Episode 230: It’s a Beard of Bees

Making It · 27 Sept 2019 · 1h 03m

What this episode covers

Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss the decision to make tools versus buying them, sharing personal anecdotes about building beehives, a propane forge, and stained glass lamps. Bob details the process of rescuing a wild bee swarm and building the necessary equipment, while Jimmy and David share their philosophies on when fabrication is worth the effort compared to purchasing commercial products like bandsaws or 3D printer kits. The group also touches on upcoming maker events and shares recommendations for media and tools.

Mentioned

Companies
Devil's Forge, Fireball Tools, Harbor Freight, AmeriBraid
Products
Holey Moley, Makercise, Inkra iBox
Also
Essential Craftsman, Laura Kampf

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 18m

    160: Chowdered up the Spoilboard

    Daniel Hienzsch, resident engineer at SupplyFrame's Pasadena Design Lab, and Majenta Strongheart, an industrial design student from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, discuss the operation of a maker space and advice for home makers. They detail the specific tools available in the lab, including ShopBot CNC routers, OtherMill PCB mills, and various 3D printers, while contrasting their reliability and utility. The conversation covers the challenges of maintaining equipment, the decision to use whiteboards over digital tools for project management, and recommendations for building a home workshop on a budget.

  • Embedded.fm · 46m

    1: Start Tinkering

    Elecia White, Jen Costillo, and Starr Simpson discuss their personal journeys into hardware tinkering and the practical tools needed to get started. They share detailed stories of specific projects, including Costillo’s RFID dance system, Simpson’s Taco Copter drone, and White’s posture-correcting t-shirt, highlighting the technical challenges and lessons learned. The conversation covers essential gear for beginners, sourcing components from markets like Shenzhen, and the importance of documenting projects for career development.

  • 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.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 13m

    Our first in-person show

    Dave Jones of EEVBlog and Chris Gammell of Contextual Electronics record The Amp Hour's first in-person episode in Sydney, discussing the logistics of their upcoming hardware meetup and the challenges of building community. They analyze the shifting landscape of robotics and LiDAR, noting how costs are dropping to make autonomous systems more accessible, while also debating the practicality of long-term space missions and the need for technologies like chip printers. The conversation extends to the complexities of hardware development, contrasting software-style continuous integration with the physical realities of manufacturing, and highlighting the importance of maintaining engineering skills through practice and community engagement.

  • 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.

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.