In this episode of the Whatcha Makin podcast, hosts Alex Duffey and Alex Adams welcome special guest Peter Capar of Ptree's Workshop. Pete shares his journey from restoring secondhand tools in his garage to running a successful small-scale manufacturing shop powered by an army of Prusa 3D printers and a massive Laguna laser.

The guys catch up on what's on their benches, including Alex Duffey's Dungeon Crawler Carl loot boxes and pocket cribbage boards, Alex Adams' hickory CNC projects and 3D-printed Spoodermans, and Pete's adventures in small engine repair.

For the main topic, "Risky Business," the trio dives into the leaps of faith required to grow a making business. They discuss the realities of investing in expensive equipment, the value of making "small bets" to test the market rather than going into debt, and the biggest risk of all: knowing when to step back from the grind to prioritize your family and mental health.

Plus, maker shoutouts, a farewell to the lumber side of Burl n' Grain, and thoughts on Bambu Lab's newly announced 55W CO2 laser.

It’s an episode about nothing—which means Alex and Alex get right into the weeds of shop projects, tool troubleshooting, and prep for the busy fall season.

• On the Bench: Alex Adams runs a marathon print session making giant pop-culture popcorn buckets and 5x-scale Lego minifigs, while Alex Duffey doubles his production of Dungeon Crawler Carl boxes and harvests homegrown Wine Cap mushrooms grown in CNC sawdust.
• Whatcha Breakin': An all-out battle with 3D printers. Duffey essentially rebuilds his entire printhead assembly after repeated jams, while Adams hunts down elusive layer shifts and loose hotend screws.
• Whatcha Sellin': Winding down farmers markets, weighing consignment vs. monthly booth rent in local shops, and the realities of holiday inventory planning.
• Community Spotlights: Mind-bending miniature room pranks by @AndrewVideo, life-size Dragon Ball Z pods from @CosplayCorp, wooden lightning bug fixtures, and ice cream churned from wild wood by Justin Davies.

Upcoming: Catch Alex Duffey teaching at the Texas Woodworking Festival this weekend

Hosts & Guest: Alex Duffey and Alex Adams are joined by scroll-saw artist and DIY renovator Patsy Dobbs (@dobbsdesignco).

• On the Bench: Patsy is crafting a maker-themed bicycle for Maker Camp with saw-blade wheels and an anvil seat. Alex Adams is batch-sanding 3D printer stands and creating backlit lithophanes. Alex Duffey is finishing 100 game boxes, building Dungeon Crawler Carl loot crates, reviewing Vectric Spark for Mac, and 3D printing Mecha Chameleon shop figures.
• Shop Mishaps: Duffey broke four CNC bits pushing roughing speeds and fixed two 3D printer jams. Adams stripped his CNC spindle mount, fought clogged nozzles, and frankensteined two dead robot vacuums from spare parts. Patsy dealt with a contractor nightmare fixing her house's chimneys.
• Maker Shoutouts: Highlights include @badlands_dwellers (carved wood Pokémon), @gehajdukcreations (curved home decor), @rfosterdesign (sci-fi wall art), @rickytevee (retro TV builds), @thesoftasylum (marbled silk scarves), and Andy Bird’s Will It CNC? testing bone and soap.
• DIY Projects: The crew discussed upcycling and home builds, including Duffey’s porch dragonflies made from fan blades and banisters, Adams’ painted log jack-o'-lanterns and DIY garage solar backup, and Patsy’s vintage dresser-to-vanity bathroom flip.
• Community News: Peter has left Another Woodshop Podcast after six years (and will guest on Whatcha Makin' next month). Upcoming events include the Texas Woodworking Festival in Austin, the Vectric User Group in Nashville, and Maker Camp in the Catskills.

Hosts Alex Adams (Type A Furniture) and Alex Duffey (Duffey Woodcraft) sit down for Episode 54 to talk all things 3D printing with special guest Dave, known online as 3D DIY Dave. The guys dive into Dave’s creative process, content creation, tech and tool reviews, and the hilarious backstory behind his famous "mini-me" puppet.

In the shop catch-up, the hosts and guest discuss their latest projects:

• Alex Duffey shares a heartwarming project helping a market customer finish a set of custom cutting boards, prepares inventory for retail restocks, cuts out 80 "Squatch Z" game boxes on the CNC, and celebrates getting a new couch.
• Dave talks about using a 3D scanner and custom 3D-printed tiles to patch a hole in his flooring, his latest round of 3D printing filament and dryer reviews, and experimenting with an XTool UV laser to create 3D crystal glass engravings.
• Alex Adams recaps his busy week post-county fair, detailing his workflow producing and selling 3D-printed items (keychains, hitch covers, and Pokémon gear) at local markets, along with the logistics of multi-part assemblies.

Plus, the trio takes a hilarious detour discussing toilet paper vs. Kleenex, workshop hacks, and the early-2000s internet nostalgia of puppet videos.

Sponsor: Proudly sponsored by NextWave CNC. Check out their Shark CNC line, and message NextWave on Instagram to participate in their Project of the Month for a chance at a $500 bonus!

Connect with the Hosts & Guest:

• Alex Duffey: @DuffeyWoodcraft (Instagram & YouTube)
• Alex Adams: @TypeAFurniture (Instagram)
• Dave: @3D_DIY_Dave (Instagram & Socials)
• Support the Show: patreon.com/whatchamakingshow

August might feel early, but if your maker business relies on Q4, holiday prep starts right now! In this episode of Whatcha Makin’, Alex Duffey (Duffey Woodcraft) and Alex Adams (Type A Furniture) dive deep into getting your shop, inventory, and booth ready for the busiest craft fair and market season of the year.

In this episode, we cover:

• Holiday Prep Masterclass: How to hunt down raw material deals early, stock up on essential parts/hardware (and manage long lead times), streamline backstock, design efficient booth layouts, and when to hire seasonal help for market day.
• On the Bench: Alex Duffey is batching whiskey smokers, cedar soap dishes, and hundreds of laser-cut earrings—plus landing a local retail display. Alex Adams is dialing in PETG prints for outdoor markets, custom hitch covers, and prepping display items for the 4-day county fair.
• What’s Breaking: 3D print collisions, stripped aluminum threads during CNC tramming, and CNC bit wander causing oval cuts.
• Maker Spotlight: Amazing work from @ellynwooddesigns, @corbancraft, @edek_woodcarving, @geppettosguild, @houseoftimber, and @ladywoodgoods.
• Maker News & Events: Our shift to a bi-weekly episode schedule, upcoming woodworking events (IWF Atlanta, Handworks, Texas Woodworking Fest, Vectric User Group, Maker Camp), and derby car ideas!

In this episode of Whatcha Making, hosts Alex Duffey (Duffey Woodcraft) and Alex Adams (Type A Furniture) answer rapid-fire questions, share shop updates, and announce an every-other-week podcast schedule.

• Show Updates: A shift to a bi-weekly schedule Starting End of August.
• On the Bench & Selling:
  • Alex Adams prints a 30+ hour Stormtrooper helmet (selling two in 72 hours), designs a custom bifold TV cabinet, pitches 3D-printed popcorn buckets to a local business, and recaps a wild fly-fishing trip in Colorado that included pea-sized hail and getting stuck in knee-deep mud.
  • Alex Duffey restocks market inventory, scores a massive bulk discount on laser plywood from his local lumber yard manager, and completes a rush order for 50 Sasquatch figurines after a bride bought his entire stock for wedding centerpieces.
• What You're Breaking: Troubleshooting laser-etched paint-filled shot glasses, replacing worn printer PTFE tubes and nozzles, and a tag-team wasp-spraying misfire on a hollow metal horse statue.
• Maker Shoutouts: Features on @tracy_and_mac, @outer_woods, @clevercarver, @mauldinwoodwork, @cullenwaywoodturning, @woodshopdiaries, @omarbuildsit, and @stickrubberwoodworks.
• Rapid Fire Q&A: Quick debates on Walnut vs. Maple, hand vs. power tools, sandpaper preferences, pet peeves, and harmless ways to "haunt" a friend's woodshop.

Sponsor: Proudly sponsored by Next Wave CNC. Check out their Shark CNC line and join the Project of the Month club.

Happy National Give Something Away Day! On this episode of Whatcha Makin', Alex and Alex are sitting down with Tracy, the creative force and self-proclaimed "trash panda" behind the Michigan-based MNT Woodworks.

Tracy shares what it’s really like to run a garage shop as a dynamic duo with her partner, Mac. We dive into the logistics of dividing workspace, coordinating tool handoffs, managing ADHD in the shop, and how they turned a literal "flying fuck" into one of their best-selling products.

Plus, Alex Adams finally installs his massive neighborhood dining table (and pays the price with a sore back), Alex Duffey gears up for a massive museum restock, and the crew tackles a wild week of shop breakdowns—from fried 3D printer boards to mysterious CNC e-stop failures.

What We’re Talking About Tonight:

• What You Makin’: Big museum orders, custom cutting boards, and the final installation of the legendary walnut dining table.
• What You Breakin’: Mysterious e-stop errors, bandsaw blades, and a 3D printer board bypass that left Alex Adams incredibly pissed.
• What You Selling: Highs and lows from a $1,700 Fourth of July market, and recovering from accidentally leaving your website in maintenance mode.
• Main Topic: The secrets to successfully sharing a small shop space with your partner without killing each other.
• What We’re Watching: Creators who build farting trash cans, elvish glowing doors, and some incredible scroll saw art.

On today’s episode of Whatcha Makin', hosts Alex Duffey (Duffey Woodcraft) and Alex Adams (Type A Furniture) dive deep into the world of entrepreneurial woodworking. If you've ever wondered how to transition your CNC hobby into a profitable side hustle—or even a full-time business—this is the episode for you.

We are joined by the OG of CNC woodworking on YouTube, Andy Bird of Andy Bird Builds. Andy shares his incredible journey from a specialized career in turf grass management to launching into the full-time making world in 2020. He breaks down how he batched out wholesale products on an early desktop machine, landed high-profile clients like Clint Harp, and eventually grew a viral YouTube channel with over 500 videos.

Together, the guys discuss the realities of selling online versus locally, why Etsy might be a "race to the bottom," and the ultimate power of finding a highly specific niche.

• Alex Duffey talks about his newly completed and custom-modified Next Wave Shark 644 (now a sleek 4x3 rail system), the pains of tramming a rail machine, and hitting the production line for a massive wholesale bookmark order for the Columbia River Gorge Museum.
• Alex Adams shares his tedious progress on a massive walnut dining table frame sourced from his neighbor's tree, edge-sanding end grain, and scaling up his 3D-printed inventory for upcoming Fourth of July markets and car shows.
• Andy Bird shares his current design roadblocks for a custom 3x6 ply runabout boat for his son, and previews an upcoming YouTube series called "Will It CNC?" testing non-traditional materials like slate tiles, soap, and even pool noodles.

• Air Art and Airplanes (@airartandairplanes) – For a breathtaking, 30-inch mosaic and textured elephant wall art piece utilizing a century-old barnwood backing.
• The Forged Fox (@theforgedfox) – Beautiful, highly detailed layered wood and acrylic retirement signs for first responders.
• Calypso Glasgow – A hilarious, functional stained-glass recreation of a classic SpongeBob SquarePants scene.
• North Country Craft – A gorgeous, rock-inspired Mancala board using polished river stones.
• Naughty Bits Machine – A massive, beautifully texturized 35-inch inlaid Porsche plaque.
• Sepulveda 41 (@sepulveda41) – A stunning 3D wooden manta ray featuring tribal patterns integrated seamlessly onto a metal tail stand.
• The Wood Carving Man – Entertaining reels featuring hand-carved, dyed Pokémon figurines.
• Steve Makes Everything – Prolific laser tutorial and review content on YouTube.

• Proudly Sponsored by Next Wave CNC: Looking for the best CNC on the market? Check out the Shark series at Next Wave CNC and message them on Instagram to learn how you can submit a "Project of the Month" to earn an extra $500!
• Connect with Andy Bird: Visit andybirdbuilds.com to find his YouTube channel, courses, and the CNC Moneymaker Membership (where Alex Duffey is a coach!).
• Upcoming Events: Catch Andy at IWF Atlanta (Aug 25-28) in the Vectric booth and the Vectric User Group Meeting in Nashville (October). Catch Alex Duffey teaching at the Texas Woodworking Show!