If one were to start a woodworking company...what should one sell for profit?
I was thinking of maybe even offering some sort of classes? What do you think???
I was thinking of maybe even offering some sort of classes? What do you think???
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what others need... Classes would be fun but remember: total strangers, one would need a big shop, insurance, be prepared for hard and stupid questions.Alex -
That's an easy one; make and sell only what people are willing to purchase. I have a fairly small shop and supplement my pension rather well with items made of 2X material. These items are fairly quick to produce and are sold through a local hardware store, the botanical garden and, during the season the wife sells them with her jewelry at holiday bazaars. Other items I make only on commission so the profit is more or less guaranteed. I say more of less, because you can get stiffed. Get a precentage up front, enough to insure that you'll not experience a loss in material or time should the check bounce or the customer renege on the deal.
MINIMIZE YOUR RISKS!
If you want to try teaching, do what I did. Hook up with a local hardware store and offer in store classes on a Saturday or Sunday. Start with something simple that ties in with what the store sells. I started with how to set up and use a scroll saw. Not my favorite tool, I'm not even that great with it, but the store sells them. So I brushed up on the tool and worked up a one hour presentation on set up, blades and safe operation. Nothing serious, just the basic stuff. Next summer the owner wants me to do a class on chain saws. One of my favorite tools. I'll probably do another this winter on the Dremel.A man without a shillelagh, is a man without an expidient.Comment
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Warren
What type of items from 2X material - I'm soon to have a pension that will need supplementing
PaulComment
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"Classes would be fun but remember: total strangers, one would need a big shop, insurance, be prepared for hard and stupid questions."
That would be almost like it is right now....I teach High School Woodshop.Comment
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I've also been told by more than one woodworker, that they now dred going to the shop, because what once was a fun hobbie is now tedious and work.Awww forget trying to fix it!!!! Lets just drink beer
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Paul: Primarily I make furniture for the garden and patio. Alaskans love the summer and spend as much time out of doors as possible, gardening, fishing, etc.. My stuff goes to the house, to the cabin and a couple of lodges use some of it. I make one item, a planter stand, that sells more for use as a stool or seat for grandchildren. I love grandparents, they buy a lot for kids and they buy on impluse. God love 'em!
Jeff: Another observation; target an audience. I do okay at multi-tasking, but I'm better doing one thing at a time and doing it well. If you are particularly versed in a particular tool, perhaps you could hire out to nascent woodworkers, teaching set up and use for that tool or a small range of tools. To my knowledge no one caters to the new guy, who can't travel to schools, doesn't like the classroom, or prefers one on one instruction.
When I finally take the plunge and get a lathe, I'm going searching for a good turner who can come to my shop a couple times a week for a month or so and get me up to speed with the basics. I'm not a fan of clubs or very sociable so I prefer to have my instruction one on one, or two If a buddy wants to learn and share expenses.
Hope there's a germ of an idea in the above. Good luck!Last edited by Warren; 11-17-2006, 10:26 AM.A man without a shillelagh, is a man without an expidient.Comment
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