Year-End Reflection on Woodworking Projects, Purchases, and Personal Growth

Shop Sounds Podcast · December 31, 2025 · Listen to Original Episode →

Original Title:

TL;DR

Investing in high-quality router and CNC bits, like those from Bits & Bits with their proprietary coating, leads to longer tool life and improved finish quality, reducing operational costs over time.
Utilizing specialized tools such as the Katz-Moses toolless adjustable countersink and sharpening jig streamlines processes, saving significant time and improving precision in woodworking tasks.
Bill Berkel's WTB Woodworking offers a diverse inventory and a customer loyalty program (Burkell bucks), incentivizing repeat business and providing value beyond initial purchase.
Grit-Grip's sanding sponges offer superior flexibility for detailed work and reusability with a simple cleaning method, reducing material waste and improving hand-sanding efficiency.
The Shaper Bench Pilot attachment for the Shaper Origin can save an estimated 20+ hours on projects by automating repetitive tasks, significantly increasing shop productivity.
Installing a Harvey table saw slider enhances efficiency and convenience for breaking down material, though its presence may require minor adjustments to workflow.
The Lamello system, with its efficient joinery capabilities, has enabled 41 successful projects this year, demonstrating its value for precise woodworking connections.
Investing in a high-quality spindle sander or a versatile belt/disc sander combination unit is crucial for improving curved work and achieving professional finishes.
The adoption of pneumatic pocket hole machines, like the Omakisa, streamlines repetitive tasks and improves accuracy in joinery, reducing manual effort and potential errors.
The strategic placement of a 12-inch miter saw for rough breakdown and a 10-inch Kapex for precision cuts optimizes workflow in a newly designed shop layout.
The decision to invest in a larger 24-inch bandsaw for resawing and a separate one for curved cuts addresses specific needs, enhancing versatility and capability.
The development of a custom, end-grain butcher block cutting board with a dowel pattern, despite a significant injury, showcases dedication to intricate design and execution.
The purchase of Loom Cube XL lighting provides professional-grade, app-controlled illumination, enabling consistent, high-quality product photography and improving shop visibility.
The acquisition of two new Viper shop stools on wheels enhances comfort and mobility, improving the overall ergonomics of the workspace.
Custom-designed cat donut tunnel beds, purchased due to a sale driven by supply chain issues, provide a functional and appreciated product for pets.
The creation of a personalized children's book, customized with pet names, serves as a unique and thoughtful gift, demonstrating creative personalization.
The speaker's personal approach to dealing with injuries, involving immediate, practical solutions like flour and CA glue, highlights a pragmatic, albeit risky, problem-solving methodology.
The speaker's experience of fainting at a doctor's office after a blood draw underscores the importance of personal well-being and preparedness during medical procedures.
The speaker's decision to teach design at the undergraduate level signifies a transition into mentorship and education, bringing practical industry experience to academia.
The speaker's reflection on the need for hobbies outside of woodworking, such as guitar or model building, indicates a desire for creative balance and personal growth.
The speaker's preference for learning new skills through classes, especially in smaller groups, suggests a value placed on focused learning and social connection.
The speaker's experience with a past band and current interest in piano and violin highlights a continued engagement with musical pursuits.
The speaker's self-assessment of their own talent and the pursuit of perfection in hobbies, like violin, reveals a high personal standard and a potential aversion to perceived mediocrity.
The speaker's purchase of a Theragun, identified as a massager, indicates an investment in personal recovery and physical well-being.
The speaker's admission to being a "sucker" for jewelry and clothing, and the ease of one-click buying on Instagram, points to the influence of targeted advertising on consumer behavior.
The speaker's decision to buy a new lathe, a significant investment, reflects a commitment to expanding their woodworking capabilities and exploring new techniques.
The speaker's experience with Powermatic tools, including a past sponsorship and subsequent purchase of their own equipment, demonstrates a continued appreciation for the brand's quality.
The speaker's deliberate effort to design their new shop layout from the ground up, incorporating lessons learned from a decade in the previous space, aims to optimize functionality and workflow.
The speaker's intention to build extensive built-in storage and cabinets in the new shop indicates a focus on organization and maximizing workspace efficiency.
The speaker's consideration of using solid walnut worktables and Carrera marble countertops for the new shop reflects a desire for durable, high-quality, and aesthetically pleasing workspace elements.
The speaker's shift in

Deep Dive

The podcast episode "Locks Can't Hold Me But Cat Donuts Do" serves as a year-end reflection for the hosts, highlighting personal and professional developments in 2025 and setting aspirations for 2026. The core of the discussion revolves around their favorite projects, experiences, and purchases, but it also delves into their approaches to New Year's resolutions, personal growth, and even their shop injury recovery methods, revealing distinct personalities and priorities.

The hosts reflect on their 2025 accomplishments, noting that personal projects were often overshadowed by larger life events such as purchasing homes or significant shop renovations. This shift indicates a broader trend where life changes can impact creative output, forcing a re-evaluation of priorities. The conversation also touches on the nature of content creation, with one host lamenting a decrease in video output, suggesting that the pressure to consistently produce content can be demanding. This implies that for creators, balancing personal life, shop work, and content production requires careful planning and potentially a recalibration of expectations to avoid burnout. The introduction of new tools and upgrades for their workshops, such as a Festool table saw, a Shaper Origin bench pilot, and a Harvey table saw slider, demonstrates a commitment to improving efficiency and workflow. The adoption of these technologies suggests a move towards more sophisticated woodworking practices, where precision and time-saving solutions are paramount, ultimately impacting the quality and speed of their output.

Looking towards 2026, the hosts express a desire for new hobbies outside of woodworking, acknowledging the importance of creative outlets for mental well-being and preventing professional burnout. This suggests a recognition that a singular focus, even on a passion, can be limiting. The introduction of teaching design at the university level by one host signifies a professional pivot, indicating a desire to share knowledge and contribute to the broader design community. This move also highlights the potential for creative professionals to diversify their careers. The discussion on "crap we bought on Instagram" reveals a shared susceptibility to targeted advertising and impulse purchases, from lock-picking kits to specialized pet products. This underscores the pervasive influence of social media marketing and its ability to drive consumer behavior, even for seemingly niche or unusual items. Ultimately, the episode concludes with a sense of camaraderie and anticipation for the year ahead, underscoring the value of shared experiences and personal growth, both within and outside their woodworking endeavors.

Action Items

Audit shop safety: Identify 3-5 common injury types and implement 2-3 preventive measures for each.
Create a standardized process for documenting shop improvements, detailing 5 key sections for future reference.
Evaluate current tool organization: Implement a system for 10 frequently used tools to improve accessibility.
Draft a personal skill development plan: Identify 2-3 new woodworking techniques to practice over the next quarter.

Key Quotes

"I did say last year that I wanted to buy a house so I did do that. I think I was gonna do it either way and that was just like a convenient thing but I was like I know I'm gonna do it this year so check."

Mary reflects on her New Year's resolution from the previous year, highlighting that while she achieved her goal of buying a house, she believes she would have pursued it regardless of the resolution. This suggests that for Mary, resolutions serve more as a confirmation of existing intentions rather than a catalyst for change.

"I will say I did I really enjoyed the class that we took like I didn't finish that project but I was I loved the whole experience like it was so educational plus hanging out with you and Pete was super fun. I think we should like make that a thing we should make that like a yearly thing."

Keith expresses his enjoyment of a woodworking class, emphasizing that the educational experience and the social aspect of learning with friends were more valuable to him than completing the project itself. He suggests making such classes an annual tradition, indicating a preference for experiential learning and camaraderie.

"My favorite project of 2025 do you have one I know Jason you did a lot more than us but I feel like I'm gonna have to look here I'll pull up my channel because I'm gonna have to like get a reminder of what I did."

Jason acknowledges that he completed more projects in 2025 than Keith and Mary, but he needs to review his own content to recall his favorite project. This implies that for Jason, the act of creation is ongoing, and specific projects may blend together over time, requiring external prompts for recollection.

"My favorite tool of 2025 now for me this is a tough one because it is that Festool table saw because I use it all the time it sits on my regular table saw because it is because it's a thin curve blade and I cut a lot of small parts like it is and it's got that sliding table like it is just I use it all the time however coming into the shop in December of this year was the Shaper Bench Pilot and that has completely transformed how I use that machine."

Keith identifies the Festool table saw as a frequently used tool but declares the Shaper Bench Pilot as his favorite tool of 2025 because it "completely transformed" his workflow with that machine. This indicates a shift in his preference based on a tool's impact on his efficiency and how he approaches his work.

"My worst shop injury to date was a couple years ago I was making a pair of stool pants right as one does which is basically a pair of pants attached to a stool so that you can sit down anytime you want to so I had taken my pants off and I was trying to fasten them to this stool but the stool's metal so I was using those like self tapping screws I still don't even know how I did this but I was holding the screw and I was pushing and it wasn't going in so I was pushing really hard and the drill it was a Phillips head driver slipped off the screw and I sunk the driver all the way through my hand."

Jason recounts a significant shop injury where he accidentally drove a drill driver through his hand while attempting to attach pants to a stool. This highlights his tendency to push through discomfort or potential danger to complete a task, even to the point of severe self-inflicted injury.

"I bought two new shop stools oh Viper oh yes I've seen those yeah what do they look like they look like really well made stools I've always thought like oh you know it'd be nice to I sit on the crappiest stool that's I literally pulled out of a dumpster 10 years ago and the top was caved in and I made a new wood top for it real quick but it's falling it's been falling apart for 10 years."

Mary shares that she finally purchased new shop stools after using a dilapidated one for years, indicating a practical approach to her workspace and a willingness to invest in better equipment when the need becomes apparent. She acknowledges seeing ads for the Viper stools, suggesting that targeted advertising influenced her purchase decision.

Resources

External Resources

Books

Videos & Documentaries

Research & Studies

Tools & Software

Festool Domino - Mentioned in relation to clips that go on it.
Lamello - Mentioned in relation to its applications and the number of uses this year.
Powermatic 15-inch band saw - Mentioned as a tool for cutting curved items or re-sawing.
Powermatic 24-inch band saw - Mentioned as a tool for re-sawing.
Powermatic lathe - Mentioned as a new tool purchased.
Festool sustainer table saw - Mentioned as a desired tool for a basement shop.
Powermatic combination belt sander and disc sander - Mentioned as a new tool purchased with a tilting belt sander.
Powermatic standalone spindle sander - Mentioned as a potential purchase if the belt sander is not sufficient.
Bosch 12-inch miter saw (axial glide) - Mentioned as a new tool for a shop setup.
Festool Kapex - Mentioned as a miter saw in the shop setup.
Pneumatic pocket hole machine (Omakisa/Maxiwa) - Mentioned as a new tool for setting up a shop.
Rigid belt sander/spindle sander combo - Mentioned as a comparison for a high-end spindle sander.
Shaper Bench Pilot - Mentioned as a tool that transformed machine usage and saved significant time.
Harvey slide - Mentioned as a table saw slider that improves convenience and efficiency.
Grit Grip Sandpaper - Mentioned for hand sanding and its accompanying sanding block.
Lock picking kit - Mentioned as a purchased item for breaking into a house.
Lume Cube XL - Mentioned as a lighting tool for photography and shop use.
Shop stools (Viper) - Mentioned as new purchases for the shop.
Cat tunnel beds (Catasaurus.com) - Mentioned as purchased items for cats.
Customizable children's book - Mentioned as a Christmas gift.

Articles & Papers

People

Jason - Mentioned in relation to holiday parties, donations, and being on the podcast.
Mary - Mentioned in relation to holiday parties, fake phone numbers, and being on the podcast.
George - Mentioned in relation to Festivus and feats of strength.
Keith - Mentioned in relation to KM Tools, his favorite tools, and his woodworking projects.
Bill Berkel - Mentioned as the owner of WTB Woodworking.
Justin - Mentioned as the recipient of a bent lamination cabinet.
Pete - Mentioned in relation to a class taken and being a friend.
David Mertz (or Mertess, Meretus) - Mentioned as a new patron.
Lindsay - Mentioned in relation to annoyance from a hobby.
Jerry - Mentioned in relation to a customized book.
Lola - Mentioned in relation to a customized book.
Craig - Mentioned in relation to safekeeping of items and being locked out of his house.
Paul - Mentioned as a source of a tip about refreshing sandpaper pads.
Eric - Mentioned as a content creator.
Henry Luten - Mentioned as a top-tier patron.
Kellen Rutherford (@the_brotherford_k) - Mentioned as a top-tier patron.
Ray Rodriguez - Mentioned as a top-tier patron.
Mike Leeden - Mentioned as a top-tier patron.
Eric Sppensley - Mentioned as a top-tier patron.
Nolan Russell - Mentioned as a top-tier patron.
Yo No Rice - Mentioned as a top-tier patron.
Derek - Mentioned in relation to playing music.

Organizations & Institutions

Bits and Bits - Mentioned as a sponsor providing router bits and CNC bits.
KM Tools - Mentioned as a sponsor providing woodworking gear.
CMT Tools - Mentioned as a dealer for CMT blades and bits.
Cats Moses Woodworkers with Disability Fund - Mentioned as a recipient of a portion of purchases from KM Tools.
WTB Woodworking - Mentioned as a supplier of tools, lumber, and sheet goods.
Dutton Tools - Mentioned in relation to LED lighting solutions.
Patreon - Mentioned as a platform for supporting the podcast and accessing exclusive content.
Festool - Mentioned in relation to tools and a desired table saw.
Lamello - Mentioned in relation to its tools.
Powermatic - Mentioned in relation to tools and band saws.
Castle - Mentioned in relation to a pneumatic pocket hole machine.
B H (camera store) - Mentioned as a place of purchase for a Lume Cube XL.
Adorama - Mentioned in relation to being owned by Hasidic Jews.
The Human Fund - Mentioned in relation to donations.
Hershey Park - Mentioned in relation to a fake phone number.
National Football League (NFL) - Mentioned in relation to a movie on Netflix.
Kentucky Derby - Mentioned as a cool experience.
Buffalo Trace - Mentioned as a place visited.
Texas Woodworking Festival - Mentioned as an event.
Maker Camp - Mentioned as an event.
Patreon Summit - Mentioned as a Patreon event.
Patreon Builds - Mentioned as Patreon events.
University of Pennsylvania - Mentioned in relation to teaching design.

Courses & Educational Resources

Class taken in the summer - Mentioned as an educational and fun experience.

Websites & Online Resources

bitsbits.com - Mentioned as the website for Bits and Bits.
kmttools.com - Mentioned as the website for KM Tools.
wtbwoodworking.com - Mentioned as the website for WTB Woodworking.
gritgrip.com - Mentioned as the website for Grit Grip Sandpaper.
patreon.com/shopsoundspodcast - Mentioned as the website to sign up for Patreon.

Podcasts & Audio

Shop Sounds Podcast - Mentioned as the podcast being listened to.

Other Resources

Festivus - Mentioned in relation to a coating for router bits.
Feats of Strength - Mentioned in relation to a Festivus tradition.
GLP1 - Mentioned in relation to fasting and not being hungry.
Bent lamination cabinet - Mentioned as a project.
Hobbit cabin - Mentioned as a past project.
Custom mirror with LEDs, burl, and brass - Mentioned as a designed piece.
Custom steel bowl - Mentioned as part of a designed piece.
Fluting (vertical flutes) - Mentioned in relation to door and drawer panels.
Side tables with marble tops - Mentioned as a project with a specific leg design.
Texas Woodworking Festival - Mentioned as an event.
Maker Camp - Mentioned as an event.
Patreon Summit - Mentioned as a Patreon event.
Patreon Builds - Mentioned as Patreon events.
Shop improvements - Mentioned as a current activity.
Basement shop - Mentioned as a future shop area.
Thin curve blade - Mentioned in relation to a Festool table saw blade.
Shaper Origin - Mentioned in relation to the Bench Pilot.
CNC - Mentioned in relation to a Shaper Bench Pilot and a larger machine.
Four by eight sheet of plywood - Mentioned in relation to cutting an access panel.
Biscuit joiners - Mentioned in relation to rare use.
Spindle sander - Mentioned as a desired tool.
Belt sander - Mentioned in relation to a combination tool.
Disc sander - Mentioned in relation to a combination tool.
Horizontal belt sanders - Mentioned as useful tools.
Dowel - Mentioned in relation to jigs for disc sanders.
Chopsaw - Mentioned as a potential tool for a basement shop.
Re sawing - Mentioned in relation to band saw use.
Pocket holes - Mentioned in relation to a pneumatic machine and its potential issues.
Face frames - Mentioned in relation to pocket hole use.
Pilot hole - Mentioned in relation to pocket hole machines.
Miter saws - Mentioned in relation to shop setup.
Table saw - Mentioned in relation to sliders and outfeed tables.
Lathe - Mentioned as a fun tool to have.
Oak floors - Mentioned as a planned feature for the shop.
Wood paneling - Mentioned as a planned feature for the shop.
T111 - Mentioned as a type of wall material.
Fake beams - Mentioned as a decorative element.
Timber frame - Mentioned as a style.
Marble balls - Mentioned in relation to a workshop.
Passive income - Mentioned in relation to content creators.
Model building - Mentioned as a desired hobby.
Guitar - Mentioned as a learned instrument.
Piano - Mentioned as an instrument learned during COVID.
Violin - Mentioned as an instrument played in the past.
Sketchbooks - Mentioned as old items being rediscovered.
End grain butcher block cutting board - Mentioned as a project.
Dowels - Mentioned in relation to a cutting board project.
Forstner bit - Mentioned in relation to a cutting board project.
Christmas cookie - Mentioned in relation to a wound treatment.
Stool pants - Mentioned as a project.
Self-tapping screws - Mentioned in relation to a stool pants project.
X-rays - Mentioned in relation to a hand injury.
Antibiotics - Mentioned as a treatment for a hand injury.
Horse bandage tape - Mentioned as a useful item for injuries.
Gauze - Mentioned in relation to wound care.
Blood draw - Mentioned as an event.
Concussion - Mentioned as a potential injury.
Pork and sauerkraut - Mentioned as a Pennsylvania Dutch New Year's dinner tradition.
Theragun - Mentioned as a massager.
Orbital sander - Mentioned in relation to ads.
Sit and spin - Mentioned