Woodworking- Hobby & Side Hustle

[goalphish2002]

I finished my M.S. in Accounting, and I am relatively stable at work (40 hours a week).  Now, I would like to pursue a new hobby with my extra time- hopefully something I'll enjoy and that could make some extra dough one day.  I have been considering woodworking since I am a white collar worker by day.  I would like to create something tangible with my hands on the side.  I could do taxes on the side or whatever, but I can't stomach more desk work at this point.

Anyone do this?  Any advice on how you started? 

*I don't have the tools for this right now.  I will be a total beginner in working with my hands.

[bigmike1903]

It may be worth looking to see if you have a makerspace in the city you live or surrounding area. While alot of these do have a monthly fee, it will let you get around other people that have the knowledge of using the various tools and can help give you a feel for if this is a hobby you would like to continue.

Here's an example of one local to me.

http://innovationstudio.unl.edu/

[lthenderson]

As a woodworker myself, I don't know any of my woodworking friends that make money. We are all generally happy to just pay for our expenses of doing a hobby we love. Those I know who are making money at it do it as a full time business, i.e. making cabinets or furniture.

[I'm a red panda]

I know a few people who can break even or earn a few bucks making pens; but unless you are a full-time high end craftsman, it is unlikely you are going to make money woodworking.

I do have much nicer furniture than I'd have if DH didn't do woodworking though- so we've "saved" money there (except we wouldn't have bought similar pieces...)  I, however, own about 50 gorgeous pens...I think that is more than anyone needs.

[ltt]

My husband loves to do woodworking in his spare time, and is currently making some toys that he will probably sell at a local craft show.  The amount of time he puts into it is a lot.  I'm expecting that he will make $0 after time and expenses.  But it is something he loves to do.

[NESailor]

That's funny.  I'm a CPA and tool around in my woodshop in my spare time (which is rare with a 3 and 0.5 year old...and a working wife).  At any rate.  I highly recommend it but I'd give up on the profit idea right from the start.

It's useful for saving money as someone else has noted.  I've just made some floating shelves out of scrap "reclaimed" wood for my son's room.  I built a few other bits and pieces around the house too - like the TV entertainment center, a console table that houses all my coffee stuff, a built in wall unit in our walk-in closet...etc.

I'm planning on building a few nicer pieces with DIY polished concrete countertops soon.  Maybe something like that will get me a "customer" or two.  But I doubt that I'll make any money if I pay myself even $15/hr.

Good luck!

[StashthatCash]

Could you make an account on Etsy and make some money that way? 

[Eric9064]

Goalphish,

I finally took the plunge into woodworking about two months ago and have loved every minute of it. I guess I have a general notion that I could one day make some extra money off it, but I am really doing it just for the enjoyment of working with my hands and creating something. Working at what can often be a high stress white-collar job, I am also finding it helpful in "resetting" each night.

One thing I would point out is that there is a high initial cost. There are certain basic tools you will need just to do simple projects and others you will want depending on the types of projects you decide to tackle.

I would recommend checking out http://www.startwoodworking.com/getting-started. It is a video series that walks you through  the basics of woodworking and provides some simple projects (with video tutorials). I really like it and am still working my way through the projects myself.

E

[goalphish2002]

Thanks, everyone.  The part about possibly making some cash is with the caveat that I get really great in a few decades- say I teach a class or make something special (I know a guy who made custom chicken houses when he was laid off from work, and he got so busy he had to turn away customers).  It is more of a hobby I am thinking of pursuing.  I would like to have something I am really good at in retirement to pass the time and make things for friends/family.  I hope this can be something I can do in the evenings to wind down and relax.  It seems that the common theme here is that no one really expects to make money off of it, but it is certainly something that people love to do.

I plan to take a class soon with my wife on making pens.  This should get us a feel for making something small to try it out. 

[goalphish2002]

Goalphish,

I finally took the plunge into woodworking about two months ago and have loved every minute of it. I guess I have a general notion that I could one day make some extra money off it, but I am really doing it just for the enjoyment of working with my hands and creating something. Working at what can often be a high stress white-collar job, I am also finding it helpful in "resetting" each night.

One thing I would point out is that there is a high initial cost. There are certain basic tools you will need just to do simple projects and others you will want depending on the types of projects you decide to tackle.

I would recommend checking out http://www.startwoodworking.com/getting-started. It is a video series that walks you through  the basics of woodworking and provides some simple projects (with video tutorials). I really like it and am still working my way through the projects myself.

E

Thanks E.- I will check this out.

[goalphish2002]

Update:  I took a class with my wife on pen turning.  We both had a great time; she's even suggested that we clean out the garage for room to pursue this hobby.  I see how this will ultimately cost money, as opposed to making any.  However, if it is something we both enjoy, then I think it is relatively cheap compared to some hobbies. 

[Fishindude]

As a woodworker myself, I don't know any of my woodworking friends that make money. We are all generally happy to just pay for our expenses of doing a hobby we love. Those I know who are making money at it do it as a full time business, i.e. making cabinets or furniture.

This is on the mark.
You are not going to make any money at it, and would be lucky if what you sell covers the cost of your tools and material.

[goalphish2002]

As a woodworker myself, I don't know any of my woodworking friends that make money. We are all generally happy to just pay for our expenses of doing a hobby we love. Those I know who are making money at it do it as a full time business, i.e. making cabinets or furniture.

This is on the mark.
You are not going to make any money at it, and would be lucky if what you sell covers the cost of your tools and material.

I've accepted this.  Many hobbies cost money.  I don't have an issue spending money on things I enjoy.

[Uturn]

I loves me some woodworking!  I've been doing it a little over 10 years and hopefully can give you some advice that I wish that I had.  As far as making money, it is much like other artistic endeavors.  Actor, painter, author, sculptor, yes there are some making a very nice living, but most would struggle without a day job.   The masses want furniture that keeps them from having to live on the floor, they are not interested and do not have the budget for hand made furniture. 

On to my advice
* USED tools!! Seriously, a used quality tool is far superior to a new cheap tool.  Craigslist, estate sales, online woodworking forums are good places to look.  I have a 40 year old drill press that I paid $10 for at a machine shop going out of business sale

* do not buy a tool that you think you will need.  Instead, buy a tool that you need for your current project.  Almost every woodworker I know has tools that have never been used because it seemed like such a good purchase for future use.  I have a $150 Porter Cable biscuit jointer that has only been used on test cuts the day I bought it.

* before buying a tool, honestly try to make that part with existing tools.  I bought a tapering jig for the table saw because everyone on TV and YouTube use one.  I used it twice and decided that I prefer to make those cuts on the bandsaw and clean up with a handplane.  I also have a barely used hollow chisel mortiser, because I prefer to use the chisels that I already had.

* don't discount hand tools just because everyone in the know says power tools are better.  Power tools excel at repeatable cuts, but for one or two pieces, hand tools are often faster.  You are not running a production shop and are not going to be making that many duplicate pieces.  I will admit that the learning curve for hand tools is far steeper than power tools, but I am soooo happy that I trudged my way through that curve.  The first few times I picked up a hand plane, I thought it was the spawn of satan.  Now I realize that they are truly sweet gifts from the woodworking gods.

* projects are going to take far longer than you thought.  Your time estimations in the beginning are going to be based on edited video and watching people that are experienced.  You cannot edit out the times you will make a piece 1/8" too short because you cut on the wrong side of the blade, or chipped out the end of a board because you mis-read the grain and it split, or milled your stock too thin because you don't yet have the experience to flatten a twisted board.  Patience comes before experience. 

[J Boogie]

I'm 31 and I've been woodworking for about 3 or 4 years now.

I started out in a makerspace paying about $50/month, and I only recently stopped going as I have a garage now with enough tools to get me by.

To provide a contrary viewpoint, I have consistently made money throughout my entire process.  I've sold quite a few benches/tables/cabinets to my friends/family/coworkers who wanted something handcrafted and my prices were quite a bit lower as I was a novice amatuer woodworker.  But even as a novice you can make decent quality furniture (my early work is definitely missing a refined touch, but it's all structurally sound and the owners find them visually beautiful).

At this point, owning a fixer upper 1890's duplex in a very nice neighborhood, having this skill (and the sweet tools) is very advantageous.  I have been able to remodel our kitchen in a way that would have costs tens of thousands for a professional to do it.

I guess it all depends how you approach it.  Most hobbyist woodworkers I know don't make a dime either.  I however have a very intense passion when it comes to woodworking and plan on quitting my job to build furniture full time in the next 5-10 years.  Since I started I've never really had a time where I didn't have a paying project (or one that would save my family considerable money) to work on.  And many times I've had multiple going at the same time.



I second what Uturn has to say about hand tools - even when you have a table saw, a router, a jointer, a planer, even a freaking domino, you still need to have hand tool skills.  Every piece will be a new piece that you don't have a perfect process on yet and you'll be constantly fine tuning various aspects of it with your hand tools.  So you might as well learn hand tools first.

Also I would watch every Frank Howarth youtube video starting from number 1.  It's insanely entertaining and you'll have learned tons about woodworking by the end of it. 

[Fishindude]

I'm 31 and I've been woodworking for about 3 or 4 years now.

I started out in a makerspace paying about $50/month, and I only recently stopped going as I have a garage now with enough tools to get me by.

To provide a contrary viewpoint, I have consistently made money throughout my entire process. 

Have you really done the math on this and confirmed that it is profitable?
Does it cover the cost of all of your tool purchases, shop space with upkeep, utilities, taxes, etc., and a reasonable rate per hour (at least $20) for your labor?

[J Boogie]

I'm 31 and I've been woodworking for about 3 or 4 years now.

I started out in a makerspace paying about $50/month, and I only recently stopped going as I have a garage now with enough tools to get me by.

To provide a contrary viewpoint, I have consistently made money throughout my entire process. 

Have you really done the math on this and confirmed that it is profitable?

Does it cover the cost of all of your tool purchases, shop space with upkeep, utilities, taxes, etc., and a reasonable rate per hour (at least $20) for your labor?

I haven't.  But I know my shop space was $50/month, and I'm fairly certain I made less than $20/hr on most projects.

Before I started setting up my own space, I had made about ~ $8,000 top line with expenses (shop space, lumber, personal tools & supplies) around ~$4,000.

It's not like I've been printing money, but making an extra thousand or two a year sure is better than spending an extra thousand or two a year.

[steviesterno]

I make knives, but I believe the same idea applies. I don't have as much time anymore with a kiddo, but yearn to get back out and work. It's nice to get yourself filthy and have something in your hand that wasn't there before. But as far as making money? i doubt it. I could sell what I make for maybe $200, but it's 15 hours or so and half that in materials, so not really worth it at this point.

On the plus side, my whole family got kick ass chef knives for christmas one year...

[Laura33]

Totally agree with the advice above.  My DH does woodworking as a hobby; so much of our work is in our heads, and he likes making tangible things.  It is a money-suck for us, but I have much nicer furniture than I would ever have bought myself. :-) 

On the down side, the only people I have seen make money at it treat it like a full-time job -- you go to any craft show, and there's a low-end guy selling pens and cutting boards, and usually a high-end guy selling fine furniture or art pieces.  And these guys go from show to show.  My DH considered it at one point.  But he realized that turning pens at a production level would be far more boring than his day job, and producing fine furniture would require hours and hours of sanding and finishing work (his least-favorite part of the job), and that both options would therefore kill the joy he takes in doing it as his hobby.  Plus, you know, his math said he could make more $ working at McDonald's.  :-)

On the plus side, though, his comfort with tools and making stuff has definitely created a virtuous cycle in terms of his comfort in tackling a variety of home projects.  When we married, the only thing he knew how to do was change light bulbs and break out the 409; now he does all of our basic plumbing, electrical, tiling, drywall fixes, etc., and in fact did two bathrooms on his own (not to mention a gorgeous built-in and coffered ceiling in our dining room).  My retirement goal would be that we ultimately build/significantly remodel our own house, with him doing (at least) all the trim and the cabinetry.  So, basically, it's a wonderful world to encourage some burgeoning self-sufficiency.

[MoMan]

A few years ago I took on the project of building a cedar strip canoe. Along the way I got lots of advice via forums from others and made friends online with a couple. One guy, an electrical engineer, told me that he makes more money (I believe he was referring to per hour) teaching canoe/kayak building in classes than he makes as an engineer. It's a weekend side hustle for him. Just saying that there may be ways of generating income beyond churning out woodworking projects.

As for me, I plan to take my hobby full time as soon as I hit FIRE. A friend wants me to create small, kitschy stuff that she can sell at a huge outdoor market a few hours drive away. Since I build stuff purely for entertainment, and often out of scraps, I figure I could generate beer money and get paid to be entertained. But I have no fantasies of replacing my current full time income.

There's an old joke:
Q: What's the difference between a pizza and a professional wood turner?
A: A Pizza can feed a family

[BurtMacklin]

All I can think of is Ron Swanson.

[Landlady]

I don't think you have to give up the idea of making money if you are ok being on the carpentry end of woodworking. My husband has found a niche doing this for people in the community. Home owners need help with little things like matching a cabinet door or help fix a chair or table.
If I were you, I'd pay attention to trends if you want to make money. There's likely a bigger market for some roughed together old barn wood paneling than there is for a beautiful rocking chair.
Aren't we all in search of something that we love to do that makes money? :)

[J Boogie]

All I can think of is Ron Swanson.

Nick Offerman actually does run a really nice wood shop.  Based on what I see on instagram, most work is done by his employees these days as he seems to stay pretty busy living the celebrity life. He's definitely a good craftsman though and he does show up with a tool in his hands on instagram every now and then.  I think he has a good solid outlook/philosophy on life - I'd say woodworking (or any process of physically creating something useful and beautiful) helps nourish the spirit, which in turn will help you become a better woodworker.  It's a virtuous cycle.  I'd recommend it to anyone - to keep costs low, I'd recommend spoon carving, as it doesn't require much in the way of expensive tools and materials.  Otherwise you might end up like me getting buying all kinds of festools.

[Goldielocks]

My dads side hustle with cabinetry makes him quite a bit now that he is retired. I think 40k per year, very part time. Here is the progression

Start- make own bookshelves , decks, fence, shop furniture, patio furniture.. No income for 5 years. Save money vs paying others

Garage cabinets for others

Furniture for own home, donate to church.

Kitchen cabinets.  Bathroom installs. ( those are usually custom fit needed)

Now, he just installs kitchens and does the related trim and fit and is like a contractor. Makes custom expensive furniture that people can buy for far less money from a store if the size was available as materials cost him more than others.

Wants to quit and just make fine furniture for family and friends, like bedrooms sets, entry doors. Word of mouth means people keep calling and he is nearing 75 now.


People pay for help in solving problems that IKEA can't deal with. Look at handy man style tasks. Or learn to make beautiful se of veneers to reduce the cost of solid wood materials. Find a contract fine finished with all the equipment.

[goalphish2002]

I loves me some woodworking!  I've been doing it a little over 10 years and hopefully can give you some advice that I wish that I had.  As far as making money, it is much like other artistic endeavors.  Actor, painter, author, sculptor, yes there are some making a very nice living, but most would struggle without a day job.   The masses want furniture that keeps them from having to live on the floor, they are not interested and do not have the budget for hand made furniture. 

On to my advice
* USED tools!! Seriously, a used quality tool is far superior to a new cheap tool.  Craigslist, estate sales, online woodworking forums are good places to look.  I have a 40 year old drill press that I paid $10 for at a machine shop going out of business sale

* do not buy a tool that you think you will need.  Instead, buy a tool that you need for your current project.  Almost every woodworker I know has tools that have never been used because it seemed like such a good purchase for future use.  I have a $150 Porter Cable biscuit jointer that has only been used on test cuts the day I bought it.

* before buying a tool, honestly try to make that part with existing tools.  I bought a tapering jig for the table saw because everyone on TV and YouTube use one.  I used it twice and decided that I prefer to make those cuts on the bandsaw and clean up with a handplane.  I also have a barely used hollow chisel mortiser, because I prefer to use the chisels that I already had.

* don't discount hand tools just because everyone in the know says power tools are better.  Power tools excel at repeatable cuts, but for one or two pieces, hand tools are often faster.  You are not running a production shop and are not going to be making that many duplicate pieces.  I will admit that the learning curve for hand tools is far steeper than power tools, but I am soooo happy that I trudged my way through that curve.  The first few times I picked up a hand plane, I thought it was the spawn of satan.  Now I realize that they are truly sweet gifts from the woodworking gods.

* projects are going to take far longer than you thought.  Your time estimations in the beginning are going to be based on edited video and watching people that are experienced.  You cannot edit out the times you will make a piece 1/8" too short because you cut on the wrong side of the blade, or chipped out the end of a board because you mis-read the grain and it split, or milled your stock too thin because you don't yet have the experience to flatten a twisted board.  Patience comes before experience.

Great advice, thanks.

[goalphish2002]

I'm 31 and I've been woodworking for about 3 or 4 years now.

I started out in a makerspace paying about $50/month, and I only recently stopped going as I have a garage now with enough tools to get me by.

To provide a contrary viewpoint, I have consistently made money throughout my entire process.  I've sold quite a few benches/tables/cabinets to my friends/family/coworkers who wanted something handcrafted and my prices were quite a bit lower as I was a novice amatuer woodworker.  But even as a novice you can make decent quality furniture (my early work is definitely missing a refined touch, but it's all structurally sound and the owners find them visually beautiful).

At this point, owning a fixer upper 1890's duplex in a very nice neighborhood, having this skill (and the sweet tools) is very advantageous.  I have been able to remodel our kitchen in a way that would have costs tens of thousands for a professional to do it.

I guess it all depends how you approach it.  Most hobbyist woodworkers I know don't make a dime either.  I however have a very intense passion when it comes to woodworking and plan on quitting my job to build furniture full time in the next 5-10 years.  Since I started I've never really had a time where I didn't have a paying project (or one that would save my family considerable money) to work on.  And many times I've had multiple going at the same time.



I second what Uturn has to say about hand tools - even when you have a table saw, a router, a jointer, a planer, even a freaking domino, you still need to have hand tool skills.  Every piece will be a new piece that you don't have a perfect process on yet and you'll be constantly fine tuning various aspects of it with your hand tools.  So you might as well learn hand tools first.

Also I would watch every Frank Howarth youtube video starting from number 1.  It's insanely entertaining and you'll have learned tons about woodworking by the end of it.

I would like to fix up my home and possibly buy a rental soon.  These skills will be advantageous. 

[goalphish2002]

I don't think you have to give up the idea of making money if you are ok being on the carpentry end of woodworking. My husband has found a niche doing this for people in the community. Home owners need help with little things like matching a cabinet door or help fix a chair or table.
If I were you, I'd pay attention to trends if you want to make money. There's likely a bigger market for some roughed together old barn wood paneling than there is for a beautiful rocking chair.
Aren't we all in search of something that we love to do that makes money? :)

I know a guy who made customized chicken pens.  He got so much business that he started turning people down (he was only doing this while searching for a full-time job).  It is possible. 

[J Boogie]

I'm 31 and I've been woodworking for about 3 or 4 years now.

I started out in a makerspace paying about $50/month, and I only recently stopped going as I have a garage now with enough tools to get me by.

To provide a contrary viewpoint, I have consistently made money throughout my entire process.  I've sold quite a few benches/tables/cabinets to my friends/family/coworkers who wanted something handcrafted and my prices were quite a bit lower as I was a novice amatuer woodworker.  But even as a novice you can make decent quality furniture (my early work is definitely missing a refined touch, but it's all structurally sound and the owners find them visually beautiful).

At this point, owning a fixer upper 1890's duplex in a very nice neighborhood, having this skill (and the sweet tools) is very advantageous.  I have been able to remodel our kitchen in a way that would have costs tens of thousands for a professional to do it.

I guess it all depends how you approach it.  Most hobbyist woodworkers I know don't make a dime either.  I however have a very intense passion when it comes to woodworking and plan on quitting my job to build furniture full time in the next 5-10 years.  Since I started I've never really had a time where I didn't have a paying project (or one that would save my family considerable money) to work on.  And many times I've had multiple going at the same time.



I second what Uturn has to say about hand tools - even when you have a table saw, a router, a jointer, a planer, even a freaking domino, you still need to have hand tool skills.  Every piece will be a new piece that you don't have a perfect process on yet and you'll be constantly fine tuning various aspects of it with your hand tools.  So you might as well learn hand tools first.

Also I would watch every Frank Howarth youtube video starting from number 1.  It's insanely entertaining and you'll have learned tons about woodworking by the end of it.

I would like to fix up my home and possibly buy a rental soon.  These skills will be advantageous.

Definitely.  If you're anything like me, learning skills involves making mistakes.  It's much better to make mistakes on things like benches and stools than houses!

[goalphish2002]

My dads side hustle with cabinetry makes him quite a bit now that he is retired. I think 40k per year, very part time. Here is the progression

Start- make own bookshelves , decks, fence, shop furniture, patio furniture.. No income for 5 years. Save money vs paying others

Garage cabinets for others

Furniture for own home, donate to church.

Kitchen cabinets.  Bathroom installs. ( those are usually custom fit needed)

Now, he just installs kitchens and does the related trim and fit and is like a contractor. Makes custom expensive furniture that people can buy for far less money from a store if the size was available as materials cost him more than others.

Wants to quit and just make fine furniture for family and friends, like bedrooms sets, entry doors. Word of mouth means people keep calling and he is nearing 75 now.


People pay for help in solving problems that IKEA can't deal with. Look at handy man style tasks. Or learn to make beautiful se of veneers to reduce the cost of solid wood materials. Find a contract fine finished with all the equipment.

Nice!!!