Whatcha Makin' Show

Ep. 45 Finding Your Niche

In this episode of Watcha Makin, hosts Alex Adams (Type A Furniture) and Alex Duffey (Duffey Woodcraft) dive into the core concept of finding your niche as a maker, while sharing their latest updates from the workshop bench. ON THE BENCH & WHATCHA BREAKIN' * Alex Duffey celebrates finishing all of his inventory for the upcoming UFO Fest four days ahead of schedule! He shares details on his custom UFO lights with miniature Sasquatches, cows, and trees, showcasing a magnetic levitating model on Instagram, and dives into his thoughts on the government's recent UFO file drops. * Alex Adams has been running his 3D printers non-stop to restock for the local farmers market. He breaks down his latest prints—from self-locking hitch covers and articulated "derpy eye" animals to complex wind spinners and a massive 8-piece Stormtrooper helmet. He also recounts the trials of printing with brittle filament, 3D printing snafus, and a backyard stump-removal project that turned into a muddy mess. THE PRICE IS WRONG (SELLING UPDATES) * Duffey highlights a massive win: selling three of his large light-up UFOs before the festival even starts, completely covering his booth fee. * Adams recaps his successful experience at an early-season farmers market preview and how his son's toy mortar print helped grab the attention of passersby. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT Alex Duffey will be out for the next two weeks undergoing a minor leg surgery. There will be no episode next week. The podcast will return the following week with Alex Adams and a special guest host! > Show Sponsor: This episode is proudly sponsored by NextWave CNC. Check out their month-long May accessory specials and learn how you can earn $500 through their Project of the Month program by teaching a CNC project to the masses. > > Support the Show: Want to join an elite club more exclusive than the astronauts who walked on the moon? Support the guys directly on Patreon [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.patreon.com/whatyoumakingshow].

Ep. 44 Listener Questions & Shop Talk

In this episode of Whatcha Makin', hosts Alex Duffey (Duffey Woodcraft) and Alex Adams (Type A Furniture) dive into the mailbag to answer listener questions. But first, they catch up on a busy week of shop projects, including a custom "Casa de Pollo" sign for a refurbished chicken coop and the massive undertaking of wiring 75 UFO-themed lamps for an upcoming festival. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: * National Days: Celebrating the unlikely pairing of National Apple Pie Day and International Hummus Day. * Shop Projects: Alex Duffy shares his experience building a large batch of LED lamps and his recent acquisition of a proper soldering station. * CNC Talk: A deep dive into the Next Wave CNC May special, discussing the benefits of the 10.1-inch pendant upgrade and the XYZ touch plate. * Market Prep: Alex Adams discusses cleaning out his 3D printing room and thinning out inventory (goodbye, earrings and croc charms) for the upcoming summer farmers market. * The "Tree-Bush" Saga: A comedic look at the struggle of removing a stubborn, 3-foot-wide landscaping stump that refused to budge—even with ratchet straps. * Special Announcement: Alex Duffy is heading to the Texas Woodworking Festival in September to teach a class on custom CNC game design! ---------------------------------------- Proudly Sponsored by Next Wave CNC.

Ep. 43 Ambitious Projects with Corey of Fortress Fine Woodworks.

In this episode, hosts Alex Duffey and Alex Adams sit down with Corey Rush of Fortress Fine Woodworks to discuss the mindset behind "unbelievable" builds. From solid walnut toilets to fire-vortex tables, Corey shares how a willingness to learn on the fly is more important than existing skill when tackling ambitious projects. HIGHLIGHTS: * The "Dragon Toilet": The engineering behind Corey’s most viral project, featuring a heated seat and a functional bidet. * Planning vs. Obsession: Using Fusion 360 for complex designs and the "blessing and curse" of late-night problem-solving. * Overcoming Fear: Advice on getting over the "hump" of working with expensive, high-stakes materials. ON THE BENCH: * Alex Duffey: Batching UFO nightlights for the McMinnville UFO Fest and experimenting with walnut butcher block for cribbage boards. * Alex Adams: Setting up his new Next Wave CNC and designing a sentimental military memorial plaque. * Corey Rush: Modeling a massive 10-foot Gothic wedding arch and finishing a high-end table with angled joinery.

Ep. 42 Art & Epoxy Masterclass with Brittany Carbone

In this episode of Whatcha Making?, hosts Alex Duffey and Alex Adams are joined by mixed media artist and educator Brittany Carbone. We pull back the curtain on the artistic process, exploring how personal history, identity, and science intersect with creativity. WHAT’S IN THIS EPISODE: * The Intersection of Art & Science: Brittany discusses her unique approach to mixed media, why she transitioned from art education to professional creation, and how she navigated a "creative pivot" in her own career. * Art-Based Research: We dive into the fascinating academic side of Brittany’s work, specifically how she utilized art as a therapeutic tool during a challenging physical injury and the psychological impact of loss of social identity. * Mastering Epoxy: Brittany shares her journey of learning epoxy art—from frustrating early experiments to understanding the chemistry behind creating those perfect, cell-like "ocean" effects. * Whatcha Doin? (Shop Update): Alex Duffey preps for the upcoming UFO Fest with 3D-printed card embossers and AI-generated, laser-engraved coaster designs, plus a recap of his recent DIY home repairs (including some intense roofing work). ABOUT THE GUEST: Brittany Carbone is a mixed media artist and educator known for her stunning landscape work and deeply emotional, research-based art. You can follow her creative journey and see her latest pieces as she continues to develop her craft. ---------------------------------------- Note to Listeners: We experienced some minor technical difficulties during our "What You're Watching" segment, resulting in some audio loss for our guest. We have minimized these gaps, and the rest of our main interview and shop talk is fully captured and clear!

Ep. 41 Brooms, Brushes and Hand planes OH MY! : Ashley Pieper

This episode of What You’re Making features Ashley Pieper of Shallow Creek Woodcraft, a talented maker from York County, Pennsylvania, who specializes in fine furniture and heritage handcrafted brooms. EPISODE SUMMARY The hosts, Alex Duffey and Alex Adams, dive into the world of "brushes, brooms, and hand tools" with Ashley. The conversation explores the intersection of traditional heritage crafts and modern furniture design. Ashley shares her journey from self-taught woodworker to professional maker and teacher, detailing her unique approach to creating functional art. KEY HIGHLIGHTS * The Art of Broom Making: Ashley explains the process of working with sorghum grass, from dyeing the fibers to weaving intricate patterns like the popular "turkey wing" design. * Heritage Meets Modern Design: A look at Ashley’s furniture portfolio, including her "Beauty Queen" standing cabinet, which features bird’s-eye maple and playful pink "ballerina" legs. * The Power of Hand Tools: Why Ashley prefers the quiet and control of hand tools and how they allow for a personal, "hand-done" aesthetic that machines can't replicate. * Woodworking Education: Ashley discusses her role as a teacher for Plain Wellness, an organization that supports mental health through woodworking, and the joy of seeing students (both kids and adults) empower themselves through the craft. * Farm Life: A glimpse into Ashley's life outside the shop, managing beef cows and her family's deep roots in the dairy industry. WHAT’S ON THE BENCH? * Alex Duffey: Prepping for "UFO Fest" with 75 D&D dice boxes, Sasquatch and UFO earrings, and custom LED UFO lights. * Ashley Pieper: Finishing a set of countertop stools and a scale model commission of a historic corner chair for a client. * Alex Adams: Recovering from a busy track coaching schedule and preparing to set up his new Next Wave Shark CNC for upcoming projects. MAKERS MENTIONED The crew discusses inspiring work from the community, including: * KG Woodcraft: A massive 48-inch hand-carved musky fish. * Lou Taylor: Vibrant marquetry patterns and brooches. * Merg Works (Morgan Pell): Incredible pictorial woven brooms. * Nora Burghardt: A whimsical 8-foot tall rocking chair collaboration. * Giles Newman: Intricate nature-themed carvings and wooden rings. * Shock the Fox: Specialized CNC-aided guitar building. * Legards Furniture: Elegant seating with unique stretcher designs. Guest Info: Find Ashley Pieper at shallowcreekwoodcraft.com [http://shallowcreekwoodcraft.com] or on Instagram @shallowcreekwoodcraft. Learn more about her classes at plainwellness.org [http://plainwellness.org].