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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 picks, including the must-have silicone glue pot and the CNC bit-saver clamps, while Alex Adams focuses on quality-of-life tools like the ergonomic sanding block and the Drill Guide for perfectly straight holes. They also discuss major purchases, with Alex Duffey detailing the value of the WEN mobile base and oscillating spindle sander, and Alex Adams advocating for the Benchcrafted Moxon Vise and the versatility of Besse Parallel Clamps.

The hosts also share their busy week: Alex Duffey gives an exciting recap of his record-breaking first holiday market, detailing surprising bestsellers like the D&D boxes and the new herb strippers. Alex Adams, meanwhile, is focused on restoring a table leg and troubleshooting a failed film finish attempt. The episode concludes with a spotlight on fellow makers preparing for Cutting Board Awareness Month and a reminder about the Vectric User Group Meeting for CNC enthusiasts.

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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 creator. They discuss how to shift the conversation from "send me free stuff" to "how can I help achieve your marketing goals" and highlight the importance of personal relationships and knowing a brand's needs.

Hear about Braden's hilarious, last-minute approach to craft fairs (where he sells whiskey smokers faster than he can make them!), and Alex Duffey's rigorous 10-week holiday production schedule. The hosts get real in "Whatcha Breakin'," with snapped bandsaw blades, shattering storage totes, and a close call with a powerful flush trim router bite.

Plus, they shout out fellow makers creating impressive custom hatchets, unique table designs, and a shout-out to Xyla for her incredible work fighting for mental health for pilots. Tune in for invaluable business advice, behind-the-scenes podcast talk, and plenty of laughs!

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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 securing magnets, filling a knot with epoxy, or working on delicate joints.

The hosts share their favorite tips, including the trick of mixing sawdust and wood glue to create a seamless putty, best practices for preventing air bubbles in an epoxy pour, and why flexible glue is the secret weapon for components that experience wear and tear.

Hear what the guys are making, including custom epoxy river cribbage boards, Sasquatch figurines, and holiday production runs of herb strippers. Alex Adams shares his troubleshooting woes with a three-day-delayed epoxy mix and his continuing turning projects. Plus, they discuss the hilarious but serious issue of an IP infringement on a public domain game.

Tune in for practical advice, chemistry lessons, and all the sticky details on making sure your projects hold up!

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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 difference between the saw and a bandsaw, the importance of blade tension and squareness, and her preference for high-end Pegas blades. She defines intarsia as the art of creating three-dimensional pictures from natural hardwoods and reveals her process for creating flawless patterns using a Cricut for precise, tiny cuts.

The hosts also recap their week: Alex Duffey is deep into holiday production of over 30 dice sequence games, CNC board games, and small stocking stuffers, while Alex Adams shares his process for milling walnut table legs and finishes the custom cane for his grandfather. In the "Whatcha Breakin'" segment, they cover a broken lacquer can cap, a malfunctioning bandsaw, and the chronic pain of planer blade replacement.

Finally, in "Whatcha Watchin'," they shout out fellow makers creating impressive 3D-carved whales, ultra-detailed inlays, and the highly useful, tool-less countersink from Katz-Moses. Tune in for expert advice, behind-the-scenes shop talk, and a lot of laughs!

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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 content is great for quickly absorbing many methods, while paid courses offer structured, step-by-step guidance necessary for mastering a new skill.

Hear what the guys are making, including Duffey's new run of CNC two-player games and a reverse production strategy for the holidays, and Alex Adams’s custom walnut wand for his son and his ongoing cross-country coaching duties. They also talk about their latest "breaking" moments, from smashed fingers to a spray-paint incident in the car.

In "Whatcha Watchin'," they spotlight fellow makers crushing it with CNC 3D carving, simple-yet-beautiful cedar centerpieces, and the inspiring work of a shipping container shop in Costa Rica.

Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on education models, shop efficiency, and great tips on making the most of your learning journey, no matter which path you choose!

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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, emphasizing the need for consistent posting and engaging storylines.

Hear what the hosts are making, including CNC-cut Yahtzee boxes and Christmas ornaments, and Alex Adams's whimsical spatulas and unique wood-bent charcuterie boards. They also spotlight incredible maker projects from the community, like a magnet-floating CNC whale, hyper-realistic marquetry moths, and a woodturner who uses his creations to make ice cream! Plus, they have a lot of fun with the F*ck, Marry, Kill segment and the ongoing "Snake Saga."

Tune in for invaluable tips on lighting, editing, avoiding burnout, and maximizing your reach in the digital maker space!

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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 essential tools you need to start—from affordable beginner lathes (like the Harbor Freight Bauer) to the debate between easy-to-use carbide scrapers and traditional steel gouges. TJ shares crucial safety advice, addresses the importance of high-quality PPE (including the dangers of turning with gloves!), and answers listener questions on preferred cutting techniques and how to duplicate projects using calipers and story sticks.

Plus, hear about Alex Duffey's holiday production run of CNC game boards and wooden earrings, and Alex Adams’s custom laser-engraved memorial piece and beautiful walnut sofa table. In "Whatcha Watchin'," they spotlight incredible maker projects, including intricate puzzle tables, next-level resin art, and the mind-blowing multi-axis woodturning of Derek Weidman.

Tune in for invaluable tips, shop humor, and a renewed appreciation for one of the oldest and most satisfying crafts in the maker community!

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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 Fest, sharing his experiences from the classes and the expo floor, along with some memorable moments with friends (and a CNC tattoo!). Meanwhile, Adams discusses his latest projects, from a sofa/bar table to a charcuterie board. You'll also hear what broke this week (a router and a dust extractor!), and get some inspiration from their "Whatcha Watchin'" picks, which include incredible builds from the maker community.

Tune in for practical advice, real-world stories, and plenty of humor about the triumphs and tribulations of being a maker!

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