The Maker’s Quest

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 by Brian 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 Tips A riving knife will help prevent kickback of large and small parts

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 by Brian 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/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQ Custom 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 Notes

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 Notes Hosted by Brian Benham https://www.briansbenham.com/ Portfolio https://archinect.com/people/cover/150398593/brian-benham Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQ Custom 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 by Brian Benham https://www.briansbenham.com/ Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQ Custom 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 by 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.briansbenham.com/ Brian On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benham_design/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO8f1IIliMKKlu5PgSpodQ Custom 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 Notes Andy Birkey Hosted by 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 Custom 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 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 Custom 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 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 Custom 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 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 Custom 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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

In this episode, we talk with Andy Birkey, who works as an Architectural Restoration Specialist, restoring old churches and gothic-style buildings in central Illinois. He has a wealth of knowledge, skill, and a loving spirit for all things. Andy Birkey's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/andy_birkey/ His YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/AndyBirkey Maker The Makers's Quest 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

In this episode, the guys talk about The Fudge Factor and allowing for accumulative error in both your work and planning out your work. Where do you hide the attentional errors or discrepancies, and how to prevent them? 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

In this episode, we are joined by a professional machinist From Hillview Wood & Metal, Tony Rouleau. Tony designs and manufactures heirloom tools for all types of craftspeople, from woodworkers to other machinists. His dedication to quality, style, and a high level of functionality in the tools he makes is unmatched. You can find out more about him and the tools he makes at: Website: https://www.hillviewtool.com/ Instagram @hillview_tool https://www.instagram.com/hillview_tool/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hillviewwm/ More at the The Maker's Quest