Looking for some new woodworking knowledge? George Vondriska answers your woodworking questions on WWGOA LIVE. Lots of folks tuned in to this episode and we had a boat load of great questions.
1:50 Sharpening mortiser hollow chisels
3:30 If George wasn’t a woodworker he’d be a ……?
5:05 Air drying vs kiln dried lumber
7:00 Upgrade table saw to 52” fence?
8:10 Working height for benchtop router table
8:30 Guideline for workbench height
9:40 Drilling deep holes
12:30 Online wood sources – Cook Woods
12:50 Work with butternut?
13:48 Worth getting a CNC?
16:00 Storing jigs
16:50 Pin or pinless moisture meters
17:17 Thinning shellac?
18:30 Bandsaw for a small shop?
19:20 Shaping a curved drawer front
21:25 Radial arm saw or panel saw? www.safetyspeed.com
22:10 Schedule for lives?
23:20 Resin pour over objects
25:05 End grain tear out in bowls
26:40 Jointer and planer sizes
27:05 Reverse function on a lathe
28:00 Remove rust from a bandsaw blade
28:18 Trim router recommendation
29:20 Wood expansion and contraction
30:08 Hemlock
30:45 Bandsaw resaw, drift
31:15 George’s mustache
32:00 George’s weird bowls
35:20 CNC router bits
36:10 Gluing oily woods
37:00 SawStop sliding table
37:50 Shop vacuum or dust collector
38:30 Storing wood to keep it flat
39:12 Bullnose a round table
40:10 Using pine with beetle kill
41:00 Sharpening carbide lathe chisels
41:30 George likes to make…?
42:00 Tips for following plans
42:50 System for sharpening lathe chisels
44:20 Woods for endgrain cutting boards
45:39 Sharpening forstner bits
46:40 George’s hearing protection
47:30 Painting over an oily surface
49:15 Dust mask or respirator?
49:40 Use grain filler?
50:20 Gloss lacquer issues
50:55 Sharpening chisels and plane irons
51:20 Classes in George’s shop
52:00 Wide board vs glue up
52:50 Preventing blotching on wood
53:20 Wobble dado head
54:30 Plywood to square a cabinet
54:50 Recess in a floating shelf
55:10 Best seal coat for finishing?
57:45 Respirator
58:00 Shellac flakes
58:15 Making cabinet doors
58:25 Dust collection for small garage?
59:30 Drawer slide size
1:00:00 Ringmaster
WWGOA LIVE is brought to you by:
I want to buy a drum sander. What would be a good choice for home use
Drum sanders are definitely a game changer, and there has been a lot of innovation in the hobbyist and small shop pro market. There are a couple good choices to consider:
I’ve used this one and really like it: https://amzn.to/2RUnaen
Another popular option in that size category is this one: https://amzn.to/35gQjUZ
If you want to step up to more power and capacity, this is a good consideration: https://amzn.to/2YbEQEZ
-Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
I’ve been told that drill press doesn’t work well as a mortising tool. Before I invest in a set of mortising bits, I would like to get your opinion on this matter.
I agree. They are notoriously finicky to adjust properly, and a pain to setup and dismantle when you want to use it as a drill press again.
-Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
I need to drill a 1 inch hole at a 30 degree angle. Should I use a brad point bit or a Forstner bit?
Either one should work for that. Drill bit is generally easier drilling, and a forstner bit provides a cleaner bottom.
-Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
Looking to get basic/inexpensive plunge router. Any ‘drop dead’ features I should look for?
If I could only have one router I would choose this one: https://amzn.to/2v90JoY
The key features that I look for are:
– single motor, multiple bases- soft start- single wrench bit changes- Ability to use 1/2″ or 1/4″ bits- Variable speed- Enough power to handle larger bits such as panel raising bits – soft start motor
Good luck and have fun with your new tool!
-Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
I am making a built in dresser in the wall. I have a 5 foot tall opening. how would you divide the area to figure out how many drawers to build so that it looks balanced?
I don’t have a formula for this. I would suggest looking at as many examples online and determining whether what type of pattern you want. All drawers the same? Graduated with each drawer decreasing slightly in size as you move upward? Perhaps some other pattern? I typically make dresser drawers between 4-10″ tall. I like a few deeper ones at the bottom for heavier items, and smaller ones at the top.
-Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
I’ve tried using the worksharp and chisels seem to come out with a slight skew. Any tricks?
Mike,
I’ve never had this happen with my WorkSharp. Be meticulous making sure you’re using the jigs and guides correctly.
-George
Woodworkers Guild of America
Is the higher price of saw blades like Amana etc. worth the the cost. Vs a cheaper blade like Diablo.
In general more expensive blades will stay sharp longer, and in some cases, allow for more times being resharpened. That is now always the case, so it pays to do your homework by looking at reviews and talking to other owners whenever possible.
-Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
I am setting up a shop in my 24 x 24 garage. What is your recommendation for dust collection? I have a tablesaw , 6” jointer 13” planer, bandsaw and router table.
Hello Berr!
George answered this question in the live video!
Thank you!
Jessica
Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
Hi George, thanks for what you do! I dig the guitars and Dylon photo in the background. When would you suggest to use a face mask/respirator? e.g. while using table saw, router, etc. Thanks!
Hello Brian!
George answered this question in the live video!
Thank you!
Jessica
Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
One shop vac but multiple tools – disconnect and reconnect to each as I’m using them?
Angela,
Yes, you will want to directly connect to each tool as you use the tool. A shop vac won’t have enough suction to manage a duct system.
-Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
In using biscuits to connect 4 inch wide pieces 3/4 inch thick at 90 degrees: 2 45 degrees–I had to add a 1/4 inch shim to cut correctly & not blow out….but I have other angles that make & lining them up is difficult–any simple tricks? many thanks
Mike,
Sorry; I’m not following your question. Why are you adding a shim? And what are you having problems with lining up?
-Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
Hi George, Thanks for the recommendation on Long Way Round and Long Way Down
Bowl with crack and copper wires, show that to a woman that knits, it could hold the ball of yarn/twine.
Cheers from Athens Greece!
Can a table saw and a planer combined replace the absence of a jointer???
You could probably get by without a jointer if you are willing to be creative using a planer and table saw. I would see using a jig on both tools to provide the face jointing and edge jointing services that a jointer normally provides.
-Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
I like my guard on my dewalt table saw. I just bought a thin kerf blade. Now my wood jams a bit when I use my guard. What can I do to enable me to use my guard which I like for protection?
Mike,
It sounds like your riving knife is either not aligned properly, or you need a thinner one.
-Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
Tips for hand sharpening chisels and plane irons. I have a hard time getting them super sharp for nice crisp cuts. I’m using a 1000 grit diamond stone and then 3k, 8k whetted stones and finish with a strop. But for some reason I can’t seem to get hair cutting sharp.
Hello Chris!
George answered this question in the live video!
Thank you!
Jessica
Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
What type of wood is best to make a long bow. Want to use local wood. In the Southeast.
Kirk,
Here’s an article by on of the leading authorities on making longbows: https://www.wwgoa.com/article/how-to-make-a-longbow/#
I would suggest contacting Tom directly with questions.
For more information about how to make a longbow using longbow kits visit http://www.boisebowsandarrows.com or call (208) 484-2320.
-Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
What do you do about dust masks and working with glasses? Or should I go for a whole head mask/shield?
Hello Andrew!
George answered this question in the live video!
Thank you!
Jessica
Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
What in your opinion is the most durable table-top finish? Spray and/or brush on?
Mike,
I believe that the most durable table top finish is probably polyurethane. I don’t believe that the method of application will cause variations in the durability of a finish as long as you build up the same thickness. Since you typically dilute a finish for spraying, you would have to apply more coats if you apply that way.
-Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
Can you recommend a vacuum system for a small garage workshop? Thanks.
Hello James!
George answered this question in the live video!
Thank you!
Jessica
Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
How would you recommend recessing a floating shelf to put amsome flat lights and plexiglass on top of it
Hello Brad!
George answered this question in the live video!
Thank you!
Jessica
Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
What is the trick to cutting a datto for the bottom of a drawer when you are using through dovetails?
Lay out your pins and tails so that the placement of your groove will go through the middle of a socket on the tail board. Then, on the pin board, use a router table with a stop mounted on the fence to route a groove that doesn’t cut all the way through the end of the pin. I usually round the corners on the drawer bottom to make it so that you don’t have to route so close to the end of the pin because it can be vulnerable to breaking if you go too far.
-Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
New woodworker here. I bought new hand planes and socket chisels, as well as Veritas honing system. Which stones and/or paper would you recommend to start with? I’ve heard a 1000/8000 wet stones. thank you
Eric,
I’ve heard good things about it, but I do not use this system. I generally use sandpaper (scary sharp method) to sharpen my plane irons and chisels. If they are in rough shape I start with sandpaper in the 120 grit range, and I run them up to 1500 grit. When I just need to touch them up, I typically start with 400 or 600 grit, and work them up to 1500.
-Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
Water base vs oil base polyurethane?
Pros and cons.
Sean,
Water based:
– generally much faster drying than oil based- Can be more difficult to achieve a smooth surface (can bubble, not flow as well), although with practice it can be done- dries more clear compared to oil based which tends to be more amber in color- doesn’t suspend solids as well as oil based, which typically means that you have to apply more coats. If you need 3 coats of oil based, typically you would want 4 coats of water based to achieve the same protection. This varies from product to product.- emits less odor than oil based
-Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
Does the size of the panel or type of wood determine how much movement the table top has? Just want to know when table fasteners should be used and not pocket holes.
Hello Wesley!
George answered this question in the live video!
Thank you!
Jessica
Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
What’s your favorite glue for oily wood?
Hello Wayne!
George answered this question in the live video!
Thank you!
Jessica
Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
dust masks that work with glasses? Or should I go for a whole head mask/shield?
Hello Andrew!
George answered this question in the live video!
Thank you!
Jessica
Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
Any tips as to why I can’t seem to get a really good sharp edge on my chisels and plane irons. I use a 1000 diamond stone and then go to 3K,8K, whetted stones and then finish with a strop. Yet its still not super sharp.
Chris,
It’s difficult to say what is happening here. I’d suggest looking at the manual for the system that you are using, and starting back with the basics and see if you can tell where you might be going off course.
-Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
HI, appreciate some advice….I have a toy airplane with the body of basswood and wings, props and other parts of ash. The body is basswood. I painted the body with a child friendly water based paint. I oiled the ash with pure tung oil. I thought I was careful but dropped some oil on the paint. After it dried I tried to paint over the oil spot but the oil bleeds through. What can i do? Do I need to sand it back to bare wood and repaint the area? Thanks
Hello John!
George was able to answer this in the live stream. Thanks!
Jessica
Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
Hello