Hosts Alex Adams and Alex Duffey welcome a powerhouse duo to the show: Hunter Locke and Brandon Smith co-hosts of the upcoming Maine Woodworking Event. This episode is a deep dive into high-end shop setups, niche product development, and the hilarious perils of Facebook Marketplace.

Shop Talk & Tool Envy: The Alexes' get a virtual tour of Brandon’s impressive shop, featuring a massive "tool wall of fame" stocked with Woodpeckers, Bessie clamps, and premium saws. Meanwhile, Alex Adams shares his recovery from a back injury and the chaos of prepping his garage for a brand-new CNC delivery—all while helping his son navigate the "teachable moment" of a woodworking mishap involving a bowl gouge.

Niche Craftsmanship:

• Hunter Locke discusses his fascinating shift into the world of traditional Chinese tea ceremonies, designing custom Kumiko tea tables for a certified tea sommelier.
• Brandon Smith reveals his new "Book-Tok" inspired product line: laser-engraved bookmarks themed for horror and sci-fi, sparking a collaborative brainstorming session on creative packaging.
• Alex Duffey is in "full UFO mode," prepping 80 custom lamps and painting Northern Lights-inspired wall art for the upcoming UFO Fest.

The "What’s Your Breaking Point" Segment: Hunter recounts a heartbreaking (and relatable) "Marketplace Fail" where he sold his current drum sander before securing a new one—leaving him sander-less but with enough cash to pivot into a new 3D printer.

• Special Guests: Hunter Locke & Brandon Smith
• Sponsor: Next Wave CNC (American-made desktop CNCs)
• Patreon: patreon.com/whatchamakinshop
• Instagram: @DuffeyWoodcraft | @TypeAFurniture

Hosts Alex Adams and Alex Duffey are back after a week off to talk about the intersection of woodworking, technology, and life’s unexpected hurdles. Recorded on April Fool’s Day, the duo kicks things off by dissecting the best industry pranks—from Vectric’s "Easy Clone" software to Festool’s "wireless" wormhole dust collection.

In the shop, Alex Duffey shares his progress on a massive batch of D&D dice boxes and reveals his "cheat code" for sourcing metal tulip bases from overseas. He also gives a deep dive into his latest artistic endeavor: two walnut end tables featuring intricate patterns made from 1,400 pennies (which required a trip to nine different banks!).

Meanwhile, Alex Adams discusses the technical challenges of large walnut panel glue-ups and the importance of "show face" positioning to manage glue squeeze-out. The conversation takes a turn into lifestyle and health as Alex recount his son's "Candy Sushi" birthday party—including a Pinterest-fail Jell-O experiment—and a gym-related back injury that put him on the sidelines.

Topics covered include:

• April Fool's Shenanigans: Reviewing the best and worst pranks from CNC bit manufacturers and tool brands.
• What's on the Bench: Penny-inlay tables, walnut furniture, and prepping for the upcoming UFO Fest.
• Maker Tips: Using blue tape on panel clamps and sourcing small quantities from Alibaba.
• Personal Life: March Madness, retro Pokemon emulators, and recovering from back spasms.

• Sponsor: Next Wave CNC (Makers of the Shark CNC)
• Patreon: patreon.com/whatchamakingshow
• Instagram: @DuffeyWoodcraft | @TypeAFurniture

In this episode of Whatcha Makin', hosts Alex Duffey (Duffey Woodcraft) and Alex Adams (Type A Furniture) dive deep into the sharp world of CNC router bits. They are joined by special guest Liberty the Creator from IDC Woodcraft, who shares her journey from a small-town barista to a CNC bit expert and content creator.

The crew discusses their current projects, ranging from high-end furniture to experimental 3D builds:

• Alex Duffey: Wrapping up a custom cribbage board video for the CNC Summit, finishing a reclaimed barnwood piece, and installing a unique "L-shaped" floating walnut bookshelf for his wife.
• Alex Adams: Battling "bowed and cupped" boards for a massive walnut dining table and managing the "creative chaos" of his son’s spring break shop projects.
• Liberty: Developing a complex 3D spiral dice tower using only 2D toolpaths—avoiding 3D modeling software as a personal challenge.

Liberty pulls back the curtain on IDC Woodcraft, discussing why quality carbide and proper "chucking" (bit placement) are the difference between a clean carve and a snapped tool.

• The "Starter Six": Alex Duffey breaks down his essential list for beginners: V-60, 1/4" down-cut, bowl bit, 1/8" down-cut, 1/4" ball nose, and the specialized Lightning Drill Bit for cribbage boards.
• Pro Tips: Why you should avoid bit adapters, the science behind bit coatings, and the importance of chip ejection to prevent shop fires.
• Behind the Scenes: Liberty shares the "small-town" origin story of working with Garrett (the IDC Woodman) and how the company maintains a personal touch—velvet bags and M&Ms included.

• Broken Bits: Alex Adams laments a 1/16" drill bit permanently embedded in a door.
• Restoration Fails: A struggle to repair a sentimental shark toy with CA glue and heat before turning to construction caulk.
• Aging Makers: The group reflects on the physical toll of "wood reorgs" and moving heavy slabs.

• Edick Wood Carving: Incredible hand-carved maple owl feathers.
• Standish Wood Story: A philosophical look at when one truly becomes a "woodworker."
• Citrus Cedar: A clever, non-utilitarian dumbbell cabinet with a transforming lid.
• Alexander Brothers: Exquisite rocking chairs featuring tiny, hand-carved mice and cats.
• John Malecki: The massive, multi-material Stranger Things Upside Down table.
• Evergreen Daydream: Intricate Intarsia landscapes with natural-colored woods.
• Fog River (Ben Whitten): An 8-foot round conference table made from a single slab of the world's largest walnut tree.
• Shallow Creek Woodcraft: Ash side tables featuring striking diagonal walnut accents.