This week on Whatcha Makin', Alex Duffey and Alex Adams are joined by the multi-talented Jeremy Hilliard of Ten10 Woodworxs and host of the Against the Grain podcast! Jeremy shares his journey from running a print shop to building a successful maker business specializing in custom foam inserts and high-end epoxy signage. We dive deep into the world of advertising for small businesses—discussing the difference between marketing and advertising, the effectiveness of direct mail and local networking, and how to represent your brand through custom banners and vehicle decals.

The trio also catches up on their latest bench projects. Alex Duffey recaps his successful run at BrewFest, selling out of his new dice games, and his recent transition into the world of Meshtastic off-grid radios. Alex Adams shares a "science fair" update on testing 3D print filament strength with his son and the nerve-wracking process of pushing a BB gun buttstock through his bandsaw.

In "Whatcha Watchin'," the hosts highlight incredible community work, including Happy Life Wood’s mind-bending wooden sneaker sculptures, a functional sculptural decanter by Mahad Art, and the playful marquetry of RP Basilio.

Whether you're looking to refine your customer "persona" or just want to hear about the "CNC vasectomy" challenge, this episode is packed with business insights and plenty of maker humor!

This week on Whatcha Makin', Alex Duffey and Alex Adams welcome the "secret third host" of the show, Patrick Gensel from Crafted with Machines! The trio dives into the often-expensive world of tool purchase regrets. From the proprietary ecosystem of the Glowforge to the surprising realization that a track saw isn't for everyone, the hosts get honest about the machines that mostly just collect dust in their shops. They discuss how targeted social media marketing can lead to "buyer’s remorse" and the importance of researching an ecosystem before committing.

The guys also share their current shop updates: Alex Duffey recaps his successful Sasquatch Fest prep using ColorCore HDPE and his seamless transition to the Bambu Lab 3D printer. Patrick details his new Thunder Aurora Light fiber laser and a clever desktop focus timer built with an Arduino, while Alex Adams continues his marathon walnut dining table build, dealing with the frustration of a track saw that fell out of 90-degree calibration.

In "Whatcha Watchin'," we highlight some incredible community talent, including Happy Life Wood's wooden sneaker sculptures, Night Carver Designs' ice-carving eulogy, and a "last of us" inspired marquetry piece by Albert A. Klein.

Whether you're looking to avoid your next bad tool purchase or just want to hear about Alex's "midlife crisis" ear piercings, this episode is packed with hard-earned maker wisdom!

Summary

In this episode, hosts Alex Duffey and Alex Adams discuss their recent experiences in woodworking, including challenges faced in the shop, the importance of finding one's style, and the impact of market experiences on their craft. They share insights on epoxy projects, CNC technology, and upcoming events for makers. The conversation emphasizes the value of experimentation, community engagement, and the journey of personal growth in the woodworking field.

This week on Whatcha Makin', Alex Duffey and Alex Adams welcome special guest Thomas from Thomas Custom Woodworks! Thomas, a former PE teacher turned viral woodworking creator, joins the show to discuss the art of the shop project. Operating out of a 198-square-foot garage bay, Thomas has mastered the niche of designing space-saving workshop furniture like flip-top tool carts and folding workbenches. He gives us a deep dive into his upcoming digital course, "Master Your Power Tools," designed to help beginners calibrate and safely operate the seven most common shop tools.

The hosts recap their own busy weeks in the shop: Alex Duffey celebrates his "Lego January" break while successfully transitioning to a Bambu Lab P1S 3D printer and prepping for Sasquatch Fest. Alex Adams shares a marathon update on his 11-foot walnut dining table, detailing the "Jenga-like" process of milling boards around hidden nails and iron staining. He also wraps up a massive corporate order of cherry serving trays and turned barbecue handles.

In "Whatcha Watchin'," the crew highlights mind-blowing work from the community, including Happy Life Wood's incredible wooden Solomon shoes, a Lord of the Rings popup book by Lyman Jeffrey, and a custom 3D-printed vintage radio designed for dementia patients.

Tune in for a wealth of knowledge on shop layout, the benefits of digital plans.

In this episode of Whatcha Makin', Alex Duffey and Alex Adams pull back the curtain on one of the most stressful aspects of running a maker business: quoting custom projects. Alex Duffey shares his hard-and-fast formula for pricing (Material Cost x 1.3 for wear + Shop Rate x 2 for profit), while Alex Adams discusses his more exploratory approach, involving detailed client interviews, sketching, and the "all-upfront" payment model to weed out non-serious leads. They also dive into the infamous "F-Off price"—when to use it and why you should never lower your rates just to "get the job."

The hosts also catch up on their current "bench" status. Alex Duffey is prepping for Sasquatch Fest using ColorCore HDPE for the first time to create unique caution signs and catchall trays. He also details his foray into resin casting with silicone molds for his UFO lamps. Alex Adams is deep into holiday serving tray production, dealing with dull helical head jointer blades, and navigating the logistical nightmare of milling 11-foot-long sentimental walnut boards filled with hidden nails.

In "Whatcha Watchin'," the duo highlights incredible work from the community, including a Lord of the Rings popup book by Lyman Jeffrey and a high-stakes table restoration video by Johnny Builds. Plus, a science-nerd tangent on the Northern Lights and solar flares!

Send us a text

Get ready to level up your laser game! On this episode of Whatcha Makin', Alex Duffey and Alex Adams dive deep into designing for laser cutters, sharing essential tips on jigs, testing materials, and navigating copyright. Hear what they're making (from wooden notebooks for AWSF to custom 3D prints), what broke in the shop (hello, stubborn filament!), and their latest sales strategies from events like BBQ Fest and swim meets. Plus, don't miss their "Whatcha Watchin'" segment for inspiring maker projects and hilarious shop realities. Tune in for practical advice, creative insights, and honest talk about the maker journey!

Support the show

Send us a text

Get ready for a deep dive into the maker community with Alex Duffey and Alex Adams! In this episode of Whatcha Makin', we kick things off with a crucial discussion on the Vetric 12.5 update, exploring its significant new features and enhancements – a must-hear for all CNC users.

We then pull back the curtain on our shop operations, revealing our favorite (and most feared!) tasks. From the reflective calm of long sanding sessions and the satisfaction of woodturning, to the anxiety of changing saw blades and tackling complex finishing techniques on large projects. We share insights on dealing with unexpected repairs and the importance of tool investments.

Tune in for candid conversations, valuable woodworking wisdom, and a dose of humor from the heart of the maker shop!

Support the show

Send us a text

Episode 21: This week on Whatcha Makin', Alex Duffey and Alex Adams are joined by special guest Braden of Littlebug Woodworking from Another Wood Shop Podcast for a masterclass in making content deals! Drawing on his extensive background in recruiting and buying, Braden shares his strategies for reaching out to brands, negotiating partnerships, and proving value—even as a smaller creator. They discuss how to shift the conversation from "send me free stuff" to "how can I help achieve your marketing goals" and highlight the importance of personal relationships and knowing a brand's needs.

Hear about Braden's hilarious, last-minute approach to craft fairs (where he sells whiskey smokers faster than he can make them!), and Alex Duffey's rigorous 10-week holiday production schedule. The hosts get real in "Whatcha Breakin'," with snapped bandsaw blades, shattering storage totes, and a close call with a powerful flush trim router bite.

Plus, they shout out fellow makers creating impressive custom hatchets, unique table designs, and a shout-out to Xyla for her incredible work fighting for mental health for pilots. Tune in for invaluable business advice, behind-the-scenes podcast talk, and plenty of laughs!

Support the show