Warped Boards & Wired Homes, Catching up with Dave McCabe – HGG664

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What happens when a longtime tech conversation grows into something deeper about making, friendship, and the projects that keep life interesting? This week, Dave McCabe joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about 17 years of podcasting, smart home tech, woodworking, and the creative work behind his Warped Boards shop. From Home Assistant dashboards and CNC upgrades to handcrafted cutting boards and honest talk about men’s health, this episode blends gadgets, craftsmanship, and community in a way that feels both practical and personal. Thanks for listening!

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Why This Episode Matters

Some of the best tech conversations are no longer just about the latest hardware. They’re about how tools fit into real life, how hobbies evolve, and how the communities we build around technology keep changing over time.

In this episode, Dave and I reflect on how our interests have shifted over the years, from servers and gadgets to smarter homes, creative projects, woodworking, and the everyday decisions that shape a meaningful life.

In This Episode

  • Dave McCabe joins for a catch-up on 17 years of podcasting and community
  • A look at how our technology habits and interests have changed over time
  • Discussion of Home Assistant, smart plugs, dashboards, and home automation projects
  • Dave shares updates on Warped Boards, his woodworking business, and CNC upgrades
  • A conversation about supporting small businesses and makers during the holiday season
  • Honest reflections on men’s health, check-ups, and life priorities

Key Takeaways

  • Technology gets more interesting when it supports the life you’re actually living
  • Long-running communities often outlast the gadgets that first brought people together
  • Woodworking and maker projects benefit from the same curiosity and iteration as good tech work
  • Supporting independent creators can be more meaningful than buying mass-produced gear
  • Health, family, and community matter just as much as the tools and hobbies we enjoy

Featured Topics

Looking Back on 17 Years of Podcasting

Dave and I revisit the early days of podcasting, including how simple publishing tools, RSS feeds, and niche tech communities helped build meaningful friendships and long-running conversations.

Smart Homes, Automation, and Everyday Tech

We talk through the current state of our home tech setups, including Home Assistant dashboards, smart plugs, automation experiments, and the way our personal tech choices have evolved.

Warped Boards and the Maker Mindset

Dave shares what’s happening with Warped Boards, including custom woodworking, cutting boards, product development, and the challenges of growing a small craft business while keeping quality high.

CNC Upgrades and Creative Tools

A big part of the conversation centers on CNC equipment, machine rigidity, scaling up for larger projects, and the real-world lessons that come from turning a hobby into reliable production work.

Men’s Health and Real-Life Priorities

The episode also turns toward a more personal conversation about men’s health, regular check-ups, family encouragement, and the importance of paying attention to the parts of life that matter most.

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg664

Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #664 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.

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Links

Dave McCabe’s Woodworking and Etsy

Chapters

  • [0:00] Show introduction and weather discussion
  • [3:00] Podcasting journey and early memories
  • [4:42] Changes in the tech landscape
  • [7:15] Personal tech preferences and current setups
  • [10:01] Home automation and DIY projects
  • [17:25] CNC machines and woodworking
  • [33:15] Etsy store and product development
  • [1:04:42] Health and personal updates
  • [1:07:55] Final thoughts and future plans
  • [1:08:10] Black Friday coupon and product updates
  • [1:10:42] Dave’s products and store promotion
  • [1:12:23] Network and community support
  • [1:13:52] Closing remarks

Expanded Summary

In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, Dave McCabe joins me for a conversation that feels like both a reunion and a snapshot of how our interests have evolved over nearly two decades of podcasting.

We begin by looking back at the early days of recording niche tech shows, publishing episodes by hand, and building communities around shared curiosity. It’s a fun reminder of how much the technology world has changed and how the relationships built around it often end up lasting longer than the hardware itself.

From there, we move into the current state of our own setups, including smart home tools, automation dashboards, Mac hardware, home servers, and the practical ways technology fits into everyday life now. Instead of chasing every new gadget, the conversation leans into tools that are useful, durable, and worth keeping around.

A major part of the episode focuses on Dave’s woodworking journey through Warped Boards and his Etsy shop. He talks about custom products, CNC upgrades, customer expectations, and the challenge of building a business around craftsmanship without losing the joy of making things. It’s a great conversation for anyone who enjoys the overlap between technology, tools, and creative work.

We also spend time talking about small businesses, holiday buying decisions, and why supporting makers and local creators can feel more worthwhile than defaulting to mass-market products. Toward the end, the episode becomes more personal as we discuss men’s health, regular screenings, and the value of taking care of yourself while staying engaged in work and hobbies.

This one is thoughtful, practical, and full of the kind of long-form conversation that comes from years of shared history.

Home Gadget Geeks 664 – FAQ

What is this episode about?

This episode focuses on Dave McCabe’s return to Home Gadget Geeks for a conversation about podcasting history, smart home technology, woodworking, CNC upgrades, small business life, and men’s health.

Who is the guest in HGG664?

The guest is Dave McCabe, longtime podcaster, tech enthusiast, and the creator behind Warped Boards and David McCabe Woodworks.

What technology topics are covered?

The conversation includes Home Assistant, smart plugs, home automation, Mac hardware, home server thinking, and reflections on how personal tech priorities have changed over time.

What woodworking topics are discussed?

Dave talks about cutting boards, custom woodworking, CNC machine upgrades, Etsy product development, and the realities of running a quality-focused maker business.

Is there a special offer mentioned?

Yes. Dave mentions a $50 coupon connected to his cutting boards during the holiday season.

Does the episode include personal health discussion?

Yes. Jim and Dave talk about men’s health, check-ups, family support, and why paying attention to health matters.

Join the Conversation

Which part of this episode resonates most with you right now? The podcasting nostalgia, the home automation talk, the woodworking journey, or the reminder to pay attention to health and the people around you? Leave a comment and join the conversation.

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