EP. 50 Starting a CNC Side Hustle with Andy Bird

On today’s episode of Whatcha Makin', hosts Alex Duffey (Duffey Woodcraft) and Alex Adams (Type A Furniture) dive deep into the world of entrepreneurial woodworking. If you've ever wondered how to transition your CNC hobby into a profitable side hustle—or even a full-time business—this is the episode for you.We are joined by the OG of CNC woodworking on YouTube, Andy Bird of Andy Bird Builds. Andy shares his incredible journey from a specialized career in turf grass management to launching into the full-time making world in 2020. He breaks down how he batched out wholesale products on an early desktop machine, landed high-profile clients like Clint Harp, and eventually grew a viral YouTube channel with over 500 videos.Together, the guys discuss the realities of selling online versus locally, why Etsy might be a "race to the bottom," and the ultimate power of finding a highly specific niche.🛠️ What's on Our Bench This Week:Alex Duffey talks about his newly completed and custom-modified Next Wave Shark 644 (now a sleek 4x3 rail system), the pains of tramming a rail machine, and hitting the production line for a massive wholesale bookmark order for the Columbia River Gorge Museum.Alex Adams shares his tedious progress on a massive walnut dining table frame sourced from his neighbor's tree, edge-sanding end grain, and scaling up his 3D-printed inventory for upcoming Fourth of July markets and car shows.Andy Bird shares his current design roadblocks for a custom 3x6 ply runabout boat for his son, and previews an upcoming YouTube series called "Will It CNC?" testing non-traditional materials like slate tiles, soap, and even pool noodles.📺 What We're Watching (Maker Shoutouts):Air Art and Airplanes (@airartandairplanes) – For a breathtaking, 30-inch mosaic and textured elephant wall art piece utilizing a century-old barnwood backing.The Forged Fox (@theforgedfox) – Beautiful, highly detailed layered wood and acrylic retirement signs for first responders.Calypso Glasgow – A hilarious, functional stained-glass recreation of a classic SpongeBob SquarePants scene.North Country Craft – A gorgeous, rock-inspired Mancala board using polished river stones.Naughty Bits Machine – A massive, beautifully texturized 35-inch inlaid Porsche plaque.Sepulveda 41 (@sepulveda41) – A stunning 3D wooden manta ray featuring tribal patterns integrated seamlessly onto a metal tail stand.The Wood Carving Man – Entertaining reels featuring hand-carved, dyed Pokémon figurines.Steve Makes Everything – Prolific laser tutorial and review content on YouTube.🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned:Proudly Sponsored by Next Wave CNC: Looking for the best CNC on the market? Check out the Shark series at Next Wave CNC and message them on Instagram to learn how you can submit a "Project of the Month" to earn an extra $500!Connect with Andy Bird: Visit andybirdbuilds.com to find his YouTube channel, courses, and the CNC Moneymaker Membership (where Alex Duffey is a coach!).Upcoming Events: Catch Andy at IWF Atlanta (Aug 25-28) in the Vectric booth and the Vectric User Group Meeting in Nashville (October). Catch Alex Duffey teaching at the Texas Woodworking Show!