Episode 120: We don’t have a toaster

Making It · 19 May 2017 · 1h 06m

What this episode covers

Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their current projects, including Diresta's move to a new shop in upstate New York and his custom plasma-cut knife display. They answer Twitter questions regarding tools they have a love-hate relationship with, such as Bob's jigsaw and chisels, and Jimmy's CNC machines, highlighting the frustration of setup errors and the need for checklists. The hosts also debate how to turn $100 into $1,000 by building farmhouse tables and discuss the evolution of their target audiences and content strategies on YouTube.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Shop Talk Live · 49m

    STL214.5: The one with no questions

    Hosts Ben, Barry, and Anisa engage in a casual, question-free discussion about their current woodworking projects and industry observations. Barry details his experimental process for steam-bending ukulele linings and his struggles with a job-site table saw while building a farmhouse table for his brother. Anisa shares her experience sourcing liquidation lumber for a treehouse project and discusses the nuances of working with tracks versus wood. The group reflects on the reality of master woodworkers, concluding that their expertise lies in the ability to recover from mistakes rather than avoiding them entirely.

  • Shop Talk Live · 57m

    STL 105: Why We Build What We Build

    Host Tom McKenna and editors Mike Pekovich and Matthew Kenny discuss their current home shop projects, including Pekovich's drop-front desk and Kenny's sugar bowl, while answering listener questions on tool selection, scraper usage on black acacia, and joinery for tapered legs. The hosts share their all-time favorite tools of the week—Kenny's jam chuck, Pekovich's routing jigs for half-mortise locks, and McKenna's Record block plane—and address wood color changes in cherry and juniper.

  • Shop Talk Live · 1h 10m

    STL347: Don't Reinvent the Bench

    Host Ben and guests Owen and Amanda discuss their current shop situations, with Owen moving into a small detached garage and Amanda navigating a temporary workspace without a vehicle. They debate the merits of small shops, the necessity of specific tools like bandsaws and CNCs, and the aesthetic appeal of brands like Inca and Martin. Owen shares a 'smooth move' involving a walking fence on a router table, while Ben highlights the utility of small electric screwdrivers and the Milwaukee M12 drill.

  • How I Built This · 37m

    HIBT Lab! Colin and Samir: Colin Rosenblum and Samir Chaudry

    YouTubers Colin Rosenblum and Samir Chaudry, known as Colin and Samir, discuss their 10-year journey from building a niche lacrosse network to becoming prominent voices in the creator economy. They detail their pivot from sports content to creator-focused media, the harsh realities of YouTube's monetization economics, and their strategic shift toward building owned audiences through their newsletter, The Published Press. The episode highlights their lessons on finding product-market fit, the importance of process, and the distinction between building a hobby and a sustainable business in the digital space.

  • Shop Talk Live · 57m

    STL354: Go and Do the Thing

    Erik Curtis, a furniture maker and YouTuber based in Philadelphia, joins Shop Talk Live to discuss the realities of running a woodworking business, teaching, and creating content. Curtis and hosts Amanda and Vic explore the myth of the solitary furniture maker, arguing that modern makers must diversify through teaching, writing, and media to sustain their craft. They debate the role of YouTube in woodworking, distinguishing between entertainment-focused channels and those that provide substantive technical education, while addressing the accessibility of high-end tools versus the necessity of skill. The conversation also covers design philosophy, emphasizing the importance of grain selection, proportion, and stripping away excessive ornamentation to achieve clear, functional aesthetics.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Making It. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.