Whatcha Makin' Show

This week on Whatcha Makin, hosts Alex Duffey and Alex Adams dive deep into a topic that every maker, content creator, and small business owner knows all too well: Burnout. Whether it's the "little b" weekly exhaustion of administrative tasks or the "Big B" bi-annual creative wall, the guys talk about how they recognize the signs of getting overwhelmed and share their personal strategies for finding a beachhead, reclaiming their sanity, and getting their mojo back.

But before they get into the heavy stuff, there is plenty of shop talk to go around! Alex Duffey celebrates the arrival of his highly anticipated, modified Next Wave CNC Shark 644 rail-system machine (despite a classic shipping mishap courtesy of FedEx) and drops some exciting news about a potential gift shop partnership with a regional museum. Meanwhile, Alex Adams takes us through a nerve-wracking, high-stakes panel glue-up for his massive walnut dining table expansion project, shares his updated setup strategies for local summer markets, and breaks down his recent 3D printing inventory workflow.

• Alex Duffey: Unboxing the new Next Wave steel rail platform, filming upcoming YouTube content, and celebrating a surprisingly massive win with a brand-new $5 wooden magnet strategy at a freezing, rainy Saturday market.
• Alex Adams: Fighting glue squeeze-out with 40-grit sandpaper, planning a basement track-saw setup to beat the humidity, upgrading 3D-printed articulating animals to PETG for better heat resistance, and inheriting a flood-damaged bookshelf turned filament storage rack.

• @belusionsam – An incredibly realistic carved pear queen falcon that will make you double-take.
• @evergreen_daydreams – Hyper-realistic wooden mushrooms featuring stunning spore detail.
• @silver_hair_and_sawdust – A gorgeous, salvaged whiskey cabinet masterfully crafted entirely out of walnut offcuts and scrap wood.
• @citruscedar – An organic branch lamp with a brilliant freehanded angle-grinder channel for LED light strips.
• @ridged_oak_woodworks – An impressive, completely hand-routed and hand-painted "Stay Squatchy" sign.
• KGW Woodwellcraft – A mind-blowing, multi-carved Alice in Wonderland themed Mad Hatter and White Rabbit totem pole.

Special Month of June Sponsor Note: Whatcha Makin is proudly sponsored by Next Wave CNC. For the entire month of June, Next Wave is running an incredible accessory special: purchase any new HD6 series machine and get a 3-horsepower spindle included absolutely free! Because as they always say, more horsepower, less problems.

Want to support the show? Pull up a stool and join our community! You can support us directly by checking out our various tier benefits over at patreon.com/whatchamakenshow. Don't forget to leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube to help the channel keep growing.

As always... Don't burn out in your shop, burn out in the parking lot!

Welcome back to another episode of What You Making! After a brief hiatus, the guys are back on the bench to catch up on life, share their latest shop updates, and dive into the messy world of product and project failures.

• Life Updates: Alex Duffy returns from a two-week medical leave following leg surgery. He shares how going stir crazy on the couch drove him to tackle some light laser work and an upcoming backyard mushroom-growing project. Meanwhile, Alex Adams celebrates his anniversary and discusses his recent yard-seeding adventures.
• On the Bench: Alex Adams showcases his beautiful, custom laser-engraved cherry wood plaques made for graduating senior runners, detailing his process for converting photos into line drawings using ChatGPT and Lightburn.
• CNC Adventures: Alex Adams recaps his first experience installing and flattening his new NextWave MDF spoil board kit, navigating the learning curve of Vetric software, and surviving his first emergency-stop battle scar.
• What Went Wrong: The guys talk about workshop hiccups, including phone overheating issues while filming in a hot garage, the absolute mess of carving black MDF without a dust collection system, and a terrifying, ritualistic discovery in the backyard that leaves Alex Duffy praying he didn't offend the local crow population.

• Laser Engraving Tip: Alex Duffy shares a technique for making wood engravings pop by doing a double-pass burn, applying a clear coat, filling the engraving with black paint, and sanding it flat.
• Budget Landscaping: Need a lot of soil? Check local hardware stores for broken bags of garden soil, which are often heavily discounted just to clear inventory.
• CNC Zeroing: When you're brand new to a CNC machine, using the paper method for micro-adjustments on the Z-axis can be a safer, nerve-saving alternative to a metal touch plate while you learn your machine's movements.

• Support the Show: patreon.com/whatchamacallitshow
• Alex Duffy: Instagram & YouTube @DuffeyWoodcraft
• Alex Adams: @TypeAFurniture

With Duffey away, Alex Adams (Type A Furniture) is flying solo to host a jam-packed, off-the-cuff episode of What You're Making. Joining him on the bench is Jeff from Maker's Way, the right-hand man and producer for the popular Johnny Builds YouTube channel.

In this episode, Alex and Jeff dive deep into the world of 3D printing, workflow efficiency, and the realities of running a maker business. Alex shares how he tackled his son’s early summer break by putting his Bambu Lab printers to work on a massive, 200-hour 3D-printed Millennium Falcon "Lego" set. The guys discuss the trial-and-error of dialing in printer settings, the upcoming launch of Bambu's new tech, and how Alex puts his son on "salary" to assemble keychains for local farmers' markets.

Shifting from plastic to sawdust, Alex talks about his current passion project: crafting custom graduation gifts for his senior cross-country runners. He opens up about the design process of converting athlete photos into clean laser-engraved line drawings, the struggle of sacrificing his premium cherry wood inventory for larger-than-planned plaques, and why testing the details—especially faces—makes all the difference when creating a meaningful keepsake.

• Off the Cuff Intros: Alex holds down the fort and introduces Jeff from Maker’s Way/Johnny Builds.
• The 200-Hour Falcon: Using 3D printing to replicate a massive Lego-style set to teach patience (and sanity) during summer break.
• Bambu Lab & Tech Talk: A look at the Bambu Lab printer fleet, the helpfulness of the Maker Lab/Studio apps, and the "Cyber Brick" plugin for seamless time-lapses.
• Market Strategy & "Child Labor": Why print-in-place articulated models and keychains dominate the markets, and negotiating a salary box register with family.
• Going Big for Graduation: Transitioning scrap wood projects into high-detail, laser-engraved cherry plaques for senior athletes, and how to properly test image conversions before hitting print.

Sponsored by: Next Wave CNC. Looking for the best CNC on the market to complement your shop? Look no further than the Shark CNC from Next Wave.

Connect with the Hosts:

• Alex Adams: @typeafurniture on Instagram
• Jeff: @makers_way on Instagram / Johnny Builds on YouTube

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• 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).

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!

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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 or on Instagram @shallowcreekwoodcraft. Learn more about her classes at plainwellness.org.

Hosts Alex Adams and Alex Duffey welcome a powerhouse duo to the show: Hunter Locke and Brandon Smith co-hosts of the upcoming Maine Woodworking Event. This episode is a deep dive into high-end shop setups, niche product development, and the hilarious perils of Facebook Marketplace.

Shop Talk & Tool Envy: The Alexes' get a virtual tour of Brandon’s impressive shop, featuring a massive "tool wall of fame" stocked with Woodpeckers, Bessie clamps, and premium saws. Meanwhile, Alex Adams shares his recovery from a back injury and the chaos of prepping his garage for a brand-new CNC delivery—all while helping his son navigate the "teachable moment" of a woodworking mishap involving a bowl gouge.

Niche Craftsmanship:

• Hunter Locke discusses his fascinating shift into the world of traditional Chinese tea ceremonies, designing custom Kumiko tea tables for a certified tea sommelier.
• Brandon Smith reveals his new "Book-Tok" inspired product line: laser-engraved bookmarks themed for horror and sci-fi, sparking a collaborative brainstorming session on creative packaging.
• Alex Duffey is in "full UFO mode," prepping 80 custom lamps and painting Northern Lights-inspired wall art for the upcoming UFO Fest.

The "What’s Your Breaking Point" Segment: Hunter recounts a heartbreaking (and relatable) "Marketplace Fail" where he sold his current drum sander before securing a new one—leaving him sander-less but with enough cash to pivot into a new 3D printer.

• Special Guests: Hunter Locke & Brandon Smith
• Sponsor: Next Wave CNC (American-made desktop CNCs)
• Patreon: patreon.com/whatchamakinshop
• Instagram: @DuffeyWoodcraft | @TypeAFurniture

Hosts Alex Adams and Alex Duffey are back after a week off to talk about the intersection of woodworking, technology, and life’s unexpected hurdles. Recorded on April Fool’s Day, the duo kicks things off by dissecting the best industry pranks—from Vectric’s "Easy Clone" software to Festool’s "wireless" wormhole dust collection.

In the shop, Alex Duffey shares his progress on a massive batch of D&D dice boxes and reveals his "cheat code" for sourcing metal tulip bases from overseas. He also gives a deep dive into his latest artistic endeavor: two walnut end tables featuring intricate patterns made from 1,400 pennies (which required a trip to nine different banks!).

Meanwhile, Alex Adams discusses the technical challenges of large walnut panel glue-ups and the importance of "show face" positioning to manage glue squeeze-out. The conversation takes a turn into lifestyle and health as Alex recount his son's "Candy Sushi" birthday party—including a Pinterest-fail Jell-O experiment—and a gym-related back injury that put him on the sidelines.

Topics covered include:

• April Fool's Shenanigans: Reviewing the best and worst pranks from CNC bit manufacturers and tool brands.
• What's on the Bench: Penny-inlay tables, walnut furniture, and prepping for the upcoming UFO Fest.
• Maker Tips: Using blue tape on panel clamps and sourcing small quantities from Alibaba.
• Personal Life: March Madness, retro Pokemon emulators, and recovering from back spasms.

• Sponsor: Next Wave CNC (Makers of the Shark CNC)
• Patreon: patreon.com/whatchamakingshow
• Instagram: @DuffeyWoodcraft | @TypeAFurniture