anyone making money with your woodworking?

[Jason Watkins]

Hey folks I was just wondering if any of you are doing woodworking either full time or as a side business? I've seen a few posts here and there with people mentioning selling pieces they've made, but was just wondering if we could get some discussion started where we all may be able to benefit from, like pricing, getting customers, marketing, etc.

So far I've done:

a farmhouse table w/1 bench for $750

a desk for $375

And I just got commissioned to do a 3 cubby entry bench w/three wooden crates for $400 

What have you done?

[Andre Bracy]

I am a relative newbie to woodworking, but a very fast learner and I really love what I do.  I am a computer tech and while I am on freelance jobs, I always let them know that I can build a desk that will make your old computer look faster.....which eventually turns into a possible project.  There is definitely money to be made in woodworking and I am also looking at the tips and suggestions here to get better and possibly turn this into something more later down the road.  

As far as online selling, Etsy is the place to go.  Ebay is another option.  

[RCW]

How much of that was done using Kreg stuff?

[Jay Boutwell]

I have been using Kreg Jigs since they were introduced over 20 years ago and use them in all my projects.  The cabinet boxes and face frames are all built using the kreg pocket screws.  It is is used in all my furniture in one part or another.  Even the furniture that I build using mortise and tenon or other method of jointery the pocket screw will be used in some part of the construction.  It would be very hard to get along without the Kreg Jig system. 

RCW said:

How much of that was done using Kreg stuff?

[Jason Watkins]

That's good to know Jay. Sometimes I have reservations about using pocket screws on client pieces, but have come to the realization that most people I deal with want sturdy, functional furniture and could care less about the joinery methods. Of course there are clients out there that insist on "traditional" joinery 100% of the time in a project, but I've not met any yet. 

This is good stuff guys, keep it coming! 

[skulldigger]

I built an end table from solid red oak and sold it on E-Bay.  It went to California by UPS.  On the way, somehow UPS crushed the table.  This table was made exclusively from Kreg joinery.  What ever crushed this table broke 3/4" oak approximately 2 inches from the joints, but it did not break the Kreg joints.  This was the first project I ever built using Kreg and since then, everything I have has Kreg joints.  I was sold.  Most customers do not care how it is assembled as long as it looks great, is sturdy and affordable.  They know it' not an antique.  UPS bought the table by the way, purchase price +shipping, and I've had no further problems since.

[Jay Boutwell]

Jason, I have never had complaints from clients about pocket holes.  With some planning you can hide most pocket holes and thoes you can not you can use plugs to hide the pocket hole.  In cabinet work I drill the pocket holes on blind sides like behind a faceframe and hide others using panels of which I glue up from solid wood.  Examples of this can be see in my posted photos where you will be hard pressed to find  pocket holes in the finished product. 

You are correct about some clients who insist on traditional joints but ususally these are the ones who have no knowledge about the pocket screw technology.  There are occassions when a person would be foolish to use a pocket screw like in large framed jointery where a lot of stress and strain is found.  Example of this is in some of the even old tables with massive framework is found but upon examination of some you will find the mortise and tenon but also the  pocket hole was used to secure things like the skirting of the table tops. 

I think the big thing is how you present your jointery.  If it is ugly and not well placed and finished it can look like a wart on a nose, and can be offensive.

One of my techniques is to have some pocket hole joinery samples of which I give and demostrate to a client and allow them to see for them selves how strong these joints can be.  It is usually enough for them to see that the pocket hole is an exceptable money saving method and a great technology. 

Most will understand when the dollar figure is presented where a craftsman will need to made such jointery as mortise and tenon or fox wedged joints, when the pocket screw would be more that strong enough for the purpose.  We all know that the base price of a project will be determined by the amount of time it will require to produce the finished project.  A well placed pocket hole joint and a little glue will go a long way towards savings.

Have a Great Day

[Jason Watkins]

You too Jay, thanks for your wisdom.

Skulldigger that is crazy that your table was crushed. I did freight inspections briefly, and saw the damage a forklift can do. Did you send another table to the customer?

[skulldigger]

As soon as he notified me it was damaged I refunded his money, in hopes UPS would do the right thing, which they did.  I did not make another one as I decided not to do tables anymore (for shipping) after that as it is difficult to ship whole tables and not easy to make ready to assemble in the style of tables I like to build.  That's a good question though, does anyone make ready to assemble furniture to sell?

[David Dean]

Jason all my costumer's look for the pocket hole joinery and glue and they now all my work is 100% Kregjig and I back my work with a 1year gannuty so alote of my furniture will be hand down there are alot of good poeple in that will help just for the asking.Just remember its going be slow at frist and it will pickup.

[Howard Blankenship]

I advertise the benches shown here http://kregjig.ning.com/photo/albums/potting-benches on a number of outlets: craigslist, etsy, Kansas City Gardener Magazine, and my own website www.abienormal.com. The magazine is a monthly newsletter that is given away free at local garden centers, hardware stores, etc. Its cost is large and I have yet to recover the cost of my first two months. Its a seasonal business that I just started so I am still learning what works and what doesn't. I probably will not advertise in March again. Its just too early.

I use Sketchup to design the products. That program also enables me to plan and cost out the lumber. The basic version is free and I believe more than I will ever need. Its also fairly simple if you watch the tutorials. Occasionally I need something complicated, but I can research that when needed. Sketchup once was a Google product, but now Trimble owns/runs it. There is a plugin to Sketchup called "cut-list" that does what the name implies and seems to be useful to some, but I have not really understood how to use it.

[Howard Blankenship]

That is one sweet dresser David. Nicely done.

David Dean said:

Jason all my costumer's look for the pocket hole joinery and glue and they now all my work is 100% Kregjig and I back my work with a 1year gannuty so alote of my furniture will be hand down there are alot of good poeple in that will help just for the asking.Just remember its going be slow at frist and it will pickup.

[Jason Watkins]

Thanks for your contribution Howard! Are you getting alot of business from etsy? I've been thinking of setting up a "shop" there, but it would have to be for locals only, as I don't know anything about furniture delivery companies.

I do know there are some that will ship it nationwide and include inside delivery, but i have no idea what their rates are.

I've got quite a bit of experience with bigcommerce.com which is an ecommerce provider that I am thinking of launching an online store with as well.