What's the point??? (nearing the point of giving up)

[BigguyZ]

OK, here's a bit of a rant, but there's a question in there too.

So I want to do something special and unique for Christmas gifts for the family. Unfortunately, the easy stuff is taken as I gave everyone a bowl last year, and Mom and Dad got pens for Mother's and Father's day. So, I got the idea to make my brother a humidor. Now, he really only smokes like once or twice a year. However, he likes to have nice things like that for his bar area.

So I'm researching plans and materials and finishes. I buy some Mahogany at Menards- already planed and jointed. I don't have a planer or jointer, so that's important. Then I look for some Spanish Cedar. Rockler and Woodcraft have it for rediculous prices, but it's dimensioned to 1/2" thickness, which would be ideal. However, I end up going to a local lumber yard and buying 4 BFT of S3S Cedar for about $40. Now I'm looking at hinges, and the humidor rail hinges are $30-$40!!!! Even simple mortised hinges are $10-$20! Then there's the pore filler if I want a glass smooth finish, which for the good stuff is $15... Then I'll need to buy the humidifier and hygrometer- that's another $30 or so... So now we're up to what, $130+? Sure, the materials I have can make more than one box, but not that much more.

OK- so now I go into a cigar store to buy a cheap cigar to use for depth measurements to actually make this sucker. At this point, I've only bought the Mahagony and the Cedar. And actually, they have humidors (of course). They have a Spanish Cedar humidor that's veneered with mahogany or something else. It comes with a hygrometer and humidifier, a cigar cutter, and an ash try for $40. It also have the side rail hinges that Rockler has for $30 on it...

So now I'm thinking- why bother? Why spend all that time and money into something I can buy for less? Sure, if I make it there'll be some sentimentality to that, but not a whole lot. And it's not like it's something my brother loves that he'll cherish. But if there's no meaning behind it- why am I buying/ making something for him that's not that big of a deal anyways?

ARG! It's so frustrating. If I make the thing, I might not turn out as nice (it's my first quality WWing project other than turned bowls or pens), AND I'll have spent a lot more $ (which is in short supply at the moment). However, if I decide to buy it, it won't have much meaning, and there's not much point to buying something that he doesn't have a great want/ need for.

Does that make any sense? What do you all think?

[JR]

Boy, that's a tough call. For sure, if you made the humidor, he WOULD cherish it. The love that goes into a gift like that can not be bought.

OTOH, the numbers are out of whack. He'd surely LIKE the store-bought humidor, but it wouldn't be special.

Given the short amount of time until Christmas, I'd probably buy, and get a couple of good cigars.

JR

[Tom Slick]

my opinion when cost is a wash or it's cheaper to buy is that you build it when you need different features or higher quality.
our old joke was "why buy it when you can build it for twice as much?"

[LarryG]

But if there's no meaning behind it- why am I buying/ making something for him that's not that big of a deal anyways?

I think the key is whether the meaning is there for you. If you're going to build it, build it because you enjoy the process and the satisfaction it gives you, not because of what the intended recipient will think of the final result.

Amateur woodworking isn't about economics. It's about time being well-spent.

[pelligrini]

Maybe use the store bought one and customize it with a personalized inlay on the top.

[pecker]

My experience is that the recipients don't really have any appreciation of the time, effort, or even the cost of materials that go into a handmade gift. If you expect them to "cherish" it, and they don't, you may be in for a letdown.

As Tom Slick noted, unless you can really customize, or personalize it, or produce something superior, maybe just get the storebought model.

[crokett]

My experience is that the recipients don't really have any appreciation of the time, effort, or even the cost of materials that go into a handmade gift.

Yep. I don't make much for gifts anymore except for some select folks who would rather no gift than one that is not handmade.

[mschrank]

Buy the manufactured humidor, dissassemble it for the expensive parts and use them in your custom made box.

[dlminehart]

I stopped by a furniture consignment store over the weekend, and saw some nice used stuff at prices lower than the wood would cost me. Especially if they had some flaw one could fix without too much effort, such as a small scratch in the finish. Seems like people expect to spend about 1/3 to 1/2 of new on used that looks new, and perhaps 1/6 to 1/4 on used that looks a little used. At those prices, like Bigguyz says, you have to ask why you're making your own. And, of course, the answer should be because you want to, like to, or need something that the ready-mades don't have.

[BigguyZ]

Well I think I have my answer. I'm going to buy a pre-made humidor. Either online or from that store. I guess I'm used to things DIY being cheaper. I know my speakers cost much less than comprable ones would cost- new or used. Maybe it all depends on what you're looking at. I think the larger the project, the more return. But it's those tiny trinkets made in 3rd world countries that really make it of little economic value to make it yourself.

Since I already have the lumber, I'm going to make the humidor for myself- when I'm not so strapped for cash and time. Then I'll order the one for my brother online (or from that store)... Still disappointing, if you ask me.

[jackellis]

Don't be disappointed.

Most of the things I've made that are at all useful could easily be bought for less than the cost of the materials, let alone the cost of the tools and supplies I use to make them. However, I get a huge amount of satisfaction from making something, even if it turns out badly or os relatively trivial.

For example, our cats have learned to tip over the kitchen trash to get at food scraps. I built (though not as well as I wanted to) a wood box to hold the plastic can. Much tougher to tip over (and also sturdy enough for them to climb on). Not perfectly made, not the perfect solution, and probably more cost in materials than a brick in the bottom of the trash can. But the satisfaction I got from building the darned thing was priceless. It's even gotten a few complements from visitors.

[ironhat]

<snip> Not perfectly made, not the perfect solution, and probably more cost in materials than a brick in the bottom of the trash can. But the satisfaction I got from building the darned thing was priceless. It's even gotten a few complements from visitors.

I think that you're 'spot on' about our common craft. We do this for *our* enjoyment and satisfction. Even when people compliment a piece I usually feel a bit underwhelmed because I know the hours spent making jigs, solving problems, rectifying mistakes, performing trial runs, milling one more doggone piece, etc. So, it *has* to be for our satisfaction because noone, other than another artisan, can appreciate everything that we put into our craft. Good call, Jack!

[Uncle Cracker]

I think Chiz has the right idea. A woodcarver could save much time and energy by doing his carvings with a CNC router, but that takes the craft out of the equation, and turns the process into manufacturing. In place of each piece having the uniqueness and spirit of the craftsman, now there would be only the mechanical precision and cookie-cutter impartiality of the machine. All the feeling would be gone. And the pleasure and satisfaction to both the craftsman and the recipient would be gone along with it.

[ironhat]

Un Cracker, I once knew a guy who could paint as accurately as a photograph. I mean that you had to squint to see if it was a painting and at that you had your doubts. And that was the problem. It didn't tell you anything about him - he wasn't in there. I never thought I would feel that way because I love realism but this was too real. He would make a great illustrator, though.

[jonmnelson]

I think the key is whether the meaning is there for you. If you're going to build it, build it because you enjoy the process and the satisfaction it gives you, not because of what the intended recipient will think of the final result.

Amateur woodworking isn't about economics. It's about time being well-spent.

I'm putting the finishing touches on a cherry "silverware tray" I made my mother for Christmas. I'm sure I could have bought something similar for less than it cost to make the tray -- of course, I needed a new tool or two to complete it -- but it was more fun for me to make it. And whether or not my mother needs or even wants it, I know she'll love it because one of her sons made it for her. I'm guessing most woodworking projects end up costing more than it would cost to just buy the item instead, but that's not the point for me. I'm a paper-pusher by profession, so woodworking allows me to create something tangible, and to blow off some stress. I'm also (hopefully) getting better at woodworking with each project I complete. So I just keep working and try to ignore, or at least rationalize, the time and extra cost involved.