Ed Mancini of Mancini Woodworking and Jeff from Makers Way are two furniture builders, storytellers, and longtime pillars of the maker community whose friendship is built on equal parts craftsmanship, mutual support, and an absolutely relentless commitment to giving each other a hard time.

Ed Mancini of Mancini Woodworking spent twenty years as an Army tanker  -  driver, loader, gunner, commander  -  learning, in his words, how to destroy things. When he got out, he needed an outlet. Woodworking became that, and then it became something much bigger.

Jeff from Makers Way is a furniture builder, a self-described quasi YouTuber, and someone who is, despite all evidence to the contrary, pretty shy. That’s it. That’s his whole bio.

Beyond woodworking, this conversation turns to  rediscovery, friendship and what happens when people who’ve spent years building things finally find the community that helps them build themselves.

The four of us talk about the origin of their friendship, the early days of the Instagram maker community; and why Maker Camp isn’t really about the tools at all - it’s about the people, the relationships, and the feeling of finally finding where you belong.

Heads up: this one goes off the rails in some places, but rest assured there’s plenty of laughter, some swears, and at least one discussion about tanks and disco balls.

More Ed & Jeff

Ed Mancini  - Mancini Woodworking

Jeff Henke - Maker's Way