445: Look For The Lightning Bolt

Making It · 10 Jun 2024 · 1h 15m

What this episode covers

Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their current projects and shop management philosophies. Diresta shares the completion of a custom Johnny Walker liquor cart and his work on the Graveyard House renovation, while also detailing a 3D printing project involving heated brass inserts. Picciuto explains his workflow using Notion to manage a project list and his construction of a nesting keyboard stand that doubles as a bench. Clagett outlines his organizational 'shop rules,' including strict protocols for trash management, tool placement, and battery charging systems to maintain efficiency.

Mentioned

Companies
Ettochrome
Products
Johnny Walker
Tools
Harvey Turbo Vac, Notion
Also
DiesInEveryFilm, Lofted Goods, Alexander Chappelle

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Thoroughly Considered · 51m

    115: New Website

    Tom Gerhardt and Dan Provost of Studio Neat discuss the launch of their new Shopify website, which features a shift from macro photography to 3D renders using Keyshot for consistent product imagery. They detail the production challenges of the Keen keyboard, including the manual application of Serracote coating and the development of custom jigs for assembling tiny M1.7 screws. The conversation also covers their strategy for managing Kickstarter delays through transparent, monthly communication with backers, and reflects on how AI tools like ChatGPT assist in coding and logistics without fundamentally disrupting supply chain complexities.

  • Shop Talk Live · 56m

    STL346: Ramon's Rules for Jig Making

    Furniture maker and product designer Ramon Valdez discusses his journey from commercial construction to creating the Domino Doc jig, which has sold over 4,000 units. He shares his criteria for making jigs, his extensive use of neodymium magnets from KJ Magnetics, and his approach to marquetry using both hand tools and the Shapeoko Origin CNC machine. Valdez also reflects on the challenges of commission work, the importance of function in design, and his transition toward digital products to reduce physical inventory.

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 47m

    283: From Craft to Manufacturing: How Crafted Glory’s Kwadwo Som-Pimpong Is Scaling a Furniture Business While Working the Night Shift

    Kwadwo Som-Pimpong, founder of Crafted Glory, explains how he scales a luxury furniture business while working 10-hour shifts as a fabrication supervisor at Eaton. He details three strategies for managing limited shop time: using a clipboard for time tracking to inform pricing, leveraging Claude AI for end-of-day reflection, and strategic networking that turned a single Instagram photo into multiple interior design projects. Som-Pimpong also discusses the Echoes of the Forest project, creating furniture from trees uprooted by Hurricane Helene, and applying industrial manufacturing principles like 5S and standard operations learned from Hellman Chang's to his craft practice.

  • Thoroughly Considered · 46m

    18: No Cool Cheap Screwdrivers

    Tom Gerhardt and Dan Provost of Studio Neat discuss the launch of their new product, The Material Dock, an adjustable charging stand for iPhones and Apple Watches made from walnut and molded cork. They detail the manufacturing challenges, including supplier failures and a lightning strike on their local woodshop, and explain design decisions such as including a screwdriver and using 3D printed internal parts. The episode also covers the creation of a viral marketing video using post-Steve Jobs keynote footage and their strategy for selling directly to consumers.

  • Thoroughly Considered · 51m

    120: Imbue All of the Choices

    Dan Provost of Studio Neat discusses his completed custom Stratocaster-style guitar build, detailing the woodworking, finishing, and hybrid design choices. He and co-host Tom Gerhardt review the ongoing production status of the Keen pen, noting supply chain delays but positive early user feedback. The conversation shifts to Studio Neat's strategic pivot toward a 'new lean' operational model, leveraging AI to maintain product opinion and quality without excessive headcount. Finally, the hosts debate the future of all-in-one computers versus modular setups in an era of ambient computing.

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.