Episodes

  • In this episode, Greg and Brian discussed their experiences mentoring interns and apprentices in their respective woodworking and architecture businesses. They discussed the potential benefits and challenges of hiring an intern, with Brian stressing the importance of fair compensation.

    Hosted byBrian Benham

    Portfolio: https://www.benhamdesignconcepts.com/

    Brian’s Woodworking Plans: https://www.digitaldesignconcepts.art/

    Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQ

    Greg Porter

    https://skyscraperguitars.com/Greg On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsgaragekc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SkyscraperGuitars YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GregsGarage

    Show NotesWoodworking Mentorship Experiences and Challenges

    Greg and Brian discussed their experiences mentoring interns and apprentices in their respective woodworking and architecture businesses. Brian shared his experience teaching a new student how to use tools safely, emphasizing the importance of patience. They talked about an apprentice with no prior experience learning woodworking through hands-on projects guided by Brian. Greg recounted a past project involving the installation of an MRI machine that required structural modifications to be made to the building. They also discussed the potential benefits and challenges of hiring an intern, with Brian stressing the importance of fair compensation. The two shared their experiences working in small shop spaces, noting the need for larger workspaces to handle bigger materials efficiently.

    Architectural Internships, Education, and Training

    Greg and Brian discussed the concept of interns in the architectural world, with Greg explaining the three levels of interns and their involvement in real projects. They also discussed the firm's involvement in education, focusing on K-12 and higher education, and the company's approach to hiring and training young professionals. Brian raised a question about whether the company needs to break bad habits that these new hires might have. The conversation ended with Greg explaining their process-oriented approach to client work and the importance of hands-on technical skills for architects. Greg also shared his diverse background in construction and emphasized the importance of understanding various systems in a building. The conversation concluded with Brian suggesting that the architectural internship program should include more on-site work to provide designers with practical experience.

    Building Experience and Managing Transitions

    Greg emphasized the importance of experience in the field of building and design, using the analogy of a high school progression to illustrate the learning curve. He and Brian discussed the challenges of transitioning from a doer to a manager, with Brian sharing his own experience of starting as a project manager after years of working in the field. They agreed on the difficulty of human resource management and the importance of learning from experience. Greg also stressed the importance of building respect and understanding in their work, including learning people's names and providing guidance without insulting someone's intelligence.

    Architectural Design Challenges and Solutions

    Brian and Greg discussed the complexities of architectural design, particularly in residential and commercial settings. They highlighted the challenges of coordinating different design elements and the issue of liability in cases where design elements fail to meet expectations or safety standards. Greg emphasized the importance of clear specifications and responsibilities in design projects and the need for architects to take responsibility for certain design elements. They also discussed the design of handrails, which must meet both aesthetic and safety requirements.

  • In this episode, Brian and Greg talk about how they set up their tools in their shop and how important it is to set up tools accurately They then share a few tips on tool setup.

    Hosted By:Brian Benham

    Portfolio: https://www.benhamdesignconcepts.com/custom-furniture-colorado-springs/

    Brian’s Woodworking Plans: https://www.digitaldesignconcepts.art/

    Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQ

    Greg Porter

    https://skyscraperguitars.com/Greg On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsgaragekc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SkyscraperGuitars YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GregsGarage

    Show NotesRevisiting Tool Setup and Millwrighting

    Greg and Brian discussed the setup of their tools, revisiting a previously discussed topic. They talked about the cost and accuracy of machinist tools, with Greg estimating costs to be around $400. They also explored the application of millwrighting principles to home workshops, with Greg suggesting a focus on prioritizing tools and tool levelness. Brian agreed, proposing to start with the table saw as the hub of his shop. The discussion also highlighted the need for understanding millwrighting concepts for those unfamiliar with the term.

    Millwrights, Woodworking, and Precision Challenges

    Greg and Brian discussed the role of a millwright in factory machinery setup and the precision required in their respective woodworking projects. Brian shared his approach to tool leveling and truing, emphasizing the importance of aligning tools for optimal performance and discussing the challenges of working with a naturally variable material like wood. They also highlighted the significance of maintaining and adjusting machinery for precision and longevity, and the impact of environmental factors on their work.

    Precision Woodworking and Metalworking Techniques

    Greg and Brian discussed the importance of precision in woodworking and metalworking, with a focus on the use of torsion boxes and solid surface materials. Greg shared his approach to ensuring accuracy in woodworking, including the construction of a torsion box router extension and the use of a solid surface top. They also discussed the benefits of a torsion box workbench, the potential issues with embedding materials into the grain of a project when using a steel table for woodworking, and the advantages of investing in a good setup table for metalworking. Lastly, they explored the use of phenolic resin and solid surface materials in their woodworking projects, with Greg sharing his experience of sourcing a large piece of solid surface for a new fixture in his shop.

    Machine Leveling, Truing, and Tolerance Adjustments

    Greg emphasized the importance of leveling and truing machines, particularly milling machines and table saws, to ensure their longevity and accuracy. He detailed the use of a Sterett 12-inch machinist level and the potential issues with an unleveled machine, particularly in the context of glue-ups and welding. Greg also explained the intricacies of milling machine tolerance adjustments, focusing on the table, head, and Z travel. Brian, seeking to understand the application of these principles in CNC machines, was informed that the same principles apply, with the router head needing to be as perpendicular to the spoil board as possible. They also discussed the potential issues with using a mobile base and the benefits of removing it.

    Band Saws, Drum Sanders, and Solutions

    Brian and Greg discussed the challenges and solutions related to using band saws and drum sanders in a woodworking shop. They shared their experiences with the tools, highlighting issues such as blade wear, heat generation, and paper slipping. Greg suggested using wider blades on band saws and a more powerful Powermatic drum sander to avoid frustration and damage to work pieces. They also discussed potential solutions, including the use of precision ground steel blocks to adjust the drum height and a dial indicator with adjustable arms to accurately measure its position. Brian and Greg also considered the longevity of the digital control panel of the Powermatic and the possibility of it becoming obsolete in the future, with simple, mechanical solutions being seen as more reliable and easier to repair.

    Precision Equipment and Woodworking Success

    Greg and Brian discussed the significance of precision equipment in woodworking and machining. Greg stressed the importance of using tools like squares to ensure accuracy and true setup and shared his appreciation for instructional videos by Tubal Cane and Randy Richards. Brian shared his experiences with setting up a jointer, highlighting the challenges he faced and the solutions he found. Both agreed on the importance of properly setting up and adjusting tools to ensure accurate cuts and prevent future problems, emphasizing the value of taking the time to fine-tune tools for improved performance.

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  • In this episode, we talk about people we follow for design inspiration. Some of them might surprise you, as inspiration can come from anywhere.

    For a full list, check out our show notes

    Hosted byBrian Benham

    Portfolio: https://www.benhamdesignconcepts.com/custom-furniture-colorado-springs/

    Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQ

    Greg Porter

    https://skyscraperguitars.com/Greg On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsgaragekc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SkyscraperGuitars YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GregsGarage

  • The guys talk about staying safe in the shop, how to stay safe, wanting to look out to keep you safe, and developing good shop habits. They finish the episode by sharing some of their horror of unfortunate shop accidents; the end gets gruesome, so you've been warned!

    Hosted byBrian Benham

    https://www.benhamdesignconcepts.com/custom-furniture-denver-colorado/

    Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQ

    Greg Porter

    https://skyscraperguitars.com/Greg On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsgaragekc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SkyscraperGuitars YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GregsGarage

    Show Notes on Shop Saftey TipsDon't force it, or bad things will happenComplacency is the root of many shop safety issuesTake breaks when doing repetitive tasks so your mind doesn't wander.A riving knife will help prevent kickback of large and small parts.The guys don't think a SawStop will make you complacent. You adjust to your surroundings, no matter what the tool is, so you make yourself complacent.Can you afford to lose a finger? Don't cut your nose off to spite your face.Don't reach across the blade, and remember to turn it off when not using it.Keeping control of the waste on a CNC machine is just as important as control over the part.The two most important rules of making are to keep your tools sharp and approach your work with finesse.Work holding, work holding, work holding.
  • In this episode, the guys talk about their experiences at tradeshows, art galleries, and arts and crafts shows. They talk about what they do to make the show successful and things that are challenging.

    Hosted byBrian Benham

    https://www.briansbenham.com/

    Portfolio: https://www.behance.net/Brian_Benham Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQCustom Furniture https://www.benhamdesignconcepts.com/

    Greg Porter

    https://skyscraperguitars.com/Greg On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsgaragekc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SkyscraperGuitars YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GregsGarage

    Show NotesSometimes, the best contacts you make at a show are with other vendors for B2B business.Not everyone gets enough orders at the show to pay for the booth fee, but people often remember you and become future customers.The general rule of marketing is 1 out of 1000. On average you have to hand out 1000 business cards to get 1 customer. or 1000 clicks to get a sale, etc.Sharing a booth fee can help bring down the cost, but check the booth rules to be sure you aren't breaking their rules and get kicked out. Have literature that customers can take with them so they can look you up later. Present yourself in a professional, friendly manner; don't have RBF (Resting Brian Face)
  • Today, we take a break from discussing designs and making topics and talk a little about what we have going on in our shops: current projects, new projects on the horizon, and the daily grind of being a maker.

    Show NotesBrian has a large steel table base in the shop, working on new patination processes. The sheer size makes him wish he had a shop helper to help schlep it around.He had challenges controlling the chemicals to get the colors he was looking forBrian has a new bed project in the wings. Greene and Greene inspiredGreg is trying to fill a void in the guitar market but can't find electronic parts made in the US and is forced to look overseas.That product is a side heated side bender for acoustic guitars.He really wanted to source everything in the US, but nobody made the parts he needed, so he had to find someone on the global market and import the electronics.There are a lot of Challenges in prototyping a new product.Hosted byBrian Benham

    https://www.briansbenham.com/

    Portfolio https://archinect.com/people/cover/150398593/brian-benhamBrian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQCustom Furniture https://www.benhamdesignconcepts.com/

    Greg Porter

    https://skyscraperguitars.com/Greg On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsgaragekc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SkyscraperGuitars YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GregsGarage

  • Curt creates handmade pens from Titanium that are precision machined in his home workshop. He got his start from his curiosity in machining and CAD. He created a pen for himself and started carrying it around with him, and people noticed and commented on the quality. It wasn't long before he was able to quit his job and make pens full-time.

    You can connect with Curt at

    Website: https://www.confoundedmachine.com/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcRm7BOOAQgbuehhrHCc34Q

    Instagram: @confoundedmachine

    Hosted byBrian Benham

    https://www.briansbenham.com/Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQCustom Furniture https://www.benhamdesignconcepts.com/

    Greg Porter

    https://skyscraperguitars.com/Greg On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsgaragekc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SkyscraperGuitars YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GregsGarage

  • Today, we talked with Custom Drum maker Bryan Bales. Bryan got his start in drum making from his curiosity of wanting to learn how to make drums and his love for making things.

    Bryan can be found on Instagram at Bales5000, his YouTube is Bales5000, and he is active on Instructables, sharing his drum and prop builds,

    When he is not building crazy experimental drums or over-the-top Halloween costumes, he works with his friend at Calderwood Percussion, building high-end custom drums.

    Hosted byGreg Porter

    https://skyscraperguitars.com/Greg On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsgaragekc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SkyscraperGuitars YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GregsGarage

    Brian Benham

    https://www.briansbenham.com/Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQCustom Furniture https://www.benhamdesignconcepts.com/

    Thank you. https://www.themakersquest.com/

  • Is social media still a viable way to promote your business, or is the new business model to be a content creator, making products secondary?

    Today, we talk about our past successes and our future strategies for getting our products out in front of people.

    Show NotesInstagram Top 9 in the hashtags, is it still a thingBrian says Social Media no longer sends him much passive incomeOrganic growth on social media is deadYou have to sell your sole to the algorithm to growSocial media companies have lost the importance of communitySelling on Amazon is a huge pain but can pay offPassive income can bring in big dollars but takes time to build up.Andy Birkey: "Some days you make art, some days you make rent."Aprentachips will teach you a lot; do it before you have responsibilities.SEO and blogs might make a comeback if social media totally falls apart.At the end of the day, it's still an outlet to get your message out in the world; you just have to keep up with the changesHosted byGreg Porter

    https://skyscraperguitars.com/Greg On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsgaragekc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SkyscraperGuitars YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GregsGarage

    Brian Benham

    https://www.brianbenham.com/Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQCustom Furniture https://www.benhamdesignconcepts.com/

  • Tonight, we talk about how to price your work so you can run a successful business and put food on your table. Whether it is pricing a custom piece or a mass-manufactured piece, we've got you covered with a few tips you can implement today to price your work for success!

    Hosted by

    Brian Benham https://www.benhamdesignconcepts.com/

    Greg Porter https://skyscraperguitars.com/

  • The Unhealthy Pursuit of Perfection, we have all been there. Every one of us who makes things tries to make it perfect, but perfection is a fool's earned and unattainable. The more you know, the more you know you don't know. In this episode, we talk about how the pursuit of Perfection can reach unhealthy levels and what we do to stay sane and continue our maker's quest.Hosted by

    Greg Porterhttps://skyscraperguitars.com/Greg On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsgaragekc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SkyscraperGuitarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GregsGarage

    Brian Benhamhttps://www.brianbenham.com/Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQCustom Furniture https://www.benhamdesignconcepts.com/

  • This is a common issue for creatives that make things. We all have active imaginations; we can visualize lots of things. Then the distractions come into play. We are drawn to the new shiny project or derailed by a project that we have to do to make money to keep the bills paid.

    https://www.themakersquest.com/how-many-projects-are-too-many-projects-ep17

    Greg Porterhttps://skyscraperguitars.com/Greg On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsgaragekc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SkyscraperGuitarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GregsGarage

    Brian Benhamhttps://www.brianbenham.com/Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQCustom Furniture https://www.benhamdesignconcepts.com/

  • In this episode, the guys talk about the power of staying curious and how it will help you stay creative in your journey as a maker.

    Show notes: https://www.themakersquest.com/how-to-stay-curious-to-stay-creative

    Hosted by

    Greg Porterhttps://skyscraperguitars.com/Greg On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsgaragekc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SkyscraperGuitarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GregsGarage

    Brian Benhamhttps://www.brianbenham.com/Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQCustom Furniture https://www.benhamdesignconcepts.com/

  • In today's episode, Brian and Greg Talk about different techniques for gathering inspiration for their designs and then iterating from basic design principles to more abstract concepts and techniques.

    Show Notes:

    https://www.themakersquest.com/gathering-insperation-for-designs-ep15

    Hosted by

    Greg Porterhttps://skyscraperguitars.com/Greg On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsgaragekc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SkyscraperGuitarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GregsGarage

    Brian Benhamhttps://www.brianbenham.com/Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQ

  • In this episode, Brian and Greg talk about how learning new things by learning how to learn.

    Setting aside preconceived notions about what you think something is about will help you approach learning with an open mind. Then they talk about Chat GPT and how to use it to help us learn and become better critical thinkers.

    Show notes: https://www.themakersquest.com/learn-how-to-learn-ep14

    Hosted by

    Greg Porterhttps://skyscraperguitars.com/Greg On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsgaragekc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SkyscraperGuitarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GregsGarage

    Brian Benhamhttps://www.brianbenham.com/Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQ

  • In this episode, we talk about how makers handle challenges. We talk about acquiring tools, acquiring skills, acquiring new clients, and how social media algorithms are diluting creativity.

    Website: https://www.themakersquest.com/

    Greg Porter https://skyscraperguitars.com/

    Greg On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsgaragekc/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SkyscraperGuitars YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GregsGarage

    Brian Benham https://www.brianbenham.com/

    Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQ

  • We Talked with Eric Gorges about designing and building Motorcycles and his show on PBS, The Craftsman's Legacy, where he seeks out other master craftspeople to get at a taste of their craft and learn from their experiences.

    Show Notes

    https://www.themakersquest.com/building-motorcycles-with-eric-gorges-from-the-craftsmans-legacy-ep12

    You can find more about Eric Gorges At:

    The Craftsman's Legacy on Instagram

    Voodoo Choppers on Instagram

    Websites http://voodoochoppers.com/ and https://www.craftsmanslegacy.com/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CraftsmansLegacy

    Check out his book

    A CRAFTSMAN’S LEGACY: WHY WORKING WITH OUR HANDS GIVES US MEANING

    Hosted by

    Greg Porterhttps://skyscraperguitars.com/Greg On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsgaragekc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SkyscraperGuitarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GregsGarage

    Brian Benhamhttps://www.brianbenham.com/Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQ

  • In this episode, we talk about the phrase by Microsoft Manager Paul Maritz. Eat Your Own Dog Food. You should use and live with your own designs to know they are good. Test your design out, and iterate on better versions.

    Full Show Notes

    https://www.themakersquest.com/eat-your-own-dog-food-to-design-better-ep11

  • In this episode, we talk with Bernie from @WorksbySolo about inventing with a creative mind.

    You Can find more about Berni at https://www.worksbysolo.com/

    Your Podcast Hosts are:

    Greg Porterhttps://skyscraperguitars.com/Greg On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsgaragekc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SkyscraperGuitarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GregsGarage

    Brian Benhamhttps://www.brianbenham.com/Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQ

  • In this episode, we talk about how to get the job done with the tools and skills we have on hand, even if they are not right for the job.

    How Notes Make it Work With What You Got

    Hosted by

    Greg Porterhttps://skyscraperguitars.com/Greg On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsgaragekc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SkyscraperGuitarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GregsGarage

    Brian Benhamhttps://www.brianbenham.com/Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQ