The Maker’s Quest

著者: Brian Benham & Greg Porter
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  • The Maker’s Quest explores the journey of making things and living a creative life. From how to be creative, design things, and bring those things to life through physical fabrication or digital mediums. Join us on our quest to explore the world of how to make things and meet other makers.
    Copyright 2022 Brian Benham
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あらすじ・解説

The Maker’s Quest explores the journey of making things and living a creative life. From how to be creative, design things, and bring those things to life through physical fabrication or digital mediums. Join us on our quest to explore the world of how to make things and meet other makers.
Copyright 2022 Brian Benham
エピソード
  • Influential People That Shaped us Into Makers
    2024/12/30
    In this episode, we talk about influential people who shaped us into makers. Brian and Greg reminisce about people from their past who helped guide them and inspired them as they journeyed along the path of becoming makers. Hosted by Brian 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 Notes Mel's Influence on Greg's Curiosity Greg's grandfather Mel was an influential figure who taught him to pursue his interests and make things himself. Despite having limited resources, Mel built his own house by learning from books and lived in the basement for years while saving money to complete the top floor. Every year, he would take on a project to make something for his grandchildren, like box kites. When Greg expressed interest in having stilts as a child, Mel immediately dropped what he was doing to make a pair with him, exemplifying his willingness to explore new skills and nurture curiosity. Embracing Failure in Creative Endeavors Greg and Brian discussed the importance of allowing children to experience failure in their creative endeavors. Greg shared his childhood experiences of building a skateboard ramp and a pair of stilts, which were not successful but taught him valuable lessons. Brian emphasized the value of spending time with children, even if the projects they work on are not perfect, as it fosters problem-solving and thought processes. They also discussed the concept of failure as a necessary step towards success and the importance of understanding what is acceptable in a project. Both agreed that failure should not be an endpoint but a milestone in the creative process. Mentors and Teachers' Lasting Impact Greg and Brian discussed their experiences with mentors and teachers who had a significant impact on their lives. Brian shared his experiences with his saxophone teacher, James Phillips, who taught him the importance of learning from others and not taking life too seriously. Greg shared his experiences with Mr. Canetto, who taught him about guitar making and the importance of seeing the process of building a guitar from start to finish. Both agreed that these experiences had a profound impact on their lives and shaped their future careers. They also discussed their admiration for guitar makers like Les Godfreed and Lloyd Lohr, who are known for their intricate designs and craftsmanship. Lessons From Craftsmen and Risks Greg and Brian discussed their experiences with craftsmen and the lessons they've learned from them. Greg shared his experiences with Dan Rockhill, a professor who taught him how to weld well and the importance of modifying tools to suit the purpose. Brian shared his experience with a client who had a decommissioned Boeing 727 compressor. They also discussed the importance of learning from others, taking risks, and not letting roadblocks deter them from realizing their vision. They concluded that sometimes, it's necessary to compromise on the design to achieve the desired outcome. Design, Problem-Solving, and Software Evolution Greg shared his experiences and insights about design and problem-solving, emphasizing the importance of not being limited by tools or others' opinions. He recounted a story about a challenging ceiling design that was initially dismissed by a contractor, but was successfully executed by a skilled carpenter. Greg also discussed his evaluation of software for architectural design, highlighting the need for tools that don't hinder creativity. Brian then shared his own experiences of learning from clients and how they pushed him to develop new skills. The conversation ended with a discussion about the software Rhino, which was in its infancy when Greg first encountered it. Lessons Learned and Knowledge Sharing Brian and Greg discussed their experiences and lessons learned from various projects and mentors. Brian shared how clients have pushed him out of his comfort zone and helped him develop new skills. Greg talked about the influence of his wife's family on his construction skills and how they continue to inspire him. They also discussed the importance of learning from others and passing on knowledge to the next generation. Greg shared an example of how he taught a high school student about blacksmithing and machining, hoping to inspire him and potentially change his life trajectory. The conversation ended with Greg expressing his desire to continue teaching and influencing others. Personal Journeys and Entrepreneurial Passions Greg and Brian discussed their personal journeys and the impact of influential people on their lives. Greg shared his ...
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    1 時間 29 分
  • Working With Interns
    2024/11/09

    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 by Brian 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 Notes Woodworking 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.

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    1 時間 6 分
  • Setting Up Tools Accurately
    2024/10/14
    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 Notes Revisiting 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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    1 時間 6 分

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