In this episode of What You're Making, Alex Duffey of Duffey Woodcraft and Alex Adams of Type-A Furniture dive deep into the world of woodworking finishes—how to choose the right one, the science behind how they cure, and why you might actually be eating bug poop with your favorite candy.

• The Legend of Johnny Appleseed: Celebrating Johnny Appleseed Day (March 11th) with the strange history of hard cider and a 180-year-old tree in Ohio that refused to die even after two lightning strikes.
• What’s on the Bench:
  • Alex Duffey talks about a massive rush order of acrylic sock forms for Columbia Footwear and his latest obsession: building an emergency Mesh communication network for the Pacific Northwest.
  • Alex Adams details the painstaking process of domino alignment for a walnut table and his "unpopular opinion" on why he doesn't lend out tools.
• Shop Talk & Fails: From 4.1 magnitude earthquakes in Nebraska to shattering antennas and getting "hit in the groin" with apples during a double date, the guys share the messy reality of maker life.
• Main Topic: Choosing the Right Finish: * Durability vs. Aesthetics: How to balance the "look" of the wood with the lifestyle of the client.
  • The Big Three: A breakdown of Oils (Hard Wax, Tongue Oil), Film Finishes (Lacquer, Polyurethane), and the universal binder, Shellac.
  • The "M&M" Secret: Why Shellac is actually a bug byproduct and how it keeps your chocolate from melting in your hand.
  • The Nuclear Option: When and why to use Tabletop Epoxy (and why Alex Duffey is using it for a tattoo shop coffee table).

This week on Whatcha Makin', Alex Duffey and Alex Adams are joined by the multi-talented Jeremy Hilliard of Ten10 Woodworxs and host of the Against the Grain podcast! Jeremy shares his journey from running a print shop to building a successful maker business specializing in custom foam inserts and high-end epoxy signage. We dive deep into the world of advertising for small businesses—discussing the difference between marketing and advertising, the effectiveness of direct mail and local networking, and how to represent your brand through custom banners and vehicle decals.

The trio also catches up on their latest bench projects. Alex Duffey recaps his successful run at BrewFest, selling out of his new dice games, and his recent transition into the world of Meshtastic off-grid radios. Alex Adams shares a "science fair" update on testing 3D print filament strength with his son and the nerve-wracking process of pushing a BB gun buttstock through his bandsaw.

In "Whatcha Watchin'," the hosts highlight incredible community work, including Happy Life Wood’s mind-bending wooden sneaker sculptures, a functional sculptural decanter by Mahad Art, and the playful marquetry of RP Basilio.

Whether you're looking to refine your customer "persona" or just want to hear about the "CNC vasectomy" challenge, this episode is packed with business insights and plenty of maker humor!

This week on Whatcha Makin', Alex Duffey and Alex Adams welcome the "secret third host" of the show, Patrick Gensel from Crafted with Machines! The trio dives into the often-expensive world of tool purchase regrets. From the proprietary ecosystem of the Glowforge to the surprising realization that a track saw isn't for everyone, the hosts get honest about the machines that mostly just collect dust in their shops. They discuss how targeted social media marketing can lead to "buyer’s remorse" and the importance of researching an ecosystem before committing.

The guys also share their current shop updates: Alex Duffey recaps his successful Sasquatch Fest prep using ColorCore HDPE and his seamless transition to the Bambu Lab 3D printer. Patrick details his new Thunder Aurora Light fiber laser and a clever desktop focus timer built with an Arduino, while Alex Adams continues his marathon walnut dining table build, dealing with the frustration of a track saw that fell out of 90-degree calibration.

In "Whatcha Watchin'," we highlight some incredible community talent, including Happy Life Wood's wooden sneaker sculptures, Night Carver Designs' ice-carving eulogy, and a "last of us" inspired marquetry piece by Albert A. Klein.

Whether you're looking to avoid your next bad tool purchase or just want to hear about Alex's "midlife crisis" ear piercings, this episode is packed with hard-earned maker wisdom!