The Joiner's Bench

The Joinery, LLC
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Hobbies

“Welcome to The Joiner’s Bench — stories, skills, and conversations from the heart of the woodshop. I’m Steven, founder of The Joinery, and every other week I’ll be here sharing reflections, lessons, and stories from inside the shop. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been working with your hands for years — this is your bench too.”

  1. 5 days ago

    Joiner's Bench - A Cascade of Mistakes

    The Joiner's Bench

  2. 25 Jul

    So Many Ways Into Woodworking

    Steven and Alex map out the many paths a new woodworker can take, from rough carpentry and joinery to cabinet making, turning, marquetry, and even building a guitar. They talk through where to actually begin, the resources worth leaning on like Lumberjocks, Fine Woodworking, and Lost Art Press, and why finding a community or makerspace beats going it alone. Along the way they dig into the honest question of whether tools like the CNC, Shaper Origin, and laser cutter take the soul out of the work, or just help you build the thing you set out to make. If you've been staring at a project wondering if you're ready, this one nudges you toward the shop.

  3. 29 Jun

    The Friction That Keeps You Out of the Shop

    This week on The Joiner's Bench, Alex and I get into something every woodworker runs into eventually — falling out of the habit, and all the little friction points that keep you off the bench. We talk through the usual excuses (the couch is comfortable, I don't know what to make, I don't have the time) and the things that actually get you back in: committing to ten minutes, picking a standing shop day and defending it, keeping a basic toolkit in your car so there's nothing between you and the wood. I also tell the story of the architect who talked me out of putting my shop above the garage — and it had nothing to do with hauling lumber up the stairs. Then we run our first "Myth or Real" segment on the Kreg pocket hole jig: real joinery or cheating? We land hard on the same side. We get into where pocket holes earn their keep versus where the Festool Domino makes more sense, Kreg's rumored loose-tenon tool, and I make my case one more time for why you should stop buying biscuits.

  4. 17 Jun

    The Unexpected Wood Delivery

    After a few months off, Steven and Alex are back—and committing to every two weeks. This episode opens with what's on their benches: Alex's discovery of green-wood carving with a freshly fallen cedar, Steven's big spring of selling the family home and moving closer to the shop, and the major relayout of The Joinery. They tease the summer class lineup and four new fall classes, including serving trays, a craftsman-style bench, and a chairmaking class on the modern slat-back. The main conversation tackles a question every woodworker faces: a tree comes down in your yard—is it worth milling? Steven walks through the real economics (hauling, portable mills, board-foot math, and when sentimental value trumps cost), the case for an Alaskan chainsaw mill, and why air-dried wood has a character kiln-dried lumber just can't match. Then a new segment debuts—"The Real Take"—where they cut through the YouTube hype on epoxy: where it actually earns its place, why the river-table dream usually ends in a shop covered in plastic, and when bar-top finish is the right call.

  5. 14 Mar

    The Joiner's Bench · Episode 9: Welcome, Alex

    And Then There Were Two Everything changes in Episode 9. After eight solo episodes, Steven brings on Alex Baum — a Joinery member and self-described "stay-at-home dad Monday through Friday" — as co-host. They talk about where beginners get stuck, why YouTube only gets you so far, and what it means to build something for someone who actually loves it. About Alex Army medic and National Guard veteran (17 years, retired), with a background in public affairs, photography, and videography. He's been a Joinery member for about nine months and is currently building a basement bar and cabinet set — an ambitious first large project. Topics covered Alex's proudest build: a cheese board in olive wood, wenge, and maple made as a Christmas giftThe prototype mindset — why "consider this a practice run" is the single best thing a beginner can do"Don't fall in love with the wood" — and why it mattersYouTube woodworking: great for inspiration, limited as instructionRecommended channels/resources: Shaper Origin tutorials at shaper.com; Sledge Tool (Festool instructor)Mark Adams School of Woodworking — Stephen's annual retreat and ongoing recommendationWhy shared shops change everything for beginnersWhat's coming: parallel projects where both hosts build the same thing and compare notesContact / Questions Send questions for either host to thejoinery@thejoinery.club — we'll answer them on air.

  6. 25/10/2025

    Chin Up: How My Wife and Sam Maloof Saved My Woodworking Career

    When a sculptural rocking chair project went wrong, I nearly walked away from woodworking for good. What followed was an unexpected act of kindness from the legendary Sam Maloof—and a reminder from my wife that failure isn’t the end of the story. This episode of The Joiner’s Bench is about perseverance, humility, and rediscovering why we make things in the first place.

  7. 08/10/2025

    S1E7 - Sharpen Your Skills

    Episode Summary: The Joiner's Bench - "Sharpen Your Skills" In this episode of "The Joiner's Bench," host Stephen Ricks delves into the often overlooked yet essential aspect of woodworking: sharpening. Stephen not only highlights how sharpening is crucial for both the performance of woodworking tools and the overall woodworking experience but also attempts to demystify the process by sharing personal insights and practical tips. He discusses recognizing when a blade is dull, the importance of tool maintenance, and cost-effective strategies for keeping tools sharp. Additionally, the episode includes stories from the workshop, experiences with sharpening techniques, and the importance of maintaining sharp tools to enhance one's craft. Beyond technical advice, Stephen emphasizes the mental clarity that accompanies working with well-maintained equipment, setting the stage for a rewarding and productive woodworking journey. Introduction (00:00:15 - 00:00:42) - Host Stephen Ricks introduces the episode focused on the importance and satisfaction involved in sharpening woodworking tools. - Emphasizes the correlation between sharp tools and a sharp mind. Segment 1: What's Happening on My Bench (00:00:44 - 00:03:59) - Discussion of recent woodworking classes with increasing participation due to fall. - Anecdote about a dull blade during a class resaw project, emphasizing the importance of replacing or maintaining blades for optimal work. - Brief mention of various ongoing classes, such as basic woodworking and intermediate projects like whiskey cabinets. - No progress on the "Washington Tea Table" project. Segment 2: The Craft - Sharpening (00:04:03 - 00:17:00) - Exploration of sharpening techniques and the philosophy of "sharp is sharp." - Stories about the host's father using oilstones for sharpening, and a method using a handheld belt sander for quick sharpening. - Discussion on the importance of maintaining sharp tools efficiently without getting bogged down by the process. - Insight into various tools and the subjective efficiency related to sharpening methods. Segment 3: Maker’s Moment (00:17:30 - 00:29:13) - Host discusses card scrapers, particularly a personal story of learning how to use them effectively. - Emphasizes the difference between proper and poor sharpening using personal anecdotes. - Introduction of high-quality card scrapers available through Lost Art Press as the best he's used. - Encourages a mindset shift towards regularly maintaining sharp tools to enhance woodworking productivity. Segment 4: Ask a Joiner (00:32:00 - 00:33:02) - Question on identifying when tools need sharpening, with specific tips:   - Feeling resistance instead of control.   - Visual inspection of the blade for undue light reflection.   - Loss of joy in tasks potentially indicating a need for sharper tools. Conclusion (00:33:18 - 00:36:56) - Summary of the episode’s key message: keeping tools sharp lessens frustration and enhances workflow. - Encouragement to clean and sharpen tools using different methods briefly discussed during the episode. - Invitation for listeners to ask questions and share the podcast. This episode provides a detailed exploration of the sharpening process, sharing practical tips, personal anecdotes, and philosophical insights into why sharp tools are vital in woodworking.

  8. 26/09/2025

    S1E6 -All About Bandsaws

    In this episode of The Joiner’s Bench, Steven takes a deep dive into one of the most versatile and beginner-friendly machines in the shop: the bandsaw. From safety essentials like why you should never back out of a cut, to understanding feed pressure, blade drift myths, and how to properly set bearings and adjustments, this episode is packed with practical advice for new woodworkers. Along the way, Steven shares personal shop stories, highlights inspiring ways to use the bandsaw, and answers common beginner questions about blades, cutting techniques, and setup. Whether you’re tackling your first project or looking to get more from your bandsaw, this episode will help you cut straighter, safer, and with more confidence. Sections & Topics Covered: What’s On My Bench – Steven’s current projects and how the bandsaw plays a role.The Craft – Safety basics, proper cutting techniques, avoiding back-out, the truth about drift, and making simple adjustments (blade tension, tracking, bearings).Maker’s Moment – Inspiration from projects that showcase the versatility of the bandsaw, from resawing to curves.Ask the Joiner – Common beginner questions: what blade to start with, how to handle wandering cuts, and when it’s time to change a blade.

See All (13)

About

“Welcome to The Joiner’s Bench — stories, skills, and conversations from the heart of the woodshop. I’m Steven, founder of The Joinery, and every other week I’ll be here sharing reflections, lessons, and stories from inside the shop. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been working with your hands for years — this is your bench too.”

Information

  • Creator
    The Joinery, LLC
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Joiner's Bench
  • Show Website
    The Joiner's Bench