# Episode 230: It’s a Beard of Bees

- Show: [Making It](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it)
- Published: 2019-09-27
- Length: 1h 03m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-09-27-episode-230-its-a-beard-of-bees
- Listen: https://making-it-with-jimmy-diresta-bob-clagett-and-david-picciuto.castos.com/episodes/episode-230-its-a-beard-of-bees

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-09-27-episode-230-its-a-beard-of-bees#t=1) Introduction and Patreon Thanks
- [5:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-09-27-episode-230-its-a-beard-of-bees#t=324) Jimmy's Knife Making Class and David's Bifold Doors
- [13:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-09-27-episode-230-its-a-beard-of-bees#t=799) Bob's Bee Rescue and Beehive Construction
- [22:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-09-27-episode-230-its-a-beard-of-bees#t=1329) Building a Propane Forge vs Buying One
- [30:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-09-27-episode-230-its-a-beard-of-bees#t=1806) Philosophy on Making Tools vs Buying
- [40:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-09-27-episode-230-its-a-beard-of-bees#t=2439) Specific Tool Examples: Jigs, Printers, and Grinders
- [56:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2019-09-27-episode-230-its-a-beard-of-bees#t=3372) Recommendations and Maker Fair Announcement

## Topics

- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Essential Craftsman (other)
- Devil's Forge (company)
- Fireball Tools (company)
- Holey Moley (product)
- Laura Kampf (other)
- Makercise (product)
- Inkra iBox (product)
- Harbor Freight (company)
- AmeriBraid (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [160: Chowdered up the Spoilboard](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-07-12-160-chowdered-up-the-spoilboard) (Embedded.fm)
- [1: Start Tinkering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-05-16-1-start-tinkering) (Embedded.fm)
- [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)
- [Our first in-person show](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-04-10-our-first-in-person-show) (The Amp Hour)
- [STL347: Don't Reinvent the Bench](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-08-08-stl347-dont-reinvent-the-bench) (Shop Talk Live)

## 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/2019-09-27-episode-230-its-a-beard-of-bees. 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.