Ep 132: A Flock Of Sassafras

Good morning ladies and gentlemen this is your captain speaking and welcome aboard Beat Around the Bench Airlines flight 132 with nonstop service to Sassafras Country. Were cruising at an altitude of pure woodworking knowledge with your flight crew Jess Colton and Ross. Flight time today covers espresso machines hand tool techniques cutting board construction and sassafras wood discussion. Seatbelts fastened dust masks in upright position as we prepare for departure.

First up on beverage service were talking coffee and espresso. Colton got himself an espresso machine for Christmas brewing cappuccinos every morning. Two ounces espresso two ounces steamed milk foam on top ready to tackle the table saw. The crew discusses lattes versus cappuccinos how a latte is basically a milkshake with caffeine. Ross drops knowledge about Cuban cafecito fifty fifty cane sugar to espresso hits harder than a belt sander on walnut. He switched to Americanos with four shots of espresso diluted with water. Jess built a whole coffee bar with pot filler and Torani syrup pumps on a spinning acacia wood holder.

Reaching cruising altitude the boys dive into shop projects. Jess working on his massive cabinet build hand cutting dados and grooves. Coltons building cutting boards with his daughter teaching wood selection grain patterns proper glue ups. Father daughter woodworking time is the best shop time. He picked up black walnut comparing grain patterns density and working properties.

Main destination is sassafras wood discussion. This aromatic hardwood grows across eastern United States with unique characteristics for woodworkers. Distinctive smell like root beer because sassafras root was used to make root beer before FDA involvement. Relatively soft for hardwood works easily with hand tools and power tools takes finish beautifully. Color ranges from pale yellow sapwood to orange brown heartwood. Not dense as oak or maple but character makes beautiful furniture relatively affordable compared to exotic hardwoods.

Woodworkers discuss sourcing sassafras finding local sawmills best applications for underutilized species. Outdoor furniture boxes small decorative pieces all work with sassafras. Naturally rot resistant great for weather exposure projects.

Tool talk includes hand planes chisels marking gauges vintage versus modern production debate. Proper tool maintenance sharpening techniques buying quality tools once beats buying cheap tools three times. Jess shares wisdom about setting up hand planes correctly because poorly tuned plane is expensive paperweight.

Finishing discussion gets deep when Ross runs out of Halcyon mid spray. Calculate finish needs before starting because running dry halfway through a coat is turbulence over Rockies. He compares oil based versus water based polyurethane cleanup differences grain raising properties why oil based leaves richer tone. Application techniques spray versus brush proper ventilation non negotiable.

Ross brings AI automation knowledge implementing workflow automation for spirits sales territory. Chat bots lead generation systems Facebook auto responders. Technology moves faster than jet stream wind what you learn today outdated in three months but gotta start somewhere. Knowledge is power whether hand tool techniques or digital automation.

Safety nuggets include proper dust collection setup tool maintenance calculating finish quantities teaching next generation of woodworkers investing in future of craft.

Beginning descent now catch that Mullet Tools discount code BATB for five percent off at mullettools.com because quality dust collection accessories matter.

This has been Beat Around the Bench flight 132 where coffee is strong wood smells like root beer knowledge flows smoother than freshly planed sassafras. Thank you for flying with us remember to like subscribe and share this podcast. On behalf of entire flight crew we hope you enjoyed your journey see you on the next flight.