Joanie Sprague | Builder and Carpenter on Trading Spaces

In this episode, I chat with Joanie Sprague. You may know her as the runner-up on cycle 6 of America’s Next Top Model, but I first met her almost 10 years when she was working as a carpenter and hosting her own show on the DIY Network.

She’s currently part of the all-star cast of the new Trading Spaces on TLC, and host of her own podcast called The Little Bit. In this episode Joanie shares what life is really like as a carpenter on Trading Spaces, her joy of teaching women how to use power tools, and some tips on building in a small workshop.

https://www.instagram.com/joaniesprague/
https://www.facebook.com/joaniesprague/
https://www.thelittlebitpodcast.com/

Sound Engineer: Gray Gubler of Spectrum Productions 

Transcript

spk_0:   0:03
welcome to Tool Crave a podcast right shot with the best and brightest makers to gain insights on how they make and discover which tools and really use and which tools they covet. I'm Timothy Doll, the founder of Charles and Hudson Media and former editor at Popular Mechanics Lifehacker and this old house. Today I sat down with Joanie Spray. You may know her as a runner up on Psycho six of America's Next Top Model. When I first met her almost 10 years ago, when she was working as a carpenter and hosting her own show on the network, she's currently part of the all Star cast of the new trading spaces on TLC and host of her own podcast called a Little Bit. In this episode, Joanie shares what life is really like is a carpenter in trading spaces, her joy of teaching women how to use power tools and some tips on building a small workshop. Joanie, no thanks for thanks for being here. And we're not being here, me being here at your place. But I appreciate you being on the podcast here. Yeah,

spk_1:   1:02
this is great. I love that your mobile and you can just come down here. This is so cool.

spk_0:   1:06
Set up in borrowing your awesome microphone stands with this screen here. I have to get up on the on the tech. It's helpful because I'm used to holding it. Yeah, a little uneven. I sound so great. But I was looking, you know, we, uh I was looking back. I met you. It's almost been, like, nine years ago or something. And you were working as a carpenter on a show? Yeah. Why, yes. Yes. And, uh, for me, that was great, because I met you and you were working your trade. Um, I wasn't aware of you on TV or anything you've done in the past, but, you know, and you were gracious enough to do an online online interview at Charles and Hudson, which I appreciate. But now we both have podcasts. Were doing everything's I'd love to hear kind of what, your ticket way back. Kind of your journey. Blame being a carpenter and in the trades. And and now that's kind of, you know, being your career. Yeah. Offline as well as on TV. Now that's worked out.

spk_1:   2:06
It's funny how this is all of this has led me back to this this time in my life because I think previously I was, you know, I was a model for a long time, and I think a lot of people only associate me with that, you know, because it was a lot of there's a lot of popularity behind that in that TV show. Um, but for me being a handy person or whatever you wanna call it started way back. Even when I was in college, I started my own personal organizing business. And, um, I would clean for people and kind of at that point say, Oh, there's a hole in your drivel. Well, I can fix that. Oh, well, you want me to store it in the attic? Well, there is no ah, you know, flooring down. I'll just put some, you know, particle board down, and we'll put it up there. So it became a grew, you know, naturally. And then from there, the modeling took off, and then that happened for a long, long time. But when I moved to L. A, I lived in her terrible apartment in Hollywood that just the landlords didn't care, and I fixed so many things I repaired the windows and holes in the bathroom wall around the plumbing and just made it look so much nicer like I'm doing with this apartment here. Uh, but then it, you know, just naturally progress to the skills that I have known since I was a child, you know? And then after I was done modeling, I had a wonderful opportunity in on audition that got me in through the d I Y Network, and it just took off and I fell in love with it. And being on TV is great, But working your trade and actually doing something that you really enjoy is so much more fun. And, um so yes. So now I'm a DEA y network. It a couple shows with them. It took a little bit of time off. I met my husband. We got married things like that and then came back to television just recently, which has been really fun. But all in all, I've still been doing this in some sort of way For like, the last 10 years

spk_0:   4:02
has been do I guess being self reliance told having to do things on your own. You know, having that I mean again something that you're already doing. But just kind of a leap, though, to go from your modeling side and then the other. I mean, it was always something in you that kind of said, Hey, I'd rather attack this job myself. Yeah, and pay somebody else to do it one

spk_1:   4:24
100% 100% if you if you have a little bit of the gumption to do it, like, why not try it? You know, even if it's something small like if you start out small, you're patching drywall. Even if you go on by those pre patch things and, you know, whatever, you give it a shot. Try that out. First. Go online. YouTube is a wonderful I didn't have. We didn't have you to buck we did 15 years ago. But YouTube now teaches you anything in everything. And if you just watch and pay attention and follow the directions, you could literally do anything. Ah, you know, it's just we have being self reliant. Believe in yourself that you can do it and try it, cause I mean, there's something people out there guy or girl that just saying, you know, I'm just gonna pay someone to do it. Like why? Why spend the money? You

spk_0:   5:12
know how much

spk_1:   5:12
ah Carpenter is gonna charge you or contractor, $1000 to come, you know, use your restroom. You know, I mean that Did they just don't you know, it's just not cost effective for a lot of people

spk_0:   5:24
that I've kind of found that if you're in the smaller jobs are the toughest ones that actually find somebody. Oh, yeah. I don't want to come out just to, you know, we're fix a door or something. Yeah, they want it to be a bigger part in understanding me. That's their business, and we want to make it work out for them. But it's hard to find those Andy man type people who you can rely on, You know, Mike and I know, he said, with the resource that are out there now on YouTube but forever and then also the big box, you know that Home Depot's those of the world we have access to the same things that that carpenter, or that you know, that people have access to. Now. It's really easy to kind of go in, but like you said, it's having that gumption. And first up, taking that

spk_1:   6:05
up totally And, uh, I was gonna mention about just learnt what you're learning to. The more I feel like I learned, the more I am just even more independent and, um, more confident, too. And I think that's really great just in general, for people and society is just like learning, educating yourself, giving yourself that confidence so that you could try new things. It's so it's so awesome. Oh, and I also know the point to finding that person to do that small thing. I have, Ah, leaky pipe faucet outside, but my garage and I don't know much about plumbing. I, uh I'm struggling right now, so I go online and, like, try to figure out how to do t o or do it. Just call the plumber. I don't know.

spk_0:   6:49
There is that line right of way in the pros, especially when it comes to electrical plant specific trades that, you know, it's ah ee. I guess you could try, and then if you if it gets beyond you, you can bring somebody in and hopefully haven't made it worse for yourself. Yeah, but yeah, there is a point where the meeting called. You

spk_1:   7:07
gotta call the pros in. Yeah, there's a fine line

spk_0:   7:09
with your television showing as you are. You know, the things that you do that you put out there on TV and in other respects, what you're doing with inspiring other people to do this exact thing Is that something that you can see through the television show you're trying to get people to say? Okay, I'm looking at your working with designer. They're doing something and you're making that come to life is not always something that again you you've been motivated to do.

spk_1:   7:32
Yeah, totally. I think in the depths of my who I am, all I want to do is help people in whatever way that maybe whether it be if I helping elderly person, you know, do their laundry or I don't know what I just want to help people. And no matter where life takes me, I'm going to be a helper. That's just me, but inspiring someone to that's huge. And I love the reaction I get from people, especially from women who I say I did that I did that. I did that and then we'll say I could do that like, Yeah, you can. Yeah. I don't like to see that. Like I'm like our kind of build up in them. I'm like that. I like that. I prefer that you have that. That kind of fuels you to go home and try things, because now I have girls texting me. Look what I made. Look what I made. Look what I made him like. Yes, that's so legit. Nothing's better than that feeling. And also to Yeah, when being a girl and being like a model for so long, I I still feel like I have to prove myself constantly. And not just because of that, because just being a girl and everything else is Yeah, you don't see a lot of girls doing this, But, um, now I am very confident. I know that it doesn't matter who I mean. I can say, Hey, I can do this. Watch me do it. Live it up.

spk_0:   8:47
Right. And you're I mean, you're legit doing this. Just I know you have the television show, but just you were just telling me before about these women's classes that you're jamming. Can you speak to the Oh,

spk_1:   8:58
so I'm doing women's power tool classes here in Huntington Beach. Ah, oui. Over wi I. I am there once a month, and it's growing very popular. It's just a and it's an all in one type class I try to. It's an introduction of power tools. I don't want you to just come and say Here, use this tool, use this tool. I want them to also learn about measuring And why use the speed, Speed Square and how How much, you know that means to do this and a little, and and also to use a variety of tools at one time to make something that they can take home something like tangible. Oh, I made a stool today, and I used four different tools to do it or whatever. That's the goal, the class. So it's an introduction, but it's also kind of like your Your husband probably has all these at home, so now you know how to use it. So go home and try to make something on your own, also to doing things that are really cost effective. So if they have scrapped foot, what at home or they want to go to Home Depot and I tell them you can have him be. People cut this wood for you to size, and then you can go home and assemble it. You know, there's so many different things you can do. Ah, that has been awesome, because again, we're inspiring women that I had a pregnant woman come. I had a lady come who's like wants to build things with her husband. It doesn't know how to do it. So it's awesome.

spk_0:   10:15
I think again something that people may be hot, not know about your your your not just, you know, doing the TV thing. You're out there kind of walking the walk ways, what you're trying to do. Is that something to that you would ever sharing YouTube or kind of look, are you looking to maybe go with him when the audience with that is or is this something right now that you're this'd isn't interesting question, because there's a

spk_1:   10:38
huge part of me that hates social media that i e. There's nothing more terrible than, um then tell the media I hate it. It it, even though even if you follow all of the most positive things out there, you're still following your friends. You're still looking at all of their highlight reels, if you will. And it's just a lot of, you know, self doubt and and comparing yourselves to other people and all that sort of thing. So I hate that first of all, but also to realize now that this is probably one of the only ways a lot of us are going to make

spk_0:   11:14
money, if that makes any sense.

spk_1:   11:16
So for people like me and other people were automatically assumed to be influencers, So people want us. They want us to send us stuff but don't want to pay us to promote it. They just want to give us free stuff, so that's kind of out. But also to the money that could be made off of YouTube is so exponential you have to like it be really put time and effort into a YouTube page and post it all the time and promoted it and got like, you know, people help you edit and do audio and film for you. I mean, you can make well over six figures like doing stuff like this. I mean, there's girls. It's pop up last year. Now they're killing it But that's the thing. I don't care about that. I do, and I don't because part of me just wants to live my life and help people and learn and make, and that's it. But then I also see this, like this kind of thing over here, dangling in my face like, Hey, you wanna get online and post about it? Might do. I. I don't know,

spk_0:   12:13
distraction in a lot of ways to take you away from the plans that you're making and setting up everything for your class. It's like a whole another

spk_1:   12:20
cold other thing. And then it's just more work to do on top of like already building it. Now you have to go and edit it. And if you don't know how to edit, you gotta pay somewhat. Edit E. I don't know if it's worth it. I want to do it. I mean, sure, everybody wants to make more money, but don't have the patience and the you know, I'm I'm Is it worth it to me? I

spk_0:   12:41
don't know. You don't get the same Satisfaction said with the women who you're helping them and your instant feedback instead of an online comment. Yeah, can be negative. Yeah, it's often negative. Oh, totally. Yeah, that's Ah, that's something that's kind of missing. With a lot of maybe the the online teaching neck that goes on. Yeah, disable comments. That's a safe way. Um, so going more towards I guess it's like, what? That future part of what you're always doing always being the teaching part and the television show. How do you feel it? Is that going? I mean, I've you know, television is fickle and show runs come and go, but, um but, you know, you kind of have this all star cast right now, which is pretty amazing and actually being leaving speak about training during spaces like, can you speak to that? I mean, it's kind of that show was I feel like one of the first originators of, you know ah d I y on TV, that was people could tune in 30 minutes or whatever and and be inspired. And now you've got all these people who are kind of part of that that movement from years ago, and it was with the original host with Paige there it's No How is it going? I was a show going Is it something that again you hope it keeps going like What is? Yeah, I think, Yeah. I mean, you hope it

spk_1:   14:05
keeps going. You haven't find it's fun. It's funded to shoot that show. It's funny. There's so much just left on the cutting room floor. It's bizarre to me. There's so much that means not a how to show. But there's so much of the bill that they're not showing, and I wish they could. People could see that how much Bretton I actually do and how long we work and how much more that we build on the show, which is insane, like, I'll build whole pieces of furniture that won't even get shown.

spk_0:   14:30
Can they put that online somewhere like I would love it down. Yeah,

spk_1:   14:34
I would love to see that, but I don't They haven't done anything like that. Actually, I'm going to. I had an idea, and I ran it past the network, and they approved it. But I said, Can I post like me making the furniture show people how I did it?

spk_0:   14:48
You have your own

spk_1:   14:48
oh my own right and post it on YouTube page. Well, actually, you could do that, but we're gonna post it on TLC dot com. I said, All right, so that's what they did. They're gonna post it online and for them. But I was like, Still, it's cool because I want people to see how easy it is to rip apart a palette and a coffee table. It's, like, so easy. It's free, Loretta. So, yeah, we want I want TV show to continue. I think you'd be great, too, You know, do this for a long time. You know, it's a lot of work, but it's fun. But also to with that, you said it's very fickle. It absolutely is. This show could be canceled this year, who knows? And then I'm back to the drawing board back to my back to normal life. Um, with that, I think you have to check yourself right. You have to check that pride at the door because just because you're on TV doesn't mean you're any better than anybody else, and you don't deserve more and you don't like, you know, people automatically think that about themselves or about other people when they look it. Oh, well, you can't work at Trader Joe's. Joanie, You were on TV. It's like, Girl, you gotta pay the bills. You know what I mean? And you also have to check yourself, because again, you're lucky enough to do this. But just because you're not doing it doesn't mean you the money you have to pay bills magically. You know, you have still work. So that's a very real like thing that you have to deal with to when you're on TV is like, Yeah, you could This could not happen for you anymore. And then you have to go back to join board. I mean, I were I sold insurance for, like, two years like I don't care like I'm waiting. I'm making money, I'm doing my thing. But I'm also have a side household. Everybody has a side hustle e nobody with adult. But yeah, it's not. If it could keep going forever, that'd be great. But if it doesn't, I'm prepared for not to be.

spk_0:   16:28
You see TV, I mean, from years back when we first met and there was I mean, there were cable channels and now they're so it's like even so many more opportunities and and Netflix on the online channels now and those opportunities. Is it that much harder to get out there? Or is it you feel like there's like when you're looking at auditions or different opportunities? Is that the same one that has changed? I think

spk_1:   16:52
it's harder now because before it was more of a small community of people like we, there's a small pool of us and the people would just pick us and it was cyclical and they would use us and then they wouldn't use this now. But you just said it was kind of like a little thing with D A Y. You know, What about before they were purchased by Discovery? Banal Discovery owns D I Y HD TV Discovery, TLC All of it's one big bubble now, so now it's all of us in this bigger pool. And not only that, now you've got the Internets. You've got all these wonderful talents with fabulous you two pages and they're trying to get your job, too. So it's not just, you know, it's it's hard. It's like in this competition, and there's always someone who's quicker and better and smarter, and all these things that are, you know, could be picked over you so I think it's harder to maintain a career in television. I mean, you have to be good on camera, but like that's all I mean, it's amazing what editing

spk_0:   17:53
condition and our attention is like you said it so many different places now, Yeah, there's so many different options to told Find everything's to be entertained. If there's something about the show, like you said, there's so much on the cutting room floor. Oh yeah, eyes. There's something there that you can share this behind the scenes that you know we would you wish people knew about or, you know, as this showed. I see there's a narrative for the show. Everything has to fit into that, but something that if you're watching this show, realize this part might take longer or the like, a little realism. In that

spk_1:   18:24
door, there is a lot of a ce faras. The build goes. There's a lot of it that you don't see as faras um, you know, us going to Home Depot or Lowe's and picking up the would bring it back. Oh, it's raining. Okay, You can't start. They don't really show all that kind of stuff. Oh, you have the generator is all you have now because the power's blown in the garage and can't be on all these circuits at one time. So you know, let's take turns using different Saul's and it's just insane. Or Britain. You are separated from between sure that for a mile and he's got your Craig, it's a bit so now you have to go driving over there to get it. This is insane. They don't show all the chaos behind it, and also to like, big mistakes that you make that costs the designer money. A lot of times they don't say that. Like, say, you you ripped this MDF and it was the wrong thing. We're supposed to have the plywood nights go. It's been 100 another 50 bucks on things, so you don't show all the mistakes we make. They don't show like the drama on the fighting. I think it's more of a happy show, but, um, that's definitely

spk_0:   19:34
that's part of any project, said. If the mistakes we make a run Home Depot five times or more times or more, yeah, and that you were actually doing the work you're on. But you are. You're but not everything is just provided.

spk_1:   19:50
Yeah, And I was We do have a person that will, like, run to the store for us. We have multiple people that do that, Um, because we can't leave set in case something exciting happens that we need to be on camera. So what's like, we need to go get more plywood that will send some kid to go get it or whatever. So, yeah,

spk_0:   20:06
I did. All these projects have similar budgets. Yes. Sometimes

spk_1:   20:10
they're very generous with their budget of $2000 so Ah, I might get $200. I might get $400 but I have never gotten more than four. And it's usually things made out of MDF play would maybe trimmed and popular. You know a lot of ej bandon going on because no one wants to buy real wood and can't afford it. Really? And then, um, a lot times two. Yet to think about like, are these people going to tear this right out after we leave? They might hate this. So we're not has been a bunch of money on something they're gonna tear out. What's the point? Might as well spend it on drapery and whatever, you know? Yeah,

spk_0:   20:47
E I would one of the first podcast I did with Jimmy to rest, Uh, and he's on the this NBC making it show, and he said, Yeah, it's some things just walk away and he's he will use his own tools and he has, like, great stuff. But there's a system that he has to totally to market and keep it and make sure that you keep things separate. So, um, I can imagine with there's so many people on set a lot of things happening and like you said, chaos, that you want to make sure that you find your own stuff.

spk_1:   21:18
Oh, yeah, I've had, um someone didn't put away my Craig stuff properly in the bit rusted in transportation cause it got wet. And all this like, there's this. Yeah, there's a lot of stuff like that

spk_0:   21:29
thick stuff that most yet where's don't have to think about Yeah, So do you have a tool right now that you really you know, just thinking about you know, somebody who's they're you know, they're watching your show. They're seeing the things they a lot of things that you're doing and they're inspired by that. Is there a meet one or two tools that they should know? Let's say they just starting from scratch. They should, you know, investing. Yes. Okay. So worth investing? Yes.

spk_1:   21:54
Guy or a girl doesn't matter. You know, I think you need to learn to use a miter saw and invest in a chop salir miter. Saw everyone call it, um, Milwaukee makes one. It's built $450. It's on Lee with £27. It's only in a 7.5 inch blade, But for most basic beginner woodworking, things like that framing did it. Uh, that is all you need to get a high tooth blade because you want to think cuts to be smooth, maybe 60 teeth. But get a chop, Saul. Affordable, small something. You can move and carry that. They go up and wait from there. The one I have is like £65 but it's a really great compound. My torso and, um, Bosch one. Bosch Bosch. What's up? Um, and then I would definitely invest in an orbital sander. They're not expensive. You can buy a black and decker one. You can buy a Ryobi one. Don't worry about spending all your money on one of those, but they're awesome. You definitely one of those

spk_0:   22:54
ideas. Your video. I'm I'm using one of those. Yeah, like you said, just how much energy and time it saves standing is standing as one the toughest jobs there. Yes, yes. And it's I mean, it's rewarding when you're done, but it's time consuming, and you really sore doing it. If you have a lot to do.

spk_1:   23:12
Yeah, definitely those two, Um, on impact driver and a drill. Two separate things. They do completely different jobs. People are like, No, you just need a driver Might know you need an impact driver and a drill because impact drivers, especially for girls, are fabulous because they're more compact. They're lighter way. And if you have to do anything overhead, a lot of times you need a little more punch from behind because love us, don't have the upper body strength of press against a board or screw, and that does a lot of the work for you. Um, and also when you do in a pre drill a lot of things and you want to use a drill for that you don't use the impact driver, you go right through your wood. So those things for sure, just to start out, you'll be able to cut, assemble and sand whatever you need. And then if you want to get in a nail guns later down the road, you can do that. But, um, something that's really fun. If you wanna get more into the wood working side of things is the correct jig doing pocket holes. I love them. They're so much fun. I actually got the foreman, which is a larger version of the jig, and it's, you know, powered almost like a miter saw it has. You can connect a vacuum to it.

spk_0:   24:21
Did you use your own drill with that or parts part of the tool?

spk_1:   24:24
Yeah, I'll show you it. It's like a big platform and the theater actual Craig Jig bit comes out. You put the wood in and it presses it down its sides in, and it it makes the whole for you. It's amazing. So you want to clamp that clip down? It's It's just like, Oh, it's like that, Huh? Of Craig Jake,

spk_0:   24:44
How much are you? Know how much those it's about 400 bucks, but it's

spk_1:   24:47
worth it actually going to a lot of them, especially doing cabinets and things like that, and you go boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. You crank it out. It's really good

spk_0:   24:56
Internet tools in the underrated spectrum that obviously that mean the drills and saws, but as something that no people might overlook. But it's very real, really important. I think

spk_1:   25:08
people overlook a pin Naylor, um, like, say, for example, you have 18 gauge or 60 engage. You know Brad Naylor, and that's all you've got. But like, you're not gonna put a giant Brad nail into something like, ah, small picture frame that you need to repair or something like that. That's gonna be crazy, but a pin dealer. You can get the tiny so nails hold things in place just long enough for the glue to help you to set up. Because really the powerhouse in any woodwork is the glue, the glue stronger than a nail, right? So but the pin Naylor so nice because it's invisible. It's so cool and they're they're not scary to use, And I think you know those airway underrated. If you know if you're If you're a woodworker, you're like, Oh, what? Use it all the time, but a lot of people don't even know about them.

spk_0:   25:53
Is that something that you go with a Cordless option or as an heir, I usually

spk_1:   25:58
use him. Is it in an air tool? Because, um, I'm just used to that they do make Cordless ones. I don't have one right now. I have one on I'm ordering from metabolize H p t. But I don't have one right now

spk_0:   26:12
and is a as an heir to all. Then you need a compressor. Yeah, that processes with a pin. Naylor I was so you could go with maybe the smallest smoking.

spk_1:   26:22
Yeah, there's really great compresses out there. You can get a whole You get a nail gun and a compressor from Porter cable for, like, 100 70 bucks for the whole thing, which is like, wow, unbelievable price. Right? And it comes with the hose and everything, and it can get you going. But if you want to invest a little bit, they're smaller compressors. That hurt a lot quieter and those were really great. Um, I have one from Seno Sunoco where pronounce it, and it's really cool. It's

spk_0:   26:50
super quiet. And that will still that still strong enough to use another type of mailer something probably

spk_1:   26:55
have framing kneeler. Billy. Yeah. Most no good papers

spk_0:   27:00
going other tools. Here's their tool that really you wish you you coming on and it's okay. I want this all stop. Also e mean, not that I'm gonna be like, Hey, guys, let's put a hot

spk_1:   27:15
dog. Don't hear you tell it works because every time it goes off, it's another 200 bucks to get it, you know, to fix it and get it going again or whatever cause yet by a new blade. And I think it by the new aluminum piece that stops it and everything else So

spk_0:   27:29
small price to pay though small price to

spk_1:   27:31
pay to keep your finger. But, I mean, if you're used to using a table saw and you know that you know, careful, I don't think you really need to worry about it. But it's such a cool tool, and they do make a portable one that on the rolls left is a big shop one. Ah, and I've used it before. That really cool was couple really neat features on them. But over time, I have, you know, I've not seen the reviews, but through and through, I think Bosch makes one of the best table solves this portable ones. Um, but I don't know, table salt or so cool. I could have, like, five different

spk_0:   28:04
doesn't be happy. Is there anybody like, is it up to you with the safety on that? I mean, you guys are the pros, So watching out, um, yeah, I mean, we have

spk_1:   28:17
We have producers and people on the sides. It'll say, you know, clear this space. Don't walk over there this big thing like don't ever tap someone on the shoulder when they're using a table salt, they can't hear you. There's big. You know, there's a lot of rules you have to follow, and also to like, we have a lot of p a. Is there just running through this set. And sometimes I get a break. Go right through your workspace and they'll move things or touch things or unplug things. And it's just like, Ah, but that's TV, you know,

spk_0:   28:46
report again. A beginner d I wire at the table saw something that should be you know, they get into what? What? What what point? With a what? What science project would will necessitate.

spk_1:   28:58
Okay, so table saws are awesome, and I think it's probably the most used tool in anybody's shop. Uh, but if you don't have the space for one or you're not comfortable, use one. They're super super dangerous, especially trying to rip a full sheet of plywood by yourself. Completely unbelievable. It dangerous? Um, get a track saw. Instead, you could do the same exact ripping of plywood sheets with the track saw and do most long cuts with those effortlessly and you don't have to worry about. It's not. It's pretty much a circular saw on a track. It's awesome. I'd get one of those before I got a table saw. And then when you're ready and you may be work with some people, first table souls not let me just jump on to. I think you need to be instructed how to use it

spk_0:   29:43
right and going into the tracks on as you gave me a sneak peek on your workshop here, something that is small cafe. You know you can oh, here, put in the closet when you're not using Totally Yeah, on the looking at the small workshops. Any because you do. We're kind of a small space. You don't look like you're making the most of you have any tips on that for people who work out of the garages or work with, you know, an extra room?

spk_1:   30:08
Mmm. If you're working out of your garage, you know, dedicate Think about what's in that garage first, if you're if you're clean person and you don't wanna have to worry about salt us going everywhere, maybe your washer and dryers and there you fold your laundry in there, you know, maybe consider. Can you step outside of your garage? Can you invest 40 bucks and, ah, easy it from Walmart and just take it outside and close the garage door because it's I mean clutter and dirtiness. It gets dirty quick. It's because we don't have a vacuum system connected to any of your sauce. I mean, you're gonna be you'll be in a huge pile of sawdust, so if you could take it outside, take it outside if it's super cold where you live and you don't have that option, um, I mean, I hate to say me if you're down with it, do that. But if not, get a really good vacuum system going attached. All your Saul's everything to vacuums and have that ready to go because that'll save you a ton of grief. Sure,

spk_0:   31:08
that is like June's. A vacuum. Exhausted stones. Awesome. You were pouring the proper ventilator mask?

spk_1:   31:16
Yes, yourself. Oh, my goodness. Yes, MD. If I think is almost like the dust from that is almost like if you're a smoker, I have gone home and blown my nose and the MDF It just comes out of my nose and just it's so thick but so thin and like wispy. You don't even realize you're breathing it in and then I'll get what I call it the MDF. It's almost like I got the I got the black lung. It's kind of nasty. It's I call for weeks. If you're not careful because you're just stuck in there, you know, you gotta get it out. Ah, it's pretty dangerous. And you don't know what's in that stuff. You know, you gotta be careful.

spk_0:   31:53
All right? Right. And then BF is something you use for quite a few. Oh, my goodness.

spk_1:   31:57
almost all of our projects on trading spaces or me with M D F huge bookcases, your build onto things with it. Um, yeah, well, I'm deal

spk_0:   32:06
because again, another project based. Why would somebody choose MDF over plywood? Er, well, why? I

spk_1:   32:14
prefer plywood. And if you could get a nice finished, veneered ply wood it, it's it's sustainable. And it looks prettier. Wood, grain and all that. But with M D F. Uh, it's just something that you paint. You prime it, you paint it. It's it almost looks like a melamine shelving. After you're done with it, you don't have to worry about EJ banding it or trimming it in any kind of wood. If, unless you don't want, unless you want to, you can absolutely, but it's just, you know, it's easier Caesar toe to cut and manage and finish.

spk_0:   32:44
But I always wear. But where your massive Um, yes, I'm moving forward. Where can you actually want to talk to about your podcast? What's happening? What's happening with that? I mean, you're 56 episodes, and now how is that going?

spk_1:   32:59
It's going really well. It's funny. You start a podcast. You like everybody in the world's gonna listen. It's gonna be awesome. Gullies sponsors. Ah, is this little process I've got as many listeners is? People go to my page, You know what I mean? Like, it's starting out small, but it's such a great creative outlet for me, and it's something I've been wanting to do. It's called The Little Bit Podcast, and it's all about everything. A little bit of everything except for politics. I don't like to get political safer that way. Yeah, it is. I think once you start acting like you know what you're talking about, you know, you lose a lot of attention.

spk_0:   33:37
Is plenty of other places to go.

spk_1:   33:38
Absolutely. Yeah. Go somewhere else. Ah, but we're just talking about you know, everything in life, TV, you know, sports everything. I have a lot of really fun of a Serie Maduro. Siri's coming out next month. That's just all career based. I want to talk to someone. About what? What do you do for your job? You know, tell me about it, but a little, but maybe something you've never really thought about before. I've got a crane operator. I've got a guy who works. It works at Space six. You know, different things. Engineers. So it'll be really cool to talk about what they do and all. My podcast, I try to keep under 30 minutes. But just because I'm like, I don't know this one. I don't know if I could talk that well, but it's, you know, I don't keep him with the theme

spk_0:   34:24
a little bit, right? Right now again, I got a little bit of great information about who's succulents, and we are. We have a ton of succulent, and that's pretty much all we grow. That's only thing we can keep alive. Yeah. So you guys were great tickle. And then, like I said, just driving up here or driving down here, uh, your husband, Chris. You guys gave me some great health information, So you have plenty. I mean, it's a little bit of everything. Thanks. Yeah, thanks. So on that note, any podcast recommendations for me? Because this is no more Ricky here, starting out, you know, uh, let's

spk_1:   34:56
see. And well, it sounds like you've already got some help on the audio side of things. That's good.

spk_0:   35:02
That was the easy part for my plate, for now. Uh, I would,

spk_1:   35:07
Definitely. Even though you don't think you need to make sure your host like you're gonna be hosted. But make sure all your you're not what you call them, your platforms air do them all. Do stitcher do do all the ones even if you don't listen to that one because you know you're missing out on a lot of people that, um, you know, may only go to sit here for a podcast. I need to do that. I'm not on all of them, but I'm realizing that I need to be. I didn't realize how big stature waas, Um make sure you spend a little time, you know, making your website really cool and making it because people are if you drop the website first, and that's where people gonna go for the links. Sometimes when your brand new and you search for yourself on Spotify, it's not gonna pop up the broadcast, won't pop up at first and listens being subscribed to and things like that. So at first you want to have a website or people can go and click on the link that will direct them to that podcast. Um, that was a big thing I ran into in the beginning. Like we're going to find this like, searching on Google there like it's not there. I'm like, Oh,

spk_0:   36:04
hey, you have a central hub in that sense. Yeah. Yeah. Other than that, I

spk_1:   36:09
mean, just have fun. And if you got any buddies that make any music, you can use some cool music That's not gonna cost you

spk_0:   36:17
anything. Way where, um, and beyond your podcast worlds can people connect with you? And

spk_1:   36:24
I'm a big instagram person. I'd love to do stories more than anything. So if you want to follow me on my adventures, I like the camp. I love darling of the travel and I post about builds and stuff like that. But, um, like I said, who knows? I might do you to page and put more things. Just do I

spk_0:   36:44
have the time in the will? I don't know, but instagram at Joni's brig You think you will look for you there? And e. I appreciate you coming on here. Thanks. Thanks for listening to Tool crave If you like the show, please rate interview us on apple podcasts or ever You're listening Fall along with us for guests. Updates on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook at Tool Crate and feel free to email us at podcast at tool, crave dot com for guest suggestions or just to say hi, Thanks again and see you soon.