Shop Efficiency with Matt Kenney

Matt behind the Fine Woodworking shop bench

As you may well know, dear readers, the Modern Woodworkers Association was recently treated to a tour of the Fine Woodworking offices and shop. At the close of the tour our hosts, Matt Kenney & Mike Pekovich provide us with demonstrations on how they stay efficient in the shop.

Matt’s demonstration was about how he uses three (3) bench appliances (a saw hook, planing stop & shooting board) to quickly efficiently breakdown small parts for the items he builds.


Matt’s points (as hastily written down by me):

• Go to the shop with a specific goal that can be accomplished in the time you have.

• Between big furniture projects, stay active with smaller projects. Smaller projects are quicker, cheaper and keep you in the shop.

• The most efficient and accurate way for final part milling, adjustment and dialing in is with the use of a saw hook, plane stop & shooting board.
• Keep all three (3) right next to each other on the bench for less movement and higher efficiency

• Preparing for finish before joinery will eliminate slop which results from planing the face after dovetailing.

Matt shows Steve Branam how is groove planes work.

See the full gallery here.