Interviews as Expert Guest
on Woodworking Podcasts

 


Thanks, Matt and Hendrik!

In case anyone is wondering, I do listen regularly to Matt's Basement Workshop podcast. I am sure a lot of you do the same. However, in case anyone missed it, (I really don't know why anyone would read my blog over listening to his podcast, but I digress), you really should go back and listen to the recent interview with Hendrik Varju (first part and second part) on the science of wood movement and moisture content.

I suspect a lot of woodworkers are like me in that they know wood moves and absorbs and releases moisture, but don't really understand a lot of the specifics surrounding the whole movement thing and either over design in an attempt to avoid any possible problem or else just ignore it totally never thinking that it might cause a huge problem when the ambient humidity changes.

In particular, this podcast hit home for me because I have a stack of pretty wet yellow pine out back that I have cut up into approximate size pieces to build Chris Schwarz's English workbench. I knew it wasn't stacked right, but I didn't know exactly what would happen to it because of my oversight (ok, laziness actually).

After listening to Hendrik and Matt, I went out and took a look. Sure enough, it was just as Hendrik had said, it was bowing and warping and doing all sorts of strange things. At that point, I was just thankful that I hadn't tried to make a workbench out of my warping half dried wood. I took a few minutes and restacked it properly yesterday morning and already, it is starting to straighten out.

Matt's show is always good, but Hendrik is a special treat. He has a unique depth of understanding and a way of explaining difficult concepts and making them seem simple. I really don't know how he does it, but it is almost as though he can see the listeners over the air waves and somehow know just what we are struggling with and aren't getting, and then proceed to explain it in simple detail until we can all understand exactly what he is talking about.

Anyway, Matt and Hendrik, thanks a million for saving me from the potential misery of an overstressed and under flat workbench. I really enjoy listening to the show, and hope there are lots of others listening and picking up good stuff too.

-- Luke Townsley
    UnpluggedShop.com

Hope you continue to feature Hendrik.  The two of you make a good hand tool team. Congrats on your two years.

Hey Matt:

Really good information.  The detail of a thicker blade closing the mouth to having a sliding sole is just great.  I was able to visualize well until that dang bevel up came into the discussion by the time I had Hendrik’s description in my head he was on the wood plane....had to go back.

I appreciate your work on these Matt.

I've really enjoyed Hendrik on the podcast.  I just finished watching Jointer and Planer Secrets and it was WELL worth the time and money.  I learned so much about milling that would have taken me years to discover on my own.

Hi Matt..........chock full of information again.  I'm senses Hendrik is loosing up a bit and catching on to the Vanderlistian humor.   Love these episodes.....Hendrik keeps it real.

Hey Matt......... more good information from Hendrik. I like where he brought up building and understanding where ones experience level is.


Thanks,

Those were words of wisdom that I think most beginners are not aware of.  Understanding your current limitations are important to taking that next step.

Matt

Hi Matt...........now that's an interview that should be bookmarked.  Just plain and simply jam-packed with exceptional information.  Nice job drawing it all out Matt!!!!

If you are reading theses comments. . . stop right now and go listen to this interview.

SUPER Matt!!!!!

 

Thanks,

The interview was a great chance to ask questions that I know everyone had sent in and that I knew I had all along. Hendrik is a wealth of knowledge!

Matt

Great interview Matt,

I am a finishing newbie and the questions and answers with Hendrik were just what I needed to fill in some major holes in my understanding.  Thanks Matt and Hendrik.

Hey Matt.......that was really good.  Bet you felt real good.  SUPER!!!

I liked your how you brought up body positioning at the jointer, and how the little tricks give a better quality.  And Hendrik's mentioning of milled lumber not really being truly milled.  You got a lot of good stuff in the interview.

Thanks.......