Bob Clagett builds things: asecret door, abackyard zipline, and awooden katana.

I went to college at an art school for computer art but taught myself programming on the side.

Take us through a recent workday.

After that I attempt to get right in the shop and start working on a project.

Sometimes that means design, planning, prep or actually filming.

Often it means all of those at once.

One of my favorite things about my job is that I rarely have the same day twice.

I build stuff and film while solving problems along the way.

Some days I record podcasts or do voiceover for videos.

Some days I livestream what Im working on.

Its really always pretty different, and I love that!

What apps, gadgets, or tools cant you live without?

I use lots of tools in my shop but the thing that gets used most is probably my multitool.

Its aGerber Crucialand is a perfect fit for my needs.

As far as apps, I spin up the majority of the business on a free app calledAirTable.

Its fantastic and makes organization (especially with a small team) so much easier.

I also really love using IFTTT to connect all of the different services I use.

It makes each one of them feel more useful because they all work together and trade off information.

Whats your workspace setup like?

Well, I have a couple.

The tools often get moved to where theyre needed.

The whole shop is kind of a work in progress.

My office is a combination of 3-D printing/finishing station, electronics workspace and overall control center.

Weve also got an entire whiteboard wall that we use daily to sketch and brainstorm ideas.

Whats your best shortcut or life hack?

I use the IFTTT app on my phone to record potential project ideas.

When it opens theres a big text field and a single button.

I throw in an idea or keyword, hit the button and terminate the app.

Take us through an interesting, unusual, or finicky process you have in place at work.

My editor logs into the server via FTP and downloads the proxy footage (still usually 20+GB).

The editor then does the entire edit, music and color grading for the video.

After its finished, he uploads just the Final Cut Pro project file to the server.

Once its rendered, I add voiceover and minimal editing tweaks before producing the final rendered video file.

Well, of course I rely on my awesome wife in many, many ways.

Whats it like to work with and around your family?

What are the biggest upsides and downsides?

I want to be 100% present with my family when Im with them.

I try hard to keep work time for work, and family time for family.

The challenges for working from home are mostly around trying to keep on task.

I have to fight the urge to stop making a video and go do that task.

Ill look around the house while working, and see some home improvement that needs to get done.

I have to fight the urge to stop making a video and go do that task.

How do you keep track of what you have to do?

Like I mentioned before, AirTable is the tool we rely on the most right now.

Its essentially a relational database that looks like a web-based spreadsheet.

We also communicate throughSlackmost often.

Its very handy and integrates with most organization tools as well.

How do you recharge or take a break?

It was WAY more helpful than I imagined it would be.

Sometimes, we just need to step away for a little bit.

Also, ping pong and building Lego sets are a great way to shift mental gears.

Whats your favorite side project?

Thats like someone asking about my favorite hobby :).

My whole career used to be the side project and now its basically the only project.

Everything I like can potentially become part of the work in the best way possible!

What are you currently reading, or what do you recommend?

I recommend readingThe War of Art, C. S. Lewis and Calvin and Hobbes.

All of them capture a different part of the stuff that makes us tick (in my mind).

Who else would you like to see answer these questions?

Bill Doran fromPunished Props Academy.

Whats the best advice youve ever received?

My friend Jimmy Diresta says What if everything goes right?

Its just as probable that everything could go right, so why not use that as the default?

Imagine how good things can be, its way more encouraging.

Whats a problem youre still trying to solve?

I do realize the irony of that issue, given the advice I mentioned above.

Im currently navigating that and trying to figure it out.