Whatcha Makin' Show

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 workbe...

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,...

Send us a text This week on Whatcha Makin', Alex Duffey and Alex Adams welcome the talented Winnie from Standish WoodStory! Joining us from Ontario, Canada, Winnie shares her journey of building a thriving YouTube channel and business by creating accessible, step-by-step woodworking plans for the "weekend warrior." We dive deep into the business of digital products—how to design plans in Fusion 36...

Send us a text This week on Whatcha Makin' , Alex Duffey and Alex Adams welcome the "Wonder Woman" of woodworking, Yesi from Knock on Wood Florida ! A former attorney who traded the courtroom for the workshop, Yesi shares her explosive growth in the maker community and her unique niche in creating knockdown furniture . We dive deep into the business of mobile bars —how she transitioned from a hobb...

Send us a text Welcome to the first episode of 2026! Alex Duffey and Alex Adams dive deep into the world of content creation for makers . Whether you are a "beginner" filming on an old iPhone or an "intermediate" creator investing in lighting and specialized gear like the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 , this episode breaks down how to get started and refine your style. The hosts discuss the importance of "fri...

Send us a text In the final episode of 2025, Alex Duffey and Alex Adams take a trip down memory lane to recap a massive year in the maker community. Alex Duffey shares his experience visiting the Next Wave CNC headquarters, offering a sneak peek into his factory tour and a major upcoming announcement. Meanwhile, Alex Adams detail his "ordeal" of milling a massive walnut tree and the meticulous pro...

Send us a text This week on Whatcha Makin' , Alex Duffey and Alex Adams talk theatrical sets and props with special guest Danny Van Meter of Upper Room Creations ! Danny, a retired firefighter and experienced prop master, shares how he got into the unique business of building and renting out set pieces for local schools and community theaters. He gives insight into the logistics of creating custom...

Send us a text On episode 25 of Whatcha Makin' , Alex Duffey and Alex Adams tackle a core topic for any woodworker : the pros and cons of sourcing wood rough versus pre-milled (S2S, S3S, S4S). Alex Adams explains his preference for rough lumber due to the flexibility and cost savings when dealing with thicker slabs and figured woods, noting that processing rough stock is necessary to access larger...

Send us a text This week on Whatcha Makin' , Alex Duffey and Alex Adams welcome special guest Jessie from Building Jessie for a deep dive into home renovation ! Jessie, a co-host of Sawdust Talk and experienced renovator, shares her advice on tackling DIY home projects, stressing the importance of knowing when to call a professional for structural, plumbing, or electrical work. She offers insight...

Send us a text This week on Whatcha Makin' , Alex Duffey and Alex Adams delve into the massive undertaking of shop layout transformation ! Alex Duffey details the organized chaos of tearing down his old workbench and implementing the fourth layout of his garage shop to maximize space and efficiency. He explains his decision to move his lathe into storage, prep his CNC for a movable base, and ultim...

Send us a text Get your shopping lists ready! On this special holiday-focused episode, Alex Duffey and Alex Adams dive into their ultimate recommendations for tools to buy for the holiday season . They offer a comprehensive list of tools at different price points—from stocking stuffers under $20 to major shop upgrades—that any maker would love to receive. Alex Duffey shares his budget-friendly pic...

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 c...

Send us a text Episode 20: This week on Whatcha Makin' , Alex Duffey and Alex Adams dive into a sticky topic: adhesives in the workshop ! They break down the different types of glues, from standard PVA wood glue and its necessary clamping pressure to the brittle vs. flexible bonds of CA glue (super glue) and E6000 (or "Shoe Goo"). Learn when to use the right adhesive for the job, whether you're se...

Send us a text This week on Whatcha Makin' , Alex Duffey and Alex Adams are joined by the incredibly talented Chelsea from Evergreen Daydreams ! Chelsea shares her inspiring story of turning a layoff into a full-time career as an intarsia artist, with pieces famously featured in art galleries and in the home of Mark the Wood Whisperer. Chelsea gives a scroll saw 101 crash course, explaining the di...

Send us a text This week on Whatcha Makin' , Alex Duffey and Alex Adams dive into the ultimate maker debate: learning online versus learning in person ! They compare the pros and cons of YouTube University and paid online courses (like those offered by The Wood Whisperer and CNC Kickstart) against the invaluable, immediate feedback of hands-on, in-person classes. The hosts discuss how free online...

Send us a text This week on Whatcha Makin' , Alex Duffey and Alex Adams welcome content master Jeff from Johnny Builds to dive deep into short form content ! They break down the science behind viral success, discuss the importance of shot planning for efficiency, and debate the future of platforms like Instagram and YouTube. Jeff shares his strategy for helping makers grow their audience, emphasiz...

Send us a text Step up to the lathe! On this episode of Whatcha Makin' , Alex Duffey and Alex Adams welcome master woodturner and host of Sawdust Talk, TJ from TJT Workshop , for a deep dive into the world of woodturning . TJ breaks down the basics, explaining what woodturning is, why it offers instant gratification, and the exciting possibilities of working with green wood . They discuss the esse...

Send us a text This week on Whatcha Makin' , Alex Duffey and Alex Adams tackle a topic every maker can relate to: woodworking on a budget ! They share their best tips on scoring hand-me-down tools and affordable wood on Facebook Marketplace , plus creative ways to supplement your income by selling at markets or filming your own DIY projects. Alex Duffey gives a full recap of the Texas Woodworking...

Send us a text This week on Whatcha Makin' , Alex Duffey and Alex Adams tackle a topic close to every maker's heart: kids in the shop ! They share invaluable advice on setting clear safety rules, staving off curiosity, and getting kids involved with hands-on projects, from hammering nails to using tools like a hand drill or spokeshave. Get an update on their latest projects , including Duffey’s Ya...

Send us a text On this episode of Whatcha Makin' , Alex Duffey and Alex Adams welcome special guest Jay from Goat Haunt Woodworks to demystify the world of CNC ! They provide a beginner's guide to Computer Numerical Control , breaking down the six main parts of a CNC machine and the key differences between end mills, V bits, and bull bits. Get practical advice on choosing your first machine, under...

Send us a text Ever wonder what it's like to run a one-person shop ? In this candid episode of Whatcha Makin' , Alex Duffey and Alex Adams pull back the curtain on the upsides and downsides of flying solo. They discuss the freedom of being your own boss, the struggle of having no helping hands, and how to combat burnout when everything falls on you. Hear what they're making this week, from a produ...

Send us a text This week on Whatcha Makin' , Alex Duffey and Alex Adams pull back the curtain on all things markets ! From finding the right events to setting up your booth and tracking sales, they share their best advice for turning craft shows into a major success. Learn what to bring, how to set up your displays to attract customers, and why repeat business is a game-changer. Hear what's been h...

Send us a text On this episode of Whatcha Makin' , Alex Duffey and Alex Adams pull back the curtain on the business side of being a maker with a deep dive into customer service . From quoting custom orders and setting clear lead times to handling problem customers, they share invaluable advice on communication, deposits, and follow-ups. Whether you're selling at a bustling market or through your w...

Send us a text Join Alex Duffey and Alex Adams on Whatcha Makin' as they dive into the art and science of preferred finishes ! This episode covers everything from Tung Oil and Hardwax Oil with Ceramic coating for furniture, to durable sprays for display pieces and food-safe options for kitchen items. Get practical advice on choosing the right finish for indoor and outdoor furniture, and learn what...

Send us a text This week on Whatcha Makin' , Alex Duffey and Alex Adams dive deep into the crucial world of retail partnerships ! Learn the ins and outs of connecting with vendors, from warm introductions at networking events to effective cold pitches. They'll break down different partnership types like consignment vs. wholesale, discuss display strategies, and share essential tips on managing inv...