Ask the Expert
IF YOU HAVE A PRODUCT RELATED QUESTION, PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT US FORM FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. THIS SECTION IS RESERVED FOR GENERAL WOODWORKING RELATED QUESTIONS.
Michael Van Pelt is the founder of American Sycamore Woodworker’s Retreat. He has a reputation as the tool guru. Mike has been in woodworking for over thirty years. His knowledge of tools comes from his many years of intertwining experience in the woodworking industry. Mike’s experiences include being active as an Industrial Arts Teacher, professional instructor of power machinery and tool techniques, tool sales, management and owner of woodworking tool retail store, Delta Machinery representative and technical advisory.
If you have a question for Michael, choose the Submit Question button to the right by November 30th. We will send you a reply with Mike's response in mid-December and then post it to this page for other members to view. You never know...someone else may have the same question
IF YOU HAVE A PRODUCT RELATED QUESTION, PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT US FORM FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. THIS SECTION IS RESERVED FOR GENERAL WOODWORKING RELATED QUESTIONS.
Listed below are questions and answers that have already been submitted.
Questions
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6/27/2008
Plans
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q. |
I would like to ask Scott P. where I can get plans on how to make the miniature furniture that I have seen him make on various PBS TV shows? I have gone to the PBS web sites but there are no instruction there, as is sometimes indicated during the broadcast. |
| A. |
I want you to check out wbgu.org/americanwoodshop for plans and articles. I am behind with plans and will have these up by July. They are all free. Hope this helps!!!! |
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6/27/2008
Shop Floor
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q. |
I enjoy watching your program, and I love looking at other peoples shops. Do you have carpet on the floor? And if you do how do you like it. When I am watching your show it looks like carpet but it's hard to tell. |
| A. |
You got it. My floor has two huge 12 x 40 indoor outdoor rejects that cost a total of less than $400.It was an experiment that worked. It is easy on my feet and back, tosty in the winter and keeps noise down. Plus it is easy to clean contray to popular opinion. I heartily recomend this! |
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6/27/2008
Scott's New Shows
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q. |
When will you be back on PBS TV? I am in Louisville Ky., we used to see you on KET Public TV. If not there, anywhere else? |
| A. |
We are shooting new shows as we speak. They will be back on Saturdays in August. You can also go to wbgu.org/americanwoodshop to watch Season 14 at any time for free. Enjoy! |
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2/14/2008
Pioneer Table/Bench
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q. |
I
had seen the show a few years back where you built up this mountain man
table. I thought it would make a neat
project for my scouts. I recently found
the online plans, but the PDF file is mixed up with a kitchen cabinet (?) on
page 2 of the PDF file. I was wondering
what type of hinges you had used and whether or not if matters if the table top
has the hinges recessed. |
| A. |
Check
out wbgu.org/americanwoodshop for on line T.V. shows anytime. Free! I will post
this update on the plan for you in November at this site. I just keep this
project simple by surface mounting the hinges. It works great. |
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2/14/2008
Locating American Woodshop Plans
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q. |
Why
can I never find online references, details, plans for any of the items you
show being built on American Woodshop? I
love the series, am VERY thankful there is new material coming, but it's
frustrating (even with all the repeats) not to be able to go online to find
further (or missed) details of a given project. |
| A. |
Help
is on the way. WBGU.org/AmericanWoodshop and Woodcraft Magazine are joining
forces to bring more free plans to everyone. Check it out often. I am adding a
plan every month until all my plans are there. Did I mention that they will be
free? Thanks for your gentle push for more plans! |
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2/14/2008
Walnut Jewelry Box
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q. |
I saw in a magazine an article about you making
a large jewelry box from walnut with 2 coves on tapair using the band saw. What
blade are you using and what angle on the table tilt are you using to achieve
the desired looks you what to achieve? Also is your block of wood solid or a
glued what block? Also may I get a plan
and instructions on making this box? |
| A. |
I hope you still have the magazine
article. It goes step by step. I like to use a ½” 4 TPI blade for all the straight
cuts and a 1/8” 10 tooth per inch blade supported with cool blocks for all
scrolling cuts. The primary angle was 9 degrees. I always glue up the work
pieces from scrap woods. The glued up grain must all run the same way for
stability. Cross grain glue ups just crack up.
Please use the article to build this project. It has
the patterns and detailed steps. It was in Woodworkers Journal. Check out their
website to buy an issue with the plan. |
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6/29/2007
Scott's Show
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q: |
Is the American Woodshop still on public tv? If
so watch channel. |
| A: |
Yes Dale it is. We are in production of a new
season as we speak. Season 14 starts airing nationally this fall. It is called
“Setting UP Shop”. Call your local PBS station to talk to programming about
local air times. It will be on Connect this summer on line. Plus reruns air
constantly on thewoodworkingchannel.com. Thanks for your support! |
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6/5/2007
Miniature Chippendale Furniture
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q: |
I have seen more than one of your TV shows where you make the miniature Chippendale furniture. You have said on the show that the plans and patterns could be found on the PBS station but I have never been able to find them on line. Questions is, where and how can I get the pattern and sawing instructions for the band saw to cut out the pieces from a single piece of wood? |
| A: |
The Woodworkers’ Journal had an article in last years May issue on doing a Bombe Chest my way. If you missed that go to thewoodworkingchannel.com to see me make the Chippendale again. Check the schedule for daily updates on programming. Plus, I will make a plan up and post it in May on Delta’s site. I will say that this will be a challenging band saw test because the blade has to be tuned to perfection to follow the pattern lines. |
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6/5/2007
Network Carriers for Scott's Shows
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q: |
I know you host American Woodshop and American Home Shop shows….I cannot locate them in my TV guide. What network carries these shows and what day and time do they air? |
| A: |
Do you have tivo? This helps a lot. All my shows air exclusively on Public Television. Please just call your local public television station and ask for programming. That person can tell you the timelines for airing. Ever city has different air days and times. You can also see my shows at thewoodworkingcchannel.com on the Internet. They air everyday - 8 times a day. |
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6/5/2007
Obtaining Scott's Plans
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q: |
I would like to obtain plans of the projects Scott makes. I have been trying different addresses and have not received any response. I am interested in a few of his projects such as the Pioneer Table and others. |
| A: |
Send a stamped self addressed envelop to 9640 Piqua Lockington Road, Piqua, Ohio 45356 with your requests. I have you covered. |
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6/5/2007
Scott's Show Placement
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q: |
I always enjoyed your show on TV, but I cannot find it on my Comcast cable. Is there a problem with your show and Comcast? |
| A: |
Public Television holds the rights to air my shows. Consequently cable companies must sign deals with each PBS station for airing rights. Sometimes this gets me in between a rock and a hard place, because I have always stayed exclusively on Public Television. I just feel that I owe them my T.V. loyalty. We start our national release of Season 14 this fall. Please call Comcast and request The American Woodshop. Sometimes one call can make all the difference. Look at thewoodworkingchannel.com for Internet woodworking T.V. for free - day or night. Lots of my shows are on the web there.
Hope this helps! Thanks. |
