ShopNotes Podcast

Woodworking events, tool chests, Shopsmith controversy, and shop projects! In Episode 289 of the ShopNotes Podcast, Phil Huber, Logan Wittmer, and John Doyle are back with another round of woodworking discussions, shop updates, and plenty of good-natured ribbing. This week, we're recapping Woodworking in America 2026, including highlights from the demonstrations, vendor exhibits, and conversations...

In this episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, Phil, Logan, and John talk woodworking tools, hand-tool sharpening, current shop projects, and what’s happening behind the scenes at Woodsmith and Popular Woodworking. The crew digs into sharpening systems, compares traditional hand planes with new titanium planes, and answers listener questions about woodworking tools and techniques. They also share updat...

The crew recaps a hot and humid weekend at Handworks, sharing favorite tools, makers, and highlights from the show. Plus, they tackle listener questions about shop storage and tool safety, look ahead to Woodworking in America, and check in on Logan’s long-running table saw outfeed station project. To find out more about the topics discussed on the ShopNotes Podcast, check out our show notes page:...

The ShopNotes Podcast crew catches up on the latest in woodworking, including Logan’s trip to the International Woodworking Fair (IWF) in Atlanta and some of the newest woodworking tools and technology on display. Phil, Logan, and John also debate the best ways to organize a woodworking shop, talk pegboard, drawers, and tool storage, and look ahead to Handworks, Woodworking in America, and upcomin...

Phil Huber and John Doyle are back for a special back-to-school edition of the ShopNotes Podcast. This week, they dig into listener comments on radial arm saws, cabinet joinery, woodworking books, and even the ongoing Buc-ee’s debate. They also share what’s happening around the Woodsmith shop, including upcoming events, new tools spotted at IWF, Phil’s finishing course and desk build, and John’s l...

On this week's episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, Phil, Logan, and John revisit the versatility—and occasional sketchiness—of radial arm saws before weighing the pros and cons of dados, pocket screws, and simple butt joints for cabinet construction. Logan also previews an upcoming kitchen island video series, while the crew makes time for listener comments, shop updates, and the possible arrival of...

On this week's episode of the ShopNote's Podcast, Phil, Logan, and John are back together to take listeners' questions and comments (even the mean ones), as well as, discussing recent travels, and an update on Logan's auction haul. For more information on the the topics discussed on the podcast, check out our show notes page: https//www.woodsmith.com/podcast/

In this episode, Phil Huber and John Doyle catch up on what’s happening around the Woodsmith shop. They discuss listener comments, woodworking tools, vintage auctions, hand tools, and what keeps woodworkers coming back to the ShopNotes Podcast. The guys also share behind-the-scenes details on the upcoming finishing e-learning course, including shop-built finishing projects, spray finishing techniq...

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,...

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...

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 fin...

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....

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...

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 rabbi...

The crew is back from spring break with stories and shop talk—from Logan’s trip to the Northeastern Woodworkers Showcase to debates on router tables vs. shapers and powering an under-equipped shop. They dig into listener questions, controversial turning takes, and even the best way to upgrade your breakfast (everything bagel eggs, anyone?). Plus, a new wall-mounted workbench build, unexpected bull...