reikimaster

I can see, after being here a while, that there are many talented people that visit regularly. We all have an interest in woodworking and while this is a router forum, we all share the OTHER stuff we do as well. I think that's pretty amazing.

Some are pure hobbyists and work just for the enjoyment. Others make things that they sell and get some money for. So I thought I'd open this up and ask...

What would you think is something most people could make, that they could sell for enough money to actually make a little bit extra to put aside for buying more wood (or tools). I know this will vary quite a bit.

What's your outlet if you're selling things? Word of mouth and people come to your house? Do you do the craft shows in your area and rent a booth space? Consignment through a local store?

Let's face it, this woodworking endeavor isn't cheap. Just wondering if there are a lot of totally "self-funded" people like me doing this or if there are more people who have found a way to at least recover costs and/or get ahead some.

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karateed

Well, interesting question...

For me, I'm not making any money selling what I haven't made much of. So far just made my own jigs, router table, picture frames (mostly for wife), card holders (also for wife and on number 3) and a couple of turnings....all things that a couple of years ago would not have guessed I would have been doing.

A friend of mine at work wants some speaker stands and he says he's willing to pay me for doing them. This will end up being a work to learn project for me with no real monetary gain if you look at the time I will put into it. That to me doesn't matter, I'm doing this right now for the fun of it.

If I get good enough at it (and I'm sure it will take quite a while to even come close to the standards set on this site) then I'll consider it a possiblility to maybe make some cash to support the tools I'd love to upgrade to.

Ed......:-)

seawolf21

For me it's the fun of making things whether it be woodworking or woodburning. I give it all away. You can't take it with you!

Gary

reikimaster

Just trying to fix a typo in the title... stupid fingers...

bobj3

Hi reikimaster

Making things to sell can be a trap with many doors,,,

If you love making things out of wood ,like I do ,don't make them for sale, it will become a JOB and the fun will be gone...

We all need a job to make money to live on and buy the toys but making things out of wood for sale is a real hard one and takes big bucks..

Most start out with just one or two then the craft shows/flea markets and so on....trap with many doors..

Many cabinet wood shops,at one time started off in the home shop at one time, same thing for many furniture mfg.,...

If you sit down with pen and pencil and get a true cost what it takes to make a item ,it will blow you away...the shop,the heat,the lights,the tools,your time,the wood stock,etc..you will see you put out 200.oo dollars to make a wooden shelf ,sign,toy,etc. that you can sell for about 15.oo bucks or so...you can get the over head cost down by making more of the same type of item(s) but only to a point...the true cost of making items for sell...

But this is just my 2 cents
Turning your fun time into a J.O.B. not good


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PodCast videos
RWS on YouTube

http://www.routerforums.com/86898-post1.html
Besure and click on the Up Arrow key ▲ on the Youtube video, you can select other youtube videos on router tables
http://www.woodworkingonline.com/?s=dovetail
Machine Cut ▼
http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...cut-dovetails/

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http://www.woodshopdemos.com/menu2.htm

Bob J.

nzgeordie

I have to agree with Bj. I read an article recently about an Aussie who makes boxes (and beautiful they are) which he sells at a weekly market. He says he now makes 10 boxes in the time he took to make 1 by setting up jigs and cutting multiple pieces at a time, but I get the impression he makes nothing else and do you really want to be making the same thing all the time?
I guess it comes down to whether you're a hobbyist who might get lucky with the odd commission or looking for a full-time, self-supporting job.

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Pete
I've cut it twice and it's still too short! But only at one end.

curiousgeorge

I recently did a repair (rebuild) on a stool for someone and had a blast doing it. I considered it a learning experience but I charged $50 for the "job". Over the past several years I have probably "invested" around $10,000 in all the tools, jigs, gizmos, etc. for my expensive hobby and, as Bj stated, not to mention all the other extra costs. There is no way I could ever expect to recoup the "investment".
NOW! Having said all that. Do I regret the "investment"? NO WAY! Because it's what I want to do and enjoy it very much. When the chance to make a little to help defray the cost comes around I will take it but I have no illusions of "making any money" out of it.

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George
For those who haven't already done so...
PLEASE! PLEASE! Fill in your first name and location in your profile. I like to know who you are and where you are from. If you don't want me to know who you are, then I don't want to talk to you.

Hamlin

Someone once said, "it's fun 'til it becomes your job". This statement is true. You don't want to lose the "fun" out of a hobby in which you truly love an enjoy.

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Ken

"A VETERAN"
"Whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life". That is HONOR, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it." -Author Unknown

Dr.Zook

Only one guy I know of to recover costs and get ahead. A man named Sam Maloof. One of his rockers was auctioned off and ONLY brought $180,000.00. Not bad for an 90 year old Craftsman.
I agree with the others. I'm retired and I don't want another JOB. I hardly do anything now as it is (just ask Bj). Woodworking for me is a pleasure not to be ruined by WORK.

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Dave
the "Doctor"

In woodworking there is no scrap, only firewood.

Please edit your profile with a name and location so we can better assist you and make for a friendlier forum.

bobj3

JUst some info and links to Sam Maloof

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Maloof

http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworki...dir=Sam+Maloof

http://americanart.si.edu/collections/exhibits/maloof/

http://www.djmarks.com/stories/djm/A...loof_93446.asp

http://www.malooffoundation.org/woodworking.cfm


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__________________
PodCast videos
RWS on YouTube

http://www.routerforums.com/86898-post1.html
Besure and click on the Up Arrow key ▲ on the Youtube video, you can select other youtube videos on router tables
http://www.woodworkingonline.com/?s=dovetail
Machine Cut ▼
http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...cut-dovetails/

http://www.woodworkingonline.com/woo...podcast-store/

http://www.woodshopdemos.com/menu2.htm

Bob J.