The Woodshop Life Podcast

Guy Dunlap

I have been a woodworker for long as I can remember. I fell in love with the craft when I was in junior high school, and I have been building furniture since. I treated woodworking as a hobby for many years, and then in the 1990s I opened my own shop and started a business making custom furniture. While I enjoyed the freedom and fulfillment it gave me, it was not as financially rewarding as I hoped it would be. So after a few years of trying very hard to make it work, I realized I would have to go back to a regular job and make furniture as a hobby again.

In the summer of 2016, I moved back again to doing woodworking full time. I have a very active presence on You Tube where I post videos of what I am currently working on, complete step by step project videos, and tips and technique videos. Recently I started giving classes in my shop, and really enjoy it. I also take on commissions for custom furniture and cabinetry. My days are very full!

Huy Huynh

My journey into woodworking started back in 2001. During high school and college I worked on a construction crew that specialized in roofing and framing, so rough carpentry came naturally to me. In 2011 shortly after graduating college, I bought a foreclosed “fixer-upper” and like many woodworkers, my interests were sparked by learning more complex DIY skills (carpentry, electrical, and plumbing). In 2013 I got married, and my wife was determined to change the “bachelor pad” into something more inviting. She wanted a hall tree to organize our jackets, shoes, and dog leashes.

With minimal tools I decided to build my own Arts and Crafts style hall tree rather than buy a piece of mass produced furniture. I quickly became obsessed with designing and building cabinets for our house and for my workshop. Being an electrical and aerospace engineer, I gravitated to the more technical side of cabinet making. However, I wanted to develop my weaknesses as a woodworker, which was design. Designing and building furniture incorporates both the technical and creative side to woodworking.

Sean Walker

Woodworking became a passion of mine in 2012 when I bought my first home. I soon realized that I needed furniture, and lots of it! I figured it would be a whole lot cooler to build my own furniture instead of buying , so I went to Lowes to stock up on a bunch of tools. Little did I know that I would end up spending more money on making the furniture rather than buying it. But what I did gain in the end, was the love for the craft. Ever since then I’ve been out in my shop building!

Best HVLP Finish, Norm Abrams, Conventions/Shows and MORE!

Guy's Questions: Hi all: First, I love the podcast. I listen to several others as well. This is by far the best, the Premier podcast on woodworking. Your focus on the questions is outstanding. I know that you repeat yourselves often but it it is so helpful to those of us that are trying to learn the craft. I learn something every time I listen. Thanks! My question has to do with spraying a finish. I just bought my first HVLP sprayer. I’ve watched many of the YouTube videos on the basic process with regard to how to tune the...

Published on: 2023-05-19

By Woodshop Life Podcast

Table Saw Safety, Dream Projects, Cheap Sprayers and MORE!

Brians Questions: I inherited my dad’s woodworking tools almost 20 years ago. I’ve upgraded several tools over the years. Most significantly, I replaced his Craftsman contractor table saw with a Sawstop PCS 175 5 years ago. I bought it for the safety mechanism, but I’ve really enjoyed using a cabinet saw. While I consistently use the riving knife, I have seldom used the blade guard cover. I like being able to clearly see the blade meeting the wood. Question/topic: how do you balance safety and convenience in your woodshop? Thank you. Chuck I inherited my dad’s woodworking tools almost 20...

Published on: 2023-05-05

By Woodshop Life Podcast

Scrap Wood Projects, Online Classes, Drying Lumber and MORE!!

Brians Questions: Hey guys, Got another one for ya. I have never used real hardwood for a project. Everything I have done so far has been with random scraps, pine or plywood. I was wondering what you guys would suggest as a good first project using hardwood. I do have a small variety pack of 3 species I picked up from woodcraft a while back that was on sale. 3 small boards that are essentially 2' 1x4's. Couldn't tell you what species they are at this point. I had thought about starting out by making a simple wood mallet using...

Published on: 2023-04-21

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Off Brand Tools, Perfect Drawer Slides, Selling Your Work For $$$, And MORE!

Brians Questions: Does a combination square needs to be a Starrett ($$$$) or we clan go with cheaper brands. Kind regards from São Paulo - Brazil. Hey guys, quick question for you. I have an old grizzly 20" planer and I want to resaw some wood on my bandsaw down to 1/2" and 1/4" pieces. The bandsaw is from 1943 and doesn't leave the best finish. The minimum thickness on the planer is 1/2" but I see the piece do some shimmying when I put stock that thin through there. What's the best way to finish planing the stock and...

Published on: 2023-04-07

By Woodshop Life Podcast

Cabinet Construction, Tablesaw Jigs, Keeping Your Fingers Attached and MORE!!

Guy's Questions: Good afternoon Gentlemen, Thank you for your podcast, I really appreciate it, and you fellows. Long story short, I am a re-engaging woodworker after taking a 20 year hiatus. Due to life requirements and work travel frequency, I was unable to keep up my hobby. I now have the time (and hopefully will NEVER have to fly somewhere for work again) to start anew. Things have changed quite a bit in past couple decades, and so have my interests in terms of wood working. Over my hiatus, I sold some of my equipment in hopes the machines would...

Published on: 2023-03-24

By Woodshop Life Podcast

Jointing Edges, Painted Furniture, Is It Still Handmade? and MORE!

Brian's Questions: Hey Guys! Love the podcast. Long time listener, first time asking a question! I am looking for recommendations on how to remove saw marks after ripping pieces to final width on the table saw. I recently built a couple rocking chairs for my kiddos, and was looking for a super smooth surface finish on all four sides. My solution was to joint and plane the parts on 3 sides and then rip a 1/32 or so oversized. After that I set my jointer to 1/32 and ran the cut edge back over the jointer to remove the saw....

Published on: 2023-03-10

By Woodshop Life Podcast

Yes or No to a RouterTable, Track Saws, Bubbles and MORE!

Brians Questions: Hi Friends: I really enjoy every podcast you guys put out. Thanks to Brain for stepping up to be the third host. He seems to be a natural with podcasting and teaching woodworking techniques. My question is related to tool choice. I am currently planning to build out a router table into the black phenolic extension table for my sawstop PCS 175. I have the 36inch cut capacity. I have seen videos on modifiying the extension table and dropping in a router lift. It seems like a great shop space saver. I have two questions for you guys....

Published on: 2023-02-24

By Woodshop Life Podcast

Finding Shop Time, Using Dowels, Securing Table Legs AND MORE!

Brians Questions: Good evening everyone, Wanted to reach out to you about time in the shop. Im expecting my second child in a matter of days and was curious how you all find/found time in the shop with little kids running around and being constantly tired? My second question is a follow up regarding a question you all read regarding "Box Materials" on October 20th. Loved the double answer but was looking for Drawer box material to use. BB (or whatever you can find now) or a hardwood? Thanks, Paul at Twin Lake Woodshop Hey guys love the podcast. I...

Published on: 2023-02-10

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Assembly Tables, Shop Furniture, 3D Printing and MORE!

Guys Questions: Hey guys. I just finished listening to your latest podcast, really good information and insight as usual. I'm still a novice user of the Domino so really enjoyed the tips and tricks you provided in answering a Domino related question. You mentioned being very short on questions so I'm going to send a similar question to one sent a couple of months ago that didn't get answered. I built an outfeed table a couple of years ago to use solely as an extension of my table saw. Now I find that I use it for glue-ups, as an...

Published on: 2023-01-27

By Woodshop Life Podcast

How Does UV Light Effect Finish, Which Style of Workbench, Sanding Tips and MORE!

Guys Questions: Hey gentlemen, welcome Brian. I have a commission for a big walnut slab table that will live in a nook with windows on 3 sides (lots of UV exposure). What do you recommend for finishing. I seem to recall Guy mentioning some walnut finishes don’t hold up well to UV exposure. I’m probably a month out from delivery so hopefully this makes it to the show before then! Sincerely your accidentental woodworking fabricator. Will In the past I’ve done a few small veneering projects and am currently working on one which will require a few larger panels- about...

Published on: 2023-01-12

By Woodshop Life Podcast

Domino Tips, Riving Knives, Panotrouters and MUCH MORE!

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/woodshoplife Guy's Questions: Hey guys, Have a, “what is your favorite finish” question. While this has been asked and answered a thousand times, I’m struggling to find a good answer for my scenario. I’m putting up a pine tongue and groove wall in a small bathroom. What would you suggest for the best and easiest application for finishing a wood bathroom wall with irregular surfaces? I want a slightly amber but not darkening, matte to approaching semi-gloss finish. I prefer to prefinish the uncut boards and cut to fit. Preferred options for finish application are either my...

Published on: 2022-12-29

By Woodshop Life Podcast

Should I Buy A CNC? How About Start My Own Business and MUCH MORE!!

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/woodshoplife Guys Questions: Hello fellow wood shop enthusiasts! I was recently watching Guys YouTube videos of the secretary with tambour doors. He made a comment about sanding the door to I think 350, but also made a comment about treating the end grain differently so that it would not take on more oil and I assume darken it more then the face. He did not really elaborate on the technique. How is end grain treated differently when applying oil finishes and when staining? Hey guys this is Mason from Blairswoodshop again. A follow up from the first...

Published on: 2022-12-15

By Woodshop Life Podcast

We Welcome our new Co-Host Brian! And of course we answer YOUR woodworking questions!

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/woodshoplife Guys Questions: Hello fellow wood shop enthusiasts! I was recently watching Guys YouTube videos of the secretary with tambour doors. He made a comment about sanding the door to I think 350, but also made a comment about treating the end grain differently so that it would not take on more oil and I assume darken it more then the face. He did not really elaborate on the technique. How is end grain treated differently when applying oil finishes and when staining? - Unkown Hey guys this is Mason from Blairswoodshop again. A follow up...

Published on: 2022-12-01

By Woodshop Life Podcast

Host Departure, Your Woodworking Questions & MUCH More!

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/woodshoplife Guy 1) Hi Guy, Huy, and Sean. I have a question about prefinishing and glue. I know that the generally recommended best practice when prefinishing is to tape off any surfaces that will later be receiving glue. However, I'm building a project that is going to have basically a grid of cross lap joints, and taping off all of those surfaces sounds really annoying. If I use epoxy as my glue instead of yellow wood glue, could I get away with not taping off the glue surfaces? The joints I am making should be pretty...

Published on: 2022-11-17

By Woodshop Life Podcast

Hollow Chisel Mortisers, Crazy Burls & MUCH More!

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/woodshoplife Guy 1) Dear Guy / Huy / Sean - First off, thank you for the podcast you produce. It is the only podcast I listen to that I have to pull over in the car to take notes on the way to work. I wish I lived closer to any of you to interact with you on a personal level instead of only podcasts. Anyway...my question has to do with needing advice on what to do with a crazy looking piece of burl. I have been helping my parents move out of their lifelong home...

Published on: 2022-11-03

By Woodshop Life Podcast

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