STL373: Big Changes for the Fine Woodworking Staff

A Note From Ben:

For a few years now I have been dreaming about becoming a tech ed teacher. It’s a daunting thing to get into, and I kept hitting the wall that is a lack of a teacher’s certificate. Well, a job came up at local high school—one town over from my house, right down the road from our old office. I took a swing at it, even though I don’t have a certificate, and they bit. They worked with the state to get me a waiver and get me in the classroom. I’ll be taking night classes to get my certificate throughout the next year.

Starting next week, I am a shop teacher (kind of). I’m teaching computer-integrated manufacturing (CAD modeling, CNC, and 3D printing), a basic “fixing stuff” class, and architecture classes. The last one is my wild card, but I’ll figure it out. My small classroom is equipped with a CNC, a small (OK, tiny) mill, an even smaller 5-axis mill, and five 3D printers. It’s going to be a huge change, but I’m ready for it.

The last 10 years at Fine Woodworking have been amazing. The Fine Woodworking team is just about the best group of people I can imagine ever working with, and I’ll miss doing the job dearly. Traveling the country and filming woodworkers that I consider the most talented woodworkers on the planet was amazing. I can’t begin to tell you how much I learned from everyone.

Like Ed Pirnik before me, I have shepherded lots of episodes of Shop Talk Live. It’s been a dream come true for me to have you, the listeners, let me into your shops to yap about woodworking with my buddies. The podcast is in good hands, though, and I know Vic and Bridgid will do an amazing job going forward.

Fine Woodworking.com is in amazing hands with Bridgid taking over the digital reins. She reminds me of myself 10 years ago, but with more talent—both woodworking and digital. If you trusted me, you should trust her.

Thanks for everything, and have fun in the shop.

Mr. Strano

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Watch Ben’s first appearance on Shop Talk Live 10 years ago here:

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7 Questions with Steve Latta

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Some Strano Hits:

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New England American Craft Tour Announced!

Follow the roots of American woodworking through the historic workshops, museums, schools, and makers that have preserved the craft for generations. From Boston’s colonial trades and the renowned North Bennet Street School to the hand-tool makers of Maine, the shipwrights of Mystic Seaport, and world-class furniture collections in Connecticut, this immersive New England tour offers rare behind-the-scenes access to the people, places, and traditions that continue to inspire woodworkers today. Along the way, explore charming coastal towns, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and experience the rich woodworking heritage of New England.

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Questions:

From Matt:

I was listening to episode 33 where one of the topics was around helical planer heads. Mike was talking about ordering a Tersa-like system as an upgrade to his machine. The system has many names: Esta/Bruck/Barke. I was wondering if this had a follow-up in any of the future episodes? I tried the search function on the website but no luck.

I’ve got a two-knife machine—DeWalt 1150—and I get great results on straight-grained wood, but it can tear out quite deeply on reversing grain. I’m wondering if the upgrade that Mike was talking about is worthwhile or if it is better to save up for a machine with a helical head.

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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 [email protected] 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. Join us on our Discord server here.