In this episode of Whatcha Makin', hosts Alex Duffey (Duffey Woodcraft) and Alex Adams (Type A Furniture) dive deep into the sharp world of CNC router bits. They are joined by special guest Liberty the Creator from IDC Woodcraft, who shares her journey from a small-town barista to a CNC bit expert and content creator.

The crew discusses their current projects, ranging from high-end furniture to experimental 3D builds:

• Alex Duffey: Wrapping up a custom cribbage board video for the CNC Summit, finishing a reclaimed barnwood piece, and installing a unique "L-shaped" floating walnut bookshelf for his wife.
• Alex Adams: Battling "bowed and cupped" boards for a massive walnut dining table and managing the "creative chaos" of his son’s spring break shop projects.
• Liberty: Developing a complex 3D spiral dice tower using only 2D toolpaths—avoiding 3D modeling software as a personal challenge.

Liberty pulls back the curtain on IDC Woodcraft, discussing why quality carbide and proper "chucking" (bit placement) are the difference between a clean carve and a snapped tool.

• The "Starter Six": Alex Duffey breaks down his essential list for beginners: V-60, 1/4" down-cut, bowl bit, 1/8" down-cut, 1/4" ball nose, and the specialized Lightning Drill Bit for cribbage boards.
• Pro Tips: Why you should avoid bit adapters, the science behind bit coatings, and the importance of chip ejection to prevent shop fires.
• Behind the Scenes: Liberty shares the "small-town" origin story of working with Garrett (the IDC Woodman) and how the company maintains a personal touch—velvet bags and M&Ms included.

• Broken Bits: Alex Adams laments a 1/16" drill bit permanently embedded in a door.
• Restoration Fails: A struggle to repair a sentimental shark toy with CA glue and heat before turning to construction caulk.
• Aging Makers: The group reflects on the physical toll of "wood reorgs" and moving heavy slabs.

• Edick Wood Carving: Incredible hand-carved maple owl feathers.
• Standish Wood Story: A philosophical look at when one truly becomes a "woodworker."
• Citrus Cedar: A clever, non-utilitarian dumbbell cabinet with a transforming lid.
• Alexander Brothers: Exquisite rocking chairs featuring tiny, hand-carved mice and cats.
• John Malecki: The massive, multi-material Stranger Things Upside Down table.
• Evergreen Daydream: Intricate Intarsia landscapes with natural-colored woods.
• Fog River (Ben Whitten): An 8-foot round conference table made from a single slab of the world's largest walnut tree.
• Shallow Creek Woodcraft: Ash side tables featuring striking diagonal walnut accents.

In this episode of What You’re Making, hosts Alex Duffey (Duffey Woodcraft) and Alex Adams (Type A Furniture) are joined by Logan Newman of Newman Specials Woodworks. Logan, a full-time high school opticianry teacher by day and an obsessive maker by night, shares the fascinating story of how he balances teaching students to make eyeglasses for the community with his prolific woodworking business.

The trio dives deep into the world of routers, a topic Logan knows intimately as he prepares for the release of his upcoming book on the subject.

• Alex Duffey: Ramping up production for "UFO Fest" in May, including new tiered price points for his signature UFO dioramas (complete with cows and Sasquatch).
• Logan Newman: Battling the "stress of the side-hustle" while fulfilling orders for his famous Jefferson book stands and developing a new large-format portable router table.
• Alex Adams: Sharing the ups and downs of a walnut dining table build, including the nuances of vertical glue-ups and the importance of supporting heavy panel clamps.

In this episode of What You're Making, Alex Duffey of Duffey Woodcraft and Alex Adams of Type-A Furniture dive deep into the world of woodworking finishes—how to choose the right one, the science behind how they cure, and why you might actually be eating bug poop with your favorite candy.

• The Legend of Johnny Appleseed: Celebrating Johnny Appleseed Day (March 11th) with the strange history of hard cider and a 180-year-old tree in Ohio that refused to die even after two lightning strikes.
• What’s on the Bench:
  • Alex Duffey talks about a massive rush order of acrylic sock forms for Columbia Footwear and his latest obsession: building an emergency Mesh communication network for the Pacific Northwest.
  • Alex Adams details the painstaking process of domino alignment for a walnut table and his "unpopular opinion" on why he doesn't lend out tools.
• Shop Talk & Fails: From 4.1 magnitude earthquakes in Nebraska to shattering antennas and getting "hit in the groin" with apples during a double date, the guys share the messy reality of maker life.
• Main Topic: Choosing the Right Finish: * Durability vs. Aesthetics: How to balance the "look" of the wood with the lifestyle of the client.
  • The Big Three: A breakdown of Oils (Hard Wax, Tongue Oil), Film Finishes (Lacquer, Polyurethane), and the universal binder, Shellac.
  • The "M&M" Secret: Why Shellac is actually a bug byproduct and how it keeps your chocolate from melting in your hand.
  • The Nuclear Option: When and why to use Tabletop Epoxy (and why Alex Duffey is using it for a tattoo shop coffee table).