Tag: client work

Episode 025: Woodworking Dreams

We want to thank our top Patrons, Tracy Alexander, Stu Morrison, Scott McWilliams, Elliot Trent, Michael Schuler, and Matt Kummell!  You too can support the show by purchasing a T-Shirt, donating, or become a monthly patron as well.  If you choose to become a patron you can get the show’s pre-release, or monthly group or individual hangout with us.

Thanks to Marshall Toy, Scott Haun, and Sebastian Ollari for your support on Patreon as well.

Check out the new page for the Bench Build-Off kicking off soon.

What’s Going On In The Shop

Kyle –  Dovetailed the table legs, made some coffee tumblers, and Michael Morley in the shop for a visit.

Sean –  Made a scratch stock (video below), refinished the panel for the bed, refined the shape of the crest rail, made a few bird houses, and built the kids Nicholson bench with his oldest son, Vinny. 

Brian –  Went to the National Maker Faire in D.C..  Made progress on the credenzas.

Main Topic – Our most/least enjoyable process.

Listener Questions, Email, and Comments

Guest Questions:

Tom Balzamo – Asks about repairing the lead screw on an auger bit. Check Tom out on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.

Email/Comments:

Neil Dorin – I’ve been binge listening to the podcast over the last few weeks to catch up since I just discovered it recently.  Love the podcast.  I love how relaxed you all are and how you’re all so willing to share your triumphs and mistakes!

So I recently built a farmhouse style kitchen table and bench for my cousin and her husband (photos attached).
I actually used Brian’s YouTube video on attaching breadboard ends with a Festool Domino and it worked fantastically.  However, once the breadboards were installed I ran into an annoying problem that I’m wondering if any of you have a solution for.  (To be honest I was listening to the podcast while building the table, but hadn’t put two and two together that Brain from the podcast was the same Brian from the YouTube breadboard video until I listened to the breadboard episode last night!)
I hate sanding and prefer to use hand planes/card scrapers to get a finished surface wherever possible.  When I built the panel top for the table, I used dominos to align the boards and it was so flat I was able to quickly scrape the glue lines and then use my Veritas low angle block plane with handle/tote accessory (basically it’s a #3 smoother) to smooth the top and it worked incredibly well.  I planed the breadboard ends smooth as well, but of course once they were installed there was slight variance in alignment between the panel and the breadboard end along the joint.  Because that joint has grain perpendicular on the panel to that of the breadboard, planing or scraping it is virtually impossible without running a blade across a board perpendicular to the grain which obviously causes some tear out :/

Any tips or tricks other than busting out the orbital sander (which is what I ended up doing)?

Shane Smith – I love using the bandsaw for everything, but the only one I have now is an ancient Craftsman 10″ three-wheeled one.  I would love to get a larger one with a fence and the ability to use blades past the Craftsmans’ 1/4″ max.  What would you recommend for someone on a budget?  Let’s say, $500 for example (no idea if that is reasonable or not). Advantages and disadvantages at various price points?

Keep up the great work on and off the air guys!
Shane Smith
 iTunes Ratings

CardsFan_270 – 5 Stars – Real Dudes. Real Talk. – As a woodworker, start here.  Brian, Sean, and that other dude give honest, down-to-earth takes on woodworking in 2016.  Not just how to make stuff, but how to approach being a maker and woodworker.  Do yourself a favor and go listen.  Then, when you are done, go support them on Patreon.

If you have comments, questions, or suggested topics for future shows you can email us at contact@thedustylife.com.  Follow the show on Twitter and Instagram @thedustylife. You can support the show by purchasing a t-shirt, clicking the donate button for a one-time donation, or become a patron to help us keep this bus rolling.

Check out our individual websites (mccauleysdesign.com, woodbytoth.com, and seanrubino.com), social media platforms, and YouTube channels, subscribe, and spread the word to friends, family, and coworkers.

Also, consider subscribing to The Dusty Life Podcast through iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Play, or the click the RSS on our homepage at thedustylife.com and please leave us a rating as it helps climb the ever growing podcast charts.

Episode 022: Shop Bread and Butter

Thank you, Tracy Alexander, Stu Morrison, Scott McWilliams, Elliot Trent, Michael Schuler, Marshall Toy, Matt Kummell, Scott Haun, and Sebastian Ollain for your support on Patreon!  You too can support the show by purchasing a T-Shirt, donating, or become a monthly patron.

What’s Going On In The Shop

Kyle – Del Mar Fair pieces on exhibit in Design in Wood and won a prize, 120 tap handles for Refuge, made a tv shelf, Band and balloon artist showed at the shop.  Made a video reading bad comments on YouTube.

Sean – Finished the Make it Forward project.  Finished the joinery for the headboard frame, panel, and crest rail.  Released a bandsaw blade upgrade video.  Designed a kids Nicholson bench in SketchUp and posted plans for the saw bench.

Brian – Posted a video on restoring a Stanley #93 shoulder plane (Brian Prusa) and applied the finish to the hall table, still waiting on the paint. commissioned to make a bar top, 2 credenzas and a dining table.

Main Topic – What’s our best seller?

Kyle – Best sellers: Turned tap handles and the Leopard Series pieces

Lessons learned: Client pricing and personal projects

Sean – Best sellers: Pens

Lessons learned: First time project pricing.

Brian – Best sellers: Tables

Lessons learned:  Better duplication process

Listener Questions, Email, and Comments

Guest Questions:

Donnie Carter – Donnie is new to wood turning and wanted to know how to design and prepare discs for segmented turning, where to find clients, and what we would change if we new 4 years ago what we know now.   Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, his website, and YouTube channel.

Email/Comments:

None…

 iTunes Ratings

Stonewallmike82 – 5 Stars – Great Show – These guys are super knowledgeable and super entertaining!  There aren’t a lot of topic driven podcasts that are enjoyable when they veer off topic, but these guys are a ton of fun to listen to no matter what they are talking about!

El.Duderino219 – 5 Stars – Great Podcast! –  One of the best maker podcasts out there!  They do a great job providing tips and useful information in addition to their great banter.  Best part is how close and accessible they are to their fans!  The whole explicit thing seems silly on iTunes’ part, can’t remember the last time I’ve heard them say anything you wouldn’t hear on prime time TV.

If you have comments, questions, or suggested topics for future shows you can email us at contact@thedustylife.com.  Follow the show on Twitter and Instagram @thedustylife. You can support the show by purchasing a t-shirt, clicking the donate button for a one-time donation, or become a patron to help us keep this bus rolling.

Check out our individual websites (mccauleysdesign.com, woodbytoth.com, and seanrubino.com), social media platforms, and YouTube channels, subscribe, and spread the word to friends, family, and coworkers.

Also, consider subscribing to The Dusty Life Podcast through iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Play, or the click the RSS on our homepage at thedustylife.com and please leave us a rating as it helps climb the ever growing podcast charts.

Episode 020: Schedule Schematic

Thank you, Tracy Alexander, Stu Morrison, Scott McWilliams, Elliot Trent, Michael Schuler, and Marshall Toy for your support on Patreon!  You can purchase a T-Shirt, donate, or become a monthly patron to help support the show.

What’s Going On In The Shop

Kyle – Finished vase 95 and published a video showing how the segments are cut.  Made more tap handles for Network Brewery.

Sean – Finished the saw bench and refurbished the eBay 12″ Tenon Saw and wrote an article found here.

Brian – Assembled the drawers and fit them into the hall table.  Stained the fronts and the top.

Main Topic – What the Day-to-Day grind really looks like.

Kyle – Morning errands and meetings on Mondays followed by work at the shop in the late morning to midnight.

Sean – Mine’s totally different, I don’t have a full time job.  I do stuff with the kids and have dinner, kids are in bed by 7:30 and I am in the shop at 8:30-9 until 12-1.  6 days/week.

Brian – Mine’s totally different, I have a full time job.  I do stuff with the kids and have dinner, kids are in bed by 7:30.  Client work dictates frequency and intensity of work

Listener Questions, Email, and Comments

Guest Questions:

Garth Schafer – Garth’s comment from last week:

Hi Guys, Great podcast!  I rarely speak up but this time I couldn’t keep my mouth shut.  I did a little video for you to let you know my viewpoint. https://youtu.be/_Ndbp4aQW-w

Please forgive the rough presentation, it was once through, no rehearsal, just had to get the thoughts out.

(Bench Build-off) I think it’s a great idea for the podcast and I am actually at the start of a Split Top Roubo build myself.

Regards, Garth Schafer, Time Warp Tool Works

Braxton Wirthlin – How do you price and market turned pieces?  Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, subscribe to his YouTube channel, and visit his website.

Email/Comments:

Marc Schaefermeyer –Thanks for the help last episode on the planner! Waxed my bed and rotated my blades. The pieces being planned are gliding through it and coming out beautiful. Now I’m on to building a better dust collector for it, thanks to Sean for the picture of his planner.
Great episode on YouTube and making money. I just had this conversation with my wife about a month ago on the fact that this “Hobby” has actually paid for it’s perpetuation. Fun to hear I’m not alone in that thinking.
Keep at it guys!

Davis Faris – Matthias Wandel discussed in a video the subject of planer snipe on small thickness planers. Worth checking out.

Take care guys and have a great week!


iTunes Ratings

None…

 If you have comments, questions, or suggested topics for future shows you can email us at contact@thedustylife.com.  Follow the show on Twitter and Instagram @thedustylife. You can support the show by purchasing a t-shirt, clicking the donate button for a one-time donation, or become a patron to help us keep this bus rolling.

Check out our individual websites (mccauleysdesign.com, woodbytoth.com, and spunjinworks.com), social media platforms, and YouTube channels, subscribe, and spread the word to friends, family, and coworkers.

Also, consider subscribing to The Dusty Life Podcast through iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Play, or the click the RSS on our homepage at thedustylife.com and please leave us a rating as it helps climb the ever growing podcast charts.

Episode 018: What Do We Watch?

Thank you, Tracy Alexander, Marshall Toy, Stu Morrison, and Michael Schuler for your support on Patreon!  Purchase a T-Shirt, donate (Thank you, Stefan Schütte), or become a monthly patron to show your support as well.

What’s Going On In The Shop

Kyle – Turned vase 95. Made some Tap Handles.  Filmed a video for TurboTax.  Made a video on making riser blocks for the lathe head and tail stocks.

Sean – Pattern routed one side of the headboard crest rail.  Finished the turning saw.  Cut some dovetails and worked on cleaning up an old back saw.  Made a glow stick lightsaber handle for a friend’s daughter and released the video.   

 

Brian – Practiced a small segmented turned bowl.  Got a commission for a huge Padauk slab coffee table, worked on cleaning up the hall table in preparation for stain and finish.

Main Topic – What do we watch, read, and listen to in order to gain knowledge or pass the time.  Links to the following sources we mentioned are below.

Sean – YouTube: Paul Sellers, Graham Haydon, Nick Ferry, and Brian Noel.

Books: Workbenches from Design & Theory to Construction & Use by Christopher Schwarz

Kyle – YouTube: Jay Bates

Podcasts: Planet Money, Ted Radio Hour, and Song Exploder.

Audio books: When I Stop Talking, You’ll Know I’m Dead by Jerry Weintraub, Rich Cohen, George Clooney (foreword)

Brian – YouTube: Jimmy DiResta, Bob Clagett, David Picciuto, David Waelder, John Heisz, Laura Kampf, Rod Reyes, Marc Spagnuolo, James Wright, Matthias Wandel, Collin Furze.

Podcasts: Smart Passive Income, and other woodworking podcasts

Listener Questions, Email, and Comments

Guest Questions

Rian Corcoran – How to mitigate snipe on smaller lunchbox planers?  Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and check out his Etsy store.

Email/Comments

Stu Morrison – Hey guys,
What are your views on CNC routers in traditional wood shops and would you consider this kind of tool (CNC router/ laser) to be a help or a hindrance to your work flow?  I have been binge listening to the show over the past few days and I’m hearing at least one thing during each show that makes me want to go check out what you’re doing on each of your individual pages.  Think there might be a collective Facebook page for the show where I could look at all of it at once in the future?

Davis Farris – Hey Sean, Kyle, and Brian,
I love listening to the show.  Great content and I always seem to learn something.
I have a question for Brian.  Where’s the complete guitar?!?!  I’m dying.  I mean, I that’s how I found you in YouTube, looking for guitar builds, and I was so excited.  Then, I was let down.  Alright, alright, alright, maybe I’ve gone overboard.  But seriously, I’d like to even see some shots of the finished product if video is out of the question.  If Brian didn’t mention the harbor freight rasps I probably would have forgot.
Regardless, I’ll still watch and follow each of you and continue listening to The Dusty Life. Keep on living the dusty life!

Sponsor – MM Wood Studio

Head over to MMWoodStudio and use the coupon code “DLY” to save 50% on a yearly membership or use “dustylife” to save 30% on a project.  Check out Matthew’s Weekly Shop Update video below.

iTunes Ratings

Ms0099rg – 5 Stars – Holy Balls!! Great Podcast! –  Holy Balls!! Kyle, how did I not know about this podcast until recently!!  These guys are great.  You get the best of all stages of woodworking.  Hobbyist, part-time, to full-time.  Guys, keep up the great work!  So much to learn from these guys.  Thanks for this fun/knowledgeable podcast!  Matt Sosnowski

ZeroThreeQuarter – 5 Stars – Best New Woodworking Podcast Bar None – Seems a crop of woodworking podcasts have launched as of late, The Dusty Life is bar none the best of them lately!  Great hosts, not a lot of wandering/going off topic, solid topics, great pointers, info, and a variety of opinions.  Keep up the good work!  This is definitely a podcast I look forward to on a weekly basis.  ZeroThreeQuarter

 If you have comments, questions, or suggested topics for future shows you can email us at contact@thedustylife.com.  Follow the show on Twitter @thedustylife. You can support the show by purchasing a t-shirt, clicking the donate button for a one-time donation, or become a patron to help us keep this bus rolling.

Check out our individual websites (mccauleysdesign.com, woodbytoth.com, and spunjinworks.com), social media platforms, and YouTube channels, subscribe, and spread the word to friends, family, and coworkers.

Also, consider subscribing to The Dusty Life Podcast through iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Play, or the click the RSS on our homepage at thedustylife.com and please leave us a rating as it helps climb the ever growing podcast charts.

Episode 016: The Pocket Hole Hypothesis

Thank you, Tracy Alexander and Marshall Toy, for your support on Patreon!  Purchase a T-Shirt, donate, or become a monthly patron to show your support as well.

What’s Going On In The Shop

Kyle – Turned vase 94 and made a sign for a client.

Sean – Procrastinated on making the headboard.  Worked on the turning saw side project.  Cut some dovetails and added a rack to the joinery bench.

Brian –  Worked on the hall table drawers. Bought a strop wheel for the Work Sharp 3000.  Going to try out TransTint Dye on the drawer fronts.

Main Topic – Pocket Hole Joinery

Listener emails/questions

Guest Questions

Marshall – How do we creatively cover up mistakes?  Catch him on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.  Here are a couple shots of his table.

Jonathan – Do we use rasps and what kind do we suggest? Check out his blog at warriorwoodwork.blogspot.com and on Twitter.

Email

Huy Huynh –Hey guys!  Thank you for hosting The Dusty Life Podcast.  I look forward to your weekly episodes.  On Episode 015, Michael Morley asked about saw blades and expressed considerable frustration when it comes to resawing on his bandsaw.  I’ve had the same issues when it came to blade drift and burning.  Brian mentioned removing the fence all together and “eye-ball” the cut based on a scribe line.  I’ve tried this method in the past as well, and while I was able to get decent results, it seemed like a waste of resources given the fact that my 17″ Grizzly bandsaw came with a tall resaw fence specific to the task of resawing.  I did a search on Youtube and found Alex Snodgrass’ bandsaw clinic.  He went from start-to-finish on how to setup your bandsaw for resawing or scrolling.  I tried his method of setup and I was able to get flawless results with my resaw fence.   Here is evidence of my results on my Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/p/BBtLoXlSxHn/?hl=en).  I used a 1/2″, 3 TPI blade made by Woodslicer.  I was able to resaw maple down to less than 3/32″ (~0.085″) without burning or drift.  Seriously, no shortcuts, gimmicks, or special tools.  I followed Alex’s method to the “T.”  I’m now convinced that the setup method specified in my instruction manual is wrong, period.  My issues were two-fold: 1) My blade was centered on the crown of my wheel causing both the front and the back of the blade to oscillate, and 2) the blade I was using was the stock blade that came with my bandsaw.  Essentially, I had too many teeth-per-inch and the set of the teeth and depth of the gullets were such that the blade did not clear out enough waste.  Here is the video I used to setup my bandsaw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGbZqWac0jU).

I hope this helps and sorry for the long email.

—

Sincerely,

Huy Huynh

P.S. I do not work nor do I own any Carter products.

 

Sponsor – MM Wood Studio

Head over to MMWoodStudio and use the coupon code “DLY” to save 50% on a yearly membership or use “dustylife” to save 30% on a project. Check out Matthew’s Updates below.

iTunes Ratings

Mike and Rachel – 5 Stars – Great Podcast –  You guys are great, the combination of your different personalities and experiences at all levels make you guys very relate-able and fun to listen to.  Keep up the great work! -Thanks.

Cdstahlman – 5 Stars – Awesome Show! – Really like the show, keep up the great work!

 If you have comments, questions, or suggested topics for future shows you can email us at contact@thedustylife.com.  Follow the show on Twitter @thedustylife. You can support the show by purchasing a t-shirt, clicking the donate button for a one-time donation, or become a patron to help us keep this bus rolling.

Check out our individual websites, social media platforms, and YouTube channels, subscribe, and spread the word to friends, family, and coworkers.

Also, consider subscribing to The Dusty Life Podcast through iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Play, or the click the RSS on our homepage at thedustylife.com and please leave us a rating as it helps other listeners find us easily.

Episode 002: Original Design vs Client Work

In this episode we discuss what we like to make in contrast to client work and how a YouTube channel has helped in marketing our products and brand.

Introduction:
What’s going on in the shop this week and new content going up on YouTube/Websites.  Sean – Daughter’s bed and metal leafed art piece.  Kyle – Segmented taurus and finishing the leopard pedestal table.  Brian – Went to The Woodworking Show and mingled, also thought about working on his guitar project.

Main Topic:
Our preferred style of furniture/art in contrast with client commissions. Do commissions unintentionally pigeon hole us into a certain style or level of work?
Do we create what we want then market that product? If so, how do we store the work until it is sold?
How has YouTube affected our work? Do clients contact us to make inquiries on projects or new commissions? Do clients make purchase solely through our website stores?

Conclusion:
If you enjoyed listening to this podcast you can find more information about each of us at thedustylife.com or by visiting our individual websites and YouTube channels.
If you have comments, questions, or topic suggestions you can email us at contact@thedustylife.com
Consider subscribing to this podcast through iTunes, Soundcloud, or you can listen here at thedustylife.com as well. If you listen through iTunes please leave us a rating as it helps other listeners find us more easily.