STL180: Designing Without Drawing

Shop Talk Live - Fine Woodworking

Question 1: From Cameron: I’m thinking of making a bench inspired by Mark Edmundson’s “Modern Danish Cord Bench” from issue #194-Nov/Dec 2007. I’m want to stretch the width to 6’ to use at my 7’ table. Will the front and rear rails be enough to support 4 well fed adults or will I have a hilarious story to tell for the next 30 year about the thanksgiving collapse of 2019?

• Mark Edmundson’s “Modern Danish Cord Bench” from issue #194-Nov/Dec 2007
• Strategies For Building Stronger Furniture by Mike Korsak #269–July/August 2018 Issue

Question 2: From Mark: I saw a video where Matt Wajda drew a tool chest, full scale by hand. Is this a common method? I draw Architecture for a living, I am tired of drawing. I’m not interested in SketchUp, I already spend way too much time with AutoCAD. Woodworking is my release. I completely understand that you can work issues out on paper long before you even touch a board. I am curious about designing without drawing. Does anyone you know use a design process that does not involve drawing?

• Behind the Design: Tim Coleman’s Arabesque by Tim Coleman and Ben Strano #270–Sep/Oct 2018 Issue
• Mike's post showing the 1/4-piece mirror trick

Segment: Shop Resolutions

• Mike - Learn a new skill this year
• Anissa - Draw every day
• Ben - Finish working on his shop, and start working in his shop… by May

Question 3: From Andy: Any idea how to go about achieving the finish in the attached image? I’ve never seen a finish like this one that’s pretty vibrant, yet maintains the appearance of the grain. Is it just a watered down paint?

• Real Milk Paint's Color Chart
• Old Fashioned Milk Paint's Color Chart

Question 4: From Bob: I have some Japanese chisels that I’m starting to use. About 3/16” behind the edge of the blade is a cove. When you grind back to that cove, the back will no longer be flat. Do you have to toss the chisel out at that point?

• Tapping Out a Japanese Plane Blade with Andrew Hunter by Andrew Hunter #260–Mar/Apr 2017 Issue

Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking‘s biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to [e-mail] for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page.