tag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:/blogs/the-carpenter-s-shop-blog?p=3Everyday Woodworking Blog2023-01-10T22:18:26-05:00Apple Valley Farmfalsetag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/71362772023-01-10T22:18:26-05:002023-10-16T10:58:40-04:00Season 3, Episode 1, The History of the Alaskan Sawmill<p>Everyday Woodworking </p>
<p>Season 3, Episode 1 </p>
<p>12-31-22 </p>
<p>History of the Alaskan Chainsaw Mill </p>
<p>WELCOME </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>Well welcome, everyone. Thanks a bunch for coming and hanging out with me today. </p>
<p>This is our first episode of Season 3, and of 2023. So Happy New Year to you and thank you for supporting us and making a Season 3 possible. </p>
<p>The idea of milling my own lumber has always been a romantic idea. And it’s funny, because I’m a woodworker, people are always asking me if I can come cut a tree down for them, or if I can come get one out of their yard. </p>
<p>But you know how expensive those big WoodMizer bandsaw mills can be! I just can’t afford $10,000 for “a new toy”, you know? </p>
<p>But if I could do some back yard lumber milling for say, $200-300…now that’s something I could do. And that’s exactly what were going to talk about today. </p>
<p>Introducing: The Alaskan Chainsaw Mill </p>
<p>Most of you probably know about the Alaskan Chainsaw Mill. Basically, it’s a jig that you mount your chainsaw to, then use a straightedge to mill up a log into some pretty sweet, rough cut boards. </p>
<p>But what you may not know, is the History of the Alaskan Chainsaw Mill. I didn’t, until last week. So I thought I’d share it with y’all here today. </p>
<p>GRANBERG AND HOW IT BEGAN </p>
<p>After WWII, veteran and contract logger Elof Granberg was tired of the inaccuracy of the freehand chainsaw sharpeners on the market, and he knew that there had to be a better solution. </p>
<p>Turns out he was right, and in 1954 Elof invented the File-n-Joint, the first ever bar mounted chain sharpener. </p>
<p>He also invented and introduced the first 12-volt portable chainsaw sharpener; the first adjustable and portable saw chain breaker/mender and the first chainsaw hedge trimmer attachment. </p>
<p>Shortly thereafter, in the 1960s, Will Malloff had invented a bar-mounted chainsaw “walk about mill”, nicknamed the “Alaskan”. Elof bought the rights to it and started re-working it into a more simple and streamline design. </p>
<p>The rest is history, and Granberg has become synonymous with the Alaskan Mill, and they’re THE industry leader, without debate. </p>
<p>Today, the Granberg Alaskan MKIV is the industry standard for chainsaw mills and is sold all over the world. </p>
<p>HOW DOES IT WORK? </p>
<p>That’s the question of the day. How does this thing work? Because I want to know so I can decide if I’m ordering one or not. </p>
<p>Let’s start with what it is. </p>
<p>The Definition - A chainsaw mill is a type of sawmill incorporating a chainsaw, that is used by one or two operators to mill logs into lumber for use in furniture, construction and other uses. It is different from bandsaw or circular saw mills, which are typically larger, heavier and permanent or semi-permanent in their location. The chainsaw mill is portable. You take the mill to your logs, instead of bringing the logs to the mill. </p>
<p>The Process - The mill attachment consists of a pair of guide rails which are attached to the bar of the chainsaw. The rails ride for the first cut on a plank or (more commonly) on a metal ladder which is screwed to the log. Afterwards the previously cut surface of the log is used to guide the chainsaw blade through the log at a consistent depth so that planks of a chosen thickness are cut. </p>
<p>The distance between the rails and the bar determines this thickness and it can be adjusted by moving the rails along a post at each end of the mill attachment. </p>
<p>That sounds so easy, man. I think I’m sold. </p>
<p>I’ve got a chainsaw. I’ve got an aluminum ladder. All I need is the mill! </p>
<p>WHERE DO YOU BUY AN ALASKAN SAWMILL? </p>
<p>In short just about any hardware store, home improvement center or online retailer. For most of us buying online, that would be Amazon. </p>
<p>I’m going to include some affiliate links in our show notes so you can click and head over. They help us, and no, they don’t cost you anything. </p>
<p>Also, depending on the size you need, a mill is going to run you anywhere from $139 up to $390. That’s without any accessories, extra guide rails, sharpener, etc. </p>
<p>Granberg Alaskan Chainsaw Mill MKIV 48 Inch G778-48 - https://amzn.to/3WTSqI8 <br>Granberg Alaskan Chainsaw Mill MKIV 36 Inch G778-36 - https://amzn.to/3WXjztD <br>Granberg Alaskan Chainsaw Mill, MKIV 30 Inch G778-30 - https://amzn.to/3CfSqdM <br>Granberg Alaskan Chainsaw Mill, MKIV 24 Inch G778-24 - https://amzn.to/3GcqBnP <br>Granberg Chainsaw Sharpener, G106B File-N-Joint Bar Mounted System - https://amzn.to/3Q77zDE <br>Granberg G1012XT Precision Grinder/Sharpener (12V) - https://amzn.to/3jzq3R0 <br>Timber Tuff TMS-24, 24" Saw Mill - https://amzn.to/3WFDFJ5 </p>
<p>MAKERS </p>
<p>One last thing. We’ve talked about Granberg being the alpha male of the chainsaw mill industry. But who else makes them? </p>
<p>Well, plenty of people. In addition to Granberg there’s: </p>
<p>Norwood - https://www.norwoodsawmills.com/ <br>LogoSol - https://www.logosol.com/ <br>FarmerTech - https://www.farmertec.com/ <br>Carmyra <br>Timber Tuff - http://www.timbertufftools.com/ <br>Hadden </p>
<p>Also check out this article by The Spruce on The Best Chainsaw Mills Of 2022. Well worth a look. - https://www.thespruce.com/best-chainsaw-mills-4172474 </p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>Was that cool or what? Chainsaw Mills. Man that’s the epitome of DIY isn’t it. Real mountain man stuff. </p>
<p>I hope this was helpful for you. And if you’re thinking about grabbing a chainsaw mill of your own, I hope this gives you some good info. </p>
<p>Basically, get a reputable product with a great warranty, built sturdy, and compatible with your saw. You do those things, how can you go wrong? </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>One last thing…if you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review. It makes such a difference for us…especially if you listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. </p>
<p>But, wherever you’re listening, we would still love it if you subscribed and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on YouTube, then obviously we try to post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. Definitely like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And finally, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes over at www.applevalleyfarmga.com where you can also find things like our store, downloadable woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>Alright, my friends! That’s it. Have a great day. Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…right here, on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>USEFUL LINKS </p>
<p>Chainsaw Lumber Making by Will Malloff - https://amzn.to/3G6Ed3P <br>Granberg Alaskan Chainsaw Mill MKIV 48 Inch G778-48 - https://amzn.to/3WTSqI8 <br>Granberg Alaskan Chainsaw Mill MKIV 36 Inch G778-36 - https://amzn.to/3WXjztD <br>Granberg Alaskan Chainsaw Mill, MKIV 30 Inch G778-30 - https://amzn.to/3CfSqdM <br>Granberg Alaskan Chainsaw Mill, MKIV 24 Inch G778-24 - https://amzn.to/3GcqBnP <br>Granberg Chainsaw Sharpener, G106B File-N-Joint Bar Mounted System - https://amzn.to/3Q77zDE <br>Granberg G1012XT Precision Grinder/Sharpener (12V) - https://amzn.to/3jzq3R0 </p>
<p>REFERENCE </p>
<p>https://www.granberg.com/ <br>http://www.madsens1.com/sa_mill_works.htm <br>https://www.granberg.com/history-future-chainsaw-mills-granberg-internationals-erik-granberg/ <br>https://themakinglife.com/granberg-alaskan-chainsaw-mill/ <br>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chainsaw_mill</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/67790012021-10-17T23:28:48-04:002021-10-17T23:28:48-04:00Season 2, Episode 7, Benchtop Planer Comparison<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Season 2, Episode 7 </p>
<p>SHOW NOTES </p>
<p>Benchtop Planer Comparison </p>
<p>WELCOME </p>
<p>Today, we’re looking at…Benchtop Planers! </p>
<p>The planer is one of those essential/optional tools for the home shop. You know, you always need one, but you have a hard time justifying it because, well…you don’t exactly always need one. LOL. </p>
<p>Today I’m going to really kick the hornet’s nest and look as objectively as I can at some of the most popular “lunchbox” style planers on the market. </p>
<p>You don’t want to go anywhere because it’s practically guaranteed that I’ll either leave your favorite out, or say something ugly about one you own. Or worse yet, say something good about one you hate! </p>
<p>It’s going to be fun though. So grab a cold one, get ready to watch the train wreck and join us as we do our Benchtop Planer Comparison! </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>Benchtop Planers. Ah yes…an item that, for some, invokes images of that “one day I’ll have it” tool, and for others, a sneer of disgust, as they catch a gleam of sunlight, flashing off their 20-inch industrial Powermatic, growling in the corner. </p>
<p>But for millions of hobby…well, and pro…woodworkers, the benchtop planer is a godsend. </p>
<p>Lovingly called by many, a “lunchbox” planer, because of its small size and boxy shape, the benchtop planer is just that…a planer that sits on a bench top. Or, a tabletop, as the specific shop may have it. </p>
<p>The Romans seem to have been the first users of the hand plane. And it took til the 1800s for Leonard Bailey to invent the father of today’s modern hand plane. Bailey sold his design to Stanley, and of course the rest the history. </p>
<p>The general idea of a motorized, stationary thickness planer had also been in practice as far back as the 1790s, and exploded in use in the mid 1800s in England and America. These giant steam-driven “Matchers” were used prominently in the furniture and flooring industries, and are still used to some extent today in many industrial applications or in professional shops where multiple planes of a board are addressed simultaneously. </p>
<p>The introduction of the benchtop planer for the home-based or small shop is actually unclear. But suffice it to say, the humble benchtop planer has revolutionized the way the small shop works. </p>
<p>For many of us, the planer ensures uniform thickness in random materials. Or it puts a fresh, smooth edge on a weathered board. For others, it saves quite a bit of money by allowing the user to plane rough stock themselves, versus buying finished lumber at the store. </p>
<p>They take up little space. They’re semi-portable. And their mess can be reasonably controlled. Plus, they’re relatively inexpensive, as shop tools go, although, it could be one of your biggest purchases. </p>
<p>One thing about the lunchbox. It’s loud. Good lord, they’re loud. So definitely safety up when you wheel yours out. It screams like a banshee and will fling a decent sized chunk of whatever you’re planning, at you like a bullet. Not to mention, the occasional entire board, if not used properly. </p>
<p>Give even though they’re mostly safe, give them their due respect if you want to stay 100 percent. </p>
<p>Before we move on though, let’s take a minute for a word from our friends and partners. </p>
<p>BODY </p>
<p>OK, welcome back. </p>
<p>So again, today, we’re looking at half a dozen of my favorite benchtop planers. Some are the most popular on the market at the time, and some are just because I like them. </p>
<p>But all in all, if you’re in the market for a Benchtop Planer of your own, you should be able to find what you’re looking for, within these ranks. And hopefully, after this report, you’ll be armed with enough info to buy with confidence. </p>
<p>Today’s Contenders include: </p>
<p>DeWalt DW734 <br>Ridgid R4331 <br>The Craftsman CMEW320 <br>The Ryobi AP 1305 <br>The Delta 22-555 <br>Bauer 1621 E-B </p>
<p>We’ll take a quick look at each of them in no particular order, and give you the impartial data, collected from a variety of online sources. </p>
<p>We’ll also have a link in the shop notes to our free Comprehensive Comparison Spreadsheet, exclusively for our Patreon Supporters. </p>
<p>Well let’s get this party started. Benchtop Planers…head to head. Here we go. </p>
<p>The DeWalt DW734 </p>
<p>I don’t have a lot of first-hand experience with DeWalt, except a corded drill that someone gave me, second hand, it lasted ME for like, 15 years. So based on that, and on the online comments I see, DeWalt is considered a real workhorse. I can only assume their planers are the same. </p>
<p>As for price, at $499, the DW734 clocks in at the second most expensive planer on our list. But it is a 3-blade planer, which is a plus. And at 33.5 inches, it has the longest combined input and outfeed table lengths of any of its competitors. Its maximum rpms is 10K, which is about in the middle. </p>
<p>It is quite heavy though. (80 lbs) That could be attributed to a good quality construction, but it could also be just due to a lack of innovative engineering. I can’t really say for sure. But it definitely makes it tough to move around the shop, if you’re like me and can’t give it a dedicated home. </p>
<p>All in all, I’d say it’s not drop dead sexy, but in this class, I doubt it’s supposed to be. But it is pretty impressive, and I’d be inclined to buy it, if money wasn’t a barrier. </p>
<p>Ridgid R4331 </p>
<p>Next up, the big orange. Ridgid has definitely made a name for themselves as the upper-end of the homeowner grade tool manufacturer. They make good stuff, fairly affordable, readily available and they seem to be on the cusp of things as far as innovation goes. </p>
<p>The Ridgid lunchbox is one that I’ve been drooling over for quite a while. Every time I have to go to Home Depot to grab a box of pocket screws, it’s sitting there on the opposing shelf, just mocking me. So we cross paths, on a regular basis. </p>
<p>At $459, is just behind the DeWalt, and is the 3rd most pricey of the planers in our group. It also has 3 cutting blades, which, IMO is again, quite a plus. Three blades just give you a greater tendency for smoother cutting, overall. </p>
<p>It maxes out at 9K RPMS…I’m not sure why. That seems low to me, but I probably need someone to explain the value of RPMs in a planer. I would think you would want a higher RPM, but I’m not sure. </p>
<p>The Ridgid is only 1 of 2 planers in our group that have the ability to accept a full 13-inch wide material. The rest are just 12 ½ inches. </p>
<p>And it looks like the Ridgid is the only planer we compared that has a lifetime service agreement. That was interesting. I’m not sure what the details of that may be, but it initially sounds very impressive. </p>
<p>Craftsman CMEW320 </p>
<p>Next, the Craftsman CMEW320. </p>
<p>Now for me, I grew up when Craftsman hand tools were the picture of durability and American made dependability. I mean, you knew, if you had a Craftsman combination wrench, and you EVER had a problem with it, you just took it back to the local Sears store and they gave you another one. It was amazing. </p>
<p>And because of that, the Craftsman power tools carried that same reputation along with them. I don’t know if they deserved that, completely, but they were good tools and they were affordable. And in the days before places like Home Depot and Lowe’s, having Craftsman in a Sears store was huge. </p>
<p>You may remember me talking about how my family started woodworking, back in the 80’s. My dad went to Sears, bought a radial arm saw, a band saw, a drill and sander, and turned me loose. They were all Craftsman, and they lasted us for years and years. </p>
<p>So the Craftsman planer is intriguing to me. I believe Lowe’s has either bought the Craftsman name now, or they at least are the exclusive distributor for it. But nevertheless… </p>
<p>Unfortunately, Craftsman power tools do not have the same trust among consumers that they once held. And I think their planer is sort of the case in point as to why that is. </p>
<p>The Craftsman is the second largest planer in our group. And its input and outfeed table lengths are woefully lacking. Actually almost half the length of everyone else. That makes snipe really, really hard to battle…as if it wasn’t already. </p>
<p>It has the lowest RPM rating, at 8K. And we’re down to 2 blades. </p>
<p>It does have a carriage lock and dust collection, which is on par with the rest of the pack. And it is the 2nd least expensive in the bunch. So it is very affordable. </p>
<p>It’s quite light though, at under 65 pounds. It’s about in the middle for our group. </p>
<p>Let’s take a quite break, with a word from some of our friends and partners. </p>
<p>Ryobi AP 1305 </p>
<p>Next, the Ryobi AP 1305. </p>
<p>Now Ryobi, IMO, is THE homeowner grade power tool, today. They have a huge catalog, wide availability, a nice reputation, and they’re very affordable. </p>
<p>For me, almost every power tool I have for our woodworking business, is a Ryobi. I’ve used most of them for nearly 6 years, on a daily basis, and they have been super dependable. </p>
<p>They aren’t exactly dead-on accurate, like with my table saw. But they get the job done, and for me, they live up to what they’re reported to be. Which is great, affordable tools. </p>
<p>I once had a guy at a local tool store tell me that you just “can’t make a living with these tools”. But that’s exactly what I’ve been doing. But I take care of my stuff. </p>
<p>Back to my old adage…buy the best tool you can afford at the time, then take care of it. That has served us well, and I daresay, it will continue to do so. </p>
<p>Frankly, I was not familiar with the Ryobi benchtop planer. I’ve got a Ryobi powered hand planer, and I really don’t care for it, but the benchtop model, I really didn’t even know they made one until now. </p>
<p>It’s no GOAT, but it’s OK. </p>
<p>It’s actually in the middle on almost everything. Price, dimensions, material opening, warranty. And that’s actually, expected. </p>
<p>It is heavy though. Matching its nemesis, the Ridgid at just under 73 pounds. And it only had 2 blades. Non-reversible ones, at that. </p>
<p>The RPMs are surprising though, with the max rating at 18,800. Wow! I would assume that’s a big thumbs up, but again, I need to dig not that more to be sure. </p>
<p>The Ryobi was the only one that doesn’t even try to claim to be American made, which was surprising. Although, these days, it’s hard to know what is and what isn’t, according to the definitions the government uses. </p>
<p>Delta 22-555 </p>
<p>Next, the Delta 22-555. </p>
<p>This guy doesn’t seem to be in the mix whenever I see the typical planer comparisons. And I don’t know why. It’s no runaway, but the Delta is a solid contender. </p>
<p>It has a reputation though, as do all Delta tools. For me, this was the first planer I ever used. A friend loaned me his for a few weeks, and it spoiled me. </p>
<p>I ran all manner of material through it, swapped blades easily, dealt with shavings without issue. All in all, it was just a great, little, problem-free machine. And I always said I’d buy one when I got my own. </p>
<p>Well, I didn’t, but I still respect the Delta, and I made sure to add it in, here. And it holds its own quite well. </p>
<p>It is the largest of the bunch, but surprisingly, the lightest, at a scant 58 pounds. It is the most expensive though, retailing for $535. </p>
<p>9,400 RPM limit, and two blades. Not all that impressive. But it’s the only other planer that will take 13-inch wide material, so that’s a big plus. </p>
<p>Everyone else has a 3-year warranty. The Delta steps it up with a full five years. That impresses me. </p>
<p>Bauer 1621 E-B </p>
<p>Finally, we have the Bauer 1621 E-B. </p>
<p>In case you aren’t familiar with the name, this is one of Harbor Freight’s brands. And…it happens to be the planer that we own and use in our woodworking business. </p>
<p>Harbor Freight, IMO get s bad rap for selling cheap tools. And frankly, they do…their tools are generally cheap, as in “inexpensive”. Some of their tools are also cheap, as in “crap”. But honestly, I’ve bought thousands of dollars worth of HF tools, and have rarely run across the crap. </p>
<p>The Bauer is a cool name to me because it makes me think of Jack Bauer. And anything that relates back to Kiefer Sutherland gets instant cool points. </p>
<p>But aside from that, it’s the most affordable in the bunch, retailing for a mere $359. And if you’re like me, you can use your Inside Track membership and find a sale and snag one for $282. Now that’s a deal. </p>
<p>Along with the Ryobi, the Bauer boast a whopping 18,800 max RPM for its two non-reversible blades. </p>
<p>Everything else was about average. Except the input and outfeed table length, matching the Ryobi for the second longest in the bunch. Very nice. It also matches the weight of the Craftsman at just under 65 pounds. </p>
<p>The downside with the Bauer, and this is just Harbor Freight…is the warranty. 90 days, and that’s it. Everyone else is 3 years, except the Delta. That’s not very long, and it’s an area that I think HF should re-evaluate when it comes to large purchases. But that’s just me. </p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>And look at that! We’re done. </p>
<p>I know that was a little long, but it’s about as abbreviated as I felt like I could do. Still…lots of info we could cover on these guys. Chances are, I’ll revisit some of these in more detail in a later episode. </p>
<p>Y’all let me know which one or ones you’d like to know more about an I’ll start prepping for it. </p>
<p>One of the best places to share your thoughts or questions is on our new Facebook Group. Just search for Everyday Woodworking on the Facebook app and join us there or I’ll leave a link to the group in our show notes. </p>
<p>Hey, I hope this was helpful. And again, just to remind you… </p>
<p>We’ll have a link in the show notes to our free Comprehensive Comparison Spreadsheet, with all of this data, and a whole lot more, exclusively for our Patreon Supporters. </p>
<p>Also, we’ll have links to each of the manufacturer’s websites for these planers, and links for you to purchase any of them if you want. FYI, these are affiliate links so please use them…it helps us out a little, but it doesn’t cost you any extra to do so. </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>A last couple of things, before we go…wherever you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review and spread the word to your friends about us. And of course we would love it if you subscribed to us and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, we try to post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. So if YouTube is your thing, then definitely look us up and like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>Finally, your support helps make it possible for Everyday Woodworking to continue to be on the air. So we’d love it if you blessed us with your financial support through our friends at Patreon. Monthly support starts at just $5. Thank you in advance for your help! - https://www.patreon.com/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>And that is it for now. Again, thank you so much for being here. We hope you enjoyed this. Have a great day, and we’ll look forward to seeing you next time…right here, on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>DeWalt DW734 - https://amzn.to/3DMqYT9 </p>
<p>Dewalt - https://www.dewalt.com/ </p>
<p>Ridgid R4331 - https://amzn.to/3j7f2Du </p>
<p>Ridgid – https://www.ridgid.com/ </p>
<p>Craftsman CMEW320 - https://amzn.to/3pjRpLI </p>
<p>Craftsman - https://www.craftsman.com/ </p>
<p>Ryobi AP 1305 - https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-15-Amp-12-1-2-in-Corded-Thickness-Planer-with-Planer-Knives-Knife-Removal-Tool-Hex-Key-and-Dust-Hood-AP1305/316461103 </p>
<p>Ryobi - https://www.ryobitools.com/ </p>
<p>Delta 22-555 - https://amzn.to/3DPnUFU </p>
<p>Delta - https://deltamachinery.com/ </p>
<p>Bauer 1621 E-B - https://www.harborfreight.com/15-amp-12-12-in-portable-thickness-planer-63445.html </p>
<p>Harbor Freight - https://www.harborfreight.com/ </p>
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<p>Apple Valley Cornhole Ad music – Dirty Rock – Twisterium. Courtesy of Pixabay. - https://pixabay.com/music/introoutro-dirty-rock-5896/ </p>
<p>Also, FYI, some of the links we display here are affiliate links. When you click on them and purchase a product from that link, we make a commission. It helps us, but it doesn’t affect your purchase price. So thank you for helping us continue to do what we do through Affiliate Purchases! </p>
<p>Planer, thickness planer, lunchbox, benchtop, Stanley, history, comparison, power planer, dewalt, craftsman, ridged, ryobi, delta, bauer, harbor freight, tools, shop tools, small shop, woodworking, apple valley, apple valley farm, Jack Bauer, Kiefer Sutherland, Estwing, Patreon, Peace and Wellness</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/67719862021-10-10T19:41:11-04:002021-10-10T19:55:13-04:00Season 2, Episode 6 - Woodsmith Shop Q&A<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Season 2, Episode 6 </p>
<p>SHOP NOTES </p>
<p>Q&A with The Woodsmith Shop </p>
<p>WELCOME </p>
<p>Welcome to Everyday Woodworking, a podcast for smart discussions about the craft, business and love of woodworking, both as a hobby and a profession. </p>
<p>I’m your host, Ricky Fitzpatrick. I am a woodworker, and the owner of Apple Valley Farm, where we make handmade crafts and décor. I’ve been woodworking most of my life, and now with Everyday Woodworking, I have the opportunity to share my experience, thoughts and even my challenges with you. </p>
<p>And I can’t wait for you to join me right here for the next episode of Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>Well hey, everyone, and welcome back to the show. </p>
<p>If you’re thinking you might’ve missed something because you didn’t catch last week’s show, well never fear. You aren’t going as crazy as your wife says you are. Man, if there’s a sinus infection to be had, I seem to get it, and I had one last week that was just kicking my butt. </p>
<p>I don’t know how a sinus infection affects most folks but for me it’s almost like having the flu. I mean it just knocks me for a loop, and I can’t breathe. I can’t talk…which is a big problem if you’re recording a podcast! </p>
<p>Anyway, we just skipped last week. And…I figured you’d probably need the rest because this week…! </p>
<p>I told y’all it was going to be a big one. And it is. This week, we’re coming in hot with my interview…I guess, would you call it an interview? It was more of a Q&A, really. Let’s call it a Q&A. </p>
<p>This week, we’ve got my Q&A with Phil Huber and Chris Fitch, hosts of The Woodsmith Shop. </p>
<p>So in case you don’t remember, we’ve been working on several guest interviews, and two of them came together this past week. </p>
<p>I’ve already been saying how excited I am about this, but I’m just going to say it again. It really is pretty freaking awesome, man. I mean, think about it…here I am, just a regular guy, with a one-man woodworking business and a podcast that we record in my spare room, and I’m mixing it up with some of the most recognizable people in the woodworking world. I mean, how cool is that? </p>
<p>To say I left this conversation with some new information would definitely be an understatement. It was fun. It was educational. And frankly, it really inspired me in my work ethic and the way I approach not just my business, but the craft of woodworking. </p>
<p>And I have no doubt that it’s going to be one for the books for you guys too. </p>
<p>But first…we’re going to grab a quick break from some of our partners. </p>
<p>---------------------------------- </p>
<p>BODY </p>
<p>OK, welcome back. </p>
<p>So I’ve made y’all wait about as long as I can. I can’t stand it myself! So what do you say we just get this thing started? </p>
<p>Let’s do it. </p>
<p>So without further delay, it really is my thrill to share my Q&A with Phil Huber and Chris Fitch, hosts of The Woodsmith Shop. </p>
<p>Q&A </p>
<p><em>(Transcription Coming. To hear our Q&A though, you can always listen to us wherever you podcast or on the Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel.) </em></p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>So was that awesome? Wow. What a ton of great conversation, tips, advice…from two of some of the most knowledgeable woodworkers in the business. </p>
<p>I mean, of course, I’m star struck still. But if I had just listened, I’d be saying “Man, that was good stuff.” I think we can all say that we probably heard at least one thing that we can take away that we can apply to our shop or process to make some improvements. I just really enjoyed it. </p>
<p>Hey, again, many thanks to Phil and Chris and everyone at the Woodsmith organization who is responsible for filling our lives with tons of valuable information, all the time. I can definitely say that I’ll leave this hour, a better woodworker and probably, a better person. </p>
<p>I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. And if you did, be sure to let us know. </p>
<p>One of the best places to share your thoughts or questions is on our new Facebook Group. Just search for Everyday Woodworking on the Facebook app and join us there or I’ll leave a link to the group in our show notes. </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>A last couple of things, before we go…wherever you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review and spread the word to your friends about us. And of course we would love it if you subscribed to us and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, we try to post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. So if YouTube is your thing, then definitely look us up and like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>Finally, your support helps make it possible for Everyday Woodworking to continue to be on the air. So we’d love it if you blessed us with your financial support through our friends at Patreon. Monthly support starts at just $5. Thank you in advance for your help! - https://www.patreon.com/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>And that is it for now. Again, thank you so much for being here. We hope you enjoyed this. Have a great day, and we’ll look forward to seeing you next time…right here, on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Woodsmith Shop - https://www.woodsmithshop.com/ </p>
<p>Woodsmith Magazine - https://www.facebook.com/woodsmithmagazine/ </p>
<p>Woodsmith Shop Television Show - https://www.instagram.com/woodsmithshopshow/ </p>
<p>Woodsmith Shop on Twitter - https://twitter.com/woodsmithshop </p>
<p>Woodsmith Shop on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/WoodsmithShop?sub_confirmation=1 </p>
<p>Shop Notes Podcast - https://www.woodsmith.com/podcast/ </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm – http://applevalleyfarmga.com/ </p>
<p>Apple Valley Cornhole, Premium Cornhole Boards - https://applevalleyfarmga.com/apple-valley-cornhole </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Join our new FB group over at https://www.facebook.com/groups/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </p>
<p>FeedSpot - https://blog.feedspot.com/woodworking_podcasts/ </p>
<p>Riverside.fm - https://tinyurl.com/riverside-ricky </p>
<p>Click the link to learn more about purchasing an Audible Gift Membership for 1, 3, 6 or 12 months from Amazon. A fantastic gift for not only the Holidays, but any time of the year! - https://amzn.to/3CU7o6T </p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at https://www.online-convert.com/ for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>PhotoScissors for helping us with part of our graphic design tasks for Thumbnails and cover art. - https://photoscissors.com/ </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - https://www.audacityteam.org/ </p>
<p>The music for our Season Two podcast intro and outro is from the song Blue Vibes, by guitarist Michael Kobrin, courtesy of Pixabay. - https://pixabay.com/music/modern-blues-blues-vibes-100-bpm-michael-kobrin-3780/ </p>
<p>ProWash Ad music - All My Shuffling - Silent Partner. All rights reserved. Used with permission. https://youtu.be/XLxIqdWsveU </p>
<p>EW Patreon Ad music – Punky from https://www.bensound.com </p>
<p>Apple Valley Cornhole Ad music – Dirty Rock – Twisterium. Courtesy of Pixabay. - https://pixabay.com/music/introoutro-dirty-rock-5896/ </p>
<p>Also, FYI, some of the links we display here are affiliate links. When you click on them and purchase a product from that link, we make a commission. It helps us, but it doesn’t affect your purchase price. So thank you for helping us continue to do what we do through Affiliate Purchases!</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/67592312021-09-27T20:29:15-04:002021-09-27T20:29:15-04:00Season 2 Episode 5 - Woodworking Projects That Sell...Or Not<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Season 2, Episode 5 </p>
<p>SHOP NOTES </p>
<p>Woodworking Projects That Sell. Or Not. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>Well hey, everyone, and welcome back to the show. </p>
<p>Have you been following me on Facebook!? If you haven’t, you definitely need to join our Everyday Woodworking group there. I’ve been posting all week about the cool stuff we’ve been doing. </p>
<p>So in case you don’t remember, we’ve been working on several guest interviews, and two of them came together this past week. </p>
<p>Roy Underhill, for one, and Phil Huber and Chris Fitch, hosts of the Woodsmith Shop TV show. </p>
<p>It’s pretty surreal, just getting my head around these conversations. You know, trying to keep it all organized but informal, and trying to shake my nerves. </p>
<p>But in the end, it all came together so well. Roy, Phil and Chris were all just fantastic interviewees. They all shared SO much knowledge and wisdom, and…you definitely want to stay close and listen because those episodes are going to be coming out, probably starting next week. </p>
<p>Very exciting. Very fun. And dude, I am very blessed. That’s a fact. </p>
<p>We also started using, or I should say “trying”, a new recording platform that records our remote interviews in the cloud and applies a host of editing effects to them, automatically. It’s called riverside.fm and frankly, I don’t think we’re going to be able to live without it. It’s amazing so far. </p>
<p>But we’re still tip toeing through it, so…more to come as we dig deeper into its functionality. </p>
<p>And on top of all that, we’ve got this week’s show! </p>
<p>This week, we’re talking about probably one of, if not THE biggest challenge that woodworkers who sell their wares, face. If you sell your work, either as a full-time profession, as a side hustle, at festivals and fairs or online or all of the above, then this is a subject that will hit home. I know it will, because it gets me right where it hits me. </p>
<p>And that is…coming up. </p>
<p>We’re going to jump into all that in just a second. But before we do, let’s take a quick break. </p>
<p>---------------------------------- </p>
<p>BODY </p>
<p>OK, welcome back. And I know you’ve been dying to find out what I’m talking about today. Well…that is, unless you’ve read the title of the podcast! </p>
<p>But this week, we’re looking at simply…what sells. Or more accurately, “What sells?” With a question mark. </p>
<p>That’s the same question we’re all asking ourselves. That is, if you sell your woodwork. </p>
<p>And let me preface this discussion by saying, we’re going to look at this from a purely business POV. We’re not even bringing up things like satisfaction, personal pride, or emotional and psychological benefits and effects. And I mention that because all those things are for me, some of the THE most important factors you should be considering. But for the moment, we’re just looking at the black and white of it. </p>
<p>So…the idea that we just work in a social bubble, and make what brings us peace and contentment, and the world responds to that and supports us financially because they share in our happiness…that’s fantasy. </p>
<p>Does it happen? Yes! It definitely does. But only like 1% of 1% of the time. How do you pay the bills (or at least cover your expenses) the rest of the time when it doesn’t work? </p>
<p>What we want and need to do is have some sort of glimpse into what our clients and potential customers actually want, before we make it. Right? </p>
<p>Well hallelujah…did you know that there is already a way you can do exactly that? </p>
<p>Absolutely. Just Google “Woodworking projects that sell”. And you’ll get like 25 gagillion search results, most of them “guaranteeing” you absolute insight into the buying habits of the global consumer. </p>
<p>I mean here are some of the titles of articles, blog posts, videos and books: </p>
<p>35 Woodworking Projects That Will Sell <br>50 Woodworking Projects That Will Make You Rich <br>17 Woodworking Crafts That People Want <br>150 Woodworking Plans That Will Make You Money </p>
<p>Wow! Who knew!? </p>
<p>OK, if you haven’t picked up on the sarcasm…I’m kidding. </p>
<p>If it was that easy, everybody would be doing it. </p>
<p>Well actually, let me rethink that. Actually, it probably WAS that easy, and everybody IS doing it. That’s why you can’t sell these things. Because the market is just saturated. </p>
<p>Yes, you’ll use Google and dozen other resources to help you find the products that pose the least risk and the greatest chance for profit. But there is no crystal ball. At the end of the day, you’re going to have to make an educated guess. </p>
<p>“What sort of products are you talking about, Ricky?” </p>
<p>OK. Let’s pull up a few of the most popular…excuse me…the most “guaranteed, sure-fire, money in the bank projects”! (Please) </p>
<p>We’ll pull from an article entitled “23 Genius Woodworking Projects That Sell in 2021”. Hey…Sounds like we’re about to get some very reliable information. </p>
<p>A Wine Rack </p>
<p>Nice. A simple but functional wooden rack that holds a few wine bottles and allows some stemware to hang underneath. </p>
<p>Hey, I like it! It checks a lot of my “research” boxes. Simple. Rustic. Affordable to make. Potentially profitable. </p>
<p>But what about popularity? Or even better…what about trendiness? </p>
<p>Because a popular item will sit in your shop for 6 months. But trendy items can sell faster than you can get them made. </p>
<p>A rustic DIY-type wine rack has been around for at least 5 years already. It isn’t trendy any longer. </p>
<p>Do they still sell? Yes. You bet. Do they still sell enough to make it </p>
<p>Worth your time to build a dozen? Most likely not. You may sell a1 or 2, and then it’s over. That isn’t a smart way to structure your business. </p>
<p>Wait. Let me back up… </p>
<p>Can you make money, or even make a living, selling 1 or 2 of this and 1 or 2 of that? You bet you can. That’s how I did it for the first 5 years of our woodworking business. </p>
<p>But it’s hard. I mean hard work, Jack. </p>
<p>You’ll never find an efficient workflow like that. You have to hone your focus to a handful of items that you can build a process around. So you can make, say…50 of them at once. And actually SELL them! </p>
<p>If you get a dozen products like that. Now you’re doing something. </p>
<p>OK, back to the “genius list”. </p>
<p>Let’s take something that we actually make. </p>
<p>Cutting Boards. </p>
<p>Cutting boards are in fact both popular and trendy. We make them in our shop. And we sell them. Although we don’t sell as many as we did a year ago. </p>
<p>And art of that is multi-fold. One, a lot more people are making them. Two, a lot of people already own them. And three, the consumer demand is shifting away from a traditionally designed cutting board, to more novel shapes. That’s not something we’ve adapted to take advantage of. So what’s happening? Our sales are down. </p>
<p>Are cutting and charcuterie boards a good item for this subject? IMO, yes. But only if you can set yourself apart with either your price, your design or by using wood that has such a compelling story/history that it compels people to buy them. </p>
<p>So that one…that’s good. (For now.) </p>
<p>Chess Board with Sliding Cover Case </p>
<p>Come on. Seriously? </p>
<p>A chess board? </p>
<p>OK, let’s say you have the skill to make a dual wood species chessboard. Then you have to build a storage box for that lid to slide into. And according to the article, little storage compartments for each of the pieces. Which, by the way, you’ll turn and craft by hand. </p>
<p>And when you’re finished, you’ll have like 30 hours and $100 worth of material in this guy. </p>
<p>If I search for “handmade, wooden chessboard”, most of the results I see are selling in the $150-200 range. Yeah, there’s a $1,700 one, but you and I both know, that’s the exception, not the rule. </p>
<p>So let’s say you can sell yours for the top of the average. No let’s double that to $400. Minus $100 for materials. That leaves $300, and you spent 30 hours on it. That puts you making $10 an hour. And that doesn’t even include the time and cost of going to the store for the materials or the cost of electricity, running all your tools for 30 hours. And the depreciated cost of those tools that you had to purchase at some point. </p>
<p>Hey, if $10 an hour, gross, is good with you, then more power to you. But I’m out. I can’t live off that. And I certainly can’t keep my passion alive for that, as a business owner. </p>
<p>One more… </p>
<p>Picture Frames </p>
<p>This one, I’m on the fence about. We actually make picture frames as well. However, we don’t sell picture frames. </p>
<p>We do sell artwork that we package in one of our frames. And it’s profitable. </p>
<p>A picture frame, as the list suggests, isn’t terribly difficult to make. Especially the ones we make. We use a very simple butt joint to make a rust frame out of reclaimed wood. </p>
<p>As long as our ends are square and our rabbet is deep enough, then everything works like a charm. </p>
<p>The problem with picture frames is that, like the wine rack, people do still buy them, but the market is very saturated and the demand is very low. </p>
<p>So I say I’m on the fence because I do believe frames can be a great project for a woodworker to sell, but not as a stand-alone item. You just have to sell them with some included artwork, prints, paintings, original photos, etc. </p>
<p>Other no-no’s: </p>
<p>Clock <br>Quilt Rack <br>Blanket Ladder <br>Coaster <br>Bottle Opener <br>Wooden Flag <br>Wooden Spoons <br>Farmhouse Table <br>Wooden Bath/Door Mat <br>Trash Can Holder <br>Log Lamp (or any “log” craft) <br>Hall Tree <br>Console (or Hall) Table <br>TV Stand <br>Dollhouse <br>Picnic Table <br>Adirondack Chairs <br>Tealight/Candle Holder </p>
<p>And that’s just getting started. </p>
<p>So now that I’ve totally bashed on the experts out there about all those guaranteed-to-sell projects you can make, you might be saying “OK smartypants, what DOES sell?” </p>
<p>Alright, I’m going to give you a quick and dirty list of what works for us and what I would invest my time in as a woodworker. Keep in mind though, one, this is my opinion, not a guarantee, and two, this is at this moment, and not a prediction for next Spring. </p>
<p>OK, my Top 10 suggestions for woodworking projects you can sell and actually make money… </p>
<p>Cornhole Boards – But they have to be unique…or cheap. <br>Cutting Boards – But again, unique. Basic is so last year. <br>Welcome Signs – Yes they’re everywhere, and yes, well-lettered ones keep selling. <br>Turned Bowls – Out of my wheelhouse, but a well crafted turned bowl never goes out of style. <br>Wedding Signs – If you have the calligraphy knack, you’ll never go hungry, because weddings never stop. <br>Birth Announcement Signs – What I just said. Babies keep coming. <br>Birdhouses/Feeders – Another perennial favorite. A well-made bird house will always sell. <br>Bathtub Caddy – Although post-peak, if you already make cutting boards, it’s easy to add some hands and a hole for a glass. An easy to make profitable item. <br>Kitchen Tables – Although in my list of no-no’s (above), a unique combination of materials and finish can make this incredibly profitable. <br>Stove Top Covers – But only if you can personalize them, well. That means, not with vinyl decals or stencils. </p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>So now that I’ve offended half (or more) of the entire woodworking and crafting community… </p>
<p>No, I realize that many of my no’s are yeses in the right setting. And many of my yeses are no’s when the right customer comes along. So hey, I get it. Please understand that I’m giving you a generalized opinion. </p>
<p>But…I’ve been doing this for a very long time. So while I’m not claiming to know the future, I’m very confident in my evaluations here. </p>
<p>Nevertheless, as always, if you have some suggestions or additions or even some outright, in my face arguments about any of this, you are more than welcome to let me know. </p>
<p>One of the best places to share your thoughts or questions is on our new Facebook Group. Just search for Everyday Woodworking on the Facebook app and join us there or I’ll leave a link to the group in our show notes. </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>A last couple of things, before we go…wherever you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review and spread the word to your friends about us. And of course we would love it if you subscribed to us and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, we try to post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. So if YouTube is your thing, then definitely look us up and like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>Finally, your support helps make it possible for Everyday Woodworking to continue to be on the air. So we’d love it if you blessed us with your financial support through our friends at Patreon. Monthly support starts at just $5. Thank you in advance for your help! - https://www.patreon.com/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>And that is it for now. Again, thank you so much for being here. We hope you enjoyed this. Have a great day, and we’ll look forward to seeing you next time…right here, on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm – http://applevalleyfarmga.com/ </p>
<p>Apple Valley Cornhole, Premium Cornhole Boards - https://applevalleyfarmga.com/apple-valley-cornhole </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Join our new FB group over at https://www.facebook.com/groups/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </p>
<p>FeedSpot - https://blog.feedspot.com/woodworking_podcasts/ </p>
<p>Riverside.fm - https://tinyurl.com/riverside-ricky </p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at https://www.online-convert.com/ for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>PhotoScissors for helping us with part of our graphic design tasks for Thumbnails and cover art. - https://photoscissors.com/ </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - https://www.audacityteam.org/ </p>
<p>The music for our Season Two podcast intro and outro is from the song Blue Vibes, by guitarist Michael Kobrin, courtesy of Pixabay. - https://pixabay.com/music/modern-blues-blues-vibes-100-bpm-michael-kobrin-3780/ </p>
<p>ProWash Ad music - All My Shuffling - Silent Partner. All rights reserved. Used with permission. https://youtu.be/XLxIqdWsveU </p>
<p>EW Patreon Ad music – Punky from https://www.bensound.com </p>
<p>Apple Valley Cornhole Ad music – Dirty Rock – Twisterium. Courtesy of Pixabay. - https://pixabay.com/music/introoutro-dirty-rock-5896/ </p>
<p>Also, FYI, some of the links we display here are affiliate links. When you click on them and purchase a product from that link, we make a commission. It helps us, but it doesn’t affect your purchase price. So thank you for helping us continue to do what we do through Affiliate Purchases!</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/67513042021-09-19T17:37:45-04:002021-09-19T17:37:45-04:00Season 2 Episode 4 - Essential Woodworking Books<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Season 2, Episode 4 </p>
<p>SHOP NOTES </p>
<p>Essential Woodworking Books </p>
<p>WELCOME </p>
<p>Welcome to Everyday Woodworking, a podcast for smart discussions about the craft, business and love of woodworking, both as a hobby and a profession. </p>
<p>I’m your host, Ricky Fitzpatrick. I am a woodworker, and the owner of Apple Valley Farm, where we make handmade crafts and décor. I’ve been woodworking most of my life, and now with Everyday Woodworking, I have the opportunity to share my experience, thoughts and even my challenges with you. </p>
<p>And I can’t wait for you to join me right here for the next episode of Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the Everyday Woodworking Podcast! Boy have we got a LOT happening around here. </p>
<p>In case you don’t know, our woodworking business is just booming right now. Some of it is just unexplainable to me, but at least for the moment, it’s because it’s September. And this is always the start of the very busy Holiday Season, that runs through about mid-December. </p>
<p>Plus, we’re just starting to work on a new podcast about the area where we live and work, Jackson County, GA. That’s a lot of fun, but lots of planning involved. </p>
<p>And finally, the Everyday Woodworking podcast is just exploding in growth. It’s crazy. And exciting. And I just found out yesterday that we’re going to be spending some time with Roy Underhill as a part of an interview for an upcoming episode. </p>
<p>Roy is the creator and host of The Woodright’s Shop, which is an iconic woodworking show. I still can’t believe I’ve even been emailing with him, much less getting ready to have a conversation with him. It’s just amazing, the doors that are opening and the people that God is putting our path. </p>
<p>But, this week’s show is also going to be a lot of fun. And as an avid book junkie, I’m very excited about this one. This week, we’re talking about Essential Woodworking Books. </p>
<p>We all have them. We all love them. And we all want more of them! But if we had to narrow the list down to just an essential handful, what would they be? Well I’m going to tell you MY picks… </p>
<p>But not yet… </p>
<p>We’re going to jump into all that in just a second. But before we do, let’s take a quick break. </p>
<p>---------------------------------- </p>
<p>BODY </p>
<p>When I was a teenager, before the days of eBooks and digital downloads…I remember going to the bookstore in Georgia Square Mall, in Athens. Most of the kids were cruising around outside (if you don’t know what “cruising” is then shame on you. You young whippersnapper… </p>
<p>But I was almost always inside, lost in the record store (yes, records) or the bookstore. </p>
<p>My book buying process was pretty straightforward. Browse titles that I’d never heard of, and buy the first one that had a cover that caught my attention. Really. I was that shallow. </p>
<p>But I encountered countless amazing reads that way. A few duds. But overwhelmingly, a lot of wonderful books. Many of which, I still have today. </p>
<p>One of them was the first book on my list: </p>
<p>- </p>
<p>Back To Basics: A Complete Guide To Traditional Skills, by Abigail Gehring (editor). It isn’t specifically a woodworking wood, but there are woodworking ideas in there. And it was Back To Basics that captured my imagination, through simple, easy to follow ideas and projects. </p>
<p>To be honest, I don’t have that first copy. But after I lost it, I went right back downtown and bought another one. And I’m looking at it right now on my bookshelf. </p>
<p>It’s my first suggestion for an essential book that every woodworker should have in their collection. I will never be without it. </p>
<p>- </p>
<p>The next title is The Complete Book of Woodworking by Tom Carpenter. Considered by many to be the woodworking bible, I would highly recommend it. Especially for beginning woodworkers. </p>
<p>The Complete Book of Woodworking is filled not only with simple, non-intimidating projects that will test and push your skill, but it’s chock full of basic technique tutorials. And that’s why it’s so important to me. </p>
<p>Even if you’re an experienced craftsman, a book that re-covers the basics, well, is never a bad thing. </p>
<p>- </p>
<p>Next is Good Clean Fun: Misadventures in Sawdust at Offerman Woodshop, by Nick Offerman. </p>
<p>If you’re a Parks & Recreation fan, then you might be saying “Why does Ron Swanson have a woodworking book?” </p>
<p>But actually Nick Offerman is a highly respected and extremely talented woodworker. And this is one of his best (IMO) and most popular titles. </p>
<p>In the middle of his signature brand of humor, ramblings, essays and such, you’ll find some very well-presented tutorials for a variety of woodworking projects. It’s definitely a book you’ll want to have around the shop, plus it makes for great conversation, even with non-woodworkers. </p>
<p>- </p>
<p>Next, we have The Handy Shop Reference: Useful Facts and Figures for Every Woodworker, by Tom Begnal. </p>
<p>At first glance, this looks like some 100 year-old manual that has been reprinted and passed down through generations. But it was published in 2018. Nevertheless, it’s still incredibly relevant and just jam packed full of useful shop info. </p>
<p>Tom Begnal is the previous editor of The Woodworker’s Journal magazine, so you could say he knows a thing or two about woodworking. And that would be correct. He does. </p>
<p>The Handy Shop Reference is my go-to book when I have one of those simple but “unrememberable” shop questions. Like those pesky conversions (argh, math!), wood characteristics and the like. It truly is a reference book. </p>
<p>I would buy this for my sons for Christmas if I knew they wouldn’t disown me. But you know they’d thank me later! </p>
<p>- </p>
<p>Next is Hybrid Woodworking: Blending Power & Hand Tools for Quick, Quality Furniture, by Marc Spagnuolo. </p>
<p>Marc is one of my favorite “modern day” woodworkers. You may know him as “the wood whisperer”, the name of his persona and online program that has made him famous. </p>
<p>Marc, admittedly, isn’t a woodworker, by trade. But a content creator of woodworking techniques. But hey, who cares? He’s funny, talented and very, very informative. You should subscribe to his YouTube channel, if you aren’t already. </p>
<p>His treatment of the mixture of hand and power tools in woodworking is incredibly well done. And even if you’re like me and you don’t aspire to the level of craftsmanship this book explores, it’s still a fascinating look into the hybrid use of hand a power tools in the shop. </p>
<p>- </p>
<p>Next, The Essential Woodworker: Skills, Tools and Methods, by Robert Wearing. </p>
<p>When it comes to traditional hand tool skills, Robert Wearing is one of the finest instructors. And his attention to detail in The Essential Woodworker is what makes this an indispensable book for the woodworking shop. With the assumption that the reader need to know every detail, he presents just that. </p>
<p>One of the most comprehensive basic woodworking skills books I have ever seen, yet still extremely easy to ready. </p>
<p>Another one of those titles that would be truly essential for the beginning woodworker, but equally valuable for a master craftsman to have as well. This could be my #1. </p>
<p>- </p>
<p>Next up, The Art and Craft of Wood: A Practical Guide to Harvesting, Choosing, Reclaiming, Preparing, Crafting, and Building with Raw Wood, by Silas J. Kyler and David Hildreth </p>
<p>The Art and Craft of Wood is not a title that I personally own. Although, I’m about to. </p>
<p>Silas and David (the authors) are terribly curious to me. They’re also filmmakers, and responsible for Felled, a documentary about using urban timber in a sustainable way. Just a wonderful movie, that I highly recommend. (You can watch it on most streaming services. I’ll put a link in the show notes, below.) </p>
<p>But aside from my appreciation for their other work, the knowledge of taking something from tree to craft is something every woodworker should have. At least in some capacity. </p>
<p>Many of us are way too used to just swinging through the local big box store and grabbing a truckload of overpriced, subpar, imported lumber that even so, we have little to no appreciation for. That is a travesty. </p>
<p>Get yourself a copy of this book, as I am, and never let it be said again that you don’t know where your wood came from. </p>
<p>- </p>
<p>If you’re a woodworker and you don’t have either a memory of or a book by Roy Underhill, then I’m shocked. Roy is the king of traditional woodworking skills, and IMO, the most engaging thinker in our genre. </p>
<p>Roy’s title, The Woodwright's Shop: A Practical Guide to Traditional Woodcraft is a classic. And with good reason. </p>
<p>Forget your CNC router or your laser-guided, helical-head planer. If you want to know how to get the most out of your traditional hand tools, there simply is no better teacher than Roy Underhill. </p>
<p>For 37 seasons, he has captivated PBS viewers with his show The Woodwright’s Shop. And this title of the same name brings those same lessons to the page. </p>
<p>Roy has a unique way of teaching us. He mixes logic and a high degree of intellect with humor and theatrics, in a way that no other woodworker does and has ever done. If you want an example, you just have to watch his TED Talk (Have Broadaxe, Will Travel) at TEDx Raleigh. (I’ll put a link below.) That’s Roy, in a nutshell. Smart. Charismatic. Creative. Effective. And completely unique. </p>
<p>He is, to me, the Woodworker Philosopher, and one of my favorite people on the planet. Get this book. Become a lifelong fan. </p>
<p>- </p>
<p>Finally, no woodworking book list of mine would be complete without a title from my favorite Yankee ca-penter…Norm Abram. </p>
<p>Norm’s Measure Twice, Cut Once: Lessons from a Master Carpenter is without question, an essential. </p>
<p>I cannot fathom why it’s not even in the top 500 woodworking titles on Amazon (what!?), but that, my friends, should not be so! </p>
<p>Yes, I’m somewhat infatuated with the man (as a carpenter, I mean), but even so, this is a remarkable overview of, well…essential woodworking skills. </p>
<p>M2C1 is, as mentioned on Amazon, a very “meat and potatoes” kind of book, digging into simple hand tools. The kind that we all need to know how to use well, but few of us really do. </p>
<p>I would even go as far as saying, if you had to pick only one of the titles I’ve mentioned here today, this would be my pick. </p>
<p>I will say, as with most of my favorites, this is not a book for fine furniture makers. It’s a woodworker’s read. Norm is known for being a carpenter, and that’s exactly who this caters to. If you’re a master cabinet maker, you’ll still probably find this book a well-written novelty, but if you’re like me, then you’ll keep it for years as an indispensable guide to basic skills that you never want to let grow dull. </p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>So a quick rundown (in no particular order) of the list of titles again, just to have them all in one handy place: </p>
<p>Back To Basics: A Complete Guide To Traditional Skills, by Abigail Gehring (editor) <br>The Complete Book of Woodworking by Tom Carpenter <br>Good Clean Fun: Misadventures in Sawdust at Offerman Woodshop, by Nick Offerman <br>The Handy Shop Reference: Useful Facts and Figures for Every Woodworker, by Tom Begnal <br>Hybrid Woodworking: Blending Power & Hand Tools for Quick, Quality Furniture, by Marc Spagnuolo <br>The Essential Woodworker: Skills, Tools and Methods, by Robert Wearing <br>The Art and Craft of Wood: A Practical Guide to Harvesting, Choosing, Reclaiming, Preparing, Crafting, and Building with Raw Wood, by Silas J. Kyler and David Hildreth <br>The Woodwright's Shop: A Practical Guide to Traditional Woodcraft, by Roy Underhill <br>Measure Twice, Cut Once: Lessons from a Master Carpenter, by Norm Abram </p>
<p>As I mentioned earlier, this is by no means an exhaustive list. I’m absolutely certain someone out there is about to come through the speakers because I left out “Yadda Yadda by So and So”. And hey…I get it. </p>
<p>If you have a title that you think should be included, let me know. Tell me what, by who and where I can get it. And if I don’t already own it, I’ll check it out and see just how right you are! </p>
<p>And of course, if you found this list helpful, I’d love it if you let us know. </p>
<p>One of the best places to share your thoughts or questions is on our new Facebook Group. Just search for Everyday Woodworking on the Facebook app and join us there or I’ll leave a link to the group in our show notes. </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>A last couple of things, before we go…wherever you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review and spread the word to your friends about us. And of course we would love it if you subscribed to us and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, we try to post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. So if YouTube is your thing, then definitely look us up and like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>Finally, your support helps make it possible for Everyday Woodworking to continue to be on the air. So we’d love it if you blessed us with your financial support through our friends at Patreon. Monthly support starts at just $5. Thank you in advance for your help! - https://www.patreon.com/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>And that is it for now. Again, thank you so much for being here. We hope you enjoyed this. Have a great day, and we’ll look forward to seeing you next time…right here, on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm – http://applevalleyfarmga.com/ </p>
<p>Apple Valley Cornhole, Premium Cornhole Boards - https://applevalleyfarmga.com/apple-valley-cornhole </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Join our new FB group over at https://www.facebook.com/groups/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </p>
<p>FeedSpot - https://blog.feedspot.com/woodworking_podcasts/ </p>
<p>Back To Basics (on Amazon) - https://amzn.to/2XC4jJL </p>
<p>The Complete Book of Woodworking (on Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3Arjh3A </p>
<p>Good Clean Fun (on Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3lA51zf </p>
<p>The Handy Shop Reference: Useful Facts and Figures for Every Woodworker (on Amazon) - </p>
<p> https://amzn.to/3zm1YzA </p>
<p>Hybrid Woodworking: Blending Power & Hand Tools for Quick, Quality Furniture (on Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3nMOElq </p>
<p>The Essential Woodworker: Skills, Tools and Methods (on Amazon) - https://amzn.to/2XwzFkr </p>
<p>The Wood Whisperer YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/TheWoodWhisperer </p>
<p>The Art and Craft of Wood (on Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3Eyn6WP </p>
<p>Felled (on Vimeo on Demand) - https://vimeo.com/ondemand/felled/472465184 </p>
<p>Measure Twice, Cut Once: Lessons from a Master Carpenter (on Amazon) - https://amzn.to/2XxfeEg </p>
<p>The Woodwright's Shop: A Practical Guide to Traditional Woodcraft (on Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3CrJFuF </p>
<p>Have Broadaxe, Will Travel, TED Talk from TEDx Raleigh - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au1TbIyLcPU </p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at https://www.online-convert.com/ for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>PhotoScissors for helping us with part of our graphic design tasks for Thumbnails and cover art. - https://photoscissors.com/ </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - https://www.audacityteam.org/ </p>
<p>The music for our Season Two podcast intro and outro is from the song Blue Vibes, by guitarist Michael Kobrin, courtesy of Pixabay. - https://pixabay.com/music/modern-blues-blues-vibes-100-bpm-michael-kobrin-3780/ </p>
<p>ProWash Ad music - All My Shuffling - Silent Partner. All rights reserved. Used with permission. https://youtu.be/XLxIqdWsveU </p>
<p>EW Patreon Ad music – Punky from https://www.bensound.com </p>
<p>Apple Valley Cornhole Ad music – Dirty Rock – Twisterium. Courtesy of Pixabay. - https://pixabay.com/music/introoutro-dirty-rock-5896/ </p>
<p>Also, FYI, some of the links we display here are affiliate links. When you click on them and purchase a product from that link, we make a commission. It helps us, but it doesn’t affect your purchase price. So thank you for helping us continue to do what we do through Affiliate Purchases!</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/67439752021-09-12T17:50:54-04:002021-09-12T17:50:54-04:00Season 2 Episode 3 - Where Do You Learn New Woodworking Skills?<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Season 2, Episode 3 </p>
<p>SHOP NOTES </p>
<p>Where Do You Learn New Woodworking Skills? </p>
<p>WELCOME </p>
<p>Welcome to Everyday Woodworking, a podcast for smart discussions about the craft, business and love of woodworking, both as a hobby and a profession. </p>
<p>I’m your host, Ricky Fitzpatrick. I am a woodworker, and the owner of Apple Valley Farm, where we make handmade crafts and décor. I’ve been woodworking most of my life, and now with Everyday Woodworking, I have the opportunity to share my experience, thoughts and even my challenges with you. </p>
<p>And I can’t wait for you to join me right here for the next episode of Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the Everyday Woodworking Podcast! You know, something happened last week, and I completely forgot to mention it. I don’t know how I did that, but did you notice that we have different music for the podcast? And a different intro? </p>
<p>Yeah. It’s because we’re in…Season 2! </p>
<p>I’m pretty stoked. We’re almost at like 30 episodes now. Dude, it’s starting to make me think that this podcast thing might just work out. (Ha) </p>
<p>No but really, thank you everyone for helping us be here. Our listeners are growing. People are in touch. Things are happening. It’s so cool, and if you’re listening today, then you’re a part of all that. And I’m SO grateful! </p>
<p>Well today, I’m actually taking a question I got from one of our listeners and just doing an entire episode around it. It’s something I get asked ALL the time and you’ll probably think at least part of my answer is totally expected. But other parts…maybe not so much. </p>
<p>But it’s probably a question either you’ve had…maybe for me or for another woodworker, or you’ve been asked. But regardless, it’s something that is essential to our growth and craftsmanship, so you’ll definitely want to hang out with us while we break it open. </p>
<p>But not yet… </p>
<p>We’re going to jump into all that in just a second. But before we do, let’s take a quick break. </p>
<p>---------------------------------- </p>
<p>BODY </p>
<p>One of the most common questions I get is some variation of “How did you learn to do this?” </p>
<p>And I love talking about all the cool or interesting things I’ve been able to do or people I’ve gotten to meet. But today, I specifically wanted to talk about “where I learn woodworking skills”. And that may be new skills, or my history of learning basic skills. </p>
<p>Either way, it’s one of those ice-breaker questions, so it comes up a lot. And hey, if you’re a beginning woodworker, or if you’re only starting to think about woodworking, then maybe this will help you find some direction for acquiring the skill set you need to start getting into the world of woodworking. </p>
<p>I’ve got 7 or 8 general places to fill your brain with lots of shop knowledge. So let’s get right into it! </p>
<p>Growing Up </p>
<p>The first place I learned any level of woodworking was just being around it, growing up. When I was in high school, my mom loved craft things and she wanted to sell at local fairs and festivals, and I was able to paint and letter, but she still needed someone to make the things to paint. So guess who got to do that!? </p>
<p>So my dad went to Sears, bought a band saw, a radial arm saw, a drill and a sander, and said “There they are. Don’t cut your finger off.” </p>
<p>Of course, one of the first things I did was cut right through the middle of a knuckle with the band saw. But it was a lesson I never forgot, and even today, that reminds me to never get my hands too close to the blade. </p>
<p>I was never that great at the craft of woodworking, but I learned and I got better with time. And I have to say, had my parents not made me get out there and figure things out, I probably wouldn’t be doing what I do today. </p>
<p>Friends </p>
<p>I am blessed. I’ve said it many times, but I am. And a large part of that is because of the friends I have and have had over the years. As an adult woodworker with limited knowledge in the shop, my friends keep me humble and help me grow. </p>
<p>Thank goodness for folks like Greg Mathis or any number of a dozen other skilled craftsmen who share tools, pass along wisdom and just let me spend time with them, in and around their shops. </p>
<p>Woodworking can be an inherently solitary hobby or job. And I love the alone time that I have in my work. But if you aren’t reaching out to friends in the woodworking community and benefiting from their knowledge and company, then you’re crippling yourself. </p>
<p>Plus, my woodworking friends are some of the best-humored, kind hearted people I know. </p>
<p>Peers </p>
<p>You may think “peers” is the same as “friends”. But you’d be wrong. </p>
<p>My friends are my friends. My peers may also be my friends, but not always. And my friends may just be “woodworking friends”, but not craftsman or business peers that can teach me at that level. </p>
<p>In short, I look at “peers” as more of my friends who happen to be in the business of woodworking, in some fashion. </p>
<p>Folks like David Boardman. Or Greg Stewart. These are guys who are heads and shoulders above me in the areas of experience and equipment, so they inspire me in many ways by leading by example usually. </p>
<p>I love stopping in Greg Stewart’s cabinet shop and just watching the guys there create and assemble things. It’s a great environment for showing me how I can evolve in certain areas. </p>
<p>Mentors </p>
<p>Also in the same vein as friends and peers would be Mentors. My mentors may be only friends, or shop owners, backyard or pro or somewhere in between. But to a large degree, they’re a part of my woodworking world to foster improvement in me. </p>
<p>And frankly, these may not be woodworkers. They may be a truck driver. Or a pastor. Or a farmer. </p>
<p>What they instill in me is a growing sense of value or responsibility. I draw on them for help in handling situations with money or time management or prioritizing. Or…woodworking. </p>
<p>If you don’t have a mentor in your life, find one. Or many. Maybe it’s your older neighbor. Or a previous employer. Hey, maybe your dad. But every woodworker…heck, every one of us period, needs a mentor in their corner. </p>
<p>Alright. That’s half of our list. The first 4 are what I call the “soft teaching” methods. We’re going to get into the more “direct methods” for our next 4. But before we do, let’s take a quick break. We’ll be right back… </p>
<p>----------------------- </p>
<p>OK, moving on to the more “practical” avenues for picking up skills. </p>
<p>YouTube </p>
<p>Today, YouTube videos are the number one method for learning a new skill. Whether it’s routing a dovetail joint. Maybe it’s removing a particular finish safely. Maybe it’s about making charcuterie boards. Or maybe you just need help in selecting a paint brush.. </p>
<p>Whatever it is, YouTube probably has some guy on there to tell you how to do it. Heck, we’ve got over 200 videos on our Apple Valley Farm channel right now, showing you how we do everything from planting a garden to building a set of cornhole boards. </p>
<p>YouTube is, IMO, indispensable in our modern world. You may wind up accessing a 100 year-old plan or description, but you can pull it up via a 3 minute video on your phone. </p>
<p>Woodworking Magazines </p>
<p>When my granddaddy passed away, one of the first things I wanted to keep was his collection of dozens of old Popular Mechanics and Mechanix Illustrated magazines from the 50’s. Timeless articles, plans, advice and stories. </p>
<p>No matter how much time passes or how tools and techniques may evolve, the basics are still the basics and they never change. </p>
<p>Today, I have my own magazine subscriptions. They’re digital and I read them on my phone and my laptop, but they’re full of invaluable information that will make me a better, smarter, more knowledgeable woodworker. </p>
<p>The Web </p>
<p>Obviously, we all browse the web. A lot. I mean, aside from the YouTube searches we do, just general search engine results will help us do, learn or improve just about anything we need to. </p>
<p>While I’m personally a fan of learning through videos, I still read a ton of blogs or look for great podcasts. </p>
<p>Terms like “woodworking”, “woodworking plans” and “woodworking how to” are not only some of Google’s most popular search terms, but they seem to be insulated from seasonal and social trends and spikes. They’re always popular. They’re always being used to find great information for folks like us. </p>
<p>Trial and Error </p>
<p>Finally, a method for learning new skills (and basic skills) is something that sort of circles back around to my first method. And that’s learning through trial and error, or “learning by doing”. </p>
<p>It’s a trait that seems to be waning as the years pass. And of course, every older person feels like the next generation is just chock full of slackers…but we really do seem to have almost lost the willingness to just try something and then let the results be our teacher. </p>
<p>I mean how did I learn to swim? My dad threw me in the lake and I had to swim or sink! It’s amazing what we can do when we have to. And it’s amazing what we can learn when we put our brain in “discovery mode”. </p>
<p>You have to lose the idea that a failure is failure. A failure is just a lesson in how not to do something. Then you draw on other experiences, logic and common sense, and try something else. And if that fails, then you back up, readjust, and try again. </p>
<p>If you aren’t making use of Trial & Error, then you’re learning process is going to be painfully slow and one-dimensional. Learn to break a few eggs, and you just might discover you can make a pretty good omelet. </p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>And that’s my list of how I’ve personally learned what little bit of woodworking knowledge I have. And, how you can start or expand your own skill set. These are things that I’ve done, I do and I’ll continue to do. </p>
<p>And if you have any other methods to add, let me know. </p>
<p>Or if you have any questions for me or other comments on what we talked about today, then definitely send ‘em to me. </p>
<p>One of the best places to share your thoughts or questions is on our new Facebook Group. Just search for Everyday Woodworking on the Facebook app and join us there or I’ll leave a link to the group in our show notes. </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>A last couple of things, before we go…wherever you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review and spread the word to your friends about us. And of course we would love it if you subscribed to us and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, we try to post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. So if YouTube is your thing, then definitely look us up and like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>Finally, your support helps make it possible for Everyday Woodworking to continue to be on the air. So we’d love it if you blessed us with your financial support through our friends at Patreon. Monthly support starts at just $5. Thank you in advance for your help! - https://www.patreon.com/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>And that is it for now. Again, thank you so much for being here. We hope you enjoyed this. Have a great day, and we’ll look forward to seeing you next time…right here, on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm – http://applevalleyfarmga.com/ </p>
<p>Apple Valley Cornhole, Premium Cornhole Boards - https://applevalleyfarmga.com/apple-valley-cornhole </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Join our new FB group over at https://www.facebook.com/groups/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </p>
<p>FeedSpot - https://blog.feedspot.com/woodworking_podcasts/ </p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at https://www.online-convert.com/ for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>PhotoScissors for helping us with part of our graphic design tasks for Thumbnails and cover art. - https://photoscissors.com/ </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - https://www.audacityteam.org/ </p>
<p>The music for our Season Two podcast intro and outro is from the song Blue Vibes, by guitarist Michael Kobrin, courtesy of Pixabay. - https://pixabay.com/music/modern-blues-blues-vibes-100-bpm-michael-kobrin-3780/ </p>
<p>ProWash Ad music - All My Shuffling - Silent Partner. All rights reserved. Used with permission. https://youtu.be/XLxIqdWsveU </p>
<p>EW Patreon Ad music – Punky from https://www.bensound.com </p>
<p>Apple Valley Cornhole Ad music – Dirty Rock – Twisterium. Courtesy of Pixabay. - https://pixabay.com/music/introoutro-dirty-rock-5896/ </p>
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<p>SHOP NOTES </p>
<p>Heating and Cooling Your Shop </p>
<p>WELCOME </p>
<p>Welcome to Everyday Woodworking, a podcast for smart discussions about the craft, business and love of woodworking, both as a hobby and a profession. </p>
<p>I’m your host, Ricky Fitzpatrick. I am a woodworker, and the owner of Apple Valley Farm, where we make handmade crafts and décor. I’ve been woodworking most of my life, and now with Everyday Woodworking, I have the opportunity to share my experience, thoughts and even my challenges with you. </p>
<p>And I can’t wait for you to join me right here for the next episode of Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>Today we’re talking about something that may be more near and dear to my heart than you might know. Keep in mind…we are in the South. And especially right now, it’s hot. And no…if you’re from like, Michigan, you have no idea what I’m talking about! </p>
<p>Hot in the South is a different hot. Different from anywhere else in the country. A Southern hot is not only temperature related, but it’s humidity based. And when you mix 100 degrees with 85% humidity…you can hardly breathe, Jack. It. Is Hot. </p>
<p>We reached out to our woodworking friends on social media, and actually, I was surprised as some of the comments I got. You might be too. And if you’re like me, you might find yourself saying “Hey, that sounds just like me!” </p>
<p>And when we’re done, you’ll have a whole bunch of new info on a ton of options for heating and cooling your small shop. </p>
<p>We’re going to jump all that in just a second, but before we do, let’s take a quick break. </p>
<p>BODY </p>
<p>Alright, Welcome back, my peoples. Welcome. Velcome! </p>
<p>You know cooling and heating your shop, that’s a big bite. I mean, that’s a biggie, bro. You could dump a big chunk into this, so we really want to do some ‘splorin’. </p>
<p>OK, so let’s get going. Man we’ve got a LOT of ground to cover. *We’ve got a long way to go, and short time to get there.* </p>
<p>So to begin with, I wanted to share the results of our social media research. Before today, we asked everyone out there in social media land “What are your thoughts on AC and heat in the shop?” </p>
<p>And the response was gigantic, man. We got a whole array of comments back. So many in fact, that I just pumped it all into a spreadsheet so we could get a better look at how it all breaks down. And that’s what I want to share here. </p>
<p>I think this is going to be super interesting to you. </p>
<p>Several folks really shared some great info with us, and some of it, I could really relate to… </p>
<p>Kris Riley from Facebook said: </p>
<p>I don’t have ac and live in the south. It’s just plain miserable I’m trying to convince my Wife that I need a dedicated shop, rather than our 2 car garage. Pretty much I’m covered in sweat and drenched shirts every time. </p>
<p>Exactly, Kris. I feel your pain. In the dog days, I go through 3-4 shirts a day. It’s tough, being a Southerner, brother. </p>
<p>Baxter H Hammock, another Facebook friend: </p>
<p>I've got a 1500 sq ft shop, only have an attic fan with two other fans in each room for summer...in winter I use my wood stove with fans mounted on the stove pipe to distribute the heated air. </p>
<p>That sounds pretty smart to me. Especially the fan on the stove pipe. You can’t beat redneck ingenuity! </p>
<p>And finally David Boardman is a friend that I turn to for help quite often. He said: </p>
<p>I can handle heat much better than I can cold, so can glue. So I have one of those hang from the ceiling electric heaters and insulated the garage door. </p>
<p>The idea of the forced air heater is one that really piques my curiosity. I like it, but I don’t know if I can afford it. But I figure if David’s doing it, then it must be smart. </p>
<p>So breaking down our survey stats, we’ve got some pretty cool stuff here… </p>
<p>A little over 30% of our listeners have a dedicated shop. That’s a free-standing place, not connected to the house. </p>
<p>25% work out of a carport or garage. (Hello! That’s my people!) </p>
<p>Half have no AC or heat at all! That blows my mind. </p>
<p>Just 6% have HVAC. That’s not all that unexpected. </p>
<p>About 12% use either window AC or the mini split units. </p>
<p>And about 43% use fans. That’s me…I’m all fans in the Summer. </p>
<p>As for heat, again, 6% have HVAC. </p>
<p>25% use electric heaters. Again, that’s me. Pretty worthless, but I still do it. </p>
<p>About 12% use either LP or kerosene heat. </p>
<p>And 6% use a wood stove. </p>
<p>Actually, I have a small wood stove that a friend gave me several years ago. I’m saving it for when I have a dedicated shop. But for now, it just sits there. Mocking me… </p>
<p>Anyway, man that’s a lot of very cool info, don’t you think? </p>
<p>But overall what it tell me is, even though we’re all (or mot of us) woodworkers, to some degree, we’re all facilitating the process in our own ways. </p>
<p>Also, I’m encouraged to learn that most of us are still pretty small-scale in what we do. That was kind of unexpected to me because I wind up working with so many friends who have these huge shops and all this expensive equipment, and it feels like I’m like the last guy left who’s still grinding it out sort of old school. So that fact was actually very impressive to me. </p>
<p>But you may be wondering “What can I do?” Or “What would work for me?” Well, I’m sort of wondering those same things, myself. So let’s do a high pass over some of the options for a small shop. </p>
<p>Let’s start with cooling. </p>
<p>THE FAN – Obviously, a fan would be the first line of defense against the heat for most of us. I happen to have a box fan in my shop, and that’s like the entry level solution, for fans. It works OK, but once you hit 90 or so, it doesn’t do much more than just blow hot air around. But for less than $10, it’s hard to beat. </p>
<p>Beyond that, you could get a floor model shop fan. You know, one of the big cylinders, maybe 30 inches or more across? They sell them at HD and Lowes and such. And for $200-300, you can get a fan that will blow your toupee off your head. Just keep in mind that while these fans will do a better job at removing the warm air in your space, they’re going to blow your stuff around if you don’t keep it secure. </p>
<p>You can also opt for an stand-mounted commercial fan. A good one will run you an easy $200, but it will work very well. Not blowing gale force winds, but it gets it done. And being elevated, it’s efficient. </p>
<p>WINDOW AC – Next we have the window AC unit. It does a good job. It obviously is an actual air conditioning unit, so it’s not only moving air, but it’s pumping cool air into your space. </p>
<p>For a couple hundred bucks, you can get a decent one. Of course, you’ll need a window to mount it into, plus an outlet that preferably is on its own circuit. </p>
<p>You’ll also need to consider the condensation run off. And of course, if your window is on the front of your shop, then all the neighbors are going to see and talk. </p>
<p>MINI SPLIT UNITS – IMO the mini split units are probably the best solution for the small shop, as far as actual AC units go. But be prepared to shell out a couple grand or more, plus installation. </p>
<p>Wait. What did you say? “What is a mini split unit?” </p>
<p>Simply put, a mini split is a ductless, localized air conditioning system. It’s sort of like a window unit, only you don’t need the window…among other things. </p>
<p>You’ll have an outdoor unit, then individual indoor cooling units for each space. The indoor units provide local cooling, with virtually no noise, and very little disruption to the room. </p>
<p>You can turn each one on and off, depending on where you want cooling. But for the open shop, chances are, you might not do that. But you could make use of several evenly spaced units. </p>
<p>They are cool…no pun intended, but as I said, they ain’t cheap. </p>
<p>HVAC – After that, then you could have a full blown HVAC system, but I’m going to just leave that right there. I think that’s beyond the scope of most small shops. </p>
<p>OK, onto heating… </p>
<p>Let’s just go ahead and say again, since we just mentioned it…a full blown HVAC system couple employ a heat pump to keep you comfy in the Winter, but I don’t think most of us are going to take that route. So we’ll just bring that up, then close the door. </p>
<p>ELECTRIC HEATERS – Walk down the heater aisle at Walmart in the month of January, and you’ll find out real quick just how many options there are for space heaters. A bunch! </p>
<p>Most of us (myself included) make use of some sort of small electric thing that probably blows some amount of air over heated coils, providing some very localized warmth. Frankly, they’re mostly good for feet and hands, or if you can close in your shop or carport, then it eventually might take the edge off the cold in your space. Provided it isn’t too big and/or drafty. </p>
<p>For me, my carport shop is open to the weather, so it’s like spitting in the wind when it gets really mean outside. Especially if it’s windy, to boot. </p>
<p>One of the dangers of these little heaters is their voracious appetite for power. Not only will they spike your power bill, but they can easily kick a breaker, especially if you’re running one on the same power strip as your table saw or planer. So be careful. </p>
<p>KEROSENE HEATER – I don’t have a lot of experience with kerosene heaters, but I’ll tell you what I know. </p>
<p>First off, they aren’t all that expensive. Maybe $150-200 at HD. Plus the fuel for it. </p>
<p>Obviously, kerosene is the fuel source for heat and that has a certain smell to it. Some people don’t mind it. I’m not a fan, myself. They can be very unsafe for indoor use, although there are “indoor” models. Sill, I’m not a fan of the practice. </p>
<p>Plus, I’ve seen way too many scorched hardwood floors where the heater got to be more than the floor could stand. That makes me nervous. But it is an option, and as our survey showed, a fair number of people use them. </p>
<p>PROPANE HEATER – Propane heaters fall into much the same category, but the ones I’ve seen seem to be much more “intense” in their ability to put out the heat. </p>
<p>The one I’m thinking of looks more like a jet engine than anything. And it definitely heats a space. Just be careful you stay mindful of whatever you have in front of it, because it can get away from you. </p>
<p>LP is the fuel for them, and to me, that’s a much safer option. Not that LP isn’t explosive, but it’s typically contained in its compressed form in a tank. </p>
<p>Again, around $200 will get you going. </p>
<p>FORCED AIR UNITS (Gas or Electric) – Only one of our survey participants mentioned using a forced air system. Frankly, I’ve never seen one in a home shop, but they do a great job in a commercial space. </p>
<p>Typically, the Forced Air unit hangs from the ceiling and uses either electricity or some form of gas (kerosene, propane, natural gas) as the fuel. </p>
<p>If this is your plan, then expect to drop as much as $5,000 or more on the unit and install. The electric might be less, but then your power bill will get you on the back side. Still, this is an option that I’m very curious about, so I may dig into it a little more and maybe dedicate an entire episode to investigating it. </p>
<p>MINI SPLIT – And what do you know, here we are back at the mini splits. “But that was AC”. Yes, but remember that this is basically a ductless HVAC system, so you usually have the option for heating as well as cooling. </p>
<p>Very impressive. Clean. Modern. But costly. </p>
<p>That’s all I need to say on that, I think. </p>
<p>WOOD STOVE – The wood stove is true old school. Just plop a big ol’ stove in your shop, then start setting stuff on fire. </p>
<p>Easy. </p>
<p>And it really isn’t all that expensive. For $200-300 bucks, you can grab a small inexpensive stove and probably install it yourself. But there are a lot of things to consider. </p>
<p>You’ll want plenty of wood on hand. And that may sound dumb to say, especially since were talking about having one in a wood shop. But remember that burning your scrap wood means you’ll need to be aware of creosote in your pipe. </p>
<p>You’ll also need to remember that your stove is going to be hot. So keep an eye on the kids and pets. And yourself! </p>
<p>And in the Summer, that big ol thing is still going to be sitting there in the way. So make sure you have the room to dedicate to it, year round. </p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>And that just about covers the gamut for us on small shop cooling and heating, I think. And even though we covered a whole lot of ground today, there are still many, many other options that we left out, just because of time. And some of them are just too cost prohibitive for most small shops. </p>
<p>Things like radiant floor heating or solar conditioning systems. But that might be a good subject for a “wish list” episode. </p>
<p>When I was growing up, we had our band saw and radial arm saw on the carport. And the back of our brick fireplace came out into and up through right where I worked. SO in the Winter when our family had a fire inside, the radiant heat from the chimney kept me warm while I worked. </p>
<p>Still, I hope you learned something today from all of this, and I hope this maybe helps you feel like you’re one step closer to deciding the best way to heat or cool your own shop. </p>
<p>If you have any questions for me or comments on what we talked about today, then definitely send ‘em to me. One of the best places to share your thoughts or questions is on our new Facebook Group. Just search for Everyday Woodworking on the Facebook app and join us there. </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
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<p>And that is it for now. Again, thank you so much for being here. We hope you enjoyed this. Have a great day, and we’ll look forward to seeing you next time…right here, on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
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<p>SHOP NOTES </p>
<p>Tools I Can’t Live Without #1 </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>Alright, alright, alright…well, look at us. All up in episode 21! Can you believe that!? That’s pretty awesome, man. I am excited to see those numbers going up. </p>
<p>Well, welcome back to the show. In case you didn’t catch it, I’m Ricky Fitzpatrick and this is the Everyday Woodworking podcast. </p>
<p>We’re just basically superheroes here, making woodworking magic and miracles happen. Making look easy. </p>
<p>You know one of the things I’m discovering that I really enjoy is building out new internal series with the show. Like, creating a series that we can add to…like our Q&A shows or Woodworking Myths. That’s a lot of fun. And you know, if you’re like not all that into one particular thing that we discuss say this week, then next week, we might just jump into something completely different. </p>
<p>Anyway, I’m starting up a new series this week. As I was out on the shop earlier, I got to noticing that there are certain tools that use every day. I mean like every, single, dadgum day! And a lot of them are so unexpected. Like, things that I never anticipated needing when I started, but today, I couldn’t make it without them. </p>
<p>So I wanted to start talking about Tools I Can’t Live Without. </p>
<p>Every time we post a new episode on this topic, I’ll share my thoughts and some info on one tool that I absolutely cannot make it without in the shop. I think this will be a lot of fun. Plus, it really opens the door for a lot of discussion and hopefully some suggestions for future episodes. </p>
<p>Tools I Can’t Live Without. </p>
<p>But before we reveal this week’s indispensable piece of hardware, let’s take a quick break. Then we’ll come right back and kick this show in gear… </p>
<p>THE PAINTER’S PYRAMID </p>
<p>You know when we started Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business), I had an idea of what I’d need as far as tools go. Obviously a drill, a chop saw, a sander, yada, yada, yada. Basic woodworking tools. And my shop was (and still is) very small, so I knew I wouldn’t have a ton of room for a bunch of tools. </p>
<p>Nevertheless, I had a vision of at least a healthy collection of reasonably specialized tools. </p>
<p>But small shops don’t always have the luxury of space and budget for a plethora of task-specific tools. We tend to gravitate to more universal items that can be used in lots of applications. </p>
<p>Still though one thing I discovered pretty quickly, is that whether it was a general use or highly specialized tool, there were tools I would wind up using, and needing, virtually every day…and many that I never anticipated needing to buy. </p>
<p>And that’s what I wanted to tell you about today. This “tool” is something I use almost daily, but I never thought about needing it until I started using it. </p>
<p>It’s my Painter’s Pyramids. </p>
<p>Your painter’s whats…? </p>
<p>My Painter’s Pyramids. They’re made by Hyde Tools and these guys, are available just about anywhere, in store and online. I know, if you aren’t familiar with them, then you’re probably thinking that sounds dumb. And that’s what I thought too. In the beginning, at least. </p>
<p>I don’t even know how I wound up with these. Probably some impulse buy at Home Depot or Lowe’s. </p>
<p>That’s sort of my MO…just buying things completely out of the blue. I used to do that when I was a teenager. I’d go to the record store (yes, a record store) and just…browse. </p>
<p>I’d just look for hours. Reading the album notes, looking at the cover art. And if something jumped out at me…I’d buy it. Just to see. Who knows how many incredible artists I stumbled on because of buying an album just for the cover art! (Thank you, Petra, for hooking a young man, early on!) </p>
<p>Now, I browse the tool aisles! LOL! </p>
<p>So chances are, I was wandering the aisles at the local home improvement center, and I saw these flashy, red pyramid thingys, just calling out to me. </p>
<p>That was probably 6 years ago. Mine are red. I think they’re yellow now. Plastic. About 2 inches tall. And they’re shaped like pyramids. Mine came 10 to a pack. </p>
<p>But wait…what do they do?! </p>
<p>Oh yeah… Well, they go under whatever I’m painting to help hold it up off the surface of my worktable. </p>
<p>Bam. That’s it. How ingenious! Right? </p>
<p>And that’s pretty convenient if I’m painting the top and sides, but even moreso if I’m painting both top and bottom. </p>
<p>You know how it is, you need to paint the sides of something, but if you leave it flat on the work table, it leaves a messy line as it dries. Especially if you put some newspaper or cardboard up under your piece before you painted it. Ugh! What a mess. </p>
<p>Or if you throw a couple of scrap one bys up under it, then it’s never stable. Or it slides around every time you breathe on it. </p>
<p>Well the Painter’s Pyramids really do sort of solve just about any support problem. </p>
<p>They get everything UP. Up off the work surface so the whole process is just way, way cleaner and neater. </p>
<p>They come to a pretty defined point on their tops, so your work piece doesn’t slide around as easily. Plus, they’re all the same height, so everything’s level (assuming your work table is level!). </p>
<p>Also, they’re just one piece of chemically-resistant, durable plastic. Nothing to repair. Nothing to fall off. No genetically modified, nano-bionic, Bluetooth enabled thing. Just simple, one piece, easy. And frankly, the simpler it is, the better! </p>
<p>I say this in light of breaking the collet holder on my router today. It’s a cheap Ryobi fixed base router. I think I paid like $30 at the refurb store. But still, when it breaks, it’s a big chunk of my day, getting back up to speed. Lots of moving parts…lots to break down. </p>
<p>But my little pyramids…still rockin’ strong. </p>
<p>They claim they can hold up to 200 pounds. IMO that’s pretty hard to believe, but hey, who knows. I know I’ve had some pretty hefty stuff on mine and they’ve never deformed. </p>
<p>I have no idea what I paid for them, six years ago. Probably around $5. They’re $6.99 now, on Amazon. (See the link, below.) And to be honest, seven bucks for 10 of these is a steal. I’d buy several packs and always have them handy. They are a lifesaver when you get into a painting job. </p>
<p>Chances are, if you’re a prepper, you should throw these in your bug out bag. If we have a Zombie Apocalypse, you’ll probably be able to save mankind with them. Or at least paint a No Trespassing sign. LOL! </p>
<p>When you finish your painting and go to store them away, they nest, neatly and stack right up, taking up almost no space on the shelf. </p>
<p>They also come with tabs on one side of the base so you can tack them securely in place, if they happen to be prone to move around on your work table. Very nice. </p>
<p>Each pyramid also comes with holes in each side, that I used to think were just part of a material-saving design. But they’re actually designed to accept a dowel through the holes that would also help keep them securely in place. Pretty dadgum ingenious. </p>
<p>And…if that wasn’t enough, they interlock together to form interesting little supports for even things like round dowels or odd shaped crown molding. There’s almost nothing you can’t hold with these bad boys. </p>
<p>I will warn you…remember I said the points are pretty defined? So if you have soft material that has a little weight, it could leave a pin point dent in your work surface. That’s wood, BTW. </p>
<p>And if you have something like a canvas or cardboard or fabric, it might not be the best painting tool for that. The pyramids will almost certainly poke a hole in some softer material. </p>
<p>Also, I’d suggest using more rather than fewer. Meaning, don’t be shy about using a lot of them under your workpiece. The more you use the better supported it will be. I use mine a lot when we paint 5 ½ foot 1X12’s for signs. On those, I put two at each end, just a couple of inches in from the end, then spread 6 more out between them. That gives me lots of coverage and keeps the board plenty stable. </p>
<p>And keep in mind, if you paint, then flip and paint the other face of something, if the piece slips around (wet paint and pointy tops), it’s going to leave a streak. So my tips…if you’re going to do that, paint the back or least noticeable side first, in case you have any issues. </p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>Well how was that? Number One of our Tools I Can’t Live Without series! </p>
<p>I think it sort of came across as an infomercial. That wasn’t my intent. FYI, Hyde Tools is not a sponsor or advertiser of this episode, so I’m not plugging their stuff. I genuinely love these Pyramids. So my goal was just to tell you all I could about them and share my experience in using them. </p>
<p>Hopefully we did that. </p>
<p>And inevitably, there will be things that I’ve overlooks, forgotten or completely gotten wrong about these guys. If you notice any of that, then let me know. </p>
<p>And otherwise, I hope you dig this idea and you go buy a bunch of them. IMO, they’re just freaking awesome. No small shop should be without a couple dozen, scattered about. </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>A last couple of things, as always…if you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review. It makes such a difference for us…especially if listen on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. </p>
<p>But, wherever you’re listening, we would still love it if you subscribed and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on YouTube, then obviously we try to post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. Definitely like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to www.applevalleyfarmga.com for things like our store, our woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>Finally, your support helps make it possible for Everyday Woodworking to continue to be on the air. So we’d love it if you blessed us with your financial support through our friends at Patreon. Monthly support starts at just $5. Thank you in advance for your help! - https://www.patreon.com/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>And if you’d prefer to make a one-time donation, our PayPal page is at https://paypal.me/RickyFitzpatrick </p>
<p>OK. That’s it. Have a great day. Thank you so much for being here and for making it possible for us to be here! </p>
<p>Hope to see you next time…right here, on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm – http://applevalleyfarmga.com/ </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm Carpenter Bee Traps - http://applevalleyfarmga.com/product/556860 </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
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<p>FeedSpot - https://blog.feedspot.com/woodworking_podcasts/ </p>
<p>Painter’s Pyramids on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3xaJ2Di </p>
<p>Painter’s Pyramids at Hyde Tools - https://hydetools.com/product/painters-pyramid-10-pack-painting-system/ </p>
<p>Petra Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/Petraband </p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at https://www.online-convert.com/ for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>PhotoScissors for helping us with part of our graphic design tasks for Thumbnails and cover art. - https://photoscissors.com/ </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - https://www.audacityteam.org/ </p>
<p>(The music we use here on EW comes to us courtesy of our friends at Purple Planet Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com ) </p>
<p>ProWash Ad music - All My Shuffling - Silent Partner. All rights reserved. Used with permission. https://youtu.be/XLxIqdWsveU </p>
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<p>Also, FYI, some of the links we display here are affiliate links. When you click on them and purchase a product from that link, we make a commission. It helps us, but it doesn’t affect your purchase price. So thank you for helping us continue to do what we do through Affiliate Purchases!</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/66645802021-06-19T20:37:21-04:002023-04-29T06:13:04-04:00Episode 20 SHOW NOTES Top 10 Favorite TV Fathers<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep 20 </p>
<p>SHOP NOTES </p>
<p>My Favorite Famous TV Fathers </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>Well, well, well. Look at us…here at episode 20! Wow! How did THAT happen!? </p>
<p>Very cool. I am really excited, looking back over things and seeing how the podcast has already evolved in just a few months. I love where we are though, and who knows how things may continue changing as we go along. </p>
<p>Hey thank you, everyone who listens and subscribes to us every week. Obviously, if it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be here. So a huge thumbs up to you for making what we do possible. </p>
<p>Well I’m recording this on Father’s Day. And as a dad, of course Father’s Day has a special place for me. My dad and both of my grandfathers have passed on already, so we don’t get to celebrate with them any longer, but the kids really go all out to make me feel appreciated every year. It’s a reminder that I am crazy blessed. </p>
<p>I wanted to do something a little different for this episode. Let me take you through my though process… </p>
<p>This is a “woodworking” related podcast, so in my mind, that’s a pretty “manly” subject. So even though we might not always talk about woodworking specifically, I like to look at subjects that might typically appeal to most men. I figure if these things are interesting to me, then they’ll be interesting to you guys too. </p>
<p>So I wanted to take a look at TV Fathers this week. We all have our favorites. I know I have mine. So I wanted to share my top ten list of my favorite TV dads with you. </p>
<p>These are characters that I grew up with. Some, through new shows at the time (in the 80’s and 90’s), and some through re-runs. But nevertheless, these are men whose characters had an influence on me and who I am today. </p>
<p>That isn’t to say I was only influenced by the TV dads, but obviously, it’s been a big part of my life. And probably yours too. So as we celebrate Father’s Day, let’s take a brief look at my Ten Favorite TV Fathers! </p>
<p>But before we do, let’s take a quick break, and we’ll jump right in… </p>
<p>THE LIST </p>
<p>Before I lay my picks on you for my Favorite TV Fathers, let me say that these are my picks. And they aren’t in any particular order, other than to say that I’ve saved my #1 for last. </p>
<p>I’ll drop my top ten on you and add a few honorable mentions too. And there will no doubt be many, many more that could be on the list. I’m sure there will be some whining and moaning about who made it and who didn’t…and if that’s you, then tell me who I should’ve left off or added in. And if I’m so inclined, I might amend the list. (LOL) </p>
<p>OK, so here we go…my Top Ten Favorite TV Fathers… </p>
<p>Howard Cunningham – Happy Days (Tom Bosley) <br>Archie Bunker (All In the Family) <br>Steven Keaton - Family Ties (Michael Gross) <br>James Evans – Good Times (John Amos) <br>Tim (the Tool Man) Taylor – Tool Time (Tim Allen) <br>Charles Ingalls – Little House On the Prairie (Michael Landon) <br>Frank Barone – Everybody Loves Raymond (Peter Boyle) <br>John Walton – The Waltons (Ralph Waite) <br>Andy Taylor - The Andy Griffith Show (Andy Griffith) <br>Cliff Huxtable – The Cosby Show (Bill Cosby) </p>
<p>It actually was harder than I thought it would be, narrowing down my list to just ten. There were a lot more honorable mentions in there. And I think we should at least go through a list of a few more that just barely didn’t make it on my list, but they might very well be on yours. </p>
<p>Other favorites: </p>
<p>Danny Tanner – Full House (Bob Saggett) <br>Carl Winslow (Family Matters) <br>Ricky Ricardo (I Love Lucy) <br>Ben Cartwright (Bonanza) <br>Ward Cleaver - Leave It To Beaver (Hugh Beaumont) <br>Phil Drummond - Different Strokes (Conrad Bain) <br>Mike Brady (The Brady Bunch) <br>Phillip Banks (Fresh Prince of Bel Aire) <br>Jason Seaver (Growing Pains) </p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>Father’s Day is a bittersweet day for a lot of us. If you’re like me, you’re a dad yourself, but the father figures in your life have passed on. So it’s a day that comes with the celebration of close family, but the memory of the men who helped make you who you are. </p>
<p>So as we wrap up our look at famous TV dads, let me just say that, no matter how influential these fictional men may have been, they pale in comparison to my own dad and grandfathers. </p>
<p>Happy Father’s Day to the men who shaped me and taught me and played an invaluable role in bringing me to where you find me today. God has blessed me beyond compare with great fathers, and I hope one day, I’ll be respected to the generations to come, as much as they are to me. </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>A last couple of things, as always…if you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review. It makes such a difference for us…especially if listen on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. </p>
<p>But, wherever you’re listening, we would still love it if you subscribed and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on YouTube, then obviously we try to post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. Definitely like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to www.applevalleyfarmga.com for things like our store, our woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>Finally, your support helps make it possible for Everyday Woodworking to continue to be on the air. So we’d love it if you blessed us with your financial support through our friends at Patreon. Monthly support starts at just $5. Thank you in advance for your help! - https://www.patreon.com/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>And if you’d prefer to make a one-time donation, our PayPal page is at https://paypal.me/RickyFitzpatrick </p>
<p>OK. That’s it. Have a great day. Thank you so much for being here and for making it possible for us to be here! </p>
<p>Hope to see you next time…right here, on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm – http://applevalleyfarmga.com/ </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm Carpenter Bee Traps - http://applevalleyfarmga.com/product/556860 </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </p>
<p>FeedSpot - https://blog.feedspot.com/woodworking_podcasts/ </p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at https://www.online-convert.com/ for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>PhotoScissors for helping us with part of our graphic design tasks for Thumbnails and cover art. - https://photoscissors.com/ </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - https://www.audacityteam.org/ </p>
<p>(The music we use here on EW comes to us courtesy of our friends at Purple Planet Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com ) </p>
<p>ProWash Ad music - All My Shuffling - Silent Partner. All rights reserved. Used with permission. https://youtu.be/XLxIqdWsveU </p>
<p>EW Patreon Ad – Punky from https://www.bensound.com</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/66577502021-06-12T17:47:06-04:002021-06-12T17:47:06-04:00Episode 19 SHOW NOTES 10 Ways To Enjoy Your Vacation<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep 19 </p>
<p>SHOP NOTES </p>
<p>10 Ways To Enjoy Your Vacation </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>Well welcome to another week of Everyday Woodworking. In case you hear some strange sounds coming from the background, that would be the ocean! </p>
<p>Our family is on a short vacation this week at the beach. And brother let me tell you, we needed it. We really did. </p>
<p>It always seems like every year, when vacation time rolls around, we are just mentally, ready to just do anything other than work, you know? So we really needed a break. </p>
<p>And that’s what I wanted to talk with you about this week, with 10 Ways To Enjoy Your Vacation. </p>
<p>This won’t be super long or super scripted. I’m just out here on the balcony, watching the beach, feeling the breeze. And I don’t want to do much of anything that doesn’t involve sleep or relaxation! LOL! </p>
<p>So a few quick points for you and then we’ll call it a wrap. </p>
<p>DOES IT REALLY MATTER? </p>
<p>As a self-professed semi-workaholoic, I must confess that for a long time, I thought vacations were just Western culture foolishness. And there is some truth to that…but I really didn’t see the need for a break. </p>
<p>My thinking was, if you say you need a break, what that really means is you need to shut up and get back to work and stop whining. </p>
<p>But I don’t believe that anymore. </p>
<p>If you’ve listened to me much, then you know that I love my Thoreau. And of course that means I’m a fan of Walden and simplicity and waxing philosophical about things like life, gardening, and work! </p>
<p>The truth is, I really do value hard work. But I understand now, more than ever that working for the sake of work is something that needs some evaluating. I just don’t buy it. And I think, if anything, THAT is a Western invention. Or at least an idea that we’ve exaggerated to the point of making us unhealthy, over-stressed and unhappy. </p>
<p>We need a good break, at least every now and then. </p>
<p>You may be saying “But I thought you said you loved woodworking”! And I do. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want a break from it, periodically. </p>
<p>I may love my job, but it’s still work and it’s still a job. </p>
<p>I hate it when I see people say “Get a job doing something you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life”. </p>
<p>Bull. </p>
<p>That’s silly. Work is work. And hard work is hard work. I get the sentiment, but don’t fool yourself into believing that if you aren’t all sunshine and rainbows at your job, then you’re not in the right place. </p>
<p>Work, even your perfect work…is work. </p>
<p>And at times, you need to walk away. </p>
<p>TEN WAYS TO ENJOY YOUR VACATION </p>
<p>So I had originally planned to quote some Psychology Today and dive into he science of rest and relaxation. But honestly, I just don’t want to. </p>
<p>And I don’t think you want me to either. </p>
<p>I’m at the beach, and so I’m just going to give you my ten reasons and then I’m jumping in the water! </p>
<p>So let’s do it. Ten tips for helping you to enjoy your break or vacation. And these are in no particular order, and yes, they are our family’s POV. So take them with a grain of salt, if you will, and make them your own. </p>
<p>Remember you don’t have anywhere to be <br>Don’t have an itinerary <br>Don’t set the hotel clock <br>Do things you’ve never done before <br>Avoid work related activities <br>Limit social media <br>Eat well <br>Turn off the TV <br>Read a book <br>Enjoy meandering </p>
<p>RICKY’S WISDOM </p>
<p>Look, I’m no scholar. But I can tell you what I believe…and I think it’s pretty sage advice. </p>
<p>Work hard. Be responsible. Do your best. When it’s time to work, then work. But when it’s not, then don’t. </p>
<p>And that means, like I said before…take a break. Break the connection between you and work. </p>
<p>We live in a time when watching TV or scanning TikToks is supposed to be “relaxing”. </p>
<p>That’s not relaxing. </p>
<p>Get your butt on a vacation. Go somewhere away from work. Then do something you don’t normally do. </p>
<p>See something different. Eat something different. Wear some “vacation clothes”. Be a tourist and just disconnect from the world that you normally know. </p>
<p>It will make a difference in your life, your health and your work! </p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>Compared to our normal show, that was pretty short. But I hope you got some good info out of it. </p>
<p>As I said, woodworking is fun and enjoyable and for most of us listening, it’s something we really do love. But don’t fool yourself into thinking that you don’t need to set it aside every once in a while. </p>
<p>So work hard. Be intentional about rest. And above all, make sure you tune in every week to Everyday Woodworking! </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>A last couple of things, as always…if you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review. It makes such a difference for us…especially if listen on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. </p>
<p>But, wherever you’re listening, we would still love it if you subscribed and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on YouTube, then obviously we try to post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. Definitely like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to www.applevalleyfarmga.com for things like our store, our woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>Finally, your support helps make it possible for Everyday Woodworking to continue to be on the air. So we’d love it if you blessed us with your financial support through our friends at Patreon. Monthly support starts at just $5. Thank you in advance for your help! - https://www.patreon.com/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>And if you’d prefer to make a one-time donation, our PayPal page is at https://paypal.me/RickyFitzpatrick </p>
<p>OK. That’s it. Have a great day. We’re headed to the pool, and I’ve got a craving for some crab legs! </p>
<p>See you next time…right here, on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm – http://applevalleyfarmga.com/ </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm Carpenter Bee Traps - http://applevalleyfarmga.com/product/556860 </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </p>
<p>FeedSpot - https://blog.feedspot.com/woodworking_podcasts/ </p>
<p>Psychology Today – Three Science Based Reasons Vacations Boost Productivity - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/feeling-it/201708/three-science-based-reasons-vacations-boost-productivity </p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at https://www.online-convert.com/ for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>PhotoScissors for helping us with part of our graphic design tasks for Thumbnails and cover art. - https://photoscissors.com/ </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - https://www.audacityteam.org/ </p>
<p>(The music we use here on EW comes to us courtesy of our friends at Purple Planet Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com ) </p>
<p>Our Beach Music credits go out to: Beach Party Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/</p>
<p>ProWash Ad music - All My Shuffling - Silent Partner. All rights reserved. Used with permission. https://youtu.be/XLxIqdWsveU </p>
<p>EW Patreon Ad – Punky from https://www.bensound.com</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/66444782021-05-30T22:40:47-04:002021-05-30T22:40:47-04:00Episode 18 SHOW NOTES Woodworking Myths #2<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep 18 </p>
<p>SHOP NOTES </p>
<p>Woodworking Myths #2 </p>
<p>WELCOME </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>We are back at it this week with another episode of Woodworking Myths. </p>
<p>In case you weren’t around for our earlier Myths episode, I’ll leave a link to it at in the shop notes. But what we do is take several well-known myths that have made their way through the woodworking world, and dig into them and see if they’re fact or fiction. </p>
<p>I’ve been thinking through my own questions for this show, and I’ve gotten several suggestions for you guys. So thank you for that! </p>
<p>We had a blast doing it last time. It would up being one of our most popular shows. So I know we’ll learn a lot and have some fun this time too. </p>
<p>Before we get into it, let’s take a quick break and then we’ll come right back, and start debunking some tall tales…right here, on everyday woodworking. </p>
<p>MYTHS </p>
<p>Well in case you’re wondering how I determine the accuracy of these myths, it’s a combination of experience, Google and a lot of asking folks who are much smarter than me. </p>
<p>I know that doesn’t leave many, but we have to scrape by with whoever we can! </p>
<p>Alright. I don’t want to kill a ton of time not tackling these myths, so I’m just going to jump right in. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>#1 – Pocketholes are for losers. </p>
<p>Let me just say that this sticks in my craw. </p>
<p>I use pocketholes a lot! And I can definitely say they are not for “losers”. </p>
<p>I think the general idea is that pocketholes and pockethole jigs made it possible for less professional woodworkers to create strong, tight joints, without a lot of joint knowledge. And that would be true. </p>
<p>I’m no craftsman. But I still need to join boards. So thank goodness God let folks like Kreg make the pockethole jig available to the masses. </p>
<p>Kreg is one of our partners, so we do use their products. But even if they weren’t, we’d still use them. They’re affordable, dependable and pretty dadgum accurate. </p>
<p>I’ve been using a K5 jig for about 4 years now, and it is a lifesaver for me. It makes creating pocketholes, incredibly easy. And although it is easier than doing it old school, there’s still some skill involved in it. </p>
<p>So with that, I’ll have to say, this myth is goobledy gook. All hail the pockethole! </p>
<p>#2 – If you dull the end of your screw or nail, you’ll eliminate splitting wood. </p>
<p>This is a mostly true “myth”. So with that, it’s really not a myth in the strictest sense of the word. </p>
<p>For years, the advice to dull the end of a nail or screw before driving it into a piece of wood, has promised to stop wood splitting. But there are cases where the wood still splits. And there are cases where that just isn’t practical. </p>
<p>The idea is that a sharp nail, for example, drives like a wedge through the wood fibers, pushing them to the side, and ultimately splitting whatever wood you’re working on. And a “dulled” nail will break through those same fibers, not pushing the edges outward. </p>
<p>It sounds great. And it’s true. Except… </p>
<p>When you do this in the last 1-2 inches of a board, the likelihood of splitting is almost a given. Regardless of sharp or dull points. Also, some wood species are just more prone to split. Something like pine or doug fir are much less likely to split than say oak or maple. And the moisture content of the wood greatly affects its tendency to split. A drier board is just easier to break. </p>
<p>Also, a thinner board is typically more prone to split. That’s because it obviously has few wood fibers “holding on” to the surrounding edges of the wood as you nail or screw into it. </p>
<p>Are any of these hard and fast rules though? No. Not at all. </p>
<p>And the only way to most certainly (and I say “most”) avoid wood splitting, is to drill a pilot hole before driving anything through your board. And even that isn’t 100% fool proof. </p>
<p>I know, it’s a pain in the butt to get out an extra drill just for pilot holes. Especially when you’ve got a ton of them. But it’s better than replacing the board…especially at today’s lumber prices. </p>
<p>#3 – If you angle a ruler across a board and find a common, easily divisible number as the “length”, then you can easily find the center. </p>
<p>This is one of my favorite myths. And again…it’s true so it isn’t a myth at all. I recently heard this from a dude I follow on TikTok named @magnatimusone, or the Last Living Craftsman. You should check him out if you TikTok. </p>
<p>Let me explain this a little more, just in case it doesn’t make sense. </p>
<p>When you measure across, let’s say a piece of plywood that’s 16 3/8”, and you need to cut that in half. Dang. Well, normally, I’d be like “OK, half of 16 is 8 and then half of 3/8 is well…6/16 and half is 3/16. So halfway is 8 3/16”. </p>
<p>Man. I’m tired, just typing that. It’s doable, but it’s just too much. </p>
<p>So I tilt my tape measure. And using the edge of the tape that’s contacting the edge of the board, go out (adjusting the angle) until the measurement on that edge says something whole like 18”. Holding it in place, find 9” and that’s the middle. </p>
<p>It’s SO easy. </p>
<p>Want to do thirds? Fine. Take that same 18” and find 6” and 12” and you’ve got thirds. </p>
<p>Quarters? Find 4 ½”, 9”, 13 ½” and you’ve got fourths. </p>
<p>Somebody really, really smart…or really, really lazy figured this out years ago and just blew everyone’s mind on the jobsite! </p>
<p>It’s pretty new for me, but now I use it nearly every day. Definitely not a myth! </p>
<p>#4 – The pine trees that produce antique Heartpine wood are extinct. </p>
<p>If you’ve known me for long, you know I am a junkie for heartpine. It’s been my go to from day one. I love nearly everything about it…the feel, the durability, the smell. I just hate the sap it leaves on my tools. </p>
<p>But heartpine is definitely my jam. </p>
<p>So just to educate you, in case you aren’t aware…heartpine is the vernacular for wood from the Longleaf Pine. That’s a little misleading, but nevertheless, that’s what most people call it. </p>
<p>Heartpine is “heartpine” because it’s predominantly made up of what we call heart wood. Typically, when you look at a tree’s growth rings, the lighter rings are much more abundant and wider than the dark rings. The light rings are sap wood. The dark ones are heart wood. The heart wood is typically prized for its premium qualities. </p>
<p>Now, hundreds of years ago, and as recent as around 100 years ago, the longleaf pine was abundant. Particularly in the Southern US. Stories of longleaf pines as big as giant redwoods abound, many yielding huge timbers over 120 feet long. </p>
<p>The trees were enormous. And they had been growing, undisturbed for, some estimate, hundreds of years. This is the wood may refer to as “old growth” heart pine, and it looks nothing like the pine you find in your local lumber store. </p>
<p>The trees were strong, plentiful, easy to log and because of their historical slow growth rates, their high heart wood content made them naturally rot and insect resistant. They were considered by many to be the perfect wood. And consequently, heartpine lumber was used to basically build the South, as well as much of the country. </p>
<p>As is true to American form, we harvested it with reckless abandon. Clearcutting, neglecting to replant and generally just decimating the longleaf pine population. By the time any serious realization took hold, longleaf pine numbers were somewhere around 1% of the original growth. </p>
<p>Today, the longleaf pine is not extinct. But still only about 3% f their original numbers remain. And to my knowledge, the only way to get the old growth heart pine is through reclaimed or resawn lumber. </p>
<p>I still read online, many accounts of longleaf pine being lost to over forestation, but that isn’t true. They still remain. Pockets here and there in protected areas. A few in peoples’ backyards. But they are not extinct as is something like the American Chestnut. </p>
<p>Like I said, I’m a heartpine junkie, but I’m still a newbie in this area. But we’ve got a lot of friends who aren’t. </p>
<p>Like Craig over at Novelty Woods in Commerce, GA. And Matt Hobbs with the Sons of Sawdust. Both in Nashville and right here in North GA. </p>
<p>I’ll leave a link below to reach these guys. You won’t be sorry, tapping into their wisdom and experience. I do it all the time! Plus, they’re a great source for materials if you need them. </p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>I could talk all day about this. That was fun. </p>
<p>I love the Myth episodes and Q&A shows. I think we’ll do a Q&A in two weeks. </p>
<p>I hope that was fun for you. And of course, I hope you learned something. I’m finding more and more, we’re sort of evolving into more of a general craftsman discussion podcast instead of a “small shop” centered thing. That wasn’t my original intent, but I sort of like the way this is going. </p>
<p>Hey if you have any thoughts on it though, let me know! </p>
<p>And if you have any myths of questions to share with me give me a shout and we’ll see about getting yours in an upcoming show. </p>
<p>And until then...thanks for being here with me. </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>A last couple of things…if you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review. It makes such a difference for us…especially if listen on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. </p>
<p>But, wherever you’re listening, we would still love it if you subscribed and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on YouTube, then obviously we try to post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. Definitely like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to www.applevalleyfarmga.com for things like our store, our woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>Finally, your support helps make it possible for Everyday Woodworking to continue to be on the air. So we’d love it if you blessed us with your financial support through our friends at Patreon. Monthly support starts at just $5. Thank you in advance for your help! - https://www.patreon.com/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>And if you’d prefer to make a one-time donation, our PayPal page is at https://paypal.me/RickyFitzpatrick </p>
<p>OK. That’s it. Have a great day. Thanks again. </p>
<p>And I’ll see you next time…right here, on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm – http://applevalleyfarmga.com/ </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm Carpenter Bee Traps - http://applevalleyfarmga.com/product/556860 </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </p>
<p>FeedSpot - https://blog.feedspot.com/woodworking_podcasts/ </p>
<p>Kreg Tools - https://www.kregtool.com/ </p>
<p>Kreg K5 Pockethole Jig – On Amazon - https://amzn.to/3ibLFA6 </p>
<p>Novelty Woods - https://noveltywoods.com/ </p>
<p>Sons of Sawdust - http://sonsofsawdust.com/ </p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at https://www.online-convert.com/ for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>PhotoScissors for helping us with part of our graphic design tasks for Thumbnails and cover art. - https://photoscissors.com/ </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - https://www.audacityteam.org/ </p>
<p>(The music we use here on EW comes to us courtesy of our friends at Purple Planet Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com ) </p>
<p>ProWash Ad music - All My Shuffling - Silent Partner. All rights reserved. Used with permission. https://youtu.be/XLxIqdWsveU </p>
<p>EW Patreon Ad – Punky from https://www.bensound.com</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/66383452021-05-23T22:40:18-04:002021-05-23T22:40:18-04:00Episode 17 SHOW NOTES My Grandfather's Tools<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep 17 </p>
<p>SHOP NOTES </p>
<p>My Grandfather’s Tools </p>
<p>WELCOME </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>Well welcome to another episode of Everyday Woodworking. I’ve got to tell you, if you’re listening to or watching this, then you’re probably thinking “Hey, what’s wrong? Ricky’s actually on time this week!” LOL! </p>
<p>And you would be correct! I AM on time with this week’s show! What do you know about that? </p>
<p>Hey it doesn’t happen very often, so live it up, kids! Celebrate while you can because who knows what next week’s gonna look like. </p>
<p>No I really am glad to be knocking this episode out in time this week. I really do want to be on time, but sometimes we just get dadgum busy. </p>
<p>But this week, this is a special show. It’s a subject that is very personal to me. And I’ll tell you a little more about that in a minute. But today, I’m talking about my grandfather’s tools. </p>
<p>If you’re like me, then you’ve got a dad or a grandfather (or as I called him, my granddaddy) that was just larger than life. He was or is your hero. And chances are, there’s a shop, full of the smells of things that have been built or worked on, little jars of screws and nails, scraps of things that might get used “some day”, and a whole bunch of tools that you just can’t buy anymore. </p>
<p>That’s me and my granddaddy’s tools. They’re more than just a bunch of tools that have a logical purpose. But they’re touchstones of a man and the era that he represented. And there’s no amount of money that would make me part ways with them. </p>
<p>Before we get into it, let’s take a quick break and then we’ll come right back. Then you can hang out with me for a few minutes and we’ll take a trip back as we talk about My Grandfather’s Tools…right here, on everyday woodworking. </p>
<p>THE MAN </p>
<p>Well before we talk about the tools that are more precious to me than gold…let me tell you a little about the man that owned them. </p>
<p>Charles William Gillespie, Jr. That was my granddaddy. “Bill” as they called him. He and my Granny, Ruby, grew up during the Great Depression. He worked hard, served his country in WWII, knew how to do most anything, never was to be found without a joke on his lips, and he was the greatest man I ever knew. </p>
<p>My grandparents were more like older parents to me. I lived with them for mostly the first 6 years of my life and they raised me like a son. Even then, my granddaddy was my hero. He was uncommonly intelligent, had a memory like no one I have ever known, and seemed to know how to do anything. </p>
<p>While working part of his 42-year tenure at Blue Bell Manufacturing in Commerce, GA, he did odd jobs on the side when and where he could. He helped build their house, and I watched him create their outbuildings, chicken coop and garage out of scrap lumber, saved nails, leftover paint and nothing but hand tools. </p>
<p>It always amazing me to watch him work. So meticulously. So patiently. He never seemed to be frazzled or rushed, and he always took the time to teach me how to do whatever he was doing. He was a constant life teacher to a young boy. </p>
<p>His tool collection was vast. But I remember noticing that a lot of them were “cheap tools”. Things he would pick up here or there. Something that just cost a few dollars. And he would oil it and clean it and treat it like it was a prized possession. And he made his tools last a lifetime, no matter the name stamped on them. </p>
<p>This is the man that taught me to love to think. He infected me with a love for local history and nostalgia. He helped me learn to plan and sketch and innovate. And he gave me a love of tools and clamps and neatly labeled boxes of a thousand little things. </p>
<p>He taught me to save as much as I could and waste as little as possible. And he always taught me to plan enough time at the end of the day to clean and reorganized everything for tomorrow. </p>
<p>And I’m blessed today, to have some of his old tools, still clanging around in my collection. </p>
<p>HAND SAW </p>
<p>To me knowledge, my granddaddy never owned a skil saw. Or a table saw or band saw or any manner of power saw at all. But he did have an impressive collection of hand saws. And he knew how to use them. </p>
<p>Regardless of his instruction, I never developed the knack for using a handsaw well. My cuts, to this day, will not stay straight, no matter how careful I am! But boy he could cut a straight line in no time flat. </p>
<p>Most of his hand saws were old Craftsman brand. And I later learned that one reason he kept so many is because each of them had a specific purpose. A rip saw or crosscut saw with all manner of teeth per inch. </p>
<p>He also knew how to sharpen his own saw. A task he did routinely. Much like the skill of sharpening your own chainsaw blade by hand, sharpening your own hand saw is something every man should know how to do. </p>
<p>HAMMER </p>
<p>In other episodes, I’ve talked about the hammer. And just a couple of weeks ago, I know I mentioned my Estwing 16 oz framing hammer as the ONLY hammer I would recommend. And I stick by that. </p>
<p>But my Granddaddy never owned an Estwing. </p>
<p>He did however, own a plethora or wooden handled 16-20 oz claw hammers. They aren’t my cup of tea, as far as using them. But aesthetically, they’re perfect. </p>
<p>My favorite one is an old Craftsman claw hammer. Hickory hand, worn almost black from years of sweat and dirt being pressed into the fibers of the wood from strong hands. Worn almost too smooth to hold, today. Drops of white, green and silver paint, randomly left on the handle and head. </p>
<p>It stays on a shelf in my work room, never to see the dusty light of the shop again, for fear of damaging it. It’s probably 60-70 years old by now. And it’s something I just hold, every now and then…almost like a talisman, connecting me to the spirit of some long gone era. It makes me feel like my Granddaddy is smiling at me when I pick it up. </p>
<p>WEN ELECTRIC DRILL </p>
<p>One of the very few power tools my Granddaddy owned was a huge Wen electric drill. God only knows what year it was made, but it was before anyone cared about weight! </p>
<p>If you worked all day, handling this big, silver beast, then you’re a man in my book. It is heavy. A good five pounds, if it’s an ounce. </p>
<p>It still works, although I rarely get it out of its case. But when I gently plug it in and pull the trigger, it smells like it’s burning some half century old motor winding right out of the housing. I imagine OSHA would come unglued if they thought anyone was using it on a job site. </p>
<p>But it was his. And now it’s mine. And it looks like some sort of power tool version of a 1925 Rolls Phantom. Just sleek and shiny and sexy. What man wouldn’t want to own one? </p>
<p>BRACE AND BIT </p>
<p>Even though the Wen is an awesome tool, I never saw my Granddaddy use it. Whenever he drilled anything, he did with his brace and bit. </p>
<p>It was a Stanley. Hollowed head with storage for small bits. It and the handle, made of wood. The rest, heavy, machined steel. Plenty of 3-in-1 oil to keep is all whirring smoothly, as it still does. </p>
<p>The thing about a brace and bit is, I don’t think you can really use it in a hurry. I mean, in the right hands, it gets the job done, but it’s meant to be used intentionally…and that might not always mean “quickly”. </p>
<p>My Granddaddy would use it with sort of a grace. Just smooth, fluid motion. And it never seemed to bind. Never seemed to fail him. He just laid his weight on it and methodically turned the handle til he finished. So simple. </p>
<p>This is another tool I never use, but I still put it in my hands periodically. Just to imagine I feel his pleasure at my having it. </p>
<p>LEVEL </p>
<p>Although I have many tools of my Granddaddy’s that I never use, his bubble level is one that I use often. I still have other newer ones, and I never take his away from the house. </p>
<p>But in spite of its worn and beaten frame, it’s still accurate. And why wouldn’t it be…it’s as simple as you can get. But at first glance, it looks like it would never be true. </p>
<p>I can’t say if this was a store bought level or a handmade one. I’m inclined to think my Granddaddy made it, but I can be sure of that. But it’s a wooden “shell”…which is basically a 2X4, about 24 inches long. Painted a (very) worn reddish brown color, with decades of paint spatters all along its length. </p>
<p>It has three glasses, two of which work. All of them are cloudy and scratched. The vial is missing in the 45 degree glass. </p>
<p>It’s the most “beat up” of his tools I have. Which is extremely odd. But it is well, well used and very well worn. But it still knows when something is a bubble off or not. </p>
<p>HAND PLANES </p>
<p>My Granddaddy didn’t have a powered router or a planer. But he did have a variety of Stanley and Craftsman hand planes. Some are in need of some TLC by someone who knows what they’re doing. But some are in good enough condition for me to still use in my own projects. </p>
<p>Most of the time, I’ll pull one out to impart a nostalgic touch to a reclaimed board. But nothing much beyond that. </p>
<p>For the work I do, the hand plane doesn’t particularly work better than say, a trim router. But I doubt my trim router is going to be in anyone’s prized tool collection when I die either. </p>
<p>So I definitely keep them. They’re more tools that I like to hold, although I’m not proficient enough to use them well. But the man that used them before me, knew how to get them to do his bidding. </p>
<p>I don’t remember seeing him use any of the planes very often, but I did see him sharpen the blades, often. Sometimes I think he’s just get them out, take the blades out and sharpen them when he was bored, just because. It seems like that generation of men liked to have their hands busy at something…industrious. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>That’s not even close to the list of tools I’d like to tell you about, but those are my favorites. </p>
<p>And like I said earlier, having, holding and occasionally using these tools makes me feel closer to my hero. They’re a reminder to me that there’s a purpose to the work I do…that it’s more than just a job or something a client is paying me for. And it sort of recalibrates my thinking…gets my mind right. </p>
<p>I think these old tools, for all of us, can be some of the only things that can keep us connected to our roots. I know they do for me. </p>
<p>They remind me that there was a time when a man’s tools were an extension of the man. And how you took care of your tools was an indication of how you took care of other things in your life. They weren’t just “man toys”. They were a glimpse into the men of that time. </p>
<p>Man, that as a sweet ride for me. I love reminiscing and thinking back on times past. I just love it. And I hope that was cool for you too! </p>
<p>If you have any stories to share with me about any of your old tools and maybe your heroes…let me know. I’d love to hear it. </p>
<p>And until then...thanks for being here with me. We need to do something like this again. </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>One last thing…if you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review. It makes such a difference for us…especially if listen on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. </p>
<p>But, wherever you’re listening, we would still love it if you subscribed and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on YouTube, then obviously we try to post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. Definitely like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And finally, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to www.applevalleyfarmga.com for things like our store, our woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>That’s it. Have a great day. Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…right here, on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm – http://applevalleyfarmga.com/ </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm Carpenter Bee Traps - http://applevalleyfarmga.com/product/556860 </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </p>
<p>FeedSpot - https://blog.feedspot.com/woodworking_podcasts/ </p>
<p>Wen Power Tools - https://wenproducts.com/ </p>
<p>Craftsman Tools - https://www.craftsman.com/ </p>
<p>Stanley Tools - https://www.stanleytools.com/ </p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at https://www.online-convert.com/ for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>PhotoScissors for helping us with part of our graphic design tasks for Thumbnails and cover art. - https://photoscissors.com/ </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - https://www.audacityteam.org/ </p>
<p>(The music we use here on EW comes to us courtesy of our friends at Purple Planet Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com ) </p>
<p>ProWash Ad music - All My Shuffling - Silent Partner. All rights reserved. Used with permission. https://youtu.be/XLxIqdWsveU</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/66363592021-05-21T07:27:10-04:002021-05-21T07:27:10-04:00Episode 16 SHOW NOTES Turning Your Woodworking Hobby Into A Business<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep 16 </p>
<p>SHOP NOTES </p>
<p>Turning Your Woodworking Hobby Into A Business </p>
<p>WELCOME </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>Well welcome back to another week of Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Boy this week’s show covers a subject that I get asked about all the time. And that is…How you can make the leap from hobbyist to business owner, as a woodworker. </p>
<p>And it seems like a really daunting task, but it really isn’t. However, it’s not something I think you should take lightly. And with that in mind, I want to talk a little about how we did it, and then give you some tips about how you can do the same. </p>
<p>Before we do though, let’s take a quick break… </p>
<p>DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THE LEAP? </p>
<p>A lot of us dream of taking our woodworking skills as a hobbyist, and turning them into a full-time profession. Hey, I’m as guilty as anyone of watching The New Yankee Workshop and thinking “I could do that”. </p>
<p>And most of us could…do THAT. But running a successful and profitable business for any length of time means you have to do “that”, plus about 20 other things! </p>
<p>It ain’t for the faint of heart, brother. But I know, I’m just spitting in the wind…you want to have your own little woodworking empire going, don’t you? </p>
<p>It’s a fascinating goal and with good reason, it’s something that we would all probably love to do. </p>
<p>OUR STORY </p>
<p>In 2015, I was working in corporate sales, making more than I had ever made in my life. I travelled a lot. Had a very stressful job. And my health suffered for it. </p>
<p>At just 46 years old, I had a major heart attack, and my wife and I decided that life was just too short to waste it being miserable any more. We started working on our exit strategy. </p>
<p>While on medial leave after my surgery, I started tinkering with hand lettering some wooden signs. I posted them on Facebook. People asked for more. And before we knew it, I was a busy guy. </p>
<p>After returning to the office, we quickly found out that I was losing more money in turned-away orders than I was making at my day job. So I put in my notice and traded in my office desk for a table saw. </p>
<p>After that, we stumbled, readjusted, failed, recovered, shifted, and generally kept our eye on the prize. And here we are, six years later. </p>
<p>We took many, many chances, and were blessed that most of them paid off. But we just kept trying, kept guessing, kept at it and it seems to have worked. </p>
<p>And this is exactly NOT the approach I would suggest! :) </p>
<p>No, I do wish I would’ve had a mentor back when we started. But I was really stubborn and independent and we learned a lot, the hard way. </p>
<p>But hopefully, after hearing today’s podcast, you won’t have to do all that! </p>
<p>So what are some things you should be doing if you want to turn your woodworking into a full-time gig? Well…I’m glad you asked! Let’s take a look at a few areas… </p>
<p>WORKING FOR YOURSELF </p>
<p>So let me just say that entrepreneurship isn’t for everybody. And this is aside from the ability to keep a lot of plates in the air, all at once. </p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong…working for yourself is awesome. There are tons of benefits that make say “I’ll never work for someone else (intentionally) again”. But it does require a certain level of “stick-to-it-iveness”. </p>
<p>When we started Apple Valley Farm, I was not just wanting to strike out on my own, but because of my heart attack, I was motivated to find and pursue something new. And that momentum sustained me for several years. </p>
<p>But make no mistake, you will burn out. </p>
<p>For me, the key to making it thru the burnout, was to find my focus, stay on the path of what I loved, and not get “too crazy”. What I mean by “too crazy” is…I have a real tendency to fixate on whatever I’m doing at the moment. It’s a gift (I think) as well as a curse. </p>
<p>The problem is, attacking a task like that is great, in the short term. I’m like a fighter jet that blasts out of the gate at Mach 2, tearing it up like there’s no tomorrow. But that pace eats up a LOT of fuel. </p>
<p>And when you run out of gas…and you WILL run out of gas…you’ll have to find a way to stay afloat, or you’ll crash and burn. </p>
<p>When I say “Don’t get too crazy”, I mean, find your zone and then ride it. I’m not saying to be complacent and lazy, but you MUST find your “marathon pace” and live in that space. </p>
<p>Trust me, your sanity depends on it! </p>
<p>GET SOME HELP </p>
<p>This could be a book unto itself. My advice is not to go it alone. And I’ll get more into this in the next section about taking a look at yourself. </p>
<p>But let me specifically give you some of the examples of things that helped me when I needed help. </p>
<p>You just don’t want to reinvent the wheel every time you do something…you need someone to turn to. And that’s why I do highly recommend a mentor. </p>
<p>Your mentor would most likely be another, older, more experienced woodworker. But they may not be. But they should be someone you trust and respect. </p>
<p>Also, get involved in some online communities. And not just woodworking groups. You never know who you’ll meet and what benefit that information will have on your journey. </p>
<p>Finally, become a reader. And that could involve audio books or even (ahem) podcasts. But my preference is actually reading a physical book. (I won’t bore you with my opinions on that.) </p>
<p>I’m a self-help sucker. I just thrive on it. And the people who thrive in that field are folks I love to read about. I confess, I do take much of it with a grain of salt, but there are definitely nuggets of gold to be found. </p>
<p>There are dozens of people you could read, but Tony Robbins is my boy. I love Tony. And his book Awaken the Giant Within is one I’ve read at least a dozen times. Get a copy and start letting it inspire you. Your brain will thank me later. </p>
<p>TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF </p>
<p>As I said, self-employment isn’t for everyone. You have to be dedicated, organized, creative, able to handle stress, and willing to do the things that nobody wants to do. It’s tough. </p>
<p>And you must take an objective look at yourself before you embark on the journey. </p>
<p>Aside from the obvious questions about talent and giftedness and marketability, there are the emotional traits you should consider. </p>
<p>Are you scattered? Are you disorganized? Are you a worrier? Are you bad with money? </p>
<p>And if you aren’t sure if you can be completely objective with yourself, then find a mentor you can trust and ask them to be brutally honest with you. My wife is my sounding board. </p>
<p>She will tell me the truth, even if it hurts. And I need that, because I’m a dreamer. She’s a realist. And if you’re a dreamer, then you need someone to keep your feet on the ground. </p>
<p>You could turn to your spouse, a sibling, a great friend, an older mentor, a pastor. I would avoid folks like mamas and current co-workers. </p>
<p>MONEY MATTERS </p>
<p>Don’t misunderstand me, you don’t have to have money to start your business. If that was the case, I’d have never gotten going. </p>
<p>But you do need to try to be in as healthy a financial place as possible. </p>
<p>Frankly, we were blessed. When we started, we hit the ground running from day one. But the overwhelming majority of businesses won’t see a profit for at least a year. Statistically, probably two. </p>
<p>It will greatly help, if you can have some money stuck back to keep you going in the beginning. </p>
<p>And I would strongly, strongly encourage you to be as debt free as you can possibly be. </p>
<p>Having said that, let me mention credit cards. As a business owner, you’ll have to have at least one. You just can’t run on cash alone. But you MUST treat it like a hand grenade. </p>
<p>If you lose respect for it, it will destroy your business. That’s all I’m going to say about that. But be smart. You already know it. Debt is bad. </p>
<p>BE REALISTIC </p>
<p>It’s hard to be blunt with yourself when it comes to what you think will “work”. And again, I’d go back to my go to person to get candid advice. </p>
<p>But sometimes you’ll take a chance. And that’s just part of it. </p>
<p>But don’t be foolish. </p>
<p>Know your market. Study your demographic. Understand your profit margins, to the penny. </p>
<p>Before you quit your day job to stay at home, making widgets, you’d better have some proof that there’s a profitable demand for your widgets, first. </p>
<p>If not, then revise your widgets or revise your approach. But either way, know who your people are before you bet the farm on your “big idea”. </p>
<p>WHERE ARE YOU HEADED? </p>
<p>As the old saying goes “It’s hard to get somewhere if you don’t know where you’re going”. </p>
<p>So as business goes, you’ve got to have a goal. Or as they call it in the business world…a “business plan”. </p>
<p>I like the idea of a business plan, even though it might now be essential for you. But I guess I’d say, I love the bones of the idea. </p>
<p>I’ll be honest though, we never wrote a formal business plan for Apple Valley Farm. But what we did do was write down our goals, short term and long term. We crafted a mission statement. We penned a vision. And we knew what we wanted and why we wanted it. </p>
<p>IMO, these things are a basic minimum requirement for any business owner. Especially knowing the WHY. </p>
<p>For us, my wife and I knew the big reason we wanted me to work for myself was to give us the freedom to be a family. That’s it. It was that easy. </p>
<p>And once we knew our why, then everything else just lined up behind that. </p>
<p>And now, even today, when an opportunity comes up to expand or modify our process, we weigh those choices out against our ultimate goal. “Does this help me be more available or less available for my family?” That’s our fulcrum and how we weigh all our business moves. </p>
<p>You have to know what your fulcrum is and then you have to stick with it. Some people will say you have to be willing to change and yada, yada, yada…and I get it. And that’s a discussion for another day. But I’ll say for now that you have to have a defining value that will be your litmus test for all your decisions. </p>
<p>That’s how we do it, and it works for us. </p>
<p>THE DOWNSIDES </p>
<p>Are there downsides to being a business owner? Yep. A lot of them. </p>
<p>Is it worth it? Well, for me, it’s an absolute yes. But that’s up to you to decide, for you. </p>
<p>You will definitely work more than you ever did for someone else. I work somewhere around 70 hours a week. But that’s because I’m working late at night or on weekends or holidays…but a rarely work a full eight hour stretch. It’s usually an hour here, then a couple hours there, and an hour tonight. Because I’m mingling work and family and freedom, all during my day. </p>
<p>People are fickle. And that’s not a dis against our friends or family or our clients, but it’s just a fact. One day, you’re the hot new kid on the block, the next, you’re old news. It really isn’t a personal attack on you, but it feels very personal at the time. Just be prepared…your fame will come in waves. </p>
<p>Haters gonna hate. Especially if you’re online (and surely you will be). You would think that people who dislike your work or your video or your choice of impact drivers or the way you pronounce the word “chrysanthemum”…would just move on. But they won’t. </p>
<p>They’ll be compelled to let you know how wrong, mistaken, stupid or ignorant you are, and they’ll do it publicly. </p>
<p>You can’t get bogged down in the hate. It’s going to happen, but you’ve got to let it be what it is…someone’s opinion. Glean what you can, then file it away. Focus on your victories and let the droppings fall by the wayside. </p>
<p>Trust me…this is one of my biggest challenges. </p>
<p>Finally, understand that you don’t have a monopoly on woodworking. There are lots of other full-time woodworkers out there. There are lots of part-time woodworkers out there. </p>
<p>And here’s the shocker (for me)…basically every other husband in the world has a handful of woodworking tools in their garage. And guess what? Most of them can do the same thing you do. In their spare time. And many of them can do a better job at it. </p>
<p>That was a HUGE blow to my ego as a guy who’s supposed to be “the guy” who woodworks around town. But the fact is, a LOT of folks take part. </p>
<p>But remember…even though you might be a great cook on the grill, there are still plenty of chefs in your area who aren’t in any danger of losing their job to you. </p>
<p>Do what you do and people will come to know it. And when it comes down to it, folks will always want a professional. </p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>This is FAR from a comprehensive list of things you should consider when contemplating the move from hobbyist to pro woodworker, but I think they’ll be a great start. </p>
<p>I’ll plan to revisit this in a few weeks and we’ll spend a little more time going into detail on things like legal moves, market research, social media, digital income and more. All part of the fun of running a business in the 21st century! </p>
<p>That’s all we have time for today, but again, thank you guys for being here. I really enjoyed this. Sort of a walk back in time for many of these. </p>
<p>I hope y’all enjoyed it too! </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>One last thing…if you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review. It makes such a difference for us…especially if listen on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. </p>
<p>But, wherever you’re listening, we would still love it if you subscribed and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on YouTube, then obviously we try to post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. Definitely like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And finally, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to www.applevalleyfarmga.com for things like our store, our woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>That’s it. Have a great day. Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…right here, on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm – http://applevalleyfarmga.com/ </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm Carpenter Bee Traps - http://applevalleyfarmga.com/product/556860 </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </p>
<p>FeedSpot - https://blog.feedspot.com/woodworking_podcasts/ </p>
<p>The New Yankee Workshop - https://www.newyankee.com/ </p>
<p>Tony Robbins website - https://www.tonyrobbins.com/ </p>
<p>Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins (on Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3vcOTac </p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at https://www.online-convert.com/ for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>PhotoScissors for helping us with part of our graphic design tasks for Thumbnails and cover art. - https://photoscissors.com/ </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - https://www.audacityteam.org/ </p>
<p>(The music we use here on EW comes to us courtesy of our friends at Purple Planet Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com ) </p>
<p>ProWash Ad music - All My Shuffling - Silent Partner. All rights reserved. Used with permission. https://youtu.be/XLxIqdWsveU</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/66269962021-05-10T19:38:03-04:002021-05-10T19:38:03-04:00Episode 15 SHOW NOTES Five Tools Every Woodworker Must Have<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep 15 </p>
<p>SHOP NOTES </p>
<p>Five Tools Every Woodworker Must Have </p>
<p>WELCOME </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>Well welcome back to another week of Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>In the course of woodworking and learning and preparing for our shows, I’m constantly reading blogs or articles or listening to woodworking podcasts or videos. Just always snooping around for new info. Something cool or interesting. </p>
<p>And one thing I noticed was that everyone (including me) is talking about the newest table saw or CNC, or reviewing a hot new drum sander, or a thousand other things that frankly…I can’t afford. </p>
<p>And I thought “What are the absolute essential tools that you need in your shop?” </p>
<p>And that’s what today’s show is about. Five absolutely essential tools that every woodworker must have in their shop. Let’s poke the bear and see what we can stir up. </p>
<p>Before we do though, let’s take a quick break… </p>
<p>MUST HAVES </p>
<p>I already know, when I throw out my list of top five tools, half of you are going to disagree. And that’s OK. These are essential TO ME. I happen to think my list is logical and would make sense for any woodworker, but hey…if you disagree, then you have a right to be wrong. </p>
<p>I wanted to keep it small (top five) and simple (basic tools). I’m also leaning toward classic tools. Now that doesn’t necessarily mean “old” tools, but “proven” tools that have endured through generations. And honestly, some of these aren’t specifically woodworking tools. Some are just good general things to have in any shop. </p>
<p>And let me say, as always, if you have a beef with my picks, then shut your mouth and keep it to yourself. LOL! No, really…let me know. I want to hear your thoughts and ideas, and who knows, you might just change my mind! </p>
<p>So let’s jump on in to our Top Five Tools Every Woodworker Must Have. </p>
<p>Number One: Compound Miter Saw </p>
<p>I Know, I know, you’re going to say, right off, that a miter saw is hardly “classic”. Well…I would disagree. </p>
<p>The miter saw, or as most of us call it, the chop saw, has been around for nearly 60 years. And even though there have been tons of improvements, it’s still basically the same tool it was in the beginning. </p>
<p>If you’re like me, you started life with a wooden (or God help us, a plastic) Miter Box. And that was fine. It was a good start. But I found out really fast that smooth, accurate cuts in that little box were a challenge. I think I used mine like 4 times, then it went into “permanent storage”. </p>
<p>You could argue that a Circular Saw would be more essential than a Chop Saw, and maybe so. But I love the accuracy of the chop saw. And the ability to easily and quickly knock out repetitive cuts, bevels and ahem…compound miters! </p>
<p>A 10-inch saw is probably good for most common tasks, but the addition of a slider vastly increases your ability to tackle wider boards. And a laser cut guide really makes life easier for close cuts. </p>
<p>Brands? Well, we’ve been using our Ryobi 10-inch for over 5 years now and it’s a rock. Cheap, dependable, fairly accurate. I can’t complain. A few other brands to consider would be Ridgid, DeWalt and the Bauer brand at Harbor Freight. </p>
<p>We’ll leave some links. </p>
<p>Number Two: Random Orbital Sander </p>
<p>Or sometimes called the Random Orbit Sander. </p>
<p>As you break down lumber, you’re obviously going to need something to knock off the edges or smooth out the rough patches. Could you do that with a piece of sandpaper and a block of wood? Well, yeah. And I have. But it can be slow, tedious work. And frankly, a power sander can be a lifesaver when you have a lot of sanding to knock out. </p>
<p>Why a Random Orbital Sander? Because I think it’s the most “aggressively controllable” sander. The ROS is the perfect balance between a belt sander (which can be really aggressive) and a Finish Orbital Sander (which can be very delicate). </p>
<p>For me, whether I’m hitting the edges of a fresh 1X4 or chewing away at the face of a reclaimed barn door, the Random Orbital Sander hangs in there for pretty much anything I need. It can be sweet, but it can get pretty ugly if I want it to. </p>
<p>Definitely look for one you can hook up a shop vac to. They generate a lot of fine (dangerous) wood dust. And weight will be a big factor, so keep that in mind when shopping for yours. </p>
<p>Again, we prefer our Ryobi. It’s a hoss and it’s been with me for years. We tried a palm sander before, but we’d just burn up the bearings in them in a few weeks. Any brand. The ROS seems to handle our workload better. </p>
<p>I’d also buy a Ridgid or a Makita. Any of the three would be affordable, tough and relatively quiet. </p>
<p>Number three: Hammer </p>
<p>It may seem silly to try to discuss a hammer here. I mean, a hammer is a hammer is a hammer, right? Not exactly…at least not to me anyway. </p>
<p>A hammer is something that everyone has. But not everyone has a really good hammer. I’m talking about a hammer that you’ll pass down to your son. Those are hammers that made the hammer THE all-around, do it all, never be without hand tool. </p>
<p>The little cheapies that you see at the gas station or the Grocery store. Please. </p>
<p>I’ve got like 17 hammers scattered around the house and out buildings and in my truck and the carport. They’re just great to have. But my “main” hammer has it’s own home, and never shall it be lost from that place. That’s because it is indispensable. </p>
<p>As a woodworker, I use it to drive stray brads, hand pictures, pull nails, tighten joints, straighten nails. I use that hammer, daily. </p>
<p>For me, the Estwing 16 oz Framing Hammer is the quintessential hammer. Smooth face. Solid Steel. Comfortable grip. Not to heavy. Not too light. If you don’t have one, then something’s wrong with you. Get one. Drop a good $30 and consider it an investment in a remarkable, indestructible, ultra-versatile tool. You can thank me later. </p>
<p>Number Four: Power Drill </p>
<p>Now we’re about to poke the bear. </p>
<p>I don’t think anyone would argue that the Drill would be a Top Five tool to have. You just dadgum use it so much. But for this, I’m not talking about a cordless drill. I’m talking about a corded model. </p>
<p>I know, you’re going to say that cordless technology is just as good as corded. But I disagree. I have and have had LOTS of cordless drills, drivers and screw guns over the years. And loved most of them. But when it’s time to get down and dirty and I need to get mean with something, a corded drill will come out on top, every time. It just has more muscle and that’s it. </p>
<p>Do you always need that muscle? No. But if you have to pick one of the two (corded or cordless) then I have to say go with the corded drill. </p>
<p>The cordless models are much more convenient. And portable. And cool. And yada, yada, yada. But if you have to pick only one, then the corded model will pretty much do it all. </p>
<p>Brands? I have a DeWalt that I bought for $10 at a yard sale, 10 years ago. And it’s still my go to drill for heavy drilling. Especially when I have lots of paddle bit work to do, that would normally suck the life right out of a cordless battery. It’s heavy and beefy and totally dependable for when I need to just power through it. </p>
<p>Before that, I had an old Ryobi (the blue one). And it was the same. After about 8 years of constant abuse, it finally burned up on me. But by and large, corded drills are cheap, and they last a very long time. </p>
<p>Number Five: Table Vise </p>
<p>Some people call it a bench vise. I calls it a table vise. Mmm hmm. </p>
<p>It may not seem like a good vise would be an essential tool, but I can’t stress enough the importance of having one. Especially in a small, one-man shop. </p>
<p>For woodworkers, most of us are going to be looking to a woodworker’s vice, or as they used to be called, a face vice. </p>
<p>I remember my granddaddy’s work bench and his vise that was the focal point of the whole thing. His was a face vise that had a wooden handle and jaws, but had a steel screw and mounting plate. It was used as an extra set of hands for joining components. Maybe holding a saw blade secure for sharpening. Or just keeping pressure on a glue up while he moved on to something else. </p>
<p>The vice should be large enough to handle most common jobs, but not overly sized so that it’s in the way. 6-8 inch jaws should be fine and an opening of around 12 inches will cover most jobs you might have. </p>
<p>There are a myriad of vices to choose from, and none of them would really be “wrong”. As long as you make sure the surfaces of the jaws are protected so the don’t mar your wood. These “jaw liners” are usually something like a soft wood, like pine. </p>
<p>Where can you find a good woodworker’s vice these days? Rockler has a really nice one. The call it a “front vice”. It’s about $150, which is about normal. Grizzly has a couple available. Of course, you can always look on Amazon and roll the dice. And you might find a decent one at Home Depot, although probably not in the physical store. </p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>I have to confess, it was really, really hard to just pick five tools for this. I would say that we could easily expand this list to include things like a good tape measure, a speed square, a jig saw, a good hand saw, a set of clamps, a work bench… </p>
<p>So many great tools that have a place in our small shops. But I think this gives us a great start. And IMO, if you have these Top Five tools, you’ll be well on your way to making most any simple project you have a mind to. </p>
<p>That’s all we have time for today, but again, thank you guys for being here. I really enjoyed this. Sort of a walk back in time for many of these. </p>
<p>I hope y’all enjoyed it too! </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>One last thing…if you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review. It makes such a difference for us…especially if listen on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. </p>
<p>But, wherever you’re listening, we would still love it if you subscribed and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on YouTube, then obviously we try to post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. Definitely like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And finally, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to www.applevalleyfarmga.com for things like our store, our woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>That’s it. Have a great day. Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…right here, on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm – http://applevalleyfarmga.com/ </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm Carpenter Bee Traps - http://applevalleyfarmga.com/product/556860 </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </p>
<p>FeedSpot - https://blog.feedspot.com/woodworking_podcasts/ </p>
<p>Ryobi 10 Inch Miter Saw (on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3xViLKh </p>
<p>Ridgid 10 Inch Sliding Miter Saw (on Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3fcVMSt </p>
<p>Bauer 10 Inch Miter Saw (from Harbor Freight) - https://www.harborfreight.com/10-in-dual-bevel-sliding-compound-miter-saw-57179.html </p>
<p>Ryobi Random Orbital Sander (on Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3heSZuz </p>
<p>Estwing 16 oz Framing Hammer (on Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3vWpfqp </p>
<p>Ryobi 3/8 inch Corded Drill (on Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3y1tx1y </p>
<p>Woodstock Cabinetmaker’s Front Vice (on Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3tC7jzC </p>
<p>Rockler Heavy Duty Quick Release Front Vice - https://www.rockler.com/heavy-duty-quick-release-front-vise </p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at https://www.online-convert.com/ for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>PhotoScissors for helping us with part of our graphic design tasks for Thumbnails and cover art. - https://photoscissors.com/ </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - https://www.audacityteam.org/ </p>
<p>(The music we use here on EW comes to us courtesy of our friends at Purple Planet Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com ) </p>
<p>ProWash Ad music - All My Shuffling - Silent Partner. All rights reserved. Used with permission. https://youtu.be/XLxIqdWsveU</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/66184022021-04-30T16:08:14-04:002021-04-30T16:08:14-04:00Episode 14 SHOW NOTES Woodworking Myths #1<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep 14 </p>
<p>SHOP NOTES </p>
<p>Woodworking Myths Debunked #1 </p>
<p>WELCOME </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky Fitzpatrick with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>Well welcome back to another week of Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Let me say, first off, I apologize for missing last week. If you’re a regular listener then you know we post new podcast episodes every week. Well last week, I missed. </p>
<p>Our woodworking business, which is our livelihood, is just booming right now. So I’ve been in the weeds in the shop, just trying to stay caught up. And I just hadn’t had time to put a new show together. </p>
<p>Then the other night I got an email from one of our listeners (noal727) asking me what happened. Wow…talk about a surprise! </p>
<p>Just getting that message was a wake up to me that we actually have folks who follow our podcast and expect to hear something every week. That’s awesome! And it’s an awesome responsibility for me. </p>
<p>So hey guys, I’m sorry for not making the show more of a priority. But you can be sure that from now on, I’m seeing it in a whole new light. We’ll be here. </p>
<p>TODAY’S SHOW </p>
<p>OK…so if you’ve been involved in woodworking for a while…or even just for a short time, then you know there are certain things that everybody says. Or that have been passed down or shared at the hardware store. The world of woodworking is just full of tips and “rules” that may or may not be factual. </p>
<p>Well that’s where we are today. I want to have a little fun, but also seriously look at a few woodworking myths and let’s set them straight, once and for all. (Or at least as well as I can. LOL!) </p>
<p>We’re going to start out this week with, I don’t know, my goal is to tackle 3 or 4. If we can do three, I’ll be happy. Four, then I’ll feel like William Wallace. Let’s see how many of these babies we can dig into. And if we have a ball with it, then we might make this a regular spot, </p>
<p>Before we do though, let’s take a quick break… </p>
<p>MYTHS </p>
<p>Alright, let’s get this going. I’m looking forward to it. I really am. You know, researching this was such a great learning experience for me. Just digging in and seeing what was real and what was folklore, it was just a great way to help me learn. Great learning time for me. And hopefully, for you too, here. </p>
<p>But let’s start with some common things that I’ve heard, and I’m sure you have too. </p>
<p>Number One: </p>
<p>Don’t shake a can of polyurethane because it will cause bubbles on the surface of your project. </p>
<p>I’ve always heard this. The finish manufacturers even put it on the cans of their products. So it has to be right. Right? </p>
<p>Well this is what makes sense to me. Let me ask you… </p>
<p>Assuming you always gently stir your poly before applying it, have you ever used polyurethane (water or oil based) and had bubble appear on your work piece? </p>
<p>If you said “no”, then you’re lying. (LOL) It happens. It happens to all of us. Even if you stir. So my logic is, if you’re going to get bubbles anyway, then stop thinking that shaking your poly is going to prevent them from happening. </p>
<p>And when you do, they’ll rise and pop. And if they don’t pop quickly enough, you can always help them along with a little heat. </p>
<p>Does it matter if you’re using oil or water-based? Yes. The oil based poly will dry much more slowly, so bubbles have longer to rise and pop. Water-based will dry much faster, so bubbles are an issue. </p>
<p>The only product that everyone seems to agree on is Wipe On Poly. Shake it all you want, then wipe it on. The fact that you’re not using a brush to apply it, reduces the introduction of air into the process. </p>
<p>So IMO, I think shaking a can of poly is perfectly acceptable. </p>
<p>Now let me say, as we move on, if you disagree with me on any of these, then let me know. If you make sense, I don’t have a problem correcting myself in the next show. So definitely weigh in if you feel the urge. </p>
<p>OK, Number Two: </p>
<p>Cedar Wood is rot resistant. </p>
<p>Well, everybody knows that’s true. Right? Cedar fencing, for example, lasts forever. So do cedar birdhouses and feeders. Outdoor swings or chairs. On and one… So one can safely assume that all cedar should resist natural rot and decay. </p>
<p>Not exactly. Yes, cedar is rot and insect resistant. The heart wood is, absolutely. But the sap wood, not so much. </p>
<p>In case you aren’t aware of the difference between heart and sap wood… </p>
<p>The heartwood is the inner “heart” of the tree. It’s usually darker in color. The sap wood is the outer, usually lighter part of the tree. This is where the tree can store food and where water passes from the roots to the leaves. It’s generally softer than the heart. </p>
<p>Because of all these things, the sap wood is just not as durable. It has a higher moisture content. And it’s just more susceptible to rot and insect infestation. </p>
<p>The heart wood of all trees is more resistant to rot and damage than the sap wood. But cedar has a natural, notable quality that makes it specifically better than the average wood species. </p>
<p>But that only applies to the heart wood. Not the sap wood. </p>
<p>So there. Bam. Mind blown! Right? </p>
<p>OK, Number three: </p>
<p>Sawdust can give you cancer. </p>
<p>When I first heard this I thought “that’s crazy”. I mean sawdust is wood, which is natural. We’re around it every day. I even joke about loving the smell of sawdust in the morning. </p>
<p>How can it possibly be cancer causing? </p>
<p>Nevertheless, it is. The fine particles of sawdust, the kind that you breathe in and that get trapped in your lungs or in the back of your throat, these are known carcinogens. And no, a gator will not protect you. </p>
<p>I don’t want to get into a “mask debate” here, but the best protection for you in the shop is to install a good air filtration system in your workspace, and get yourself a proven, comfortable respirator. Or at least a dust mask. </p>
<p>You can get a decent respirator with replaceable filter cartridges for less than $30 in a dozen different places online. I’ll leave a link in the notes to a few less expensive ones. My pick is the 3M 6500 with Quick Release. It’s the same mask that Marc Spagnuolo, the Wood Whisperer wears and recommends. That’s good enough for me. </p>
<p>But yes, that dust is bad stuff. Get yourself a dust mask. I might even do a whole episode on dust in the shop. Actually, I think we will. It’s pretty important. So yes…sawdust. Cancer. It’s real. </p>
<p>Number Four: </p>
<p>Good tools are expensive. </p>
<p>If you know me or if you’ve been listening to us for any length of time, then you know my position on this one. </p>
<p>I don’t believe this. And I don’t believe that expensive tool are always good. </p>
<p>We have, and we continue to make a comfortable living, using inexpensive tools. Do they always last? No. Do they sometimes save my bacon? Yes. </p>
<p>But good tools are not expensive. </p>
<p>CAN they be expensive? Yes. CAN an expensive tool be a great investment? Yes. But not always. </p>
<p>There’s no doubt that a quality, respected tool may likely carry a hefty price tag. That’s without debate. But never, never let the cost of a tool be the reason you buy it. </p>
<p>Men have been quoted for generations as saying “ A cheap tool will wind up costing you more in the long run.” And I get it. But honestly, guys, that just ain’t true. I love my manly nuggets of wisdom, but this one is a falsehood. </p>
<p>My advice about tools is, and will always be…Buy the best tool you can afford at the time, then take care of it. </p>
<p>If you do that, you’ll rarely be disappointed. And that’s one thing I can guarantee. </p>
<p>We did it! That was four woodworking myths, either explained or debunked! </p>
<p>I’m going to do this again. That was fun. </p>
<p>But let’s end this today with a bonus. And I don’t have an answer for this myth, or you might call it an urban legend. But I’m curious if any of you might know. Let me know what you find out. </p>
<p>Number Five: </p>
<p>The government has buried hundreds of table saws out in the desert in case of an apocalypse. </p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t even know where I heard this, but it just intrigues the heck out of me. And I can’t find anything online about it…which makes me even more curious! </p>
<p>Find out what you can and pass it along. I’ll share it on the next episode. And maybe we can find out if this is true. </p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>That’s all we have time for today, but again, thank you guys for being here. I totally enjoyed preparing for this one. Anytime I can learn new info on cool or quirky things…I’m all over it. I love it. And this was right up my alley. </p>
<p>I hope y’all enjoyed it too! </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>One last thing…if you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review. It makes such a difference for us…especially if listen on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. </p>
<p>But, wherever you’re listening, we would still love it if you subscribed and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on YouTube, then obviously we try to post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. Definitely like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And finally, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to www.applevalleyfarmga.com for things like our store, our woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>That’s it. Have a great day. Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…right here, on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm – http://applevalleyfarmga.com/ </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm Carpenter Bee Traps - http://applevalleyfarmga.com/product/556860 </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </p>
<p>FeedSpot - https://blog.feedspot.com/woodworking_podcasts/ </p>
<p>Jaemor Farms - https://www.jaemorfarms.com/ </p>
<p>North 7700 Half Face Respirator – On Uline - https://tinyurl.com/k64uxrzz </p>
<p>3M 5000 Series Half Face Respirator – On Amazon - https://tinyurl.com/27mdbecp </p>
<p>3M 6503QL Respirator with Quick Release Mechanism. Used and recommended by The Wood Whisperer, Marc Spagnuolo. – On Amazon - https://tinyurl.com/yfmb3zhy </p>
<p>The Wood Whisperer, Marc Spagnuolo - https://thewoodwhisperer.com/ </p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at https://www.online-convert.com/ for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>PhotoScissors for helping us with part of our graphic design tasks for Thumbnails and cover art. - https://photoscissors.com/ </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - https://www.audacityteam.org/ </p>
<p>(The music we use here on EW comes to us courtesy of our friends at Purple Planet Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com ) </p>
<p>ProWash Ad music - All My Shuffling - Silent Partner. All rights reserved. Used with permission. https://youtu.be/XLxIqdWsveU</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/66076992021-04-18T19:19:08-04:002021-08-09T12:50:06-04:00Episode 13 SHOW NOTES Security In Your Small Shop<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep 13 </p>
<p>SHOP NOTES </p>
<p>SECURITY FOR THE SMALL SHOP </p>
<p>WELCOME </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky Fitzpatrick with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>As woodworkers, invest a lot of money in tools and materials. No…we invest a huge percentage of our money into tools and materials. </p>
<p>So one of the absolute most important things you can do is to protect your stuff. </p>
<p>Today, we’re going to take a look at implementing Shop Security. What can you do that’s either free or inexpensive? How much does security cost? And how much do you really need? </p>
<p>COFFEE </p>
<p>I’m drinking my coffee this week, as I do many weeks, from a cup from our good friends at Jaemor Farms. Jaemor is THE local Northeast GA destination for fresh fruits and veggies, handmade products and much, much more. </p>
<p>Plus, as I’ve mentioned, they’re also one of only a handful of retailers that we trust to carry our handmade products from our woodworking business at Apple Valley Farm. Like our Carpenter Bee Traps. </p>
<p>We’ve been dealing with Jaemor for years and years, as woodworkers and frankly, just as customers. If you haven’t given them a try yet, you should drop by their main location, in Alto, GA or in the newer Banks Crossing store in Commerce. </p>
<p>And if you’re not local, then visit them online at www.jaemorfarms.com. You won’t be sorry. </p>
<p>Thank you, Daphne and all our friends over at Jaemor Farms. I don’t know what we’d do without you. You guys are amazing! </p>
<p>SECURITY </p>
<p>My first experience with tool theft happened about 14 years ago. I was still working a “regular job” during the day, so I wasn’t home all that much. We had just bought our home, which was a fixer upper. </p>
<p>As a result, we had a lot of tools here and there, and frankly, most of the time it’s just easier to leave things where they are instead of putting them away. And since we live in a very small town and in a rural area, I didn’t think anything about it. </p>
<p>Growing up, we rarely locked our doors. And honestly, today, I feel pretty much as safe as I did back then. We live less than five miles from my childhood home now. </p>
<p>Nevertheless, one day, when I came home, my table saw which I had left sitting in our open carport, was gone. That, a few other tools and a car seat (who steals a car seat?) were all gone. </p>
<p>We called the sheriff, filed a report, called out insurance company. The whole bit. Long and short of it…my tools were never recovered, and my insurance deductible was more than the value of my tools. So I guess you could say we were just out of luck. </p>
<p>That taught me two things. One: Tools are expensive, especially when you buy them twice. And two: Protect your stuff. </p>
<p>Most of us here have a small space that honestly, might be a little tough to secure. Open carports and garages, open sheds, old out buildings, makeshift work areas. It’s going to be hard for some of you to make those spaces theft-proof. </p>
<p>But even some security is better than none. </p>
<p>WHERE DO YOU START? </p>
<p>Let’s start with the obvious. First, what can you do to reduce your “steal appeal”? Because in case you didn’t know it, the best lock only serves to slow down a determined thief. If they want it, there’s nothing you can do to stop them. So before we talk about locks and alarms, how about things you can do to attract less attention? </p>
<p>Here’s a list to get you thinking: </p>
<p>Be friendly with your neighbors <br>Get a pet <br>Don’t be predictable <br>Leave a light on <br>Invest in light timers <br>Talk to your friends <br>Have family drop by <br>Don’t tell everything on social media <br>Put your stuff away <br>Out of sight, out of mind </p>
<p>Next, after you do the free and inexpensive stuff, what about things that cost a few dollars? Or more? </p>
<p>Let’s look at a list of common security measures that might cost a buck or two. Many of these can be part of your home’s security functionality. </p>
<p>Motion Sensors – On windows, doors, general area. Localized operation up to full LEO Notification. - $40 and up <br>Alarms – Work with Motion Sensors, usually. Possibly movement triggers. May be localized up to a subscription based monitoring system. - $40 and up <br>Ring - $100 and up <br>SimpiSafe - $200 and up <br>ADT - $35/mo and up <br>COVE - $14.99/mo and up </p>
<p>I could go on and on, but you get the idea. </p>
<p>Aside from these sensors and monitoring systems, there are also affordable old school things like: </p>
<p>Door Locks - $10 padlock <br>Deadbolt - $50 for a deadbolt <br>Steel Door - $200 and up <br>Garage Door - $1000 and up </p>
<p>There would also be things that would be hard to put a dollar figure on like: </p>
<p>Fencing </p>
<p>Electric Fencing </p>
<p>Flood Lighting </p>
<p>“Loud” Landscaping (gravel, rocks, etc) </p>
<p>HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED? </p>
<p>Now for the hardest area to really quantify…How Much? </p>
<p>Of course, how much security you need is subjective. It depends on you. Your geographical area. Your surroundings. Your tools or inventory. Your investment. Your budget and ability. </p>
<p>Lots of variables to consider before you just say you’re going to “make things more secure”. </p>
<p>Could you have too much protection? Well, yeah. You could. But again, sometimes that’s a matter of opinion. </p>
<p>If you add a $5K laser triggered, state of the art, hardwired security system to protect your $200 Table Saw…some might call that overkill. But if your table saw has personal value, then the cost of securing it may be inconsequential. </p>
<p>On the other hand, if you have $40K worth of shop tools that might include a CNC, a table saw, a planer and jointer, and a collection of professional hand tools, then a pad lock on the door might be a little careless. </p>
<p>If we only take the monetary value of the tools you own, and possibly the materials you have on hand, then we should be able to come up with a dollar figure that we can spend on security for those tools. </p>
<p>For me, I suggest spending no more than 5% of the total value of your tools and materials on shop security. </p>
<p>That doesn’t mean that everyone one should spend 5%? No. But it does suggest that you spend UP TO 5%. </p>
<p>So as with the above example…for a $40K shop, I’d limit myself to spending no more than $2K on shop security. Spend less if you can, but no more than 5%. </p>
<p>If you have around $2K in homeowner grade tools like a table saw, chop saw, band saw, hand sander and a few drills…then limit yourself to around $100 to protect things. </p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>Hey, this is by no means an exhaustive look at Shop Security, but I think it’s a really good start. </p>
<p>If you’re like me, then you’ve got a relatively exposed area, not a lot of tools, but enough that you don’t need them getting gone, and a budget that doesn’t let you spend a fortune. If so, then be smart. </p>
<p>Do the free stuff. Then do the cheap stuff. Then spend a little cash and then don’t obsess over it. </p>
<p>You aren’t protecting a signed, first edition Lonesome Dove. It’s just tools. So do your due diligence and let it go at that. </p>
<p>We may come back and do a deep dive on certain pieces of this, later on. There’s a ton of info on things like motion sensors or deadbolts…we could spend half an hour on those alone. </p>
<p>So stay close and listen out for more along these lines. </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>One last thing…if you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review. It makes such a difference for us…especially in you’re on Apple Podcasts. </p>
<p>But, wherever you’re listening, we would love it if you subscribed and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on YouTube, then obviously we try to post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. Definitely like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And finally, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to www.applevalleyfarmga.com for things like our store, our woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>That’s it. Have a great day. Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm – http://applevalleyfarmga.com/ </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm Carpenter Bee Traps - http://applevalleyfarmga.com/product/556860 </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </p>
<p>FeedSpot - https://blog.feedspot.com/woodworking_podcasts/ </p>
<p>Jaemor Farms - https://www.jaemorfarms.com/ </p>
<p>Motion Sensors at Home Depot - https://www.homedepot.com/p/WAC-Lighting-Endurance-Graphite-Motion-Sensor-for-Flood-and-Security-Lights-MS-120-GY/313579069 </p>
<p>Ring - https://ring.com/ </p>
<p>SimpliSafe - https://simplisafe.com/ </p>
<p>ADT - https://www.adt.com/ </p>
<p>COVE - https://www.covesmart.com/ </p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at https://www.online-convert.com/ for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - https://www.audacityteam.org/ </p>
<p>(The music we use here on EW comes to us courtesy of our friends at Purple Planet Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com )</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/66004122021-04-10T16:47:45-04:002021-04-10T16:47:45-04:00Episode 12 SHOW NOTES Listener Q&A #1<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep 12 </p>
<p>SHOP NOTES </p>
<p>Q&A #1 </p>
<p>WELCOME </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky Fitzpatrick with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>Well today we’re doing something a little different. If you’re a regular listener, then you know we’ve been in the middle of a “Setting Up Your Small Shop” series. Today, we’re going to take a break from that and do a little Listener Q&A! </p>
<p>Also, you may know that we post new episodes every week here at EW. Well last week, we skipped a week. Just between Easter, and our woodworking orders and family stuff…we just didn’t have time to put it all together. So if you missed us last week…we’re back! </p>
<p>COFFEE </p>
<p>I’m not going to beat around the bush. I really want to jump right into our questions. But a couple of things… </p>
<p>One, if you have questions you’d like for us to answer in our next Q&A, then send them along. Email them to me at ricky@applevalleyfarmga.com. And really guys, it’s virtually anything goes! Let it rip and let’s see what we can learn. </p>
<p>And two, I’m drinking my coffee this week from a cup from our good friends at Jaemor Farms. Jaemor has been our local destination for fresh fruits and veggies, handmade products and frankly, the most down to earth staff and service of any business we know of. </p>
<p>Plus, they’re also one of a handful of retailers that we trust to carry our handmade products from our woodworking business at Apple Valley Farm. Like our Carpenter Bee Traps. </p>
<p>We’ve been dealing with Jaemor for years and years, both in their Alto location and nearby in the newer Banks Crossing store. If you haven’t given them a try yet, you’re missing out. </p>
<p>If you’re local, be sure to stop in. And if not, then visit them online at www.jaemorfarms.com. </p>
<p>Thank you, Daphne and all our friends over at Jaemor Farms. You guys are amazing! </p>
<p>Q&A </p>
<p>Alright. With that, let’s get into our Q&A. </p>
<p>FYI, I’m pulling questions from email, from podcast comments, social media pages and from our YouTube Channel. So this is running the gamut. </p>
<p>David Boardman (Boardman Co Woodworks) </p>
<p>Facebook </p>
<p>@BoardmanCoWoodworks </p>
<p>House Shoes or Crocs in the shop? </p>
<p>First off we have to ask ourselves if David is trying to be funny here, or serious. I would assume the former, but let’s see where this goes. </p>
<p>Secondly, we need to define “house shoes”. I think we all know that Crocs in the shop are just an invitation for pain and suffering. But I’m not sure what “house shoes” technically means. </p>
<p>I would say that means “Any commonly worn style of comfortable shoe”, ie “One that is worn around the house”. Now that could be relative to the person and their definition of “comfort. </p>
<p>But let’s see what Google has to say… </p>
<p>This is what I found: A house shoe is a general term for any footwear that is intended to be worn indoors, particularly at home, while a slipper is a type of indoor or outdoor footwear that you can easily “slip-on” your feet. Remember that house shoes can be slippers, but not all slippers can be house shoes. </p>
<p>OK, so that narrows my initial definition down. This is what we call “bedroom shoes” in our house. </p>
<p>So I see now that there is no doubt that David is trying to side hustle as a comedian. </p>
<p>But back to the comparison of the two styles of footwear. </p>
<p>IMHO, I would say that the wisest choice would depend on the work that you’re doing at the moment. However, we should note that neither are OSHA or Mama approved. If you wear either in the shop, you’re playing with fire…or at least something that isn’t going to be very agreeable with your foot. </p>
<p>But Crocs, while having a somewhat hard sole, would provide better protection against nails, brads, screws and general sharp, pointy things that might be waiting to snag the bottom of your foot while walking around. </p>
<p>Nevertheless, the Crocs are also open-toed. And while the House Shoes might not provide much structural protection, at least they have some type of covering over your piggies. </p>
<p>Don Palm </p>
<p>YouTube </p>
<p>I just bought a set of unfinished cornhole boards and someone told me to wet sand the final sanding. What’s your opinion on that? </p>
<p>That's a great idea, actually. If I understand that person’s suggestion correctly, that's called "raising the grain", and it's an essential step for most fine woodworking. It isn’t exactly wet sanding, but it does involve using water. </p>
<p>Raising the grain uses water to cause the surface wood fibers to swell when they get wet, which “pulls” that texture up so you can sand off the ridges. If you don’t do this, then the moisture in whatever finish product you apply will raise the grain itself, thus leaving you a less than perfect feeling surface. </p>
<p>If you decide to do this, I would sand the board to a 150 or 220, dry. Then blow the surface clean, then spray it with a spray bottle of plain water. It doesn’t take much, but definitely do more than just mist it. After that, give it a few minutes to raise the grain, let it dry, then sand it back with the 220. </p>
<p>You can do this 2 or 3 times, each pass creating a smoother surface, but a couple of times should be fine. </p>
<p>After you final “wet sanding”, then let it dry well, then move on to applying your poly or whatever protective finish you prefer. </p>
<p>You can skip raising the grain, but it makes a huge difference in the final feel. Great question! </p>
<p>Justin Gee </p>
<p>Facebook </p>
<p>@JustinGee </p>
<p>Which wood finishing product and technique you like the most and why? </p>
<p>When I saw this, my first thought was “Wow, this could really get deep”. I mean, there are SO many products and finishing techniques we’ve used over the years. And I genuinely like a lot of them. </p>
<p>You would think it might be really hard to hone in on just one of each. But actually, it isn’t. </p>
<p>When we first started AVF, I fell in love with Spar Urethane, and I’ve loved it ever since. I mean, I love it. The smell. The consistency. The way it affects a piece of wood. It’s just, IMO, an incredible product. </p>
<p>But if you misuse it, it can be a bear. It likes low humidity and moderate temperatures. It can be prone to air bubbles if you don’t apply is slowly. And it definitely will change the look of whatever you use it on. </p>
<p>We “discovered” spar back when we used Heart Pine almost exclusively. And the first coat just soaked into the wood and darkened it, quite a lot. But we learned to plan with that, and now it’s something I appreciate about it. </p>
<p>The look that SU creates is just simply like no other. And it will always be my favorite. </p>
<p>My favorite technique would have to be Shou Sugi Ban, or the Japanese method of Charring Wood to protect it. It literally means “the burning of Japanese cypress”. </p>
<p>When I first heard about Shou Sugi Ban on an episode of Fixer Upper, I saw Chip Gaines learning about it. It just sounded so crazy and illogical. I had never heard of it before and the idea of sealing wood by burning it just seemed like something a madman would do. </p>
<p>But it works. You don’t really “burn” the wood…you char the surface in a way that sort of caramelized the outer fibers and makes them less porous. And even though the process took a little getting used to, once you understand how your wood reacts to certain applications of the fire, it becomes a tool like any other shop tool or product. It’s very forgiving and it yields some beautiful results. </p>
<p>Shou Sugi Ban enjoyed a really high sense of popularity a few years back, and it’s nowhere near as trendy as it once was. But it’s still quite popular and it creates a look that may not be moving and shaking, but it never really goes out of style. </p>
<p>It’s my favorite technique and I hope I get to keep using it, and Spar Urethane for a very, very long time to come. </p>
<p>Great question, Justin! </p>
<p>Cindy Beckwith </p>
<p>YouTube </p>
<p>Do you put any kind of sealer on your wood before or after painting your lettering? </p>
<p>I should explain this first. FYI, at Apple Valley Farm, our woodworking business, one of the things we offer is hand-lettered signs and décor. And we post videos on our YouTube channel, showing how we do the lettering and things like that. So Cindy is asking what we do after the do the painting. </p>
<p>The short answer is “no”. But when we do, it’s not before, but after the lettering. After everything dries (usually a couple of hours), then we might spray over everything with a clear matte sealant. </p>
<p>We used to get the specific Craft Sealant at Walmart or Hobby Lobby, but it was like $4 a can. Later we found the clear matte spray at Wally World for about half the price. Now we use only that. </p>
<p>If the sign is going to be outdoors, we use a spray poly. Just a Varathane, is fine. But, and this is a big but…this only makes the sign weather resistant, not weather proof. So it’s good for say hanging on your porch, but not out in the yard. </p>
<p>Chief </p>
<p>YouTube </p>
<p>I bought a picnic bench at Lowe’s. Used minwax gel stain on it. I’m supposed to use spar urethane tomorrow but won’t sanding in between coats scratch off my stain? </p>
<p>First, dude, I know you could’ve built that bench yourself! But I know…the big box stores can sell that stuff, a lot of times, cheaper than we can buy the materials and build it for, ourselves. So I’ll give you a pass on that. </p>
<p>But that's a great question. And the answer is yes. And no. :) </p>
<p>A light sanding is mostly just leveling out the grain after the moisture in the stain raises it. Use a light, light touch and a fine grit. I usually use no less than a 220. Higher, I you’ve got it. But no lower than a 220. And just let the weight of your hand be all the pressure you use. It doesn’t take much. </p>
<p>If you remove to much stain or paint, you can always apply more, but I doubt you'll need to. It’s SO easy to sand between coats. It’s almost impossible to mess it up. </p>
<p>I will add though, and this doesn’t exactly apply here, but if you have a piece that has a mix of painted or stained and unfinished areas, you’ll want to be extra aware of your sanding “residue”. And you’ll want to sand (as always), with the grain. </p>
<p>But when I say sanding residue, I mean the pigment that your sanding removes. That fine particulate can work its way into the fibers of unfinished wood in a second. And it’s almost impossible to get out. </p>
<p>When I have a situation like that, I sand super delicately. Then I either blow the residue off (which is best), or knock it off with a clean shop towel. Do not wipe that junk. It will push the residue down into the wood and you’ll be pulling your hair out. </p>
<p>That’s just a tip, in case you have mixed surfaces you’re working with. </p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>Alright. Dude…that was awesome! Our first Q&A, in the books! I loved it. Had a ball. Learned a lot. And I hope you did too. Man, I can’t wait to do this again. We might just plan to do a Q&A like, once a month. I don’t know. We’ll see how many questions we get. </p>
<p>You guys, send your stuff in and let us know what you need to know. We’ll just make this a regular segment. </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>One last thing…if you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review. It makes such a difference for us…especially in you’re on Apple Podcasts. </p>
<p>But, wherever you’re listening, we would love it if you subscribed to our podcast and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on YouTube, then obviously we try to post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. Definitely like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And finally, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to www.applevalleyfarmga.com for things like our store, our woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>That’s it. Have a great day. Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm – http://applevalleyfarmga.com/ </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm Carpenter Bee Traps - http://applevalleyfarmga.com/product/556860 </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </p>
<p>FeedSpot - https://blog.feedspot.com/woodworking_podcasts/ </p>
<p>Jaemor Farms - https://www.jaemorfarms.com/ </p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at https://www.online-convert.com/ for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - https://www.audacityteam.org/ </p>
<p>(The music we use here on EW comes to us courtesy of our friends at Purple Planet Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com )</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/65875632021-03-28T20:08:35-04:002021-03-28T20:08:35-04:00Episode 11 SHOW NOTES How To Choose A Table Saw<p>In today’s show, we’ll be looking at what many believe is THE most important tool you will ever buy for your shop. The Table Saw. And this week, we’ll talk about How To Choose A Table Saw for your small shop. I can’t wait to this on with you! So be sure to join us for all that and more, right here, on Everyday Woodworking.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep 11 </p>
<p>SHOW NOTES </p>
<p>Setting Up A Small Shop – How To Choose A Table Saw </p>
<p>WELCOME </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky Fitzpatrick with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>Well welcome back my little woodworking partners! And Partner…ettes. You know what I mean. </p>
<p>We are about to swim on over to the deep end of the pool today. We’ve been wading around about knee-deep in our series on Setting Up A Small Shop, but today we’re jumping in with some talk about How To Choose A Table Saw. </p>
<p>Even for a small shop, you cannot underestimate the value of the table saw. Even with the love affair with CNCs, the table saw is still the rock-steady, centerpiece of the average American woodworker’s workflow. </p>
<p>And if you’re setting up a small shop, then a discussion about table saws isn’t a matter of if, but when. It’s a must-have. And for many of us, it might be the first big tool investment we’ll make. For some of us, it may be our only major tool purchase. </p>
<p>So we want to approach the subject with its proper weight and break it, break it down into some logical nuggets of info as we start exploring this very important segment of the shop-iverse. </p>
<p>WHAT’S HAPPENING? </p>
<p>But before we do, let’s take a quick peek at what’s been happening here in our little corner of things. </p>
<p>Aside from woodworking stuff, Springtime is here, Jack. And as I mentioned last week, we’re getting our garden beds ready to rock. This week, I got a ton…like, literally a ton…of mulch, and spread it around the garden areas. </p>
<p>You may not know this, but most area landfills process a mountain of mulch on site. They just grind up yard waste and wood products, and that stuff gets mixed in with soil and God only knows what else. But it actually makes some pretty decent mulch. </p>
<p>Jackson County (where we live) does this. And they just give it away for free. All you have to do is come get it. So I took my little trailer up there and they dumped about three scoop fulls on me and it was awesome. Way more than I needed. </p>
<p>Next, I need some “cleaner” mulch for garden paths and edging and areas around trees. For that, the landfill mulch is just too…let’s say “funky”. It’s a great ground cover and weed suppressor. But it doesn’t look very nice. </p>
<p>So next, we called some of our friends in the Tree Service business. Tree guys always have mulch! Some of them sell it on the side, but frankly, most of them are so busy with their tree removal, they don’t have time to fool with mulch. So if you tell them you want it, they’ll usually give it to you for free. And if you’re near a job, they’ll even dump it in your yard. Now that’s easy. </p>
<p>So we’re in the mulch, baby! It’s a lot of work to put it out, shovel by shovelful, but when it’s free, you can’t complain! </p>
<p>COFFEE CUP </p>
<p>NA </p>
<p>How To Choose A Table Saw </p>
<p>Alright, let’s get into it. How to choose a table saw! As always, we’re going to breeze through this pretty fast, but of course, you can always ask me if you have questions and we’ll go back over something in more detail. </p>
<p>Um, FYI, we are not going to suggest a specific table saw. And you’ll see why in a minute. The variables are just too…vaired…for me to tell you what the best saw is for you. You’ll have to weigh everything out and make your own decision. </p>
<p>I will however, leave a few links at the end of this to some of our favorites. I’ll just go ahead and say, we’ve had the Ryobi 10 inch Benchtop Table Saw for years and we love it. Is it the best saw on the market? No. But for (at the time) less than $100, it’s hard to beat. </p>
<p>We also like Ridgid. Dewalt is always a solid choice. A good used Craftsman is hard to top. And the Warrior or Chicago Electric at Harbor Freight…always an affordable contender. So there’s a few to get you started. </p>
<p>To help you choose the best table saw for your small shop, we’re going to break this down into Five General Areas. </p>
<p>Use </p>
<p>Size </p>
<p>Features </p>
<p>Reputation </p>
<p>Budget </p>
<p>How Will It Be Used? </p>
<p>How accurate do you really need it to be? <br>How thick will the material be? <br>Mostly softwoods or hardwoods? <br>Will you want to break down a lot of plywood panels? <br>How often will you use it? <br>Indoors or outdoors? <br>Buy for the most complex operation you will be using it for. <br>Buy the best you can afford at the moment. <br>Then make it last. </p>
<p>Pick A Size </p>
<p>Benchtop </p>
<p>Small jobs. <br>Portable. <br>Small table. <br>Limited features. <br>Aluminum Top <br>Universal Motor <br>120V power requirement. <br>Can be loud. <br>Lightweight at less than 100 pounds. </p>
<p>Contractor </p>
<p>More power. <br>Prob brushless motor. <br>Smoother operation and cuts. <br>More durable. More accurate. <br>Usually quieter. <br>Usually a single-belt drive <br>Excellent fence. <br>Cast Iron top (likely) <br>Still 120V. <br>Prob weighs around 200 pounds. </p>
<p>Cabinet </p>
<p>Enclosed motor. <br>Serious. <br>Prob 240V. <br>Powerful. <br>Stationary. <br>Large table with options for extensions and extra outfeed. <br>Beefy cast iron trunnions and bearings for durability and longevity. <br>Base-Attached Trunnions <br>Incredibly accurate and smooth in operation. <br>Pricey </p>
<p>Features </p>
<p>Fence </p>
<p>Locking, accurate fence is critical. <br>Upgrade the fence if you can. </p>
<p>Miter Gauge </p>
<p>Large. <br>Stop points at 90 and 45. <br>Wide support. <br>Tight fit. </p>
<p>Dust Collection Port <br>Table Size <br>Power </p>
<p>1-2 HP motor is good for most of us. <br>Lots of 8/4 and up hardwoods may require more. </p>
<p>Electricity </p>
<p>120V plug in is all most of us have. <br>240V can get expensive. </p>
<p>Table Extensions <br>Blade Options and Changing Ease <br>Bevel Adjustments </p>
<p>Easy and Accurate. <br>Locking points if possible. </p>
<p>Safety </p>
<p>Blade Brakes are not standard. <br>A Great feature to have. </p>
<p>Reputation Matters </p>
<p>Research Online <br>Consumer Reports <br>Be wary of retail seller reviews. They can be skewed. <br>Ask around <br>Friends and other woodworkers know what works. </p>
<p>Budget </p>
<p>Buy what you can afford. <br>Benchtop Saw - $100 and up <br>Contractor’s Saw - $350 and up <br>Cabinet Saw is going to be $1,500 minimum. <br>Don’t go crazy. <br>Pay for important features. Pass on extras that you can’t afford. <br>Name doesn’t always matter…but, sometimes it does. <br>Listen to our podcast on Budgeting and sources of money for outfitting your small shop. </p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>Alright. That’s it for “How To Choose A Table Saw”. A super quick look at one of the most important tools you will ever buy for your small shop. </p>
<p>And with that in mind, there are undoubtedly things that I overlooked or forgot. Or maybe I said something that you disagree with. If so, let me know. We want to get this right! </p>
<p>And, be sure to come back next week where we’ll be taking a break from the Setting Up A Small Shop series to answer woodworking and small shop related questions from you guys and do a Listener Q&A. This is going to be a blast and I know you’re going to want to be here for that. </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>One last thing…if you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review. And, wherever you’re listening, we would love it if you subscribed to our podcast and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on YouTube, then obviously we post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. Definitely like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And finally, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to www.applevalleyfarmga.com for things like our store, our woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>That’s it. Have a great day. Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm – http://applevalleyfarmga.com/ </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm Carpenter Bee Traps - http://applevalleyfarmga.com/product/556860 </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </p>
<p>FeedSpot - https://blog.feedspot.com/woodworking_podcasts/ </p>
<p>Ryobi 10-Inch Table Saw at Home Depot - https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-15-Amp-10-in-Table-Saw-with-Folding-Stand-RTS12/309412842 </p>
<p>Ridgid 10-Inch Table Saw at Home Depot - https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-10-in-Pro-Jobsite-Table-Saw-with-Stand-R4514/309415135 </p>
<p>DeWalt 10-Inch Table Saw at Home Depot - https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-15-Amp-Corded-10-in-Job-Site-Table-Saw-with-Rolling-Stand-DWE7491RS/204512007 </p>
<p>Warrior Table Saw from Harbor Freight - https://www.harborfreight.com/10-in-15-amp-table-saw-57342.html </p>
<p>Chicago Electric Table Saw from Harbor Freight - https://www.harborfreight.com/merchandising-promotions/clearance/10-in-15-amp-benchtop-table-saw-63118.html </p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at https://www.online-convert.com/ for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - https://www.audacityteam.org/ </p>
<p>(The music we use here on EW comes to us courtesy of our friends at Purple Planet Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com ) </p>
<p>A few helpful articles that we used in our research: </p>
<p>Rockler - https://www.rockler.com/learn/the-right-table-saw-for-your-shop </p>
<p>Woodcraft - https://www.woodcraft.com/blog_entries/choosing-a-table-saw </p>
<p>Acme Tools - https://www.acmetools.com/blog/how-to-determine-what-table-saw-is-best-for-you/ </p>
<p>Popular Mechanics - https://www.popularmechanics.com/about/a35698152/top-portable-table-saws/</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/65875612021-03-28T20:07:34-04:002021-03-28T20:07:34-04:00Episode 10 SHOW NOTES Feng Shui In Your Shop<p>In today’s show, get ready for a look at Feng Shui In the Shop. Regardless of what you believe about the practice of Feng Shui, there are some great lessons to be learned in it about organization and taking steps to think about how you work. And I can’t wait to share it all with you. Be sure to join us for all that and more, right here, on Everyday Woodworking.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep 10 </p>
<p>SHOW NOTES </p>
<p>Setting Up A Small Shop – Feng Shui In Your Shop </p>
<p>WELCOME </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky Fitzpatrick with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>INTRO </p>
<p>Well welcome back to the show. Episode 10, baby! Wow. That is so cool to think that we’re already in double digits! The podcast is doing so well. Our listener audience is growing by leaps and bounds. We even recently got listed by FeedSpot as one of the Top 35 Woodworking Podcasts You Must Follow In 2021! </p>
<p>So thank you guys for helping us grow and thrive. We are grateful, and we’re hopefully, just getting started. </p>
<p>We are in the middle of our latest series on Setting Up A Small Shop. And today we look at Feng Shui in the Shop. Or, basically, how can you arrange your shop so it “flows” and feels beneficial to you. </p>
<p>As woodworkers, we might tend to say “I ain’t doin’ that hippy dippy fung sway junk. That stuff’s just for sissies and preppy city folks.” </p>
<p>And I get it Earl Dibbles, Jr. But I promise you, you’ll thank me later once you implement some feng shui techniques and ideas in a way that will help you organize your shop in a way that encourages peace instead of chaos. </p>
<p>Hang with me, grasshopper. I won’t lead you astray. </p>
<p>WHAT’S HAPPENING? </p>
<p>Lots has been happening this week. </p>
<p>We got a “new” jointer, in case you haven’t already noticed that in our social media posts. As I’ve said many times, we are like the absolutely MOST blessed people on the planet when it comes to great friends and neighbors. Some of our coolest friends are the folks over at a local business called Novelty Woods, over in Commerce. They deal with reclaimed wood…barnwood, beams, doors, etc, and man, they have it all. </p>
<p>I stopped in the other day to see Craig, who owns NW, and he showed me a bunch of tools he picked up at an estate sale. I had already mentioned that one thing we had on our wish list was a jointer. Well, he showed me an old Craftsman jointer that he got in this sale and just told me to take it home. </p>
<p>I mean, what do you do with that?! Wow. So we took it home and I’ve been cleaning it up and getting educated on how to set it up and use it, and I’m planning to put it to work later this week. </p>
<p>Just so cool. And again, a great reminder that surrounding yourself with good people will always add value to your life, and not just as a woodworker. </p>
<p>We also just posted a new Tool Review on our YouTube Channel about a KitchenAid Hand Blender, or an Immersion Blender. Not exactly a woodworking tool, but we had an idea for one around the house. </p>
<p>In case you aren’t aware, we use a homemade laundry detergent. And before you start making jokes and comments, let me tell you, it works, Jack. It works, and works like a charm. And it costs us like $2 to make 5 gallons of it. I kid you not. </p>
<p>Anyway, we got the Immersion Blender to help us make the mixture a little smoother. And it worked! </p>
<p>So check that out over on YT if you have time. We love doing stuff like that. </p>
<p>Also, we’re about ready to get our garden in the ground. It’s getting warm and pretty here in GA. Got everything plowed up and our raised beds setup. We’re expanding our garden footprint this year from what was only about 200 sq ft to over 1,500 sq ft. So I’m trying to plan it out really meticulously and not let it overwhelm me. </p>
<p>But I’m planning on growing a lot of tomatoes and green beans this year. And I got me a pressure canner, so we can can a whole bunch of them! We’re going to be like Doomsday Preppers. Ready for the apocalypse, baby! </p>
<p>But that pretty much sums up our week. Springtime means work time! </p>
<p>COFFEE CUP </p>
<p>Also, if you’ve watched or listened to us before, you know that I never record a show without having a cup of coffee in my hand. </p>
<p>I try to give a shout out to some our favorite people by using a coffee mug with their company logo or favorite saying on it. </p>
<p>Today, I’m going to bypass our Coffee Mug Shout Out because we haven’t had time to get with anyone about using their cup on the show. But I do want to encourage you to send us one of your branded coffee cups if you have a business, and we’ll take a look at using it here and telling everyone a little about what you do and how to find you. </p>
<p>Our address is I the show notes, so check that out and send us your awesome coffee mug, today. </p>
<p>FENG SHUI </p>
<p>Alright…on with the show. Let’s get into Feng Shui in the Shop! </p>
<p>What is Feng Shui and why is it spelled so funny? </p>
<p>Well Feng Shui is of Chinese origin (seems like everything comes from China!). It’s a practice of using energy forces to harmonize a person with their surroundings. Or in redneck speak…it makes you feel better about the things around you. </p>
<p>It sounds a little “out there” I know, to some of us. And hey, I’m a Christian. We believe in God and Jesus and we don’t get into “mystical” practices. So I don’t know anything about “energy forces”, but I do like the idea of laying things out in a logical and efficient way. And that seems to be the end result for a lot of Feng Shui activities. </p>
<p>Today, I want to look at some very basic ways to help use principals of Feng Shui to help organize your small shop that will help: </p>
<p>Improve the look of your shop <br>Improve the usefulness of your space </p>
<p>Alright, let’s jump right in. </p>
<p>First, DECLUTTER. </p>
<p>If you have an existing shop space that’s already in use, there’s no doubt, you’re going to have clutter. I’m sort of OCD about it, and every so often, I have to get crazy with my stuff. I just collect junk, things I think I might use, spare parts, things I plan to fix or repair. Just get aggressive and get rid of it. My rule: If I don’t need it, then it’s in the way. </p>
<p>Second, CONSIDER THE BAGUA </p>
<p>In Feng Shui, the Bagua is “the map” of your space as it’s defined by nine areas. So like one area might be Health. That might be where you store your ear and eye protection and maybe your dust masks or respirator. Another area might be Creativity. This might be an area where you have your tools for brainstorming. Sketch pads, pens, compass, etc. </p>
<p>Whether you buy into the whole “energy” idea, organizing your shop according to general areas of use will at the very least keep it all logically grouped together. And consequently, all the things you need for particular tasks, will more likely be all in one spot. </p>
<p>Third, GO WITH THE FLOW </p>
<p>If you primarily build birdhouses in your small shop, then you (hopefully) have a general idea of the process you use. If you build cornhole boards, then your workflow will be different. If you turn bowls, something else. </p>
<p>The main thing is, if you’re at this point in our series, then you should’ve already mapped out a rough workflow for your shop. If you haven’t, then there’s no better time than right now. </p>
<p>Think through what you do, what tools you use, what space you need, and how it would be easier if everything could be in a natural flow. If you typically go from your jig saw to your oscillating sander, then don’t put them across the room from one another. </p>
<p>Arranging your tools in an orderly fashion will make you more efficient and generally “feel right” as you move from station to station. </p>
<p>Fourth, CLEALINESS MATTERS </p>
<p>Most of us are pretty picky about keeping our shop clean. I know it drives me loco to have to walk around on a bunch of wood shavings. So I sweep every few minutes to keep as much of the big stuff up and out of the way. </p>
<p>Also, without being ridiculous, when you finish using something, put it away. Or at least, if you like to keep all your stuff our for a project, then make a point to put everything up before you start another one. </p>
<p>And, make sure everything has a place. Having a “home” for your cordless drills feels a lot better than “storing” them on top of your freezer. That goes back to rules one and two. </p>
<p>Fifth and finally, BREAK THE RULES </p>
<p>For me, a lot of this is trial and error. I’ll start out with a plan to organize and clean and structure, and once it’s done I’ll think “That looks awesome!” </p>
<p>Then the first time I work on a new project, I realize it ain’t working. </p>
<p>If you’re like me, your body has a natural way of moving. You gravitate to certain positions and methods, sometimes out of habit, but sometimes out of just what comes natural. </p>
<p>Don’t fight it. If something don’t feel right then move it. Use the previous four rules as an entry into your custom space. </p>
<p>And in the vein of the flow of energy, consider what flows naturally in your process. What seems to be the next logical movement or placement. </p>
<p>I have a process for drilling pocket holes when I’m building cornhole boards. And I’ll usually do several sets at a time, which means drilling like 200 holes, back to back. So when I reach to grab a new board, to keep me from having to set my drill down and pick it back up two hundred times, I built me a little drill “holster” that I attach to my work bench every time I do this and it make a tremendous difference in how I have to move when I put down and pick up that drill. </p>
<p>It’s a tiny thing, but it makes my movements feel so much more natural. And because of that, I don’t feel like I’m losing my mind at halfway through the project. </p>
<p>Just little things can make a huge difference. So don’t be afraid to change and change and change things again and again, tweaking them here and there until your shop fits you like a glove. </p>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>Alright. That’s it for “Feng Shui In the Shop”. That wasn’t so bad, was it? And we didn’t even have to meditate, did we? LOL! </p>
<p>I really appreciate y’all hanging with me while we look at an unusual subject for a woodworking shop. But I have no doubt that if you follow these ideas, it will help you create a more pleasing, more functional small shop space. </p>
<p>Hey, be sure to come back next week where we’ll start getting into the specific tool selection section of our series. And we’ll kick that off by looking at criteria for Picking A Table Saw. </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>And hey, if you have questions or comments about anything you’ve heard today, then definitely let me know what you think. I’m always looking for great questions! </p>
<p>One last thing…if you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review. And, wherever you’re listening, we would love it if you subscribed to our podcast and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on YouTube, then obviously we post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. Definitely like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And finally, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to www.applevalleyfarmga.com for things like our store, our woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>That’s it. Have a great day. Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm – http://applevalleyfarmga.com/ </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm Carpenter Bee Traps - http://applevalleyfarmga.com/product/556860 </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </p>
<p>FeedSpot - https://blog.feedspot.com/woodworking_podcasts/ </p>
<p>Novelty Woods - https://noveltywoods.com/ </p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at https://www.online-convert.com/ for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - https://www.audacityteam.org/ </p>
<p>(The music we use here on EW comes to us courtesy of our friends at Purple Planet Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com )</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/65749792021-03-15T23:58:41-04:002021-03-15T23:59:01-04:00Episode 9 SHOW NOTES Budgeting For A Small Shop<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep 9 </p>
<p>SHOW NOTES </p>
<p>Setting Up A Small Shop – Working With A Budget </p>
<p>WELCOME </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky Fitzpatrick with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>Well welcome back to the show. We are back at it, all up in our new series on Setting Up A Small Shop. And today we look at Working With A Budget. Or more specifically…how to make sure you can afford all those cool new toys! </p>
<p>We’ll look at the basics of setting up a budget, things you can do to build financial discipline, and finally, sources of money for things you can’t afford yet. </p>
<p>But before we do…a quick update on what’s happening in our world. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>CARPENTER BEE TRAPS </p>
<p>One, I mentioned our Handmade <strong>Carpenter Bee Traps</strong> last week. And they are already taking off! </p>
<p>But, I had a lady on social media express some concern with our “killing” of the carpenter bee, which, she noted, is one of nature’s great pollinators. And no disrespect, but every year, there’s always someone who gets upset because we’re doing anything other than leaving the bees completely untouched and unaffected. And…sorry…it bothers me. But, hey…I sort of get it. </p>
<p>So I wanted to throw some info your way, in case you have any concerns, or in case you maybe make these for your clients or friends. </p>
<p>I see the Carpenter Bee Trap as a way to help curb the carpenter bee population. And all without power, chemicals or dangerous side effects. And if left unchecked, Carpenter Bees can be incredibly destructive. </p>
<p>With a little Googling, I found a number of sites that said the damage is exaggerated and “not really that bad”. Keep in mind, these are the sites that many CB “savers” quotes as fact…although they’re nothing more than opinion. </p>
<p>I’d love to talk to that guy when the carpenter bees he loves to hear buzzing away in the wood around his porch, causes a rain leak that rots his roof and costs him a cool ten grand to replace. </p>
<p>The fact is that CB do in fact cause incredible amounts of damage every year. And it isn’t just cosmetic. </p>
<p>While (surprisingly) I haven’t been able to find any statistical data on the annual cost of CB damage, I would say that using my home as an example…over a 10 year period, if the CB deteriorates the wood to cause my shed to eventually collapse, that could cost me around $1,000 to replace. That’s $100 a year. </p>
<p>There are currently around 5M homes in GA alone. Let’s just multiply that by 10 for the nation, or at least the South, taking into account homes without sheds and any other anomalies. (Although CBs are a concern throughout all of North America, not just the Southern US.) </p>
<p>That’s 50M cases just like mine, times $100 per year, which equals $5 Billion! That’s not even including the costs of annual attempts to deter them. I’d say that’s quite substantial, and admittedly, it may be a huge over-estimation. But even at 10% of that, that’s still $500M. And guess what…that’s not covered by your homeowner’s insurance, buddy. </p>
<p>So, with that in mind, make sure you head over to our online store and grab a little cheap insurance with a few Carpenter Bee Traps for around you house. When you do, our listeners can use the code <strong>EVERYDAY </strong>to get <strong>25% OFF</strong> our regular price. </p>
<p>That’s discount code <strong>EVERYDAY </strong>for <strong>25% OFF</strong> our regular retail price. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>COFFEE MUGS </p>
<p>Also, if you’ve watched or listened to us before, you know that I never record a show without having a cup of coffee in my hand. </p>
<p>I try to give a shout out to some our favorite people by using a coffee mug with their company logo or favorite saying on it. </p>
<p>But today, I’m drinking coffee out of a mug from someone we’ve talked about before on here, <strong>ETS Financial</strong>. With our show being all about money and finances today, I thought it very appropriate to remind everyone about planning for your financial future with our good friends, Eric and Missy Scoggins over at ETS Financial. </p>
<p>I don’t even have the space to tell you all the things ETS can do for you, but in short, they are Retirement Income Planning Specialists. Their focus is helping people who are retired or nearing retirement to properly plan for the most important phase of their financial lives, “The Distribution Phase”. We’ll have a link to their website in the show notes, and I highly encourage you to contact them today for all the details about how they can help you prepare for your financial future. </p>
<p>I’ll also have a link to Eric’s book on Amazon, <strong><em>Retire Strong</em></strong>, a must-read for anyone who is beginning to look at the need to plan for the coming years. </p>
<p>I can’t say enough good things about the Scoggins and everything they do. They are a Godly, trustworthy family, and their reputation in business is second-to-none. Definitely get in touch with them today at ETS FINANCIAL. </p>
<p>And hey, if you have a business and you like what we do here, send us one of your branded coffee cups and we’ll use it here and tell everyone a little about what you do and how to find you. </p>
<p>Our address is I the show notes, so check that out and send us your awesome coffee mug, today. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Alright…Setting Up A Small Shop. Working With A Budget. </p>
<p>PART 1: SETTING A BUDGET </p>
<p>Well to start…you need a budget. That’s like Money 101. If you don’t know where you’re spending your money, then you’re wasting your money. </p>
<p>There are lots and lots of great apps and places online that will help walk you through the process of setting up a budget. Although, it isn’t rocket science. You decide how much you’re going to have coming in, decide what you want to spend, then keep track of what’s going out. </p>
<p>But a few good free ones are: </p>
<ul> <li>Personal Capital - https://www.personalcapital.com/ - Easy UI, but might be a little much for this application. </li> <li>Mint - https://mint.intuit.com/ - Mint is a biggie. It is very personal finance oriented. </li> <li>Budget Tracker - https://secure.budgettracker.com/login.php?sp=nouser </li> <li>Budget Pulse - https://www.budgetpulse.com/ </li> <li>Money Strands - https://moneystrands.com/ </li>
</ul>
<p>Dave Ramsey - https://www.daveramsey.com/ - One of the most popular financial resource sites right now is the Dave Ramsey organization. Their budgeting tool isn’t free though, but I wanted to mention it, since DR is so popular. I’m personally not a fan of the general premise of the DR group, but a lot of people swear by it. </p>
<p>PART 2: STICKING TO IT </p>
<p>Setting the budget is easy. Sticking with it is tough, at least for most of us, it is. The ongoing act of budgeting requires discipline and in many cases, a willingness to do things that don’t come naturally. That’s why there’s an entire industry of people who will help you stay on the straight and narrow. </p>
<p>Most of the apps, above will do that. To a degree. But the biggest thing you can do is have a plan, and work it. For me, that means having a set of Budget Commandments, and sticking to them as if God Himself carved them in stone. </p>
<p>Follow these Ten (OK, 11) Commandments and you’ll greatly increase your chances of succeeding. </p>
<ol> <li>With income, tithe first. – It ain’t yours. </li> <li>Secondly, save at least 10%. - If you don’t pay yourself, no one else will. </li> <li>Give thyself money to blow. – All work and no play make for a sucky life. </li> <li>The 30 Day Rule. – Anything over, say $200, make yourself wait 30 days before buying it. If you still want/need it, you’ll have researched it out. If not, then you dodged a bullet. </li> <li>Debt can kill you. – Don’t avoid it, but handle it carefully and quickly. Pay off revolving debt every month. </li> <li>Keep your receipts. – You’ll forget. </li> <li>Write it down. – On paper or digitally, it helps to see it in front of you. </li> <li>Learn to love a sale. – Saving money is a good thing. </li> <li>Be intentional. – Have a plan. Have a goal. </li> <li>Expect to fail. – Have an emergency fund. </li> <li>Be accountable. – Get a spouse, mentor, banker to check your books periodically. </li>
</ol>
<p>PART 3: SHOW ME THE MONEY </p>
<p>Finally, when you need money and you can’t wait, where do you go? </p>
<p>This is a dangerous area. As I mentioned earlier, debt is not a bad thing. But debt unmanaged and unaddressed, can destroy you. </p>
<p>So using your credit muscle is a great way to keep it in shape. But make sure you’re doing it wisely. And pay it off as quickly as possible. </p>
<ul> <li>Credit Cards – Easy. Fast. Dangerous. Pay it off quick. Don’t go crazy. </li> <li>PLC – Very short term. Only small amounts. </li> <li>Small Loan – Hard to qualify. Careful about your collateral. </li> <li>Micro Loans – Growing in popularity. Can be difficult. </li> <li>Crowdfunding – Very popular. Small amounts. Great terms. https://www.kiva.org/ </li> <li>Kickstarter – If your idea is amazing, its worth a shot. - https://www.kickstarter.com/ </li> <li>GoFundMe – Similar to Kickstarter - https://www.gofundme.com/ </li> <li>Home Improvement Loan/Refinance – Be careful. You equity is precious. Consider the life of what you’re buying. </li> <li>Debt Consolidation – Careful. Again, life expectancy. </li> <li>Retirement Withdrawal – Last resort. Remember the penalties. Payback yourself with interest. </li> <li>Angel Investors – Expectation can be high. </li> <li>Friends and Family – Very dangerous. Is it worth it? </li>
</ul>
<p>WRAP UP </p>
<p>Alright. That’s it for our Budgeting episode. How was that?! I actually thought it was incredibly informative. I’m proud of this one. And I really think it could help you setting up your small shop. </p>
<p>And of course, we’ll have links to everything we talked about in the show notes. LOTS of info today, so be sure to check them all out. </p>
<p>Also, be sure to tune in next week when we’ll continue our series on Setting Up A Small Shop with a look at SHOP FENG SHUI! </p>
<p>This is going to be fun. And no, don’t flip out on me…we aren’t going to be meditating and going “deep” in this one. But we are going to look at how to arrange your shop, considering things like work flow, tool selection, ease of movement, cleaning and more. Another must-listen for all you small shoppers out there! </p>
<p>CONCLUSION </p>
<p>Hey, if you have questions or comments about anything you’ve heard today, then definitely let me know what you think. I’m always looking for great questions! </p>
<p>One last thing…if you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review. And, wherever you’re listening, we would love it if you subscribed to our podcast and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on YouTube, then obviously we post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. Definitely like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And finally, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to www.applevalleyfarmga.com for things like our store, our woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>That’s it. Have a great day. Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<ul> <li>Apple Valley Farm – http://applevalleyfarmga.com/ </li> <li>Apple Valley Farm Carpenter Bee Traps - http://applevalleyfarmga.com/product/556860 </li> <li>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </li> <li>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </li> <li>Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </li> <li>Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </li> <li>ETS Financial Services - https://etsfinancial.com/ </li> <li>Retire Strong! On Amazon - https://tinyurl.com/ETSFinancialServices </li>
</ul>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at https://www.online-convert.com/ for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - https://www.audacityteam.org/ </p>
<p>(The music we use here on EW comes to us courtesy of our friends at Purple Planet Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com )</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/65744172021-03-15T14:10:36-04:002021-03-15T14:10:58-04:00Episode 6 SHOW NOTES Do You Need A CNC<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep 6 </p>
<p>SHOW NOTES </p>
<p>Do You Really Need a CNC? </p>
<p>Welcome </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky Fitzpatrick with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>Well welcome back to the show. If you’re a regular listener, you know we have been tackling a series about The Best Places To Buy Bargain Tools. I had left last week, unsure if I wanted to continue that series further. And I think I’m going to call it. (For now.) We may come back to it, but I don’t want to pick lame subject matter, just to keep it going. </p>
<p>But if you haven’t listened to that series, I think it really does have a ton of great info. My favorites were the ones that covered Home Depot and Harbor Freight. You’ll want to go back and check out Episodes 2 through 5, to get the whole thing. If you do, then let us know what you think. I’d love to know. </p>
<p>But today, and possibly for the next week or two, we’re going to talk about something that I know has been on my mind for a while now and I’m sure it’s something you’re hearing a lot about…CNCs! </p>
<p>Before we get started though…if you’ve watched or listened to us before, you know that I never record a show without having a cup of coffee in my hand. (Hello, my name is Ricky, and I am a coffee-aholic!) </p>
<p>I try to give a shout out to some our favorite people by using a coffee mug with their company logo or favorite saying on it. </p>
<p>Today I’m sipping my coffee from a mug from some folks who are not only great friends, and not only fellow followers of Christ, but owners of ETS Financial Services. </p>
<p>ETS is a team of Retirement Income Planning Specialists, owned and operated by Eric and Missy Scoggins. They are, no exaggeration, the best at what they do. And who would’ve guessed…they’re located right down the road from us in Hoschton, GA. I can tell you, as I’m seeing life through the eyes of someone in their 50’s now, I’m really beginning to see the value in what ETS does. </p>
<p>For me, I only feel comfortable with my money, when I’m working with people I know. And I know the Scoggins. Fantastic people. Amazing business. And I can’t think of anyone else I would trust to help me navigate the finances involved in the coming years. </p>
<p>I’ll be sure to leave a link to etsfinancial.com and to Eric’s book “Retire Strong!” in the show notes so you can check them out. Thank you Eric and Missy and the entire family over at ETS Financial for the awesome coffee cup! </p>
<p>And hey if you have a coffee cup with your company logo on it you’d like to send us, we’d love to use it and say a little bit about you and what you do. Check out the show notes for our mailing address, and you can send your cup along with a little info about yourself or your business. </p>
<p>Alright…so as I mentioned, we’re headed into a brand-new subject, and one that seems to be on the minds of every wood shop owner, whether you’re a full-time pro, a part-time builder, a weekend warrior or something else altogether. CNCs, and do you need a CNC for your shop? </p>
<p>Frankly, I’ll just tell you, when I started this, I knew next to nothing about CNCs. (And I don’t know much more now!) But I know a few of my friends have them, and I’ve been feeling the pressure to add one to our shop. So I wanted to look a little closer at the world of CNCs and try to give you a set of criteria for deciding if you need one. </p>
<p>Actually, I shouldn’t say “need”. Let’s say “want”. If you need a CNC for your shop, then you’re probably at a level that goes beyond the scope of this show. Everyday Woodworking is going to be more geared to woodworkers who are somewhere between a hobbyist and a small operation, like us. Apple Valley Farm is just me and I work out of my carport at home. If you’re much bigger than that, then you’re going to need a whole different set of criteria for selecting a new tool. </p>
<p>But one thing I found out as I started researching, is that there is SO much freaking information out there. So many models. Features. Price points. I mean, it’s almost overwhelming. So we’re going to TRY to keep it really simple, and I’m going to “disclaim” things here by saying, I am not an expert. I’m learning, just like you, so I can pass along what I find helpful. </p>
<p>Nevertheless though, there’s still a whole bunch of stuff to get into. So let’s do it. Here we go. </p>
<p>It’s funny how things change. When I was just starting to woodwork back in the mid 80s, the Radial Arm Saw was a must have tool for every shop. We had on, and everybody I knew who did any woodworking had one. It was the cutting edge and a super versatile tool that frankly, it was hard to imagine you could live without. But there were purists who thought it was a horrendous machine that was taking the “craft” out of “real” wood work. </p>
<p>But soon, the RAS was replaced by the Table Saw. And rightly so. Safer, more compact, more affordable. It had everything going for it. And of course, the same folks who complained that the RAS was going to ruin woodworking, bemoaned the demise of our craft because of the evil table saw. The table saw is currently the primary tool in my shop. </p>
<p>Now fast forward to today, and the CNC (which stands for Computer Numerical Control) is fast becoming the darling of the industry. And as expected, it has lovers and haters. </p>
<p>CNC is actually a generic term that can cover virtually any computer controlled machine. It may be a drill, a lathe, a saw, or a router. It may cut metal, foam, butter, meat, stone, or wood. </p>
<p>Even 3D printers are technically CNCs. The Cricut or Silhouette vinyl cutter that a lot of crafters use…that’s a CNC. A player piano is a very basic CNC. </p>
<p>What we’re going to be talking about though is more of a Personal Sized CNC that is basically a router that carves into and/or cuts through wood. </p>
<p>The Personal CNC machine is what the overwhelming number of hobbyists and small shop owners are adding today. The costs are relatively low, shop footprint is small, but features and versatility can be limited. </p>
<p>But as the industry continues to evolve, quality and features are rising, and cost is falling. Which is partly why it is so appealing to have one! </p>
<p>I’m going to get into 3 machine types. We may expand this later, but for now, we’ll stay small. </p>
<p>Before putting this episode together, the term “CNC” brought one thing to my mind…a big, expensive, computer-controlled machine that any dummy could use to make something amazing. And I really don’t mean that to sound completely negative. But it just seemed like overkill for guys like me. </p>
<p>I’ve got a good friend, Greg Stewart who owns a cabinet shop down the road from us called Stewart Custom Cabinets. They have a dozen or so employees in a 10K sqft shop, and let me tell you, they are crushing it. Their work is amazing. And to me, they are the pinnacle of what a small cabinet shop can be. </p>
<p>Stewart has a whopper of a CNC. A Homag Centateq P-110 5-Axis CNC that helps them with cutting cabinet and door components, carving, shaping. There’s almost nothing that thing can’t do. It’s pretty incredible. But a machine like that can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most of us can’t afford that kind of bling! </p>
<p>So when I see the industry stats talking about things like 75% of woodworkers either have or are planning to buy a CNC, I’m wondering if I’m falling behind. And if I am, I’m wondering how I can possibly afford to keep up. </p>
<p>But it isn’t exactly as it may seem. Not everyone is buying full-featured quarter million dollar machines. </p>
<p>For one, there are Hobby CNCs. </p>
<p>Hobby CNCs are everywhere. Small. Compact. Lightweight. Easy to operate. But very limited. They usually have very small work areas…like 6X6 inches or less. But if you want a CNC that can carve names in a Cutting Board, or add a quote to the handle of a hammer or cut out plywood ornaments…hey, this is right up your alley. </p>
<p>Hobby CNCs are totally affordable. You can find them (in varying levels of quality) on Amazon all day long for just over $100. </p>
<p>One that jumped out to me was the Mophorn 1610 3-Axis CNC. Takes us less than 1 sq ft of space. Weighs 12 pounds. And Amazon has it for just $129. - https://tinyurl.com/3kmagj24 </p>
<p>Makes it hard to say “no”. </p>
<p>Just above that are Small Shop CNCs. </p>
<p>Like the Hobby CNC, the Small Shop CNC is small and takes up little shop space. They can handle a bigger work area, like 12-24 inches or so. And if you employ tiling, you can get some pretty wide ranging jobs done. </p>
<p>Still, the Small Shop CNC isn’t going to have the muscle to power through all-day cabinet boxes. But it will definitely handle smaller, less intimidating pieces, pretty well. IMO, they’re great for cutting very precise MDF patterns for future projects. They’re also really well-suited for cutting a lot of thin scroll work that’s so popular right now for door and wall hangings. </p>
<p>These guys will set you back somewhere around the cost of a good table saw or above. $500-$2000, give or take. Personally, that’s my threshold. </p>
<p>An Amazon example is the BobsCNC Evolution 4. It has a 24X24” work surface and runs just $1,230. - https://tinyurl.com/z0zilv0h </p>
<p>Finally, though there are the what I’ll call the “Moderate Sized” CNC Machines. </p>
<p>This is a machine that really pushes the boundaries of what folks like us can afford or justify, but they’re a “gateway” CNC to the world of professional cabinetry. We’re talking something like the $5-8K range. But some can handle full sheets of plywood and can easily handle most furniture components, maybe a guitar body or those cornhole boards you’ve been thinking about, and of course just about any small project you can dream up. </p>
<p>But they take up a lot of floor space and they require some planning and learning to install and operate. This is getting into the serious. </p>
<p>An example of this is something like the Laguna IQ. It runs about $7K. - https://lagunatools.com/cnc/iq-series/iq/ </p>
<p>So after learning all that, HOW DO YOU DECIDE? </p>
<p>This is going to be quick. And not just in the issue of time. But because this is so easy and logical, we really don’t even need a podcast to help you decide. </p>
<p>But armed with a little knowledge about the different types of CNCs out there, then the basic questions you have to answer are: </p>
<p>What do I need/want it for? And why? </p>
<p>Make sure it will do what you want it to do. Do your research and ask around. Don’t just buy what’s popular. Buy what works for you. And then ask WHY. Do you want it to make you faster? To make your work more precise or more consistent? Or are you just a “new thing” kind of guy who loves having something cool and new? </p>
<p>Do I have the space? – And along with that comes possibly, the dust collection and electrical support. A larger CNC is going to need a 240 for power. <br>Can I afford it? – Either cash or credit. Be careful. Spend your money slowly. <br>Can I justify the cost? – This goes back to the “why”. If you’re in business, will a CNC make you money? If so, how. And do you have a plan? <br>Will my wife kill me? (The most important) </p>
<p>I can’t tell you if you need a CNC in your shop. I can tell you what I’m deciding though, at least for now. </p>
<p>My answer is “no”. </p>
<p>I don’t need it. I could use it, but I don’t need it. I could speed up my component processing, but that means a CNC that’s going to cost me $5 grand or more. It’s hard for me to justify that, working out of my carport. </p>
<p>Are CNCs amazing? Well yes! Of course they are. And one day, I may be in a different mindset, but for now, I’m going to pass and keep my production lower, my hands busy and sell the fact that we cut and measure every piece and bring them together into a crafted whole. </p>
<p>Now I know what I’ve said today is going to stir somebody up! And that’s OK. Like I said, I’m learning. So if you have CNC info to pass along to me, then by all means, do! Help me! And I’ll make sure to pass that along to our listeners. </p>
<p>And if you have questions or comments about anything I’ve said, then let it fly. I love to get different points of view, so definitely let me know what you think. There’s a very good chance that you could change my mind. </p>
<p>As always, I know it was a lot and I know it’s a lot to digest. You can’t possibly remember it all. But go to the show notes or our Everyday Woodworking blog and you can go over it at your own pace. </p>
<p>Hey, be sure to join us on the next episode where we start our look at How To Set Up A Small Shop. You never know how in-depth this might be. My plan is to hit the high spots and have you in and out in around 15 minutes or less, but we’ll see. If we really get into a lot, we’ll stretch it over two weeks. </p>
<p>I can’t wait. Going to be fun! And I hope you’ll join me right here on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>One last thing…if you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review. And, wherever you’re listening, we would love it if you subscribed to our podcast and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on YouTube, then obviously we post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. Definitely like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And finally, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to www.applevalleyfarmga.com for things like our store, our woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>That’s it. Have a great day. Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </p>
<p>Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </p>
<p>Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </p>
<p>ETS Financial Services - https://etsfinancial.com/ </p>
<p>Retire Strong! On Amazon - https://tinyurl.com/ETSFinancialServices </p>
<p>Homag Centateq P-110 CNC - https://www.homag.com/en/product-detail/cnc-processing-center-centateq-p-110 </p>
<p>Stewart Custom Cabinets - https://www.stewartcustomcabinets.com/ </p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at https://www.online-convert.com/ for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - https://www.audacityteam.org/ </p>
<p>(The music we use here on EW comes to us courtesy of our friends at Purple Planet Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com )</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/65679042021-03-08T09:24:38-05:002021-03-08T09:24:57-05:00Episode 8 SHOW NOTES What Are You Doing!?<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep 8 </p>
<p>SHOW NOTES </p>
<p>Setting Up A Small Shop – What Are You Doing? </p>
<p>Welcome!</p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky Fitzpatrick with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Well welcome back to the show. We are drilling down today, into our new series on <strong>Setting Up A Small Shop</strong>. And today we look at <strong>What Are You Doing</strong>. Meaning…deciding what you’re going to be doing with your shop. </p>
<p>And you may be thinking “I already know that” or “Why do you need to tell us that?” And if that’s you then I just want to remind you that you may be further along in your craft or your woodworking journey than someone else. </p>
<p>We have listeners that range from seasoned pros to truly beginning hobbyist. So if you’re a little ways on down the road, just hang in there, and we’ll catch up shortly. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>A quick latest update on my <a contents="Harbor Freight" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.harborfreight.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Harbor Freight</strong></a> thickness planer…I got it! </p>
<p>We picked it up at the end of last week and we’re already breaking it in. Man, I am stoked and I love it. </p>
<p>We’ve already shot a “opening the box” video for our YouTube channel, so if you aren’t already subscribed to us, definitely head on over there and give it a look. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also, with Spring coming in like a freight train, our own woodworking business is shifting gears. The Spring always brings a whole new set of products that people are looking for. </p>
<p>One of our biggest Spring items is our handmade <strong>Carpenter Bee Traps</strong>. You’ve probably seen a lot of variations on these in stores and online, and Apple Valley Farm has a version of our own. </p>
<p>One sure sign that Spring has sprung here in the South is the appearance of the Carpenter Bee. Unfortunately, the Carpenter Bee can wreak havoc on your wood exterior around your home or shop, boring holes like there's no tomorrow! </p>
<p>Our simple and affordable Carpenter Bee Trap will help you curb your carpenter bee population. And all without power, chemicals or dangerous side effects. Just hang it up and let it do the work. </p>
<p>So, make sure you head over to our online store and grab a few for around the house. When you do, our listeners can use the code <strong>EVERYDAY </strong>to get <strong>25% OFF</strong> our regular price. </p>
<p>That’s discount code EVERYDAY for 25% OFF our regular retail price. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also, if you’ve watched or listened to us before, you know that I never record a show without having a cup of coffee in my hand. </p>
<p>I try to give a shout out to some our favorite people by using a coffee mug with their company logo or favorite saying on it. </p>
<p>Today, I’m using one of my favorite coffee cups, and this happens to be my <strong>Trump Cup</strong> that my wife and kids got for me! It’s truly amazing. One of the most amazing coffee cups I’ve ever seen…and I know a lot about great things. Because I’m very, very rich. </p>
<p>But seriously, I’m using the <a contents="Donald Trump" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump" target="_blank"><strong>Donald Trump</strong></a> mug not just because I like it, but also because I don’t have one from any other businesses for this week. </p>
<p>Hey, if you have a business and you like what we do here, send us one of your branded coffee cups and we’ll use it here and tell everyone a little about what you do and how to find you. </p>
<p>Our address is I the show notes, so check that out and send us your awesome coffee mug, today. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Alright…Setting Up A Small Shop. What Are You Doing? </p>
<p>As I said, this may be something you decided on, years earlier. But a lot of woodworkers are still finding their way. Still figuring out where to “set up shop”…pun totally intended. </p>
<p>So before we start buying tools and pricing buildings, you need to know what you want to do. </p>
<p>Now that can be a very easy question, or it could get really ugly. If you’re like me, you’re going to be tempted to go with the “rough” answer, which is going to sound something like: </p>
<ul> <li>“I don’t know.” </li> <li>“This and that.” </li> <li>“Just piddling.” </li> <li>"A little bit of everything.” </li>
</ul>
<p>And hey, I get it. Unless you’re running a business, you might want your shop to be you place to letting your hair down and not really having a plan. And that’s cool. </p>
<p>But narrowing down a general idea of what you’ll be dong with your shop, will help make it more productive, easier to use and much more of an enjoyment rather than a frustration. </p>
<p>Now if you’re going to run a business, you obviously need to have a very specific idea of what you’ll be making. </p>
<ul> <li>Cabinets </li> <li>Rustic Furniture </li> <li>Wooden Signs </li> <li>Children’s Toys </li> <li>Cutting Boards </li> <li>Turned Bowls or Pens </li>
</ul>
<p>The more narrow your focus, the better you can lay your shop out. </p>
<p>If you’re doing this as a hobby, then you’ll still want to try to define what you’ll want to do. Generally speaking. </p>
<ul> <li>Things for the house </li> <li>Handmade gifts for the Holidays </li> <li>Toys and Gifts for the grandkids </li> <li>Cigar Boxes </li> <li>Yard Art </li>
</ul>
<p>Again, the list could go on and on. And you can see, you don’t have to be specific. Just get the ball rolling. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>“Why does it matter?” </strong></p>
<p>Well let’s say you just start clearing a space or building a building that’s about the size most guys have for a shop. And you buy the tools that most of your friends have. And you set it up, like some magazine said you should. </p>
<p>When you’re done, you’ll probably have a really cool space, that’s most likely going to prove that it need to at least be rearranged after the first week, because it just doesn’t fit your workflow. Or you’ll be cramped because you don’t have the room to add that planer in you’re going to need for your first project. </p>
<p>It just pays to think ahead and have a rough idea of where you’re going. That way, you’ll greatly increase your chances of being happy, efficient and organized. </p>
<p>If you know you’re really interested in turning some bowls, then a table saw might not be the most obvious choice for your main tool. You’ll want to dedicate space and planning to your lathe. </p>
<p>If you want to make those scroll work door signs that everyone loves, then your CNC or scroll saw needs to get the bulk of your attention. </p>
<p>If cutting boards are your thing, then you’ll want to ensure you plan for a lot of real estate for your glue up and finishing station. </p>
<p>Again, not to beat a dead horse, but the more closely you can narrow your focus, the happier you’ll be in your new favorite space. </p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, there will always be changes and evolutions and reasons to redo, rethink or rearrange. But knowing your direction will also help you be better prepared to handle those things when they come up. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Alright. That’s it for “What Are You Doing”. I hope this helps get you started on our path to setting up your small shop. </p>
<p>Be sure to come back <strong>next week</strong> where we’ll take a look at Knowing and Making the Most of Your <strong>Budget</strong>. Because unless you’re <a contents="Elon Musk" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elon_Musk" target="_blank"><strong>Elon Musk</strong></a>, you’ve probably got a budget for your small shop, and if you don’t manage it well, you’ll wind up half done and out of money. </p>
<p>Hey, if you have questions or comments about anything you’ve heard today, then definitely let me know what you think. I’m always looking for great questions! </p>
<p>One last thing…if you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review. And, wherever you’re listening, we would love it if you <strong>subscribed to our podcast</strong> and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on <strong>YouTube</strong>, then obviously we post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) <strong>YouTube Channel</strong>. Definitely like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And finally, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to <a contents="www.applevalleyfarmga.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://applevalleyfarmga.com/" target="_blank"><strong>www.applevalleyfarmga.com</strong></a> for things like our store, our woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>That’s it. Have a great day. Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm – <a contents="http://applevalleyfarmga.com/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://applevalleyfarmga.com/" target="_blank">http://applevalleyfarmga.com/</a> </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm Carpenter Bee Traps - <a contents="http://applevalleyfarmga.com/product/556860&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://applevalleyfarmga.com/product/556860" target="_blank"><strong>http://applevalleyfarmga.com/product/556860 </strong></a></p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - <a contents="https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA" target="_blank"><strong>https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </strong></a></p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - <a contents="https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking" target="_blank"><strong>https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </strong></a></p>
<p>Facebook - <a contents="https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA" target="_blank"><strong>https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </strong></a></p>
<p>Instagram - <a contents="https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga" target="_blank"><strong>https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </strong></a></p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at <a contents="https://www.online-convert.com/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.online-convert.com/" target="_blank"><strong>https://www.online-convert.com/</strong></a> for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - <a contents="https://www.audacityteam.org/&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.audacityteam.org/" target="_blank"><strong>https://www.audacityteam.org/ </strong></a></p>
<p>(The music we use here on EW comes to us courtesy of our friends at Purple Planet Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: <a contents="https://www.purple-planet.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.purple-planet.com" target="_blank"><strong>https://www.purple-planet.com</strong></a> )</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/65633622021-03-02T21:38:41-05:002021-03-02T21:49:33-05:00Episode 7 SHOW NOTES Setting Up A Small Shop<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep 7 </p>
<p>SHOW NOTES </p>
<p>Setting Up A Small Shop </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Welcome </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky Fitzpatrick with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>Well welcome back to the show. We are getting into what I thought would be a one-episode subject, but as I researched it, I saw really fast that this was going to need to be a whole new series. </p>
<p>So let’s just call this #1 in our new series on Setting Up A Small Shop. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Before we get going though, I want to hit a couple of things. </p>
<p>One, I have to tell you guys about my <a contents="Harbor Freight" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.harborfreight.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Harbor Freight</strong></a> update. </p>
<p>You know how we talked about using Harbor Freight for buying your bargain power tools? Well I’ve been on the hunt for a benchtop planer, and I had been thinking on the Bauer model at HF. </p>
<p>I had been on the fence for a while, but they texted me about a 20% Off sale for <strong>Inside Track Members</strong>. I’m sure you know that because you all signed up for the IT Club after hearing me suggest it, right??? </p>
<p>Anyway, the 20% off got me a go-ahead from my wife, so we went to our local HF to grab the planer. </p>
<p>As fate would have it though, they were out of stock.</p>
<p>When I told the manager, she gave me a handwritten note, honoring the 20% Sale for us until she got the planer back in stock. Now is that customer service, or what?! </p>
<p>Just another reason for me to love HF. They have never disappointed me, in years of buying from them. Definitely the Chick-fil-A of tool companies! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also, if you’ve watched or listened to us before, you know that I never record a show without having a cup of coffee in my hand. </p>
<p>I try to give a shout out to some our favorite people by using a coffee mug with their company logo or favorite saying on it. </p>
<p>Today I’m sipping my coffee from a mug from the folks at <a contents="Cables &amp; Kits" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.cablesandkits.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Cables & Kits</strong></a>. </p>
<p>Craig and Christin Haynie and their girls are close friends of our family, and our families worship together at Corner-Stone Church. They also happen to own Cables & Kits. Their story is amazing, and the Haynies are pretty awesome, themselves. </p>
<p>Folks who have known us for a while may remember Craig’s character for one of our church programs…Yazeem and his Used Camel Emporium. LOL! (Prices SO LOW! You’ll slap yo’ mama!) </p>
<p>Cables & Kits specializes in Network Infrastructure Technology for mid and Enterprise Level companies. Products such as Ethernet and fiber cables, switches, and other communications products. Shop on their site at <a contents="CablesAndKits.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.cablesandkits.com/" target="_blank">CablesAndKits.com</a>, or call to speak with a customer service rep or account manager. I’m going to leave a link to their website down below and in the show notes so they’ll be easy to find. </p>
<p>Cables & Kits is inspiring in so many ways, especially to another small business person. The company is just incredibly well-run and their level of respect in the marketplace is off the charts. We are blessed to know them, and blessed to have one of their coffee mugs! </p>
<p>Thank you Craig and Christin for a coffee cup that is exactly what I expected…so much better than it has to be. And as I’ve said many times here, the coffee cup a company sends us is absolutely a direct indication of the level of business that company provides. It’s a truth that I swear by. And with that in mind, I have no doubt that C&K is doing everything better than they have to. Thank you, guys! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Alright…Setting Up A Small Shop. Whoa…where do we begin? </p>
<p>I’m going to give you some general points that I think every shop owner needs to consider, then we’ll break those apart a little bit more. Still though, as I mentioned, this is just going to be an overview. We’ll going to really get down in the mud in the coming weeks and do some “splorin’”. </p>
<p>So our Six Main Points for Setting Up A Small Shop… </p>
<ol> <li>Decide what you’re going to be doing </li> <li>Know your budget </li> <li>Tool Selection </li> <li>Layout your space. Sq Ft. </li> <li>Buildings? </li> <li>Plan for the future </li>
</ol>
<p>Decide what you’re going to be doing </p>
<ul> <li>Hobby </li> <li>Small Business </li> <li>Signs </li> <li>Cabinets </li> <li>HQ </li> <li>Wood Turning </li> <li>Furniture </li> <li>Deliveries? </li> <li>Storing lots of materials? </li>
</ul>
<p>Budget </p>
<ul> <li>Dream big. But stay grounded. </li> <li>As with tools, do the best you can, now. </li> <li>Use an existing space. </li> <li>DIY </li>
</ul>
<p>Tool Selection </p>
<ul> <li>Work Bench – most important. I’m going to devote an entire episode to this. What do you already have? </li> <li>What else do you need? </li> <li>Buy used? </li> <li>Review our episodes 2-5 </li> <li>Harbor Freight – See the <strong><a contents="Family Handyman link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/things-harbor-freight-employees-wont-tell-you/" target="_blank">Family Handyman link</a> </strong>in the notes </li> <li>Name Brand? </li> <li>Look for other shops </li> <li>GOOB </li> <li>Growing </li>
</ul>
<p>Lay It Out </p>
<ul> <li>Ref <strong>The Wood Whisperer</strong> - <a contents="https://thewoodwhisperer.com/articles/12-shop-layout-tips/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://thewoodwhisperer.com/articles/12-shop-layout-tips/" target="_blank">https://thewoodwhisperer.com/articles/12-shop-layout-tips/</a> </li> <li>Know 1 and 2 </li> <li>Tool selection will determine what you have to work with </li> <li>What is your central tool? </li> <li>Look at work flow </li> <li>Give yourself elbow room </li> <li>Explore multi-use areas – assembly, sanding, taping, etc. </li> <li>Look at workstations that fold away – router table, sander </li> <li>Roll around tools. – Drill press. Any large tool actually. </li> <li>Easy cleanup. Dust collection? </li> <li>Lighting </li> <li>Heat and Fans? </li> <li>Power </li>
</ul>
<p>Buildings? </p>
<ul> <li>Basement/Man Cave </li> <li>Driveway/Yard </li> <li>Carport or Garage </li> <li>Shed. Expandable. </li> <li>Simple Building. </li> <li>Premade building </li> <li>Steel shop </li> <li>Rent or Lease </li> <li>Buy a building on location </li>
</ul>
<p>Plan to Grow </p>
<ul> <li>No matter your level, you will always need more room down the road </li> <li>Expandable floor plan </li> <li>Wall that can go </li> <li>Connected Buildings </li> <li>Go up - attic </li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p>OK. That was a very quick high pass over our Small Shop Setup criteria. Be sure to come back next week where we’ll jump into some big hairy details about Deciding You Shop’s Purpose, and maybe a little about your Budget and how to afford all that awesomeness. </p>
<p>And if you have questions or comments about anything you’ve heard today, then definitely let me know what you think. I’m always looking for great questions! </p>
<p>One last thing…if you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us <strong>a great review</strong>. And, wherever you’re listening, we would love it if you <strong>subscribe to our podcast</strong> and become a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on <strong>YouTube</strong>, then obviously we post a video of each Podcast Episode on our Apple Valley Farm (our woodworking business) YouTube Channel. Definitely like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And finally, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to <a contents="www.applevalleyfarmga.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.applevalleyfarmga.com" target="_blank">www.applevalleyfarmga.com</a> for things like our store, our woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>That’s it. Have a great day. Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel - <a contents="https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/c/AppleValleyFarmGA </a></p>
<p>Everyday Woodworking on Anchor.com - <a contents="https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking </a></p>
<p>Facebook - <a contents="https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyFarmGA </a></p>
<p>Instagram - <a contents="https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/applevalleyfarmga </a></p>
<p>Cables and Kits - <a contents="https://www.cablesandkits.com/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.cablesandkits.com/" target="_blank">https://www.cablesandkits.com/</a> </p>
<p>The Wood Whisperer - <a contents="https://thewoodwhisperer.com/articles/12-shop-layout-tips/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://thewoodwhisperer.com/articles/12-shop-layout-tips/" target="_blank">https://thewoodwhisperer.com/articles/12-shop-layout-tips/</a> </p>
<p>The Family Handyman (link to a Harbor Freight article) - <a contents="https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/things-harbor-freight-employees-wont-tell-you/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/things-harbor-freight-employees-wont-tell-you/" target="_blank">https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/things-harbor-freight-employees-wont-tell-you/</a> </p>
<p>We also couldn’t make the Everyday Woodworking podcast happen without a LOT of help from our friends behind the scenes. </p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at <a contents="https://www.online-convert.com/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.online-convert.com/" target="_blank">https://www.online-convert.com/</a> for helping us convert our files into the formats we need. </p>
<p>And Infinite thanks to the Audacity family. For helping us put it all together in the greatest audio production software on the planet. - <a contents="https://www.audacityteam.org/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.audacityteam.org/" target="_blank">https://www.audacityteam.org/</a> </p>
<p>(The music we use here on EW comes to us courtesy of our friends at Purple Planet Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: <a contents="https://www.purple-planet.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.purple-planet.com" target="_blank">https://www.purple-planet.com</a> )</p>
<p>This Episode can be found at - <a contents="https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking/episodes/Setting-Up-A-Small-Shop-1-erc4u2" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking/episodes/Setting-Up-A-Small-Shop-1-erc4u2" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking/episodes/Setting-Up-A-Small-Shop-1-erc4u2</a></p>
<p> </p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/65482372021-02-14T20:00:00-05:002021-02-14T20:00:10-05:00Episode 5 SHOW NOTES Home Depot<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep5 </p>
<p>SHOW NOTES </p>
<p>Home Depot - The Best Places To Buy Bargain Tools </p>
<p>Welcome </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky Fitzpatrick with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>Well welcome back to the show. If you’re a regular listener, you know we are in the middle of an ongoing series about The Best Places To Buy Bargain Tools. And if you haven’t listened to the earlier installments, you’ll want to go back and check out Episodes 2 through 4, which will get you up to speed. </p>
<p>Also, if you’ve watched or listened to us before, you may know that I never record a show without having a cup of coffee on hand. And I try to give a shout out to our favorite people by using a coffee mug with their company logo or favorite saying on it. </p>
<p>Today I’m sipping my coffee from a mug from our favorite place to get fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. <strong>Jaemor Farms</strong>. Yes, it’s spelled a little unusual, so Siri and Alexa probably won’t understand you when you say it. But it’s Jaemor…JAEMOR. </p>
<p>Jaemor has everything you could want as far as handmade and homegrown products. They even have a few of our things in there. Go to either of their two locations in Lula and Commerce GA for in-season produce, canned goods and a ton more. You have to get some boiled peanuts while you’re there. It is an experience you are guaranteed to enjoy. We love it and I know you will too. I’ll be sure to leave a link to <a contents="jaemorfarms.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.jaemorfarms.com" target="_blank"><strong>jaemorfarms.com</strong></a> in the show notes so you can check them out. </p>
<p>And hey if you have a coffee cup with your company logo on it you’d like to send us, we’d love to use it and say a little bit about you and what you do. Check out the show notes for our mailing address, and you can send your cup along with a little info about yourself or your business. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Alright…our last show was all about “Private Buys”…meaning individual purchases, classified ads and online marketplaces. </p>
<p>Today, we’re going all the way to the other side of the pool by taking a look at every guy’s favorite place to wander aimlessly through the orange aisles…<a contents="Home Depot" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.homedepot.com" target="_blank"><strong>Home Depot</strong></a>! </p>
<p>Now before you get all up in arms about it, I know Home Depot is a “big box” retailer and you might be thinking they’re a terrible place to get your hands on some deals. But don’t jump too quick, because if you do it right, you can score some really sweet deals on some great tools. </p>
<p>It seems like I say this all the time, but I’m really going to have to fly because we’ve got a TON of info to share. So I’m just going to get right to it. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>There are two main areas to watch at Home Depot. <strong>Online </strong>and <strong>Instore</strong>. We’ll start with Online. </p>
<p>ONLINE </p>
<ul> <li>In the website, Click on Specials & Offers tab Special Buy of the Day </li> <li>Special Buy of the Week </li> <li>Bulk Pricing </li> <li>Local Ad </li> <li>Saving Center - Buy More Save More tab. Multiple Qtys for discounts </li> <li>Sort search results by Saving By Percentage Off (up to 40%) </li> <li>Watch Online Only Specials – unavailable in store </li> <li>Sign Up for Text Alerts. They will drive you crazy, but there are deals to be had </li> <li>Sign Up for Email List for $5 off your next buy. </li> <li>Rebates. HD Rebate Center - <a contents="REBATE CENTER LINK" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.homedepot.com/rebate-center/index.html?irgwc=1&cm_mmc=afl-ir-24135-456723-&clickid=3NmV%3Ao3fsxyLTBdwUx0Mo3YqUkEWd2y-NTfzwU0" target="_blank">https://www.homedepot.com/rebate-center/index.html?irgwc=1&cm_mmc=afl-ir-24135-456723-&clickid=3NmV%3Ao3fsxyLTBdwUx0Mo3YqUkEWd2y-NTfzwU0</a> </li> <li>Overstock Deals (Special Values Page) - <a contents="OVERSTOCK DEALS LINK" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.homedepot.com/b/Overstock/Special-Values/N-5yc1vZ6Z1z0ymkw?NCNI-5&irgwc=1&cm_mmc=afl-ir-24135-456723-&clickid=3NmV:o3fsxyLTBdwUx0Mo3YqUkEWd2W2NTfzwU0" target="_blank">https://www.homedepot.com/b/Overstock/Special-Values/N-5yc1vZ6Z1z0ymkw?NCNI-5&irgwc=1&cm_mmc=afl-ir-24135-456723-&clickid=3NmV:o3fsxyLTBdwUx0Mo3YqUkEWd2W2NTfzwU0 </a>
</li>
</ul>
<p>INSTORE </p>
<ul> <li>Rental Center Sales. Sometimes the rental center will sell their used tools and it can be a fantastic place to grab something at a fraction of the cost of a brand new one. </li> <li>Watch for Seasonal Sales – Black Friday, Father’s Day are very hot. (Thank you <a contents="Clark Howard" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.clark.com" target="_blank">Clark Howard</a> for reminding us of that.) </li> <li>Watch for Limited Time Bundles. Such as Holiday tool and battery bundles. Or Multiple Tool bundles. </li> <li>One of my favorite tips, and it’s one that I can’t completely verify but…watch for Clearance Tools. Look for prices ending in 6 and 3. 6 usually mean a “good deal” and will usually remain so for about 6 weeks. Then a 3 is a “killer deal” that will stay until the item is gone. FYI, this may be hearsay, but I’ve seen it in multiple places. Let me know if you have any thoughts on this. </li> <li>Damaged Goods </li> <li>Don’t be shy about asking for a discount on damaged or imperfect items. Or damaged packaging. </li> <li>Ask about discounts for floor models. Up to 30%. You never know when that table saw or the planer that’s been sitting on the shelf for 6 months is going to be replaced. </li> <li>Ask about bulk and Pro discounts at the Pro Desk. Over $1500, save up to 30%. But even if your budget is below that, ask anyway. My experience with the Pro Desk folks is that they know their stuff, and they are there to help. For me, I have the best experience when I go on a weekday between 7AM and about 3PM. </li>
</ul>
<p>OTHER </p>
<ul> <li>Look into 0% for 24 months on purchases over $299 </li> <li>Save up to $100 with a HD Credit Card </li> <li>Military and Veteran Discounts every day. 10% on everything. </li> <li>Watch for rotating category/retailer deals on your Credit Cards. </li> <li>Capital One customers can use a service called Paribus to keep an eye out for unnoticed discounts and how to claim them, even after you’ve purchased something. - https://paribus.co/ </li> <li>Don’t forget the receipt survey. We all see it. And if you’re like me, you never do the survey. It takes about 5 minutes. You can win up to $5K! If you don’t have time, pay your kids $1 a survey for every one they take for you. We logged 101 receipts from HD on our taxes this year. That’s 101 chances to win some cash. Don’t blow it! </li>
</ul>
<p>Whew! Like always, that FLEW! But SO much great info, don’t you think? Man, I thought it was. I sure hope it was helpful to you. </p>
<p>It was a lot and I know it’s a lot to digest. You can’t possibly remember it all. But try to latch onto one or two things and give them a try. Or go to the show notes or our Everyday Woodworking blog and print everything out so you can go over it at your own pace. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hey, be sure to join us on the next episode where we <em>might </em>be continuing our series on <strong>The Best Places To Buy Bargain Tools</strong>. I'm thinking about taking a look at Trade Shows. Trade Shows. I know you may be thinking “What the what!? I’ve never been to a trade show.” But hear me out. You just might find something awesome in next week’s show. I'll letyou know as I flesh this one out</p>
<p>I can’t wait. Either way though, I'll be right here, hoping to see you on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>One last thing…if you enjoyed this episode, please take a second and leave us a great review. Especially if you’re listening on Apple Podcasts! It makes such an impact for us. And, wherever you’re listening, we would love it if you subscribed to our podcast and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on YouTube, then obviously we post a video of each Podcast Episode on our <strong>Apple Valley Farm</strong> (our woodworking business) <strong>YouTube Channel</strong>. Definitely like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And finally, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to <a contents="www.applevalleyfarmga.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.applevalleyfarmga.com" target="_blank"><strong>www.applevalleyfarmga.com</strong></a> for things like our store, our woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>OK, that’s it. Have a great day. Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>(The music we use here on EW comes to us courtesy of our friends at Purple Planet Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com ) </p>
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</ul>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/65416742021-02-08T06:00:00-05:002021-02-08T06:00:02-05:00Episode 4 SHOW NOTES Private Buys<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep4 </p>
<p>SHOW NOTES </p>
<p>Private Buys - The Best Places To Buy Bargain Tools </p>
<p>Welcome </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky Fitzpatrick with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>Well welcome back to the show. If you’re a regular listener, you know we are in the middle of a fun series about The Best Places To Buy Bargain Tools. And if you haven’t listened to the earlier installments, you’ll want to go back and check out Episodes 2 and 3, which will get you up to speed. </p>
<p>Also, if you’ve watched or listened to us before, you may know that I never record a show without having a cup of coffee on hand. And I try to give a shout out to our favorite people by using a coffee mug with their company logo or favorite saying on it. So if you have a coffee cup you’d like to send us, we’d love to add it to our show. Check out the show notes for our mailing address, and you can send your cu along with a little info about yourself or your business. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Our last show was all about Garage Sales, or as we Southerners call them, Yard Sales. And the plan was to bridge that on over into Estate Sales and Private Buys today. </p>
<p>Frankly, I think I’m gong to change that though. </p>
<p>The more I thought about Estate Sales, the more I thought “That’s just a rehash of most of the Yard Sale points”. And it would be. I know there are some differences, but I think we’ll just sort of lump those together, for our purposes. </p>
<p>If we do what I have in mind, which is devote this episode solely to Private Buys, then that’ll be plenty enough to keep us busy! </p>
<p>OK. So what do I mean when I say “Private Buy”? </p>
<p>A Private Buy is buying something from an individual, privately, versus buying something from a retail establishment, and that could be physical or digital. With that definition though, we could include Yard Sales, and yes, that’s why I was originally going to be talking about all these things together. Yard Sales are Private Buys, but they are sort of their own animal. And now that leaves “the rest”. </p>
<p>Now “the rest” is still a huge category. We’ve got online marketplaces like Facebook and Craigslist. Plus we’ve got Classified Ads. And then of course, my main focus…neighbors, friends and family. </p>
<p>A lot of the online marketplaces are a mix of Yard Sales and Retail Buys. Some of the posts you’ll find are even put there by businesses. So there’s some overlap. And you’ll need to treat these areas with a lot of the same Yard Sale mentality: </p>
<ul> <li>Be Informed </li> <li>Inspect Things </li> <li>Ask For Discounts </li>
</ul>
<p>One of my big additional suggestions though when buying from an online marketplace is to do your in-person transaction in a public place, if possible. If we’re talking about a drill, that’s easy. If it’s a commercial table saw, then you’ll have to go where it is. But as a rule, always meet in public. I hate to say it, but in today’s world, you just can’t be too safe. </p>
<p>Also, don’t pay for it until you see it. Don’t pay when you and the poster “agree”, say “I’ll Venmo you when we meet and I take a final look at it.” If they have a problem with that, then move on. </p>
<p>Classified Ads. Sort of a dinosaur these days, but they’re still around and they still hold some potential treasures. </p>
<p>There are of course, traditional classifieds, in the back of your local newspaper. And that’s great! But don’t forget online classifieds. With that in mind, Classified Ads are treated with the same rules as Online Marketplaces. </p>
<ul> <li>Ask Questions </li> <li>Meet Publicly </li> <li>Pay After Inspecting </li> <li>And so on </li>
</ul>
<p>Usually, if someone posts in your local paper, they have to pay to do it. That does weed out some of the riff raf. Although not all. Some dummies are persistent. </p>
<p>Now to Neighbors, Friends and Family. </p>
<p>In my opinion, one of, if not THE best source of great quality, great priced power tools. </p>
<p>But the key to this is one simple thing that most of our crazy world does so little of anymore. VISITING. </p>
<p>Visiting. Or talking. Hanging out. Chewing the fat. Stopping by for no reason. Getting to know people and letting them get to know you. And not just your neighbors. Hey most of us don’t even visit our family more than a few times a year anymore, let alone our friends. </p>
<p>And I’m not just talking about seeing them at work or school or church or in Home Depot. I’m talking about going to someone’s house and getting out or your truck and having a conversation. </p>
<p>You’ll quickly find out that when you start to get social with your peers, you’ll learn that you probably both have things that you don’t need, that the other one does. </p>
<p>That neighbor who is also a weekend woodworker, has a drill press that they never use any more. And you have a router that you’ve outgrown. Wow. Maybe y’all can trade. Maybe he’ll buy your router. Maybe he’ll sell you his drill press for a song. Maybe he’ll just give it to you because his wife is hard on him to make some room in the garage. </p>
<p>But you’ll never know if you never stop by. </p>
<p>And I’m not just talking about stopping to build a network. I’m talking about the tools and equipment you get, being a beautiful byproduct of a web of relationships that go far beyond a saw. </p>
<p>Having said all that… </p>
<p>Make sure you keep a few things in mind. </p>
<ul> <li>Know what you don’t need </li> <li>Don’t take home junk </li> <li>Learn how to say no </li> <li>Still be informed about what is a “good deal” </li>
</ul>
<p>One thing I’ve learned over the years is that my friends’ generosity can quickly outweigh my wife’s tolerance. </p>
<p>If you aren’t careful, you’ll wind up being a catch-all for all your neighbors’ junk, or all your uncle’s broken tools. Make the best of what you get, and know when to politely decline. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Wow. Now that went fast! </p>
<p>That was a lot! But I hope it was helpful. </p>
<p>Be sure to join us on the next episode where we continue our series on The Best Places To Buy Bargain Tools. We’re going to open up a controversial can of worms and talk about…<strong>Home Depot</strong>. </p>
<p>Look out. That’s going to be fun. Hey thank you as always for hanging out with me for a few minutes. Again, I hope this was helpful and I hope you’ll join me again here on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>If you enjoyed this episode, there are several things you can do.</p>
<p>One, please <strong>let us know</strong>. Your comments and likes are more important that we can say.</p>
<p>Two, <strong>leave us a great review</strong>. Especially if you’re listening on <strong>Apple Podcasts</strong>, your reviews are HUGE for us!</p>
<p>And lastly, wherever you’re listening, we’d love it if you <strong>subscribed </strong>to our podcast and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re watching us on <strong>YouTube</strong>, then obviously we post a video of each Podcast Episode on our <strong>Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel</strong>. Definitely check that out and please like, comment and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And finally, if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to <a contents="www.applevalleyfarmga.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.applevalleyfarmga.com" target="_blank"><strong>www.applevalleyfarmga.com</strong></a> for things like our store, our woodworking projects and lots, lots more. </p>
<p>OK, that’s it. Have a great day. Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>(The music we use here on EW comes to us courtesy of our friends at Purple Planet Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: <a contents="https://www.purple-planet.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.purple-planet.com" target="_blank">https://www.purple-planet.com</a> ) </p>
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<p>SHOW NOTES </p>
<p>The Best Places To Buy Bargain Tools – Garage Sales </p>
<p>Welcome </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky Fitzpatrick with Everyday Woodworking, your Podcast Home for tips, tricks and information on how to make the most of your woodworking time and money, every day. </p>
<p>So if you’re a regular listener, you know we are in the middle of a really cool series about The Best Places To Buy Bargain Tools. And if you haven’t listened to it, you’ll want to go back and check out Episode One, which is all about how to make your bargain tools last. </p>
<p>Our last show was all about our Harbor Freight…the broke woodworker’s best friend. Today though, we’re switching gears from the retail store to the private seller. We’re going to get into Garage and Estate Sales and Private Buys. </p>
<p>First, what’s a private buy? Well for this episode, it’s buying from a friend or neighbor or someone you know who has a tool they want to sell. Or maybe trade off. Or even give you. We’re not talking about classified ads or online market places. That’s next week. </p>
<p>So again, let me disclaim what I’m about to tell you. Obviously, if you buy from an individual, there’s always the chance you could get a lemon, or worse yet, get something that hurts you. It’s rare, but just FYI, you know it’s a possibility. I’m telling you what works for me, but as always, you have to make your own well-informed decisions. </p>
<p>OK? Yes? We’re done. Onward we go. </p>
<p>So, Today’s Show: The Best Places To Buy Bargain Tools – Garage Sales </p>
<p>Let’s start with Garage Sales, or as we call them here in GA, Yard Sales. Or as rednecks call them…God’s Marketplace. </p>
<p>Yard Sales are an awesome place to pick up great deals because homeowners are clearing and cleaning out their carports and garages and basements and they need to make room. So many times they’ll sell perfectly good tools for pennies on the dollar. </p>
<p>They’re also a great place to throw your money away if you aren’t careful. There are also folks who are just wanting to pass their junk off to the next person instead of throwing it away themselves. So proceed with a healthy skepticism. </p>
<p>One thing about Yard Sale buying is, you need to expect to haggle. Or negotiate. Or as my granddaddy called it, “horse trading”. My rule of thumb is to never, ever pay what the person is asking. I always ask for a lower price. If you aren’t comfortable with that, then get someone to go with you who is. Otherwise, you’re going to pay more than you have to. </p>
<p>If you aren’t ready to ask for a lower price, then try bundling. For example, when you see three tools for $10 each, ask if you could get them for $25 if you bought all three. The worst they can say is “no”. </p>
<p>Next, get ready to inspect before you buy. We could go on for an hour about what all to check, but you’ll need to do it quickly and on the spot. So let’s just go over 10 suggestions for some obvious things to keep in mind. </p>
<ol> <li>Know a good deal. Research reasonable used prices. </li> <li>Look for good power cords. Although, you can replace them if you’re handy. </li> <li>Ask to plus it in or test it, if possible. If not, it’s a gamble that may pay off, or may bite you. </li> <li>If you can hear the tool run, listen closely for grinding, unusual whirring, bad bearings. See if it hesitates or hangs up. Make sure any adjustments, knobs, etc all move freely. Make sure there are no odd vibrations or shakes. You may be handy, but don’t buy something that you have to spend a fortune in parts to repair. </li> <li>Look for cracks, dents or damage to the case or housing. </li> <li>Especially for cordless tools, be aware of the age. Technologies evolve, and an old obsolete battery will never come back to life. You can probably assume that any included battery is on its last leg </li> <li>Brush up on your industry news. Recalls. Example, Craftsman Table Saws. Even if you can’t use it, you can get $50 out of it. </li> <li>Rust is a sign of neglect. You can always remove the rust you see, but we aware that there may be more, hidden. </li> <li>We aware of potentially stolen tools. Power Tools are THE most commonly stolen item in a home theft. So watch for tools that has name plates or engraved names or numbers that have been defaced. Also be wary of missing or defaced ID/serial# tags. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. </li> <li>Even though we’re talking about being thrifty, if you’re buying a used tool, a respected brand is always a safer bet. </li>
</ol>
<p>OK, that’s all I’m going to talk about today. That’s a TON of information. We may just revisit this more on the next show, because I really didn’t even touch on Estate Sales or Private Buys. So let’s plan to talk about those two and maybe even on into Online Private Buys in places like eBay, the FB Marketplace, Craigslist, etc. We’ll jump into these on our next episode or two. </p>
<p>Hey thank you as always for hanging out with me for a few minutes. I hope this was helpful and I hope you’ll join me again here on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>If you enjoyed this, there are several things you can do. One, please let us know. Your comments and likes are more important that we can say. Two, leave us a great review. Your reviews are HUGE for us! And lastly, we’d love it if you subscribed to our podcast and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, we post a video of each Podcast Episode as well over on our Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel. Definitely check that out and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to www.applevalleyfarmga.com for lots more. </p>
<p>OK, that’s it. Have a great day. Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…on Everyday Woodworking.</p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/65353612021-01-30T21:57:02-05:002021-01-30T21:57:02-05:00Episode 2 SHOW NOTES Harbor Freight<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep2 </p>
<p>SHOW NOTES </p>
<p>Welcome </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m Ricky Fitzpatrick with Everyday Woodworking, where we talk about how to help you create woodworking projects you can be proud of, without having a lot of expensive tools, fancy equipment or crazy materials. This is how “the rest of us” do it, every day. </p>
<p>So our last show was about how you can buy power tools inexpensively but make them last. And that sparked a lot of conversation. Mostly questions about the best place to buy your bargain tools. </p>
<p>And frankly I think that’s just awesome. Not that I’m a bargain tool expert, but I can definitely pass along some knowledge, at least about where I buy OUR tools. </p>
<p>And I don’t know how many episodes this will take. Several, I know. And I still want to keep our shows around 15 minutes, so I’ll probably tackle a suggestion or two at a time and break it up. And we’ll just roll with this until we cover it all. </p>
<p>Let me just go ahead and get the disclaimer out of the way. FYI, I do not endorse ANY of the tools or businesses I’ll talk about in this subject. And if you have a bad experience after following my advice, that’s on you. I’m telling you what works for me, but you have to make your own well-informed decisions. OK? </p>
<p>OK. So now that I’ve lost pretty much everybody… </p>
<p>Let’s get down to business. </p>
<p>So, Today’s Show: Where Is the Best Place To Buy Bargain Tools. </p>
<p>Lets just go ahead and start off with the biggie. Let me say, if you’re a woodworker…no, if you’re a guy…and you aren’t using Harbor Freight…then we can’t be friends. </p>
<p>HF is THE place for you to be. I know a lot of folks talk smack about HF, but for a guy on a budget, it is a Godsend. And for a woodworker…man you’ve got to be buying clamps and chisels and bits. They are SO much cheaper there. </p>
<p>Now for power tools, I confess, I don’t always use HF. But sometimes I do. Their primary power tool line is Bauer. There are also Hercules and Warrior lines. And let’s be honest…are they the best tools you can get? No. But will they be decent tools that you can afford and make last? You bet you can. </p>
<p>One thing I hate though, is that their power tools (and probably most of their inventory in general) is imported. Lots of it from China. And that sticks in my craw. But if you can live with it, then there you go. But even though I love the company, they sell a ton of imported products. </p>
<p>But let’s do a quick comparison. Let’s say you buy a Dewalt 20V Cordless Driver. A great drill. That’ll set you back about $100. </p>
<p>The Bauer is $49. </p>
<p>Too much? The Warrior at Harbor Freight is just $29. And yes, that includes the battery. </p>
<p>So for less than a third of the price of the DeWalt, you’re drilling. </p>
<p>Still too much? HF also has a cordless drill under the name Drill Master. An 18V cordless…with a battery, for…get ready…$16.99. </p>
<p>Is it a great drill? I highly doubt it. But will it get a guy going who has a tight budget but needs a tool? Absolutely. It has a 90-day warranty to give you a little peace of mind. But hey, for 16 bucks, it’s worth the risk. </p>
<p>I’d grab that baby, then find me a cheap bag or case, take it home and use it til it gives up on me. I’d bet it lasts a solid year at least if you take care of it. </p>
<p>Keep it clean. Make sure it can breathe. Put it up every night. Keep it off the floor. Don’t drop or beat on it. It’s probably well worth the money. </p>
<p>Speaking of tool cases and bags…HF has cases as cheap as $15 and Bags for $6.99. And if you catch them on sale Direct Tools sells Ryobi tool bags for just $5 each…but let’s save that for another show. </p>
<p>Let’s be honest though. Is work easier with a “professional” grade tool? Most of the time, yes. And as I said in the last show, “Buy the best tools you can afford”. So if you can afford a $100 drill, get it. You probably won’t regret it. But if you can’t, then $20 sounds awfully sweet. </p>
<p>Another tip for HF. Do yourself a favor and sign up the for the Inside Track Members Club. Right now, it’s about $30 a year, and it will pay for itself the first time you buy a power tool. This week for example, they’ve got a compressor that’s on sale for Inside Track members for $80 off the public’s price. It’s a no-brainer. </p>
<p>Also, grab a HF credit card and get 5% back on everything you buy. Again, it’s not a ton, but it adds up so fast over the year. </p>
<p>All this, and amazing prices anyway, that’s why I say if you aren’t using HF for at least some of your shop purchases, then something’s wrong with you. I’m going to make sure I leave a link to HF in the show notes in case you want to head over there and see what you think, yourself. </p>
<p>OK, that’s all the time we’re going to have today. I’ll keep this going on the next show and we’ll talk about yard sales, estate sales and private buys. Another GREAT place to pick up some tool deals. </p>
<p>Hey thank you for hanging out with me for a few minutes. I hope this was helpful and I hope you’ll join me again here on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>If you enjoyed this, there are several things you can do. One, please let us know. Your comments and likes are more important that we can say. Two, leave us a great review. Your reviews are HUGE for us! And lastly, we’d love it if you subscribed to our podcast and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>Also, we post a video of each Podcast Episode as well over on our Apple Valley Farm YouTube Channel. Definitely check that out and subscribe to us there as well. </p>
<p>And if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to www.applevalleyfarmga.com for lots more. </p>
<p>OK, that’s it. Have a great day. Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>LINKS: </p>
<p>Harbor Freight Tools - <a contents="https://www.harborfreight.com/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.harborfreight.com/" target="_blank">https://www.harborfreight.com/</a></p>Apple Valley Farmtag:applevalleyfarmga.com,2005:Post/65254072021-01-19T22:52:11-05:002021-01-19T22:59:19-05:00Episode 1 SHOW NOTES Buy Cheap and Treat ‘Em Well<p>Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep1 011821 </p>
<p>SHOW NOTES </p>
<p><a contents="https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking/episodes/Buy-Cheap-and-Treat-Em-Well-ep52n5" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking/episodes/Buy-Cheap-and-Treat-Em-Well-ep52n5" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking/episodes/Buy-Cheap-and-Treat-Em-Well-ep52n5</a></p>
<p>*** We all have visions of a million dollar shop stocked with the best and coolest tools. Right? But if you’re like us, you might have to deal with a little different reality! Join us today for a quick look at how we do the best work we can with the best tools we can afford. And then, how to make this babies last! ***</p>
<p>Welcome </p>
<p>Welcome to Everyday Woodworking. When you walk out into your humble work space, whatever that may be, using simple tools and affordable materials with a little elbow grease, some common sense and creativity and you make something you can be proud of…that’s what we’re all about. It doesn’t take a ton of money or a fancy shop or a lot of expensive tools. And that’s OK if that’s what you want to aspire to for SOME day. But we’re here to talk about what you can do…EVERY day. </p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m your Host Ricky Fitzpatrick. And I am an everyday woodworker. We own Apple Valley Farm a small, one-man woodworking business. And we’re here to share what works for us and what we’ve been given, that might help your life as an everyday woodworker. </p>
<p>So let me just get right in it. </p>
<p>Today’s Show: Buy the best you can afford, then treat it like gold. </p>
<p>You’ll find out that of woodworking heroes, Norm Abrams is my guy. Norm is the man. But even though I’m inspired when I watch his shows, I know I’ve got to somewhat do my own thing. Because I’ll never be able to afford those tools. </p>
<p>Norm is using a $10K Timesaver and I’m using my Ryobi Random Orbit. That’s just the way it is for us. And probably for you too, to a degree. So we all have to work with what we’ve got. </p>
<p>This is nothing new. We all know how to stretch a dollar. But when it comes to tools, you’ve really got to get serious. Tools are expensive, no matter where you get them. </p>
<p>I use mostly Ryobi Tools. A few others, but Ryobi has been my go to from day one, 6 years ago. And why? Because they’re reasonable and nearby. </p>
<p>Tools Direct guy. Homeowner affordable. They don’t last. You can’t make a living with them. But mine do. I make my living with them. </p>
<p>I buy reconditioned tools most of the time. But otherwise, my tools are gifts, bargains, yard sales and the occasional new something. I have a couple of things that I’ve won, but that’s rare. </p>
<p>We’re fortunate that our social media reach has made it possible for us to partner with a few tool and equipment companies who send us things from time to time. Nothing like the big boys use, but a drill or a sander here or there make a big difference to us. </p>
<p>We buy a case or a bag whenever we can. Protect. Clean. Baby your tools. And a case is the easiest way to do it. </p>
<p>Blow the dust out. If your tool can’t breathe, it can’t work. </p>
<p>Keep them off the floor. The floor is a place for trash, junk and things that get kicked and lost and beat up. Not your tools. </p>
<p>Put everything away, every day. Organization is my nemesis. I prefer to leave my tools where I last used them. But I know that only breeds chaos. Have a place for your stuff and use it every day. Before long it will feel odd if you don’t. </p>
<p>And finally, like we said in the beginning, buy the best you can afford, then treat it like gold. My granddaddy taught me, there’s no shame in not having a bunch of name brand things to work with. Treat your bargain tools like they’re going to last you a lifetime, and they just might do it. </p>
<p>That’s it. Hey thank you for hanging out with me for a few minutes. I hope this was helpful and I hope you’ll join me again here on Everyday Woodworking. </p>
<p>If you enjoyed this, there are several things you can do. One, please let us know. Your comments and likes are more important that we can say. Two, leave us a great review. Your reviews are HUGE for us! And lastly, we’d love it if you subscribed to our podcast and became a regular listener. </p>
<p>And if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to www.applevalleyfarmga.com for lots more. </p>
<p>Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…on Everyday Woodworking.</p>Apple Valley Farm