# Episode 218: Rotten Onion Soup

- Show: [Making It](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it)
- Published: 2019-06-28
- Length: 1h 06m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-06-28-episode-218-rotten-onion-soup
- Listen: https://making-it-with-jimmy-diresta-bob-clagett-and-david-picciuto.castos.com/episodes/episode-218-rotten-onion-soup

## Summary

Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their recent projects, including Diresta's TIG welding class and new kittens, Picciuto's electronic drill press lift and NES rebuild, and Clagett's treehouse. The hosts explore the design process, debating the merits of starting with sketches versus CAD, and the role of constraints in creativity. They introduce the concept of 'Rotten Onion Soup'—designing based on available materials—and discuss how external deadlines and collaborators influence their workflow and experimentation.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-06-28-episode-218-rotten-onion-soup#t=1) Intro and Personal Updates
- [10:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-06-28-episode-218-rotten-onion-soup#t=630) Diresta's TIG Welding Class and CNC Plasma Table
- [19:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-06-28-episode-218-rotten-onion-soup#t=1175) Catskill Maker Camp Announcement
- [23:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-06-28-episode-218-rotten-onion-soup#t=1391) Picciuto's Electronic Drill Press Lift and NES Rebuild
- [27:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-06-28-episode-218-rotten-onion-soup#t=1639) Clagett's Treehouse and Project Planning
- [29:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-06-28-episode-218-rotten-onion-soup#t=1766) The 'Rotten Onion Soup' Design Philosophy
- [39:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-06-28-episode-218-rotten-onion-soup#t=2341) Design Process: Sketching vs. CAD and Constraints
- [46:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-06-28-episode-218-rotten-onion-soup#t=2797) Influence of Collaboration and Deadlines on Creativity
- [1:01:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-06-28-episode-218-rotten-onion-soup#t=3692) Picks of the Week and Closing

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Fusion 360 (tool)
- EverNote (tool)
- NES (product)
- Apple Mac Pro (product)
- Overland Bound (company)
- Apexish (company)
- Welding Tips and Tricks (company)
- Lincoln (company)
- McMaster-Carr (company)
- Home Depot (company)
- Lowe's (company)
- Tractor Supply (company)
- Harbor Freight (company)
- Blackthorn Resort (company)
- Modern Forge (company)
- Awesome Wood Things (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep 330: Hover Turtles, Dull Designs, and K'nex Computers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-07-25-ep-330-hover-turtles-dull-designs-and-knex-computers) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [113: I Wasn’t Expecting Therapy Today](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2024-06-27-113-i-wasnt-expecting-therapy-today) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [119: Anti Alton Brown Corollary](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2024-12-12-119-anti-alton-brown-corollary) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [18: No Cool Cheap Screwdrivers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2016-09-17-18-no-cool-cheap-screwdrivers) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [STL 105: Why We Build What We Build](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2016-02-26-stl-105-why-we-build-what-we-build) (Shop Talk Live)

## Citing this page

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