
Woodworking events, tool chests, Shopsmith controversy, and shop projects! In Episode 289 of the ShopNotes Podcast, Phil Huber, Logan Wittmer, and John Doyle are back with another round of woodworking discussions, shop updates, and plenty of good-natured ribbing.
This week, we're recapping Woodworking in America 2026, including highlights from the demonstrations, vendor exhibits, and conversations with fellow woodworkers. We also tackle some listener feedback about the event and discuss why Woodworking in America focuses on hands-on education and personal interaction rather than being a traditional woodworking trade show.
And yes, the Shopsmith jokes continue! After years of teasing the multipurpose woodworking machine, the guys finally spent some quality time with the Shopsmith crew. Even better, there's now a Shopsmith Mark 7 at the Woodsmith shop. Could Logan and John actually become Shopsmith fans?
Phil also brings up an interesting woodworking challenge: What's the best way to organize a traditional wooden tool chest? Should every hand tool have a dedicated spot, or is a more flexible tool tote the better solution? The guys discuss portable tool storage, custom organizers, Dutch tool chests, and ways to transport hand tools and power tools safely.
Plus, Logan shares highlights from his visit to Lee Valley Tools and Veritas in Canada, including an incredible collection of vintage hand planes and woodworking tools. We also get an update on his shop-built table saw outfeed table, featuring a torsion box top and an alternative to plastic laminate.
In this episode:
- Woodworking in America 2026 recap and listener feedback
- Why woodworking demonstrations matter more than big vendor displays
- The ongoing Shopsmith debate — and a Shopsmith Mark 7 in the shop!
- Behind the scenes at Lee Valley Tools and Veritas
- Traditional wooden tool chests vs. portable tool totes
- Organizing and protecting hand tools for travel
- Designing a portable, knockdown woodworking bench
- Logan's table saw outfeed table with an HDPE work surface
- Plans and ideas for future woodworking events
Join the conversation!
How do you organize your woodworking tools? Do you prefer a traditional tool chest with dedicated compartments or a flexible tote that can handle different projects? Share your thoughts in the comments or send photos of your tool storage solutions to [email protected].
And mark your calendars! Woodworking in America is planned for October 8–9, 2027.
Subscribe to the ShopNotes Podcast for weekly woodworking conversations, tool discussions, project updates, shop tips, and plenty of laughs from the editors of Woodsmith and Popular Woodworking.
Woodsmith Magazine: https://www.woodsmith.com
Popular Woodworking: https://www.popularwoodworking.com
#ShopNotesPodcast #Woodworking #Woodsmith #PopularWoodworking #WoodworkingTools
Oct 16
53 min

In this episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, Phil, Logan, and John talk woodworking tools, hand-tool sharpening, current shop projects, and what’s happening behind the scenes at Woodsmith and Popular Woodworking. The crew digs into sharpening systems, compares traditional hand planes with new titanium planes, and answers listener questions about woodworking tools and techniques.
They also share updates on current woodworking projects, including Phil’s pine writing desk, Logan’s table saw outfeed table, and a new shop storage project for Woodsmith Magazine. Plus, Phil and Logan prepare for their upcoming woodworking tour of Sweden and Denmark and preview the demonstrations, makers, and woodworking techniques they’re looking forward to at Woodworking in America.
If you enjoy woodworking podcasts covering hand tools, power tools, woodworking projects, shop talk, and the people and ideas shaping the craft, this episode has plenty to dig into.
To find out more about the topics discussed on the podcast, check out our show notes page: https://www.woodsmith.com/podcast/
#Woodworking #WoodworkingPodcast #HandTools #Woodsmith #ShopNotesPodcast
Sep 18
41 min

The crew recaps a hot and humid weekend at Handworks, sharing favorite tools, makers, and highlights from the show. Plus, they tackle listener questions about shop storage and tool safety, look ahead to Woodworking in America, and check in on Logan’s long-running table saw outfeed station project.
To find out more about the topics discussed on the ShopNotes Podcast, check out our show notes page: https://www.woodsmith.com/podcast/
Sep 11
50 min

The ShopNotes Podcast crew catches up on the latest in woodworking, including Logan’s trip to the International Woodworking Fair (IWF) in Atlanta and some of the newest woodworking tools and technology on display. Phil, Logan, and John also debate the best ways to organize a woodworking shop, talk pegboard, drawers, and tool storage, and look ahead to Handworks, Woodworking in America, and upcoming woodworking tours to Denmark, Sweden, and Japan.
To find out more about the topics discussed on the podcast, check out our show notes page: https://www.woodsmith.com/podcast/
Sep 4
56 min

Phil Huber and John Doyle are back for a special back-to-school edition of the ShopNotes Podcast. This week, they dig into listener comments on radial arm saws, cabinet joinery, woodworking books, and even the ongoing Buc-ee’s debate. They also share what’s happening around the Woodsmith shop, including upcoming events, new tools spotted at IWF, Phil’s finishing course and desk build, and John’s latest outdoor chair project. Plus, there’s plenty of talk about shop maintenance, bandsaw surprises, and the busy woodworking season ahead.
To find out more information on the topics discussed on the podcast, check out our show notes page: https://www.woodsmith.com/podcast/
Aug 28
47 min

On this week's episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, Phil, Logan, and John revisit the versatility—and occasional sketchiness—of radial arm saws before weighing the pros and cons of dados, pocket screws, and simple butt joints for cabinet construction. Logan also previews an upcoming kitchen island video series, while the crew makes time for listener comments, shop updates, and the possible arrival of Iowa’s first Buc-ee’s.
To find out more information about the topics discussed on the podcast, check out our show notes page: https://www.woodsmith.com/podcast/
Aug 14
49 min

On this week's episode of the ShopNote's Podcast, Phil, Logan, and John are back together to take listeners' questions and comments (even the mean ones), as well as, discussing recent travels, and an update on Logan's auction haul.
For more information on the the topics discussed on the podcast, check out our show notes page: https//www.woodsmith.com/podcast/
Aug 7
51 min

In this episode, Phil Huber and John Doyle catch up on what’s happening around the Woodsmith shop. They discuss listener comments, woodworking tools, vintage auctions, hand tools, and what keeps woodworkers coming back to the ShopNotes Podcast.
The guys also share behind-the-scenes details on the upcoming finishing e-learning course, including shop-built finishing projects, spray finishing techniques, and creating a dedicated finishing space in your workshop. Plus, they talk about upcoming woodworking events, Handworks, Woodworking in America, shop scrap, and more.
Have a question or comment for the show? Send it to [email protected] or join the conversation on the ShopNotes Podcast YouTube channel.
Jul 24
38 min
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