools Living Happily Together?
Beginner’s Tool List
Frustrated by Cutting a Straight Line
Gretchin’s Cradle

Voicemails:
Steve – Bandsaw resawing issue.
Dyami – exposed Domino on walnut surface IMAGE

Sweet Deals:
japan woodworker 10% OFF Use code holiday10

Adam King’s of Woodworker’s Journey gives us a Going Pro Tip!

Questions or Comments?You can get a hold of us by either dropping us an email at woodtalkonline@gmail.com or you can pick up the phone and leave us a message on our voice mail at 623-242-2450.

What’s on the Bench?

Marc’s gearing up for round 2 of shop upgrades, including new garage doors, blown-in cellulose, and an A/C unit. Matt finished up a child’s dresser. Only 2 months late!

News:
David Marks live interview on Monday Dec. 7th. Join the Guild today!
David’s Bandsawn Veneers DVD
Super FMT from Leigh Jigs

Around the Web:
Not your father’s turntables! Audiowood.com
Our listener Angus Pitt sent us a link to WoodGears.ca: a neat little website with some interesting articles.
Forget hand carved Christmas ornaments, check these out!

Sweet Deals:
Old Fashioned Milk Paint deal, now through December 31st:
* Order over $50.00 of any products and get a FREE sample of Daddy Van’s Beeswax Polish. It’s a beautiful finish over milk paint, and it is all natural and child safe, too!
* Order over $100.00 of products and they’ll include a FREE QUART of Old Fashioned MIlk Paint or their new SafePaint !
* Deck the Walls Special! “Buy 3 Gallons SafePaint- Get 1 Free” special was so popular they’re bringing it back, just in time to spruce up your home for your holiday entertaining. This special may not be combined with any other offer.
Woodcraft – free shipping on all orders
Rockler – Jet parallel clamps on sale 31″, 40″, 50″ sizes online only

It Came From the Forum:
Rob Lopez wants recommendations for a good combination tablesaw blade. Join the discussion!

Voicemail:
Jess- Rocking Chair plans?
Charles Brock’s Plan
Hal Taylor’s Plan
Eric-Refinishing pricing?
Mark-Durable Table Top Finish?
Behlen’s Table Top Varnish

Email:
Bud made a modern workbench utilizing the strength of the torsion box. NO hardwood.
Danny wants to know how to properly finish oily exotic woods, like cocobolo.

Tom’s Tip: (TomsWorkbench.com)
A great tip for consistent sanding.
Village Carpenter’s Tip:(VillageCarpenter.Blogspot.com)
Kari suggests you get your whittle on!

One thing I do every time I approach a tool is think of the worst-case scenarios. Its a bit gruesome to let your imagination take you there, but there is a good reason for it. This simple mental exercise not only raises your awareness of the potential dangers, but essentially shows you exactly what you need to do to prevent injury.

“I value your opinion on tool recommendations. I am very new to bandsaws. I just snagged the 14″ Powermatic (as you know from a previous email) and am looking for a few new blades (only because I heard the ones that come with the saw are horrible). Do you have any recommendations on manufacturers, blades, etc? I’m running the saw with the riser block so I’m looking at 105″ blades.”

And here was my reply:

“I would recommend either Timberwolf or Lenox blades, simply because those are the two I had the most success with. Both are fantastic. I would also recommend using the stock blade for a while. The reason is for your own knowledge as a woodworker. The stock blades cut pretty good for a while, but quickly dull and become crap (in most cases). So I think its important to use that blade for a while so you can actually see and feel an improvement when you install the new blade. You will also learn how to recognize when a blade is dull. Not to mention, there is definitely a lot of life in that stock blade and it’s a waste to just throw it out. Even if you only get a month out of it, you are still ahead of the game. More importantly, when you spend good money on a premium blade, you will have first-hand knowledge and experience that will go a long way in helping you justify spending the extra dough. Hope that helps.”

Ever wanted to make your own veneer? Well I’m gonna show you how! Its really not that hard and the benefits are worth the extra effort. Making your own veneer is a great way to conserve high quality material. If you have a one-of-a-kind piece of figured wood, why not slice it up and use it in three or four projects instead of just one? So fire up the bandsaw cause we’re cutting our own veneer!

In this episode, I cover the basic setup and tuneup of one of the coolest tools in the shop: the bandsaw. Whether you plan on cutting veneer, re-sawing lumber, or cutting curves, the quality of the cut will improve if your bandsaw is properly tuned. Learn how to properly tension the blade, set the guides, adjust for drift, as well an many other tips can tricks.

Having trouble deciding what blade to buy? I’ll help you with that too! Here are a few general recommendations:

Resawing – 1/2″ Wide with Hook or Skip Confifuration and 3 TPI
Veneer – 1/2″ or 3/4″ Wide with Hook Configuration and 4-6 TPI
Scrolling/Curves – 1/4″ Wide with 6 TPI