The Mortise & Tenon Podcast: Recent Episodes
Mortise & Tenon Magazine
In this episode, the guys discussion their latest book: Tools for Engagement: Reclaiming Craft in an Age of Technology. This has been in the works for several years, and it is unlike any other craft book out there. Bringing together rich discussion about the value of skilled hand work with a plethora of woodworking projects, Tools for Engagement is designed to make an impact on woodworkers today. In an era that prizes ease and “frictionless” life, it is critical that we respond with personal engagement. Roll up your sleeves. Take up tools. Stay human.
In this new episode, the guys work their way through Bill’s chapter on the true meaning of “wealth.” Rather than think of wealth merely in terms of monetary accumulation, Bill suggests we think of real enrichment as sharing things that benefit others, such as teaching skills, telling stories, or sharing a meal. In such times, no one goes without so that others can gain – all are better off for having participated. That is true wealth. Joshua and Mike highlight such topics as keeping your possessions to an amount you can personally manage and care for, building your own home over years, and designing “democratic chairs” anyone could build with a little effort. This is, as you’ve surely come to expect, a lofty and “enriching” discussion. Bill’s book is always worth engaging, and this chapter is no exception.
In this episode, Joshua and Mike interact with Bill Coperthwaite’s vision for how handcraft might better reflect a compassionate view of the world. Rather than seeking to dominate or impose our wills on our world, we would do better to “cultivate a reverence for all things” – to work with the nature of our materials, instead of against it. And what if the design could somehow reflect our values? What does the design of our homes “say” about what we value? What chair designs might make woodworking accessible to everyone? How is the notion of “living by ideals” in need of recovery? Listen in on this episode to see what the guys have to say about Bill’s chapter.
In this episode, the guys tackle Bill Coperthwaite’s discussions about education – the kind that stifles us, and the kind that is conducive to a fulfilling life of engagement. Bill, as he is won’t to do, seeks to breaks down barriers and facilitate cooperation in his vision for a “handmade life.” Joshua and Mike appreciated so much in his take even if he seems to overreach at times. As a counter, the guys agreed that mentorship is important and that sometimes we don’t have the oomph to follow through on hard things. In times such as those, our souls need a spanking. Cultivating self-discipline is an important part of education. Listen in on Joshua and Mike interacting with Bill’s musings.
In this episode, the guys discuss Bill Coperthwaite’s chapter on labor: the goodness of it, the exploitation of it, and some of his ideas about how it can be improved. This is an idealistic vision that Joshua and Mike both resonate with and critique. Prepare to have your hackles raised. No matter where you’re coming from, you are sure to be offended by at least a few things in this episode.
In this episode, Joshua and Mike tackle Bill Coperthwaite’s discussion of beauty. The focus of this chapter is relatively narrow, zeroing in on the intangible aspects of beauty such as the production context: Who made this? Under what circumstances was it made? Etc. Coperthwaite argues that the process of deepening your knowledge of a thing enriches your sense of its beauty (or ugliness, as the case may be). When we fill our lives with things that are truly beautiful instead of only superficially so, the stuff we use on a daily basis becomes that much more meaningful. So meaningful, that we might even find ourselves apologizing to a broken teacup.
In this episode, Joshua and Mike pick up their discussion of Bill Coperthwaite’s first chapter in A Handmade Life. The discussion meanders through questions of the value of expertise, being an apprentice who is preparing to one day be a master, and blending the best of human cultures.
In this episode, Joshua and Mike tackle the first chapter in Bill Coperthwaite’s A Handmade Life: “Society by Design / Design by Society.” This chapter is worked through section by section, explaining and interacting with Bill’s relentless call to deliberately reorient our lives toward the best and most beautiful ends. This “democratic” call is for everyone to participate in self-reflection and purposeful action. The guys made it through the first half of the chapter, which ends with an intriguing critique of electric can openers, of which Bill said he “can’t think of anything more ridiculous.” This is technology criticism in action.
In this podcast episode, Joshua and Mike begin a new book discussion series. This time, the guys tackle Bill Coperthwaite’s inspirational work A Handmade Life: In Search of Simplicity. As is evidenced by the way Coperthwaite’s name continually resurfaces at M&T, this book has proven to be deeply foundational in the thought and vision of this publication. Just as they did with their podcast series on David Pye’s The Nature and Art of Workmanship, Joshua and Mike will be working through this book, chapter-by-chapter, summarizing his ideas and offering their own reflections (and occasional pushback) along the way. Bill Coperthwaite was a true visionary, but one who was firmly grounded in living out what he believed. The book is not to be overlooked or easily dismissed. Join the guys as they crack into this rich work.
In this episode, the guys discuss their upcoming special publication: The Tenth Anniversary Issue. They’ve poured out untold energy and creative reflection to make this the most compelling title they’ve ever released. This issue features: Joshua A. Klein, Michael Updegraff, the Yale Furniture Study, Steve Latta, Sally Bernstein and Joel Moskowitz, George Sawyer, Anne Briggs, Glenn Adamson, Kenneth Schwarz, Wendell Berry, and Jögge Sundqvist. This one will be talked about for years ahead. Available by pre-order only. Order yours before April 27, 2025.
In this episode, Joshua and Mike explore the pros and cons of working at a larger scale than furniture making. Whether you’re constructing something as immense as a barn or simply working in batches, trying your hand at a project that will take you more than a few days’ work will expand your capacities. Inspired by Joshua’s upcoming article in Issue Eighteen all about how he’s handplaning all the floorboards for his house, this episode was recorded to inspire you to roll your sleeves up for the long haul. There’s a lot of good work out there that needs to be done – too much to stand around just thinking about it.
Do you believe it’s healthier to work with your mind or is it better to work with your hands? We hope you said, “Neither.” Why the dichotomy? In this episode, Joshua and Mike argue that getting stuck in one mode or the other to the exclusion of all else undermines a person’s overall health. We are more than brains, and we are more than bodies. Because of this basic reality, seeking to restore balance after a time of intense work is essential to be able to carry on to the next stage of life.
In this new episode of the podcast, Joshua and Mike talk about the proverbial practice of making hay while the sun is shining – as soon as the days start to get longer in the Maine spring, it’s time to get to work. They discuss the “House by Hand” 1821 Cape house restoration project and all the progress that has been made since the start of the year, with the goal of getting the Klein family moved into a somewhat completed building by winter. But how “finished” is finished enough? And what does the previous history of this house teach us about the iterative process of living in a structure while working on it? Drawing from Nevan Carling’s upcoming Issue Seventeen article, the guys make the argument that an old house is an indispensable article of material culture, and that preserving and living in it is a way of conversing with, and learning from, the past.
In this new episode, the guys talk with woodworker and author Andy Glenn, whose new book Backwoods Chairmakers: In Search of the Appalachian Chairmaker was published by Lost Art Press. If you’re interested in handmade and vernacular furniture, this new title should be on the top of your list. Glenn covers, not only the nuts-and-bolts discussions about building these chairs, but also an intimate glimpse into the lives of these makers still actively selling chairs today.
Not everything in life needs to be “set it and forget it.” There are all sorts of things that we would do well to tend to – to care for – to pay attention to. In this episode, Joshua and Mike discuss the value of maintaining the stuff of our lives. Rather than consider it a burden that ought to be overcome, the guys argue that there is something inherently valuable in the practice of tending. Whether it’s seasonally adjusting shifting doors, maintaining old wooden windows, or repairing your own vehicles, the act of maintenance is an act of participation, rather than consumption. This podcast conversation is a call to challenge yourself to undertake things you’ve never done before, because in so doing, you may find that the more you faithfully pay attention to, the more you will grow – not to mention, the more you might learn to appreciate and enjoy the mundane details of life.
John Ruskin once said, “Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together.” In this episode, Joshua and Mike discuss the brand-new “Mechanical Arts Program” that they’ve launched in partnership with Greystone Theological Institute. Inspired by 12th-century theologian Hugh of Saint Victor, their aim is to help thoughtful learners reintegrate the work of the head with the work of the hands. The guys take this episode to discuss the first class held in their Maine woodshop this October.
This episode was recorded on the road back in September, and in it Joshua, Mike, and Eden explain the various ways they’ve sourced lumber in rural Maine. As a from-the-hip recording, this conversation traverses quite a varied terrain – from the house project status to purchasing lumber in unconventional ways to the damage solar farms have done to the state of Maine. Buckle up – this one’s taking you places you never thought you’d go.
In this episode, Joshua and Mike reflect on their time at Handworks, quite possibly the single most significant hand-tool woodworking event in the world. Part travelogue, part update, part rumination, this episode traverses a range of topics. If you weren’t there, you really missed out.
Our metaphors matter. When we are in the throes of a busy schedule, our culture encourages us to “crank it out” in order that we might emulate the hard worker who remains steadfast “like a machine”. We are encouraged to “recharge” with enough sleep and “fuel up” with caloric intake only so that we can be all the most efficient the next day. The problem with this metaphor is obvious: we are, in fact, not machines. Embodied creaturely life is organic, not mechanical. In this episode, Joshua and Mike remind us that our work should be aiming for “fruitfulness”, not efficiency, because all good work has latent within it the seeds of further fruit.
In this final episode of their tour through David Pye’s The Nature and Art of Workmanship, Joshua and Mike bring up several of their critiques of Pye’s thought. As helpful and insightful as he was, the guys both are left feeling like something was missing. See how this book comes up short of a full-orbed, holistic discussion of workmanship and it’s enduring value in a technological age.
Joshua and Mike have finally arrived at the final chapter of David Pye’s The Nature and Art of Workmanship, and it has been quite a ride. What did Pye see as the future of craftsmanship from his vantage point in 1968? Was he right? Is his assessment still valid in 2023? Listen in to this final installment to find out.
“Handmade” does not mean “shoddy.” This latest episode of the David Pye mini-series tackles chapter 10 of The Nature and Art of Workmanship in which Pye takes John Ruskin to task for his sloppy reasoning about workmanship. Pye’s motivation in writing his book was to critique the “illegitimate extensions” of Ruskin’s ideas about art and pleasure in work. He believed that a more precise analysis would clear up this muddy thinking so that the crafts could be recovered and dignified once again.
OK… that’s an ambiguous title. But, be assured that the guys recorded this episode to make it all come clear. In this next installment, Joshua and Mike expound Chapter 9 of David Pye’s The Nature and Art of Workmanship. This chapter is the culmination of his argument about why surface qualities are so important. Get ready to dive into the weeds – no aspect of craftwork is too small to consider carefully.
Another installment of the “Nature and Art of Workmanship” podcast series. Chapter eight deals with the subject of “durability.” Does precision mean durability in all circumstances? Who’s “to blame” when a product fails: the designer or the craftsman? All these questions and more are addressed in this episode.
In this episode, Joshua and Mike pick up where they left off with David’s Pye classic discussion about the value of craftsmanship in a mechanized age: The Nature and Art of Workmanship. This chapter explains that diversity is essential in design and that the artisan’s handwork “picks up where design leaves off” to give us that lively tactile quality that we appreciate at the close proximity of daily use.
Another installment in the Nature and Art of Workmanship series. This time Joshua and Mike walk through chapter six which compares human creativity to the natural world. Regulated work was coveted in ancient cultures because they were surrounded by nature. In our industrial culture, however, we need the liveliness and idiosyncrasy of handwork.
Another installment in the Nature and Art of Workmanship series. This time Joshua and Mike discuss the fifth chapter which shows the limits of design. Much of the success is left to the workman.
In this episode, the guys dive right into the heart of Pye’s vision in this book: identifying and appreciating various qualities of workmanship. This is the longest and most detailed chapter in the book but skimming past it guarantees you’ll miss his point.
Another installation of Joshua and Mike’s discussion on David Pye’s book The Nature and Art of Workmanship. This time, the guys dive into the thorny question of what “handmade” actually even means. Is it even a worthwhile concept to use?
The third installment of Joshua and Mike’s walkthrough of David Pye’s The Nature and Art of Workmanship. This time they look at chapter 2 in which Pye lays out his fundamental (and famous) distinction between workmanship of risk and workmanship of certainty. It might not mean what you think…
In this latest episode, the guys explain the setup to David Pye’s discussion about the value of workmanship. Pye explains that it would be a mistake to give too much credit to the design when the quality of the finished object is greatly determined by the artisan’s touch. Pye asserts some bold things in this chapter: “Good material is a myth” and “a street full of parked cars is jejune.” Listen to Joshua and Mike discuss this foundational chapter.
In this episode, Joshua and Mike kick off a mini-series chapter-by-chapter walkthrough of David Pye’s classic book The Nature and Art of Workmanship. Lots of craftspeople have heard of Pye, but few today understand (or have ever even read) his illuminating book. In this episode, the guys discuss the introduction which charts the course to dispelling myths and misunderstandings. Craft matters. And because of this, Pye invites us to engage in it thoughtfully.
If any of M&T’s work is worth pausing to reflect on at the close of the year, this year’s would be a prime candidate. Not only has the House By Hand project occupied the bulk of Joshua and Mike’s time in 2022, but M&T also published a new book (Worked: A Bench Guide to Hand-Tool Efficiency), ran several Apprenticeship terms, hosted a Summit gathering, and more. Before blindly setting out on the next 12 months of hurried activity, Joshua and Mike take this episode to recap this season of work in order to resolve to make the most of the next steps.
Clear distinctions reveal new things about the world. And in a handcraft context, thinking clearly about what exactly a “tool” is or a “machine” or a “jig” enables woodworkers to maximize their shop satisfaction and efficiency. Some folks seem to think that theory and practice are intrinsically antithetical to each other, but Joshua and Mike have found clear-headedness to be tremendously helpful in the workshop. Think along with the guys as they tackle some thorny questions.
In this episode, the guys give an update on the House By Hand project (http://housebyhand.com) – the granite foundation was constructed, the sill system is in place, the ell is raised and sheathing is underway, and things are getting buttoned up for winter. Joshua and Mike discuss the ins and outs of repairing old timbers with both structural and aesthetic considerations. There’s a fine line between “patina” and crud, and a major element of the art of restoration is knowing and respecting the difference.
This episode was recorded on the heels of the first annual Apprenticeship Program Summit gathering. Alumni from the first four terms were invited to the M&T headquarters to share ideas, feast, and make shavings together. In this episode, Joshua and Mike reflect on the weekend-long happenings: the antiques examinations, the woods walk, the house timber restoration, and even the campfire songs. Countless memories were made over this weekend, and the convivial nature of craft was at the heart of it all.
In this new episode of the podcast, Joshua and Mike take up the topic of portable woodworking. They argue that even though modern woodworkers tend to feel safe “within the box” of their workshops, we would all do well to get out a little. Try taking up carving around the campfire or make a simple tool tote to bring around the yard for home repairs. In their conversation, Joshua and Mike discuss how putting yourself in new work scenarios invites learning new ways to work effectively. The “way they did it” in the past was never uniform, nor does it need to be in the present.
The pre-industrial emphasis of M&T never fails to generate puzzlement and questions in an age driven by technology, jigs, and devices. And as Joshua and Mike continue to interact with students and readers, they find they get the same sorts of questions over and over. This recurrence illustrates the gap between the conventional approach to woodworking and the one they spend their energies promoting. In this episode, Joshua and Mike tackle these common questions to try to fill out the bigger picture of what hand-tool work can look like in the 21st century.
In this episode, Joshua and Mike talk about how it is that we learn new skills. They contend that we have to get over a reductive and mechanical way of looking at human life and action. We are not machines and we don’t learn new skills by “downloading” information. Instead, we practice. Through sustained work, we begin to embody these new skills in a way that make it look easy – because, in a sense, it actually becomes easy. In this episode, Joshua and Mike bring together several things that rarely appear in the same conversation: downhill skiing, hand skills in relation to intellectual comprehension, Aristotelian ethics, ancient Hebrew cosmology, parenting, and installing a kitchen sink, for starters.
Power tools are dangerous. This should not be a controversial statement, but somehow the observation always incites vigorous debate. In this podcast episode, Joshua and Mike discuss Mike’s article in Issue Twelve titled “Risk & Reward: Skill as a Safety Net,” in which he tackles this delicate issue. Rather than falling back on tired clichés, Mike seeks to reframe the discussion in a way that can deal honestly with the injury statistics and enable makers to make tooling choices personally catered to their objectives. If you are operating on the assumption that true woodworkers really ought to power up, you really ought to hear Mike out… before it’s too late.
Many woodworkers get into hand tools because they are drawn in by the joinery: dovetails, mortises and tenons, etc. As they continue building pieces in their shops, some begin to wonder if it’s possible to “cut the cord” even further. What would it be like to build from scratch without any machinery whatsoever? How would one start with rough boards and end with a beautiful drop-leaf table without ever firing up the dust collector? In this latest episode, Joshua and Mike discuss these questions in light of Joshua’s forthcoming book, Worked: A Bench Guide to Hand-Tool Efficiency. Joshua makes the argument that “engineer” woodworkers and “monastic” hand-tool-only woodworkers operate on the same strange assumption: that hand tools are supposed to produce machine-like results. Joshua and Mike discuss another way.
In this latest podcast episode, Joshua and Mike tackle a particularly thorny question head on: What is “craftsmanship,” exactly? While woodworkers of all kinds share a mutual appreciation for craftsmanship, surprisingly, there have been different ideas of what it even means. Is “craftsmanship” the same thing as “making” or is there something more to it? Can woodworking skill be reduced to the ability to repeat precise hand motions? Joshua and Mike argue that there’s more to it than that.
Throughout the course of the discussion, they explain that the aim of technology is to displace skill for the sake of ease and precision. While technical developments provide real, tangible blessings in so many areas of life, Joshua and Mike contend that it is worth pondering how the “technologizing” of our craft can diminish its splendor.
In this episode, Joshua and Mike don their proverbial tool belts and discuss a restoration project that will occupy the bulk of their focus in 2022 – reconstructing an 1810 New England Cape house. Starting at the beginning, before Mortise & Tenon Magazine even existed, they recount the perilous task of deconstructing the building, raccoon droppings and all. They lay out a plan for restoring and modifying the old frame to meet the needs of a modern family, while maintaining the integrity and history so palpable in this old house.
In this episode of the M&T Podcast, Joshua and Mike take a big-picture, global look at pre-industrial handcraft. This was not a region-specific or time-bound set of practices or traditions but was much more diverse and variegated than we can possibly imagine. Try to picture the breadth of creative work done by human hands before the homogenizing effects of the Industrial Revolution came into play, and you’ll begin to get the picture. Starting from their recent efforts to source an obscure Spanish chairmaking tool, they discuss the fascinating pursuit of studying handcraft heritages around the world, and how we can learn more about ourselves in the process.
In this episode, Joshua and Mike dive into that spirited and controversial arena known and feared by all hand-tool woodworkers… Sharpening. Looking at historic references and new practices alike, they make their case for developing the skill of freehand honing – the method they teach their students in the M&T Apprenticeship Program. This method frees you from a reliance on expensive jigs and stones, and allows for fast, repeatable, and reliable results.
Welp… in this episode, Joshua and Mike lay their cards on the table. In case you still wondered about their thoughts on digitally meditated existence, they put it all out there, warning not only of the social implications but also of the implications for handcraft. They ponder whether we can outsource our craft and still feel a sense of ownership of the creative process? They also ask, “How can we utilize digital technologies to make real connections and grow in the craft instead of simply consuming others’ experiences?”
Gather ’round, you whippersnappers, and hear how it was in the good old days in which humans were grateful to live in the “universe.”
In this new episode, Joshua and Mike talk about how there’s no hope of ever coming to the end of this rabbit hole. As it turns out, handcraft is a bottomless pursuit. There are so many skills, so many trades involved in the making of furniture. And, for the relentlessly curious, there is a lifetime ahead of exploration. No matter what your career, what your interest, there is so much to celebrate in the world.
You might have to take a seat for this one; chairmaking, as it turns out, is quite a controversial thing. The recent issue of M&T (#11) features several authors holding up different takes on this ancient craft. How does an artisan work efficiently to be able to compete in the chair market? How does the use of a lathe open a can of worms that has led some to an industrial mentality? What does 20th-century management theory have to do with the way we pick up tools in our own shops today? All these questions and more are explored in this episode.
In this (occasionally tongue-in-cheek) episode of the podcast, Mike and Joshua talk about the great “Sedgwick Mobile Internet Crisis of 2021,” and how dependence on technology and infrastructure can become crippling when those rickety structures are knocked away. They discuss the concept of “resilience,” how broadening a “good,” broad skillset is more valuable than being “great” at just one thing, and how hand tools like the axe have value far beyond use in a zombie apocalypse.
In this episode, Joshua and Mike respond to a thoughtful listener’s comments, which inspired a podcast as well as scored a free t-shirt. They discuss elements of craft where they might not see eye-to-eye, but commend the value of being a stubborn woodworker. Looking at what makes a “movement” and why these reactionary efforts often come to nothing, they talk about what might be a better way forward.
In this new podcast episode, Mike and Joshua talk about the struggle to learn new skills and ways to overcome the hurdles. The journey begins with a resolved commitment but is only carried out through regular practice.
Ever had one of those “Eureka” moments in the shop? Maybe while using a new tool or facing a workholding conundrum, you all of the sudden realize why artisans did things the way they did? In this episode, Joshua and Mike were joined by archaeologist-in-training Nevan Carling to talk about specific tool epiphanies they’ve had over the years. They discuss various workholding methods, styles of hand planes, and even touch on controversial saw nib theories. Join the guys in the M&T workshop, with the recorder on the bench, for this let-it-all-hang-out woodworking conversation.
Many of us find it hard to get time in the shop. Work is demanding, home repairs pile up, the kids need to be carted to and from extra curriculars. When life is full, how can we make room for craft? In this episode, Joshua and Mike explore the value of regular, disciplined practice in a low-investment way. What if you spent only 10-15 minutes per day making shavings? Could you find ways to put tools in your living space so that it’s easy to pick it up for a few minutes? In episode 29, the guys argue that regular craft practice (even if it’s only a few minutes at a time) is more valuable in the long run than dedicating a whole afternoon every other weekend. They encourage you to find ways to weave craft into your daily life.
This question of ends (goals) and means (methods) is an important issue in woodworking discussions. Some swear by hand tools and wouldn’t touch a table saw with a 10' pole. Others see hand tools as inherently backward and nostalgic. Many say each has a place but are fuzzy about what that place is exactly. In this episode, Mike and Joshua tackle this thorny question head on. When do they choose pre-industrial methods over modern technology? Don’t they see the irony in podcasting and blogging about hand tools? How do they see these things as coexisting? In this episode, they suggest that before examining our “means,” we would do well to examine our “ends.”
Take a walk with Mike and Joshua around the M&T headquarters and the rest of Joshua’s property. They provide a tour of many features: the blacksmith shop, the woodshed, the outhouse, and oak logs for another workbench. Then they make their way around the pond and drop by the chickens, goats, and pigs. Joshua’s kids ran amok, and the guys drop in on Joshua’s wife who was busy milking the goats. They complete the tour with a discussion of the upcoming Klein family 1810 cape house restoration project.
In this latest podcast episode, Joshua and Mike discuss the sweet spot between bare-knuckled minimalism and cupidinous hoarderism (also known as Tool Acquisition Disorder). Although we all can appreciate a sweet new tool, in real-life projects, the most experienced and pragmatic craftsmen tend to work with a small array of cherished tools. Joshua talks about why there is one chisel he loves. Mike echoes that one particular plane from his collection finds regular use. This simple, pragmatic approach is good food for thought for those just entering into hand-tool woodworking. Don’t buy the hype of the advertisers – you don’t need much to do good work.
In this podcast episode, Mike and Joshua discussing the value of batch production as they reflect on their recent experience building Boxed Sets for Issues 1-10. They talk about some of the tradeoffs of working on multiples but primarily focus on the positive benefits that a woodworker gains in the experience. They also provide numerous tips derived from their experience working on this project. Lastly, they discuss the diverging views of John Ruskin and David Pye on the issue of division of labor, enjoyment in work, and the value of the workman as being the designer. They discuss how these two men agreed on several important points, which have deeply influenced the vision of Mortise & Tenon. Also, Mike sings some Whitney Houston.
In this episode, Joshua and Mike discuss the idea that “we shape our tools, and thereafter our tools shape us” – the very theme that runs through Issue Ten. They look at several of the upcoming articles and discuss how they were impacted by them as they worked through the editorial process. Issue Ten is full of deep, thoughtful reflection on our tools and the work of our hands.
In the latest episode of the podcast, hosts Joshua Klein and Mike Updegraff explore their early explorations into blacksmithing. They talk about their small forge setup, their struggles in the learning process, and the benefits of exploring new crafts all the same. Joshua also talks about his upcoming article in Issue 10.
In this episode, we tackle the question of “how” one approaches studying a handmade object to learn from it. There aren’t too many tools (all of them are inexpensive), and there are a few basic categories of things you should be looking to. We talk about color consistency, inexplicable holes or notches, and how to find things no one ever saw before, even though it was right in front of their faces. This episode was recorded in honor of our good friend, the late Phil Lowe. We’ll miss you, Phil.
In our most recent podcast episode, we decided to do things a little different: We recorded the entire episode while working. As we reglazed historic window sashes, we talked all about why we decided to use these windows instead of buying brand-new double-panes, and discussed a few of the tips that helped us along our window restoration journey.
The summer has been about working outside for both of us, so we thought we’d talk about ways we’ve enjoyed doing just that. We have a deep passion to encourage folks to engage the natural world, and working wood is a powerful way to do just that. Whether you are growing veggies in the garden or walking in the woods, you know the power of being outside. Join us in this episode as we recount our experiences in the woods. How can you enjoy this big, beautiful world?
In our most recent episode of the Mortise & Tenon Podcast, we spent time discussing how to make the most out of this social distance isolation most of us are experiencing. We talk about how we see the way this could open up new opportunities to experience life in a rich way both now in the midst of the virus and into the future once its passed. This episode is dedicated to inspiring you to not lose heart and to not give up on intentional living and craftsmanship.
We recorded this episode of the podcast last Friday as Issue Eight was uploading to the printer – and at rural Maine internet speeds, there was plenty of time for a conversation! As we’ve spent the last several weeks getting this issue dialed in and ready to publish, we’ve grown even more excited about the content – our authors have crafted some beautiful and inspiring articles.
From spending a few lively days with the Roy Underhill, to the story of a high-school English teacher reproducing Henry David Thoreau’s desk with 11th graders, to witnessing the mechanical genius and thoughtful choices of boatbuilder Harry Bryan, we’ll discuss some of this issue’s articles and the stories behind them. As we all await the arrival of this next edition with anticipation, we think you’ll enjoy learning more about what’s in store.
In this installment of the podcast, Joshua and I discuss the newly released video documentary and book that share the same name – "Another Work Is Possible." Both of these resources detail the timber-frame project that took place here at our headquarters in Sedgwick, Maine last August. Thirty five international carpenters brought their axes to hew and raise a frame for a blacksmith shop over 8 days. But this project was about so much more than simply putting up a building.
We cover many of the concepts that Joshua writes about in his book – the idea that manual work can be enjoyed and celebrated, rather than seen as drudgery, and that building with your own two hands (whether it be a piece of furniture, a spoon, or a building) carries with it a deeply human sense of satisfaction. Another work is actually possible – one that engages with the raw materials and the world around us in a profound way.
In this episode of our podcast, Mike and I discuss our handmade Christmas gifts. This time of the year is a great excuse to get into the shop. We’ve been making gifts for years, and there are many ideas one could try out. We spent this episode discussing several of our projects in order give you ideas for the next gift you give.
Handmade gifts are a special thing. It is not an easy to commit to making gifts instead of buying them, but it is rewarding to invest yourself in something that will mean so much to those you love.
This episode is all about filling you in on our incredibly intense summer. Between the workshop with our six students, Issue Seven shipping out, and our hand-tool-only timber frame blacksmith shop, we’ve been out straight busy. Also, in this episode, meet Grace, our new team member. You’ll hear our enthusiasm for the whirlwind of events that happened as well as the new projects we’re working to wrap up now! A new book, a documentary film, and another apprenticeship video all on the horizon!
This episode of our podcast was recorded on the road yesterday as we headed back home from Portland, Maine. Fortified by delicious caffeine after a whole day of weaving rush seats, we reported on a number of research trips we’ve made in the past few weeks. We were given the opportunity to look deeply into an extensive collection of early 19th-century furniture and document their construction, and we share about the experience in this episode. Also, we discuss our visit into the workshop of Peter Lamb. Peter has a massive collection of antique tools and many of them have stories connected to people he’s close to. His philosophy of handcraft, creativity, and social justice is rooted in his relationship to his dear friend, Bill Coperthwaite, who has been a big inspiration to both of us.
We also discuss the articles we’re working on for Issue Seven, and talk about the upcoming worksong event we signed up for, which will be led by worksong researcher and performer, Bennett Konesni.
Oh, and we got cut off by a Jeep during the recording.
Ever wonder what ancient tool marks, a Swedish chair shop, Söetsu Yanagi, computer coders, spoon carving, philosophers, and communal singing have in common? This podcast episode ties them all together as we discuss Joshua’s recent talk at Fine Woodworking Live, in which he made a case for sweaty, gritty, hand-tool-only furniture making in the 21st-century. Built on excerpts from the talk itself, we look at this presentation point-by-point. If you spend large amounts of time in front of screens and are dying to discover something tangible, this podcast is for you.
In this episode, Mike discusses his article “A Tale of Two Trees: The Radical Efficiency of Green Woodworking” in upcoming Issue Six. Mike presents a big picture view of procuring lumber by comparing industrial logging and milling with harvesting your own with hand tools. He makes the startling (and compelling) case that green woodworking is more efficient in the big picture than highly developed industrial processing. We discuss the value of curved branches, the genius of coppicing, and working the material before it dries.
This new episode of our podcast is focused on Joshua’s new book about the furniture making of Jonathan Fisher, a Maine furniture maker working during first quarter of the 19th century. Joshua spent five years writing a book looking closely at the surviving furniture, tools, and journal entries of this rural maker to understand what it was like to work in the 18th and early-19th centuries. Having just come from the Colonial Williamsburg conference to share this research, he and Mike discuss the writing of this book and several of the unique take-home lessons for those of us in the 21st century.
In this episode, Mike and Joshua talk with content editor, Jim McConnell, about common barriers to hand-tool woodworking. We discuss things like accessibility to tools (new and old), workable workshop space, decent lumber, wading through the sea of woodworking knowledge available, and scarcity of time to get any time in the shop. This was a rich conversation. Let us know what you think. What barriers have you come up against in your journey into hand-tool woodworking?
During Jim’s visit a few weeks ago, we recorded this new episode in which we further explore the topic of Jim’s article from Issue Three: “On Perfection: Both Practical & Practiced”. Jim talks about how this topic developed in his own life and what happened when he enlisted others to contribute their own answers to a series on his blog. Jim was surprised to find different perspectives on perfection in woodworking which eventually inspired his M&T article. In this podcast, we dive a little deeper into this topic of perfection in woodworking.
This new episode of our podcast was recorded after two weeks of traveling to meet inspiring craftspeople of many different specialties. Mike and I share some of what we learned on our trips and discuss how learning hand skills is essential to surviving in a hyper-consumerist culture. Joshua also discusses his recent explorations into a pragmatic approach to wooden planemaking.
Because Mike and I just finished Issue Four, we dedicated this episode to discussing what it’s like to produce the magazine, what’s featured in this new issue, and what to expect in the coming weeks.
We had lots to talk about today. On the magazine front, pre-orders for Issue Four opened yesterday, and we’ve been releasing the Table of Contents for the past two weeks leading up to the big event. We talk about our soon-to-be-released t-shirt design, commissioned from artist Jessica Roux. In our discussion, we go over the ins and outs of setting up a workshop specifically based around the use of hand tools. We consider decisions to be made around lighting, heat, and tool storage, along with details from period shops that might inform the way we approach this task today.
This episode of our podcast is the first to feature a guest. Since our friend, Ben Strano of Fine Woodworking, was up in our neck of the woods this week, we invited him to join us in a discussion about the importance of hand skills and making things with personal meaning. And because Ben is not only a passionate woodworker, but he is a tech-nut, we also discussed how both print and digital media support those two vital things for this next generation of woodworkers. Ben describes his work behind the scenes at Fine Woodworking and tells us about what it’s like working with the woodworkers he looks up to most.
Photo credit: Ben Strano
Episode 4 of our podcast is centered around sourcing lumber for furniture making. In reality, Mike and I both source our wood from all sorts of places. We harvest our own from the woods, use a lot of salvaged material, and also order from lumberyards. In our discussion, we go over the best way to store lumber for air drying (it’s simpler than you think).
This time, Mike and I tackled one of the most common discussions we have with readers: how to get started on the hand-tool route. What change of mindset is needed to make the switch from power tools to hand tools? Should we be cutting practice joints? What are the biggest hurdles we encounter on this journey? We hope this episode is an encouragement to you to get into the shop to work with your hands. Have further questions? Leave us a comment and we’d love to help. Thanks for listening!
In this episode, Mike and Joshua discuss the relationship between tradition and innovation in today's woodworking culture. This topic is near to their hearts and something they talk about often. Based on their interactions with readers about this over the past few years, this conversation touches on defining “tradition” and “innovation”, the advantages of one over the other, and how our individual and personal motivations for woodworking inform the way that balance plays out in our lives.
Theme Music by: Austin V. Papp and Jesse Thompson
New book in our store: Zach Dillinger's "With Saw, Plane & Chisel" as well as new stickers.
We discuss our new 200-year-old hand-hewn workshop build underway.
Excerpt from our YouTube video "What is a Fore Plane?"