Could Iowa be America's next woodworking destination? In this episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, the crew dreams up the ultimate Iowa woodworking road trip, complete with legendary tool makers, historic woodworking sites, museums, furniture shops, sawmills, and a few can't-miss restaurants along the way. Along the journey, Phil, Logan, and John also answer listener questions about sharpening stones, debate why vintage woodworking machines are almost always painted green, and discuss whether linseed oil paint is making a comeback—or just taking forever to dry. John also shares his latest Facebook Marketplace adventure after discovering a never-opened 1992 Woodsmith Panel Saw Hardware Kit, leading to a discussion about vintage woodworking kits, classic ShopNotes projects, and whether bringing hardware kits back would be a good idea. In this episode: Designing the ultimate Iowa woodworking tour Hidden woodworking destinations across the Midwest Woodworking in America updates Sharpening stone chips: should you worry? Why are old woodworking machines always green? Vintage woodworking hardware kits and Facebook Marketplace finds Listener questions, comments, and plenty of woodworking rabbit trails Have a favorite woodworking destination in your area? Tell us in the comments! If another woodworker visited your hometown, where would you take them?

In this episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, the crew dives into the world of old tool restoration, shares thoughts on building a practical starter tool kit for new homeowners, and discusses how woodworkers decide when—and why—to bring new tools into the shop. Plus, they answer listener feedback, debate Harbor Freight tools, and John begins restoring his grandfather’s Stanley No. 4 hand plane. To find out more on the topics discussed on the podcast, check out our Show Notes page here: https://www.woodsmith.com/podcast/

In this episode of the ShopNotes Podcast, Phil, Logan, and John cover everything from vintage woodworking tools to the surprisingly competitive gas station scene in the Midwest. We kick things off with listener comments about the upcoming "Domino Killer" joinery tools, Kreg's woodworking-focused approach to tool development, and the ongoing debate between premium and budget woodworking equipment. Then Phil shares the ups and downs of rebuilding his vintage Delta/Rockwell drill press—including seized bearings, stubborn chucks, hydraulic presses, and why old machines aren't always as easy to restore as YouTube makes them look. Plus, we somehow spend a significant amount of time discussing Casey's, QuickStar, QuickTrip, breakfast pizza, and the convenience-store culture of Iowa. Vintage Delta/Rockwell drill press restoration Woodworking tool repairs and maintenance Kreg vs Festool discussions Grizzly Makers Challenge Woodworking side-business opportunities Router table storage projects Custom furniture design process Church door construction and installation Used woodworking tools and machine restoration Midwest gas station culture Have a question, comment, or smart remark? Email us at [email protected] or leave a comment below.

In Episode 273 of the ShopNotes Podcast, the crew dives into everything happening in the woodworking world — from hand tool events and lumber prices to TV show updates, shop projects, and new tools coming to the market. Logan shares a full recap of his trip to Hand Tool Haven at the Plain Wellness event in Pennsylvania, including tool vendors, demonstrations, silent auction finds, and a few close calls with buying even more hand planes. The guys also discuss upcoming events like Woodworking in America 2026 and why woodworking competitions at county and state fairs are worth entering. Back in the shop, John wraps up filming for Season 20 of The Woodsmith Shop TV show, Phil works through design details on his latest desk project, and Logan gets dangerously close to finishing a set of custom church doors — while also getting pulled into unexpected woodworking side quests. Plus, the crew talks about Kreg’s newly announced cordless loose tenon machine, the ongoing corded vs. cordless debate, walnut from Chunk A’ Trunk, listener comments about lumber suppliers, and plenty of woodworking shop banter along the way. Got a question or comment for the show? Send it to [email protected] or leave a comment on the ShopNotes Podcast YouTube channel.

Episode 271 of the ShopNotes Podcast is packed with shop talk, project updates, and the chaos of last-minute woodworking projects before big life events. The crew dives into garage vs. basement shops, lasers and 3D printing, restoring an old cabinet for graduation season, building church doors, and why every “quick weekend project” somehow turns into a four-month adventure. Plus, woodworking rabbit holes, lumber with a story, and the return of the infamous dumpster fire discussion.