Replies

1. 
   301 | Dec 22, 2004 09:03am | #1

   It all depends on the market in your area.  If you break "wood working" down into the different areas then find out what demands there are in the market for the various trades.  If there is a historic district in your area you might think about reproducing old window sashes or wooden storm windows (screen doors and shutters too).  If there is a lot of new development going on you might want to make kitchen cabinets (Usually a horse of a different color and so much competition).  If there is a big antique market in your area you might think about antique reproductions and repairs/restorations. 

   This is likely to be the hardest part of your new career and nobody will be able to figure this out but yourself.  You will want to screw up your courage and go talk to some people, lots of people.  Find out what people need and if they can find the services they are looking for.   I started full-time in 1998 and haven't had a real dry period yet.  The thing that has changed for me is I can now say "no" to small projects.  I used to take on any small project just to stay busy, now I realize my cut-off point. 

   I am also not rich but I have so much more free time, no boss (except my wife) and run in much higher circles then I used to.  It is a major change in lifestyle.

2. 
   PlaneWood | Dec 22, 2004 06:54pm | #2

   Check into commercial office building construction.  Generally lots of casework there and other things like kitchenette's, builtin office furniture, etc.  Not "Fine Woodworking", but it pays.

   You may have to move around in order to find the higher growth area's.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood

3. 
   Ardito | Dec 22, 2004 07:06pm | #3

   Think about the price tag on all the equipment you would have to purchase in order to setup a complete shop for production.  Now think about how much you would make in profit for each piece.  Now think about how much you would want to "take home" each month. 

   If I were you, I would hone my skills to being a "finish" carpenter who also does custom wood working.  In the Chicago area where I am, finish carpenters are ALWAYS wanted in the corporate offices.  Think about a high rise building and how many companies/offices are in there.  Now think about how often these companies are remodeling these suites.  ALL THE TIME!  There is big money to be made in that work.  In fact, I have a friend of mine that does finish carpentry in elevators.  That is ALL he does.  There is enough custom elevator work for him to do all year. 

   In my opinion, the days of a single man shop producing custom woodworking are over.  The overhead of maintaining a shop will kill you.  Think about what you clients are...they are a very distinct few. 

   Dark Magneto

    

1. 
   cherryjohn | Dec 23, 2004 02:14am | #4

   self employment?.......sounds great doesnt it??  No boss.........no time clock to punch.  Be perpared is all I will tell you.  I am self employed now.....not as a wood worker but a marketing and sales specialist.  Wood working is a hobby that I get paid for from time to time.  When I think about making that "time to Time" more frequent, I think about my market more so than my product.  Make what they will buy is the only sound advice.  I look at the fact that I have an apt complex close by as well as a codo complex. ( frequent customer turnover) Do they want high styled furniture that befits the Fine Woodworking tradition?  Probably not..............They probably have very little in the way of furniture and money so what you do is find materials cheap ( pine around here is dirt cheap, and oak isnt too bad either) and dont get too complicated in what you make.  Just make what they can use and price it so that they can afford it. Figure your time accurately and work to get it down.   Dont go standing on the high ground, just make what they want.  Most people will shop around for big $ items...........over $150 or so but they look at things under that as chump change ( if you are in Califonia,,,,,,,,girly Money).  Make the porfit in volume and you might make a few bucks.  Youre time is the tough nut.  What do you need to stay alive?..........and believe me that is all you should be thinking of...not profit!  Profit to me is that which is left after the house/car/truck/utilities/food..........etc , are paid for.  When you zero out at the end of the month, the rest is profit.  We hope for profit..............we pray to zero out

   If the women dont find you handsome

   they should, at least, find you handy ..............................yessa

    

    

4. 
   dread | Dec 23, 2004 03:48am | #5

   I appreciate the responses i've received so far.I have a couple of new light bulbs glowing above my head now and a couple I might be dimming down.please keep 'em coming, thanx.

1. 
   301 | Dec 23, 2004 08:52am | #6

   I try to take jobs that will pay at least $1000 or more.  It usually takes less then $250 in materials so you are left with one variable...how fast can you do it?  How many jobs can you work on at one time?  If you can turn over 2 jobs a month (with a few repairs on the side) you have a decent income.  If it takes you 3 months to make that $750 (from one job) you gotta think long and hard.

   When I started out I also took an industry related part-time job.  It was good to get out of the shop a bit and clear my head.  I could also run after supplies, deliver work and talk to clients while going to and from work.  The money kept me from fretting too much about my production speed and when the job got annoying I simply told them to "shove it" and walked away.

   I don't think shop costs are too bad.  I manage my equipment purchases carefully, starting with cheaper tools then selling them off to buy nicer tools as I need them.  No need to start off with "the best", that can come as you see what you need/want.  Lots of competition so you can get get some pretty nice tools now-a-days, decent prices.