ShopNotes Podcast

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/

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?

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/