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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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