The Joiner's Bench
“Welcome to The Joiner’s Bench — stories, skills, and conversations from the heart of the woodshop. I’m Steven, founder of The Joinery, and every other week I’ll be here sharing reflections, lessons, and stories from inside the shop. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been working with your hands for years — this is your bench too.”
The Joiner's Bench
S1E3 - “Wood Moves… and So Do We”
Host: Steven Ricks
Release Date: August 5, 2025
Length: ~33 minutes
Listen in as Steven explores the ever-shifting world of wood movement—what causes it, how to plan for it, and how it’s more than just a technical detail. From humid summers in Wisconsin to blown-apart breadboard joints in Texas, this episode blends woodworking wisdom with a bit of lived humility.
🪚 What You’ll Learn:
- Why wood moves (hint: it’s not just a tree being difficult).
- Practical tips for:
- Acclimating lumber to your shop
- Managing moisture during milling
- Designing with seasonal expansion in mind
- The surprising physics of “a bundle of straws”
- Real-world examples: from Juniper firewood to Hickory heartbreaks
🔧 Tools & Tips Mentioned:
- Unifi by Ubiquiti video camera system: Ubiquiti’s UniFi product line
- USDA Wood Handbook — the go-to guide for movement values by species
- 📘 Download the PDF here
- By Hand & Eye by George R. Walker and Jim Tolpin
- 🛒 Available from Lost Art Press
🪑 Segment Highlights:
- Bench Notes – Upgrades at The Joinery: video monitoring, facial-recognition door locks, and mentoring moments.
- The Craft – A deep dive on how, why, and when wood moves—and what that means for your projects.
- Maker’s Moment – Steven shares the story of his beloved (and betrayed) hickory blanket chest.
- Ask the Joiner – A question from listener Steve on how to approach proportions in furniture design, with a sneak peek into future episodes on the topic.
📬 Have a Question?
Send your woodworking quandaries to: joinery@thejoinery.club
Steven might answer it on a future episode!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with a friend, or leave a review—it helps us grow this community of curious, confident woodworkers.
Until next time: keep making and keep discovering what you’re made of.