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The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

Podcast Episode 77: Michael Pekovich Interview

Mike, the Creative Director at Fine Woodworking magazine, has some interesting things to say on the craft of working with your hands.

By Fine Homebuilding Editors
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Fine Homebuilding Podcast Episode 77
Regulars Justin Fink, Brian Pontolilo, and Rob Yagid talk with Fine Woodworking Creative Director Mike Pekovich. Like Justin says in the episode, "it's a slight departure, but we think it will be a really cool show."
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    Okay everybody, two special programming notes right off the bat. First off, this show, recorded before the Remodeling Show and DeckExpo, happens to fall right in the middle of our show coverage, including five special “Live from the Show Floor” episodes. We did not want to miss our scheduled Friday podcast, and we want to get the Remodeling Show episodes up too, so we are just posting everything willy nilly as it comes in. We figure you all are clever boys and girls who won’t be too confused, or, okay, who won’t mind too much even if it is confusing! Second off, this particular episode is an interview with sister publication Fine Woodworking’s Mike Pekovich. Like Justin says in the episode, “it’s a slight departure, but we think it will be a really cool show.” There’s a lot of great crossover appeal here, so sit back and enjoy.

    In this episode, show regulars Justin Fink, Brian Pontolilo, and Rob Yagid talk with Mike, one of the “pods” on the Shop Talk Live podcast and the Creative Director at Fine Woodworking. You may sense a little friendly rivalry between Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking, two sister magazines here at Taunton Press. But it’s all in good fun — we love our old friends at FWW … mostly.

    The guys talk about Mike’s custom cabinets, which he made and then wrote about for us at FHB a bunch of years ago. Check that out here, and also see more links for Mike below. The conversation ranges over framing, furniture making, hand tools vs power tools, and how sharp your hand tools really need to be.

    We hope you will take advantage of two great offers for our podcast listeners: A special 20% off discounted rate to subscribe to the Fine Homebuilding print magazine. The other great offer is … A special offer to buy John Carroll’s Working Alone.

    We also have our continuing request for listeners … we need all our fans to take our podcast feedback survey by clicking here. There’s a chance to win a $100 American Express gift card. After the promotion ends, you might have a chance to win something else, or our great thanks at the least.

    Today’s episode of the Fine Homebuilding podcast is brought to you by Zip System Sheathing and Tape.

    Zip System Sheathing and Tape has revolutionized roof and wall installation with a built-in air and water resistive barrier. With Zip System Sheathing and Tape, simply hang panels and tape seams for a tight water-resistant enclosure. If you’re still using house wrap, hear why builders are switching to Zip System Sheathing and Tape for quicker rough dry-ins and dependable air and water management at ZipRevolution.com.

    The show is driven by our listeners, so please subscribe and rate us on iTunes or Google Play, and if you have any questions you would like us to dig into for a future show, shoot an email our way: fhbpodcast@taunton.com. Also, be sure to follow Justin Fink, Rob Yagid, and Fine Homebuilding on Instagram — and “like” the magazine on Facebook. Note that you can watch the show above, or on YouTube at the Fine Homebuilding YouTube Channel.

    The Fine Homebuilding Podcast embodies Fine Homebuilding magazine’s commitment to the preservation of craftsmanship and the advancement of home performance in residential construction. The show is an informal but vigorous conversation about the techniques and principles that allow listeners to master their design and building challenges.

    Other links related to this issue:

    • Mike’s 2008 FHB kitchen cabinet article: A Kitchen for Cooks and Kids.
    • Mike’s garage workshop that the guys talked about.
    • Another 150-odd articles by Mike in Fine Woodworking magazine.
    • Mike recommends a book by James Krenov: A Cabinetmaker’s Notebook.
    • The biweekly Shop Talk Live podcast.
    • The Fine Woodworking website.
    • Articles at Fine Woodworking on How to Sharpen Tools.
    • Here’s all our coverage of the 2017 Remodeling Show and DeckExpo.
    • All FHB podcast show notes: FineHomebuilding.com/podcast.
    • Buy a shirt at KeepCraftAlive.org.

    Sign up to get the Fine Homebuilding Podcast newsletter and special offers delivered to your inbox.

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