Educational Resources

Work and passion - with Joel Keener

Will Sampson talks about how passion for something doesn’t necessarily lead to a successful career. His guest is Joel Keener, 24, the winner of the 2024 #YoungWoodPro contest who is graduating from Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and about to embark on his woodworking career.

By David Biggs, May 9, 2024 | 12:50 am CDT

Wood Explorer

Rubberwood: From waste product to furniture.

Retired rubber trees in plantations become new furniture.

By Gene Wengert, May 7, 2024 | 9:39 am CDT

Wood Dr

Converting whiskey barrels for furniture

Gene Wengert answers questions about using whiskey barrels for furniture and also questions about green color in walnut, a solar wood dryer, paint on bacterial infected wood, color variations in oak.

By Gene Wengert, May 7, 2024 | 9:26 am CDT

Wood Dr

What determines color and strength in wood?

The Wood Doctor also answers questions about bumps in wooden flooring, and how thick 4/4 lumber is supposed to be.

By Gene Wengert, February 8, 2024 | 10:46 am CST

Podcasts

Technology, tradition, and change - with Brady Lewis

By David Biggs, January 31, 2024 | 1:01 pm CST

Podcasts

What have you learned today - with Patrick Molzahn

Episode Summary Will Sampson talks about the value and process of continuing to learn new th

By David Biggs, January 18, 2024 | 1:54 pm CST

Wood Dr

What's the best winter humidity for a wood plant? Plus more FAQs

The Wood Doctor also answers questions about black locust. estimating lumber weight, and achieving white wood in drying.

By Gene Wengert, December 15, 2023 | 11:59 am CST

Wood Explorer

Santos mahogany: Strong, hard, resinous wood from South America

Although this wood is not related to Honduran (or true) mahogany or to African mahogany, it is a rich, dark mahogany colored wood and is actually a bit harder than Honduran mahogany.

By Gene Wengert, December 15, 2023 | 11:50 am CST

Wood Dr

Is it really heart pine?

Trying to confirm an antique wood species, plus a question about justifying an in-line moisture meter.

By Gene Wengert, November 1, 2023 | 2:21 pm CDT

Wood Dr

Solving stickers & color changes when drying wood, plus more FAQs

The Wood Doctor also answers questions on about predrilling for screws.

By Gene Wengert, October 13, 2023 | 3:40 pm CDT

Podcasts

Process is the tool - with Nathan Guffey

Episode Summary Will Sampson talks about a paradigm shift in the woodworking industry that is making material handling more sexy. His guest is Nathan Guffey, founder of Guffey Systems, an innovative developer of products to make production finishing more efficient.

By David Biggs, October 13, 2023 | 2:59 pm CDT

Podcasts

Teaching, sharing, and learning - with Jeff Bellows

Episode Summary Will Sampson talks about the process of teaching and learning and what it means to a growing business. His guest is Jeff Bellows, owner of a cabinet shop in Iowa and founder of the Facebook Cabinetry/Millwork Shop & Install group.

By David Biggs, October 6, 2023 | 5:00 pm CDT

Wood Dr

Battling powderpost beetles plus more FAQs

The Wood Doctor also answers questions on whether owning a sawmill is worth it, lumber grading and yield.

By Gene Wengert, September 20, 2023 | 10:46 am CDT