ShopNotes Podcast

Latest Episodes:

ShopNotes Podcast E278: Atlantically Speaking Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

In Episode 278 of the ShopNotes Podcast, the crew dives back into your suggestions for the ultimate woodworking road trip, highlighting museums, historic shops, and must-see destinations across Iowa and beyond. Logan shares an update on Chunk-A-Trunk, including how he's turning figured lumber into turning blanks for woodworkers around the country, while the team previews upcoming Woodsmith events, tours, and the Great Woodsmith Garage Sale. Plus, there's plenty of discussion about finishing techniques, shop projects, hand tools, woodworking history, and the listener comments that always make the conversation even more entertaining. Whether you're in the shop or on the road, pull up a chair and join the fun!

To find out more about the topics mentioned on the ShopNotes Podcast, check out our show notes page here: https://www.woodsmith.com/podcast/

ShopNotes Podcast E277: Iowa Tourism Board Tackles Woodworking Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

Could Iowa be America's next woodworking destination? In this episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, the crew dreams up the ultimate Iowa woodworking road trip, complete with legendary tool makers, historic woodworking sites, museums, furniture shops, sawmills, and a few can't-miss restaurants along the way.

Along the journey, Phil, Logan, and John also answer listener questions about sharpening stones, debate why vintage woodworking machines are almost always painted green, and discuss whether linseed oil paint is making a comeback—or just taking forever to dry.

John also shares his latest Facebook Marketplace adventure after discovering a never-opened 1992 Woodsmith Panel Saw Hardware Kit, leading to a discussion about vintage woodworking kits, classic ShopNotes projects, and whether bringing hardware kits back would be a good idea.

In this episode:

Designing the ultimate Iowa woodworking tour
Hidden woodworking destinations across the Midwest
Woodworking in America updates
Sharpening stone chips: should you worry?
Why are old woodworking machines always green?
Vintage woodworking hardware kits and Facebook Marketplace finds
Listener questions, comments, and plenty of woodworking rabbit trails

Have a favorite woodworking destination in your area? Tell us in the comments! If another woodworker visited your hometown, where would you take them?

ShopNotes Podcast E276: None Was Right, But One Was Better (Than the Others) Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, the crew dives into the world of old tool restoration, shares thoughts on building a practical starter tool kit for new homeowners, and discusses how woodworkers decide when—and why—to bring new tools into the shop. Plus, they answer listener feedback, debate Harbor Freight tools, and John begins restoring his grandfather’s Stanley No. 4 hand plane.

To find out more on the topics discussed on the podcast, check out our Show Notes page here: https://www.woodsmith.com/podcast/

ShopNotes Podcast E275: Let's Just Talk About Gas Stations Again Jun 19, 2026

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ShopNotes Podcast E274: The Gas Station Situation in Central Iowa Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, Phil, Logan, and John cover everything from vintage woodworking tools to the surprisingly competitive gas station scene in the Midwest.

We kick things off with listener comments about the upcoming "Domino Killer" joinery tools, Kreg's woodworking-focused approach to tool development, and the ongoing debate between premium and budget woodworking equipment.

Then Phil shares the ups and downs of rebuilding his vintage Delta/Rockwell drill press—including seized bearings, stubborn chucks, hydraulic presses, and why old machines aren't always as easy to restore as YouTube makes them look.

Plus, we somehow spend a significant amount of time discussing Casey's, QuickStar, QuickTrip, breakfast pizza, and the convenience-store culture of Iowa.

Vintage Delta/Rockwell drill press restoration
Woodworking tool repairs and maintenance
Kreg vs Festool discussions
Grizzly Makers Challenge
Woodworking side-business opportunities
Router table storage projects
Custom furniture design process
Church door construction and installation
Used woodworking tools and machine restoration
Midwest gas station culture

Have a question, comment, or smart remark? Email us at woodsmith@woodsmith.com or leave a comment below.

ShopNotes Podcast E273: Free Lumber! You Fell, You Haul, You Mill (Don't Mess Up My Yard) May 22, 2026

Show notes

In Episode 273 of the ShopNotes Podcast, the crew dives into everything happening in the woodworking world — from hand tool events and lumber prices to TV show updates, shop projects, and new tools coming to the market.

Logan shares a full recap of his trip to Hand Tool Haven at the Plain Wellness event in Pennsylvania, including tool vendors, demonstrations, silent auction finds, and a few close calls with buying even more hand planes. The guys also discuss upcoming events like Woodworking in America 2026 and why woodworking competitions at county and state fairs are worth entering.

Back in the shop, John wraps up filming for Season 20 of The Woodsmith Shop TV show, Phil works through design details on his latest desk project, and Logan gets dangerously close to finishing a set of custom church doors — while also getting pulled into unexpected woodworking side quests.

Plus, the crew talks about Kreg’s newly announced cordless loose tenon machine, the ongoing corded vs. cordless debate, walnut from Chunk A’ Trunk, listener comments about lumber suppliers, and plenty of woodworking shop banter along the way.

Got a question or comment for the show? Send it to woodsmith@woodsmith.com or leave a comment on the ShopNotes Podcast YouTube channel.

ShopNotes Podcast E272: What's Your Relationship Like with Your Hardwood Supplier? May 15, 2026

Show notes

ShopNotes Podcast E271: Hierarchy of Panels, or: MVP (Most Visible Panel) May 08, 2026

Show notes

Episode 271 of the ShopNotes Podcast is packed with shop talk, project updates, and the chaos of last-minute woodworking projects before big life events. The crew dives into garage vs. basement shops, lasers and 3D printing, restoring an old cabinet for graduation season, building church doors, and why every “quick weekend project” somehow turns into a four-month adventure. Plus, woodworking rabbit holes, lumber with a story, and the return of the infamous dumpster fire discussion.

ShopNotes Podcast E270: All About the Churn May 01, 2026

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ShopNotes Podcast E269: I'm Just Going To [...] To Help My Woodworking Apr 24, 2026

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