Blue_Enamel

For me, the CNC route isn't the path I will choose. I'm a hobbyist woodworker who likes making things by hand. The journey is more the point than the destination. Though there is a great deal of satisfaction in actually completing a piece :-).

For some woodworkers, the CNC might be a good thing. I just don't like the look of the results. On some applications, a quick cleanup with hand tools or sandpaper to remove the mill marks helps. For other tasks, like carving, the CNC/router bits don't give the crisp results that a sharp, skillfully handled, hand carving tool will produce.

Muddler_Mike had an interesting comment:
"The more computer aided crap that's out there, the harder it is for a real craftsperson to get a decent price for his or her work."
I find a similar issue w/ buying furniture at most stores. Clunky designs, poor materials, no regard for grain matching, crappy finishes, etc. It is hard for a small custom shop to justify the cost for a custom piece when there is so much 2nd rate, mass produced, work out there.

The key to being successful is to educate the consumer so that they will demand better. I love pointing out what mill marks look like on flat surfaces, what good and poor grain matching looks like, etc. to friends and potential clients. Most of them have never noticed these issues, but after being educated, they couldn't stomach buying a piece of furniture, cabinets, etc. with those defects at any price. I'd love to see some of the mass woodworking and home decorating media have articles on this. Even better would be the pitch that only the custom woodworking shop will take the time to "do it right."