Hardware Podcasts

STL335: Morley takes on Maine

Shop Talk Live · 21 Feb 2025 · 1h 03m

What this episode covers

Phil Morley, the newly appointed Lead Instructor for the nine-month comprehensive program at the Center for Furniture Craftmanships (CFC), discusses his transition from Texas to Rockport, Maine. He details the program's rigorous curriculum, which includes set projects like the table and drawer, tour cabinet, and case piece, as well as specialized modules on CNC, finishing, and product development. Morley contrasts the teaching styles of predecessors Tim Rousseau and Alid, noting his own approach balances their systematic and design-focused methods while managing the intense pace of student work. The conversation also covers his shift from spray finishes to Osmo for health and aesthetic reasons, and his philosophy on balancing commission work with teaching.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Center for Furniture Craftmanships
Materials
Osmo, Gorilla Glue
Also
Tim Rousseau, Alid, Michael Corker, Tim Coleman, John Cameron

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Making It · 1h 07m

    454: Getting Dressed With A Door Open

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto reflect on 10 years of the Making It podcast, discussing their current projects including David's CNC-built storage chest, Bob's calculator and beefy walnut bed, and Jimmy's sheet metal restoration of a Ghia. They explore the evolution of their skills, from early CNC struggles to mastering Fusion 360 parametric modeling, and debate the value of adopting new technologies like Final Cut Pro versus sticking to iMovie. The conversation also covers practical workshop organization using Vidmar cabinets and the psychological challenge of staying open to learning new skills as they age.

    Prototyping & iterationScaling production
    8 chapters

  • Making It · 1h 14m

    466: This is My Workshop Trumpet

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their recent projects, including Jimmy's ultra-thin CNC sign, Bob's sound diffuser, and David's foam-and-veneer plant stand, while reflecting on workflow issues with iMovie and Final Cut. The hosts share personal updates on managing physical limitations, shifting focus to less labor-intensive work like leather crafting, and planning future artistic and large-scale woodworking projects. They also exchange recommendations for other maker channels, highlighting techniques in CNC, 3D printing, and cinematic video production.

    Prototyping & iterationMaterials & manufacturing processes
    10 chapters

  • Making It · 1h 08m

    Episode 332: Plywood is good

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss recent projects, including Jimmy's construction of a two-stage blacksmith bellows using plywood and his design of a car rotisserie utilizing farm jacks and steel tubing. The hosts debate the value of modern tools like CNC machines versus traditional hand skills, using a Looney Tunes analogy to illustrate how technology prioritizes speed over quality. They also share personal updates, such as David's popcorn bowl experiment and Jimmy's installation of a treehouse zip line, before reflecting on their gratitude for their audience and community.

    Materials & manufacturing processesFabrication & craft
    8 chapters

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 36m

    A New Generation of Craftsmen with Character w/ Dave Hataj

    Dave Hataj, founder of Craftsman with Character and president of Egerton Gear, explains how his pre-apprenticeship program addresses the manufacturing labor crisis by pairing high school students with mentors to build character and technical skills. The initiative, which has secured a $2 million, three-year agreement with the U.S. Navy to scale nationally, focuses on hiring for character and integrity to transform shop floor culture and reduce turnover. Hataj details the program's success in turning around at-risk students and creating a pipeline of loyal, skilled workers for suppliers in the submarine industrial base.

    Hiring & workforceLeadership, teams & culture
    8 chapters

  • Let's Combinate · 1h 01m

    004 - “Until They Know How Much You Care” with Andy Robertson

    Andy Robertson, founder of CQE Academy, explains his transition from a career in medical device engineering at Alcon to full-time education, detailing how he uses the Feynman technique and specific study habits to help students pass the CQE exam. He shares anecdotes from his time at Alcon, including implementing Design of Experiments (DOE) and Statistical Process Control (SPC) using Infinity QS, to demonstrate the practical value of quality engineering principles. Robertson emphasizes leadership philosophy, citing mentors like Scott Brown and Julie Geller, and stresses that caring for people is the foundation of effective management and teaching.

    Careers & educationLeadership, teams & culture
    9 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Shop Talk Live. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.