# Episode 151: Balance vs Balancing

- Show: [Making It](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it)
- Published: 2018-01-12
- Length: 1h 02m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-01-12-episode-151-balance-vs-balancing
- Listen: https://making-it-with-jimmy-diresta-bob-clagett-and-david-picciuto.castos.com/episodes/episode-151-balance-vs-balancing

## Summary

Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss the distinction between static balance and the active process of balancing in their maker businesses and personal lives. Jimmy Diresta details how extreme cold in his warehouse shop caused a Full Spectrum laser tube to shatter and a Shopbot CNC to stutter, forcing troubleshooting and equipment swaps. Bob Clagett explains his philosophy of 'balancing' as a constant adjustment between family needs and business demands, while David Picciuto shares his struggle with content burnout and the decision to take breaks without guilt. The group also covers practical maker challenges, including managing negative online comments and protecting hands from dry winter air.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-01-12-episode-151-balance-vs-balancing#t=0) Introduction: Cold Weather Shop Challenges
- [3:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-01-12-episode-151-balance-vs-balancing#t=202) Jimmy's Laser and CNC Failures in Freezing Temperatures
- [6:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-01-12-episode-151-balance-vs-balancing#t=417) David's Shop Furniture Block and Bob's Productivity Break
- [12:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-01-12-episode-151-balance-vs-balancing#t=778) Bob's Philosophy: Balance vs. Balancing
- [17:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-01-12-episode-151-balance-vs-balancing#t=1037) Jimmy's Deadline-Driven Workflow and Client Work
- [24:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-01-12-episode-151-balance-vs-balancing#t=1452) David's Burnout and Taking Time Off
- [28:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-01-12-episode-151-balance-vs-balancing#t=1704) Jimmy's Banking Panic and Accounting Error
- [35:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-01-12-episode-151-balance-vs-balancing#t=2100) Family Emergencies and Unplanned Pivots
- [38:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-01-12-episode-151-balance-vs-balancing#t=2288) Tool Selection: Hand Tools vs. Digital Fabrication
- [41:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-01-12-episode-151-balance-vs-balancing#t=2482) Managing Online Comments and Community Tone
- [48:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-01-12-episode-151-balance-vs-balancing#t=2923) Hand Care and Winter Shop Survival
- [51:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-01-12-episode-151-balance-vs-balancing#t=3092) Picks of the Week: Bobby Duke, Vox, and Steve Pelegrino

## Topics

- [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Full Spectrum (company)
- Shopbot (product)
- Bobby Duke Art (other)
- Vox (other)
- Steve Pelegrino (other)
- Ask This Old House (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [STL354: Go and Do the Thing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-11-14-stl354-go-and-do-the-thing) (Shop Talk Live)
- [47: Seems Like a Nice Way to Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2019-01-16-47-seems-like-a-nice-way-to-live) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [7: Work/Life Balance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2016-01-08-7-work-life-balance) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Alteritous Andy's Absquatulation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-01-17-alteritous-andys-absquatulation) (The Amp Hour)
- [160: Chowdered up the Spoilboard](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-07-12-160-chowdered-up-the-spoilboard) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-01-12-episode-151-balance-vs-balancing. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Making It.