Ep. 36 The Quest for the Perfect Finish

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.In This Episode: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).