Beat Around The Bench Podcast

By Colton, Jess and RossLeisure

Beat Around The Bench Podcast episodes

April 18, 2025Ep 100: PADUAK! At The Disco
EPISODE 100: PADUK AT THE DISCO
The woodworking trio celebrates their milestone 100th episode with personal updates and a nostalgic look back at how the podcast has changed their lives, from building meaningful connections in the maker community to weathering personal storms together
Jess shares stories from his chaotic construction business—including a ceiling nearly collapsing—while showing off his brand new "Beast" tile saw purchased for tackling those trendy floor-to-ceiling fireplace renovations
Colton reveals his impressive stair renovation project, prompting a spirited discussion about potential side hustles and the untapped goldmine of custom carpentry work for Houston homeowners
Ross walks listeners through his shop reorganization masterplan, explaining how proper tool placement improves workflow and sharing his guitar refinishing adventures (plus what happens when you let kids pick your paint colors)
The group dives into their "Wood of the Week" segment featuring Hawthorn—a deceptively strong hardwood with magical folklore connections that makes everything from witches' wands to virtually indestructible mallets
A timely segment on burnout explores how makers can recognize the warning signs and implement practical strategies like meditation and proper work boundaries to maintain creativity without sacrificing mental health
Ross delivers a whiskey education segment breaking down the differences between Scotch, Irish, Japanese, Canadian and American whiskeys, from distillation techniques to barrel aging secrets that create distinctive flavor profiles
#WoodworkingPodcast#MakerCommunity#WorkshopTips#DIYCarpentry#CustomTileWork#ShopOrganization#WoodworkingHacks#HawthornWood#MakerBurnout#WhiskeyEducation#WorkLifeBalance#PowerToolTalk#HomeRenovation#WorkshopEfficiency#CustomCarpentry#MakerJourney#WoodcraftingTips#HandymanHustle#CraftBeverages#RenovationLife#WorkflowOptimization#BeatAroundTheBench#EpisodeOneHundred#ShopSetup#CreativeWoodworking
2 hr 1 min
April 11, 2025Ep 99: Aspen Alexandria
Duo Episode Alert! Jess and Colt take the reins without Ross this week, reminiscing about past woodworking trivia questions while Colt shares his latest home renovation adventures with floors and stairs.
Mind-Blowing 3D Printing Factory Tour! Jess takes us behind the scenes at Florida's largest 3D printing facility, featuring 25-foot robot arms that can extend fully while carrying 750 pounds with mind-boggling precision.
Woodworker Business Reality Check! The guys dive into critical self-assessment questions every shop owner should ask themselves - from proper pricing and quality standards to avoiding burnout and establishing systems.
Paint Disaster Averted! Colt's hilarious carpet paint spill survival story comes with pro tips on saving your floors from permanent stains (hint: keep it wet and grab some Oops cleaner!).
Colt's Next Venture? The guys brainstorm a potential side hustle renting themed campers for mud parks and festivals - complete with party packages and outdoor sound systems!
Home Improvement Nuggets: Learn the secret to cutting weird stair angles, why T111 siding is a nightmare in Florida, and Jess's hard-learned lesson about installing hexagon tile (spoiler: it's a royal pain).
The Pelican Paint Bucket Debate: The guys geek out over their favorite painting tools, with Jess revealing his ninja technique for painting baseboards using hot dog rollers and drywall knives.
#woodworking #woodworkingpodcast #DIYtips #woodshoptalk #homeimprovement #beataroundthebench #woodworkers
1 hr 43 min
April 04, 2025Ep 98: Fall Oak Boy
Soup, Shop Talk, Scribing, and Whiskey Wisdom!
This week, we're diving into a delicious food segment, catching up on shop projects, nerding out over tools, and taking a sip of whiskey knowledge. If you're a woodworker or DIY enthusiast, you'll love this episode!
Soup's On! Jess kicks us off with a mouth-watering discussion about homemade soups, from a rich beef stew to the exotic New Orleans-style Yakamine. Fuel up for those shop projects!

Jess's Shop Hustle: Jess gives us the lowdown on balancing personal projects with helping out at the big shop, including scoring deals on laminate.

Handyman Adventures: From building displays for Nike to replacing siding in the scorching heat, Jess is back in full handyman mode!

Wife Life & Work Boundaries: The crew discusses the challenges of balancing a booming business with personal time, and the importance of setting boundaries to avoid burnout.

Scribing Tools & Techniques: Ross, Jess, and Colton dive into the world of scribes, debating the best methods for getting those perfect cuts. Jigsaw, table saw, or track saw – what's your go-to?

Bifold Barn Door Adventures: Jess shares details about an upcoming project: crafting bifold barn doors!

Whiskey History 101: Take a break from the sawdust and join Ross for a fascinating journey into the history of whiskey, from its origins with Irish monks to its global spread! You might even learn how to tell Scotch from Irish whiskey!

Lathe Love & Trivia: The hosts explore the history of the lathe! Test your knowledge with some fun trivia!
1 hr 48 min
March 28, 2025Ep 97: Rage Against The Mesquite
Pizza Toppings Debate: The hosts discuss their favorite pizza toppings and styles, including Chicago deep dish, tavern-style thin crust, and unique combinations like Hawaiian with jalapeños. Ross shares his spicy buffalo sauce drizzle preference, while Jess favors Italian sausage, mushrooms, and black olives.
Woodworking Projects: Ross delivers a custom tub table but faces challenges with epoxy and stain compatibility. He also prepares samples for a potential Shoshigibon table project. Jess works on an entertainment center and a Nike-themed facade for a women’s basketball event, while Colton tears down his paint booth and plans a move.
Shop Organization: The hosts emphasize the importance of deep-cleaning workshops. Ross shares his satisfaction after tidying his shop, and Colton tackles rat infestations while reorganizing his space. Jess highlights the chaos of disorganization and the value of labeled storage.
Wood of the Week – Birch: Jess explains birch’s versatility, sustainability, and prevalence in plywood and cabinetry. The hosts discuss its cultural significance in Russia and Native American canoe-building, along with its tonal qualities for musical instruments.
Whiskey Segment Transition: Colton announces a hiatus from drinking until his business, Colt Crit, becomes profitable. Ross provides a whiskey education tip, clarifying calorie and carb content in spirits, and debunks gluten-free vodka marketing myths.
Nuggets of Wisdom:
Jess recommends Diablo’s specialized HardyBacker blade for cutting cement board efficiently.
Colton shares a track saw measuring hack using the saw’s backside for precision.
Ross reveals a denatured alcohol trick to eliminate bubbles and level epoxy finishes.
Upcoming Topics: Colton teases a future episode on budget-friendly shop builds, and Jess plans “what if” scenarios for discussion in the next session.
1 hr 48 min
March 19, 2025Ep 96: Guns N' Rosewood
Episode 96: Guns, Rosewood, and Game-Changing Announcements
Reuben Wars – The crew dives deep into the art of sandwich-making, debating the perfect Reuben. From marble rye to Swiss cheese and the great Thousand Island vs. spicy mustard showdown, no detail is left untouched.
Colton Goes Full-Time – An unexpected job shake-up pushes Colton back into running Colt Crit full-time. He breaks down the challenges, the opportunities, and what’s next for his woodworking business.
The Power of Routers – A look at how routers revolutionized woodworking, from their massive early versions to modern CNC precision. Are they the most versatile tool in the shop? The debate is on.
Dessert Detour – Cheesecake, wedding pie, and why some people can’t be trusted around a full dessert. A conversation that starts with woodworking takes an unexpected but delicious turn.
Pricing and Business Strategy – How to set prices that reflect your work’s value, the pros and cons of selling on Etsy, and why too many makers undercharge for their craft.
Follow, rate, and share if you’re into woodworking, small business, and good food with a side of chaos.
1 hr 14 min
March 14, 2025Ep 95: The Fir Fighters
Prime Rib Showdown – The crew debates the best way to cook prime rib, with sides ranging from classic baked potatoes to balsamic Brussels sprouts. Someone suggests shredding prime rib for grilled cheese, which might be either a stroke of genius or a crime against steak.
Woodshop Drama – Colton spills the details on a co-worker quitting mid-write-up. It’s the kind of workplace drama that makes sanding wood seem like a peaceful escape.
The Table Repair That Should Have Been Left Alone – A massive pine table, previously "fixed" in a way that defies both logic and physics, lands in the shop. The guys brainstorm how to repair it properly without making things worse.
Lasers, Epoxy, and Fire – Rick considers buying a high-tech laser for restoration work, which naturally leads to wild excitement. Meanwhile, Ross attempts an ambitious charred-wood epoxy table, only to set the whole thing on fire in the process.
Cabinetry Challenges and the Nightmare Wine Fridge – Jess takes on a high-end condo project, installing slat walls, hidden panels, and a wine fridge that costs more than a used truck. The fridge turns out to be the most complicated appliance install of all time.
The Great Guitar Distressing Debate – The crew debates whether pre-distressed guitars are a work of art or just a way to fake a history of gigs. Colton relives the horror of being forced to beat up a furniture piece to make it look "authentic."
Restoring Old Tools and Waxing Philosophical – The guys discuss the best way to restore old tools, whether paste wax is worth the hassle, and how much time they’ve all spent cleaning up decades of rust.
A perfect episode for woodworking fanatics, food lovers, and anyone who enjoys a little chaos in the shop. Tune in for shop talk, food fights, and at least one accidental fire.
1 hr 45 min
March 07, 2025Ep 94: Creedence Clairo Walnut Revival
Season 3, Baby! – The crew kicks off a new season, somehow still uncanceled, despite their best efforts. With 94 episodes down, they’re basically the Joe Rogan Experience of woodworking—minus the UFC tangents.

WorkbenchCon Recap – Colton and Ross return from WorkbenchCon 2025, where networking was hot, the whiskey was flowing, and the attendance… well, let’s just say it was "exclusive" this year. Also, Jess wasn’t there, making it 37% less chaotic.
The Jeopardy! That Wasn’t – The team hosted a trivia showdown, complete with malfunctioning mics and squeaky dog toys as buzzers. If you’ve ever wanted to hear a grown man aggressively squeeze a snowman to answer a question, this was your moment.
Whiskey Watch – The highly anticipated Middle West Pumpernickel Rye made an appearance... on someone’s Ring Doorbell footage. Unfortunately, the guys were at WorkbenchCon when delivery day rolled around, so no rye was harmed in the making of this episode.
Tech Talk: Laser Strippers (Not That Kind) – The team dives into high-tech laser stripping for furniture restoration, with Rick heavily debating whether burning down the shop is worth the convenience. Verdict: Probably.
Social Media Time Machine – A trip down internet memory lane reveals that Smosh, not PewDiePie, was the first YouTube channel to hit a million subscribers. Meanwhile, MySpace Tom is still out there, watching over us like a nostalgic, pixelated guardian angel.
Fortunate Sons Legal Partners – If you have complaints about the podcast, please direct them to their nonexistent legal team, who can be reached at yesterday and days before, sun is cold and rain is hard.
Call to Action! – The guys want listener feedback! DM them, email them, or train your dog to bark their names in Morse code. Also, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share—or risk Ross making terrible dad jokes at your expense.
1 hr 23 min
February 21, 2025Ep 93: Saturday Night Fever Tree
In this week’s episode we prep for workbench con

Jess gets tuned up under the stairs

Colton is in the Misery Business

Ross Goes from Ski Slopes to New Hopes

#workbenchcon #miserybusiness #skislopes #customfurniture #woodworking #makerspodcast
1 hr 33 min
February 14, 2025Ep 92: Tropic Tulipwood Thunder
In this week’s episode we get all up in your small business

Jess rejoins the frey

Colton gets butt hurt about his feels

Ross plays guitar in the tubby time

#smallbusiness #allthefeels #guitar #customwoodwork #makerspodcast #businessbuilding
1 hr 46 min
February 07, 2025Ep 91: The Italian Olive Wood Job
In this week’s episode we dove deep into pricing and profitability
Jess kicks it off with how to float a furniture business
Colton plays speed racer in an ambulance

Ross see’s if the olive is worth the squeeze

#pricing #woodworking #furniture #custommade #ambulance #olive #makerspodcast

zoo.dev/text-to-cad
1 hr 43 min