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Hello, Indeed, timber costs have the smallest relevance in the cost of a bespoke product. It is primarily the makers time. Once made a walnut chair that got many admiring comments, TBH it was only OK not my best work, it wasn't as comfy as I'd hoped, but it looked pretty. I was trying to...

Hello, They'll import everything sooner or later. Even bespoke joinery is already and no doubt that will only increase. The import the cheap labour to fit it too. Mike.

That is a good film, thanks for drawing my attention. This will mess with your noodle, though, not all serif styles are thick and thin and not all thick and thin styles have serifs! Mike.

Hello, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be mean and my comment was not meant as a criticism on the entire project, just the letters, but if I didn't say you'll do it again! There is a little saying that serves as a reminder for setting out thick and thin letters, such as you've made. 'thick in...

Hello, The E is OK but the M's and A are definitely backwards. Sorry, it's a bummer, but there is a convention to that, I used to be a sign writer and must have painted 100's of thousands of letters. Mike.

Hello, The beauty of the Alan Peter's chair is, the lumbar support is established after the chair is made. I would still mock one up before I started to make the set, but the back slats can be set up, tested for comfort, re jigged as many times as you like to get it just right. You don't have...

Hello, Before you spend on new, Bahco are not terrible, older ones great and Stanley can be superb to goodish depending on what type. I should think it is worth steepening the angle you are honing them until they do hold an edge. What angle are you honing approx? If you do the classic 25...

Hello, Yes, that is the one, though the seat pad on that is horrible. They have nice, backside contoured seats, that are very comfy and don't actually need a pad, though if you wanted to, a thin floppy cushion is all that is needed. What do you think, is it your/his taste? Oh, it doesn't...

Hello, OK keep the knife but still keep it off the list if you just happen to have one in the drawer. Does that make room on the list for another tool then? :D Mike.

Hello. I got out about 6 years ago, partially at first hoping to work a job and try to keep making with a view to getting back in at some point, with a bit of capital and some pieces to display. Renting the workshop on a low wage as a school technician made that a non-starter so I got out...

Hello, That list is about spot on, but we might cheat a bit to keep the list at 10 and add some necessities. I would drop the marking knife and add some sort of drill, we can't make much without being able drill holes. A properly sharpened pencil will do most jobs encounterd and a knife added...

Hello, I have made pieces to try and sell in the past and have just started an etsy account and hope to put on some things in a few weeks, jewellery boxes and smaller items. I'm trying to keep the price in the back pocket money range, but it is hard to keep things simple without making...

Hello, OK I see. In that case, sell it and don't think about trying to replace its capabilities with other tools, that is self defeating. If you want to do other types of woodwork, and have the energy, try the hand tools only route. Obviously with some help from a bandsaw, I would always have...

Hello, And none would be as good as the Felder. I say keep it, stop stressing over it and make something! That will make you feel better about owning it. After all, some people who have not had a career in woodwork, retire and buy a Felder for a hobby workshop. I have always regretted selling...

Hello, They are the ones I mean. Mike.

Hello, You can have my copy, I don't read it anymore. PM me with an access to send it. Mike.

Hello, Find a copy of Alan Peter's book cabinetmaking a professional approach and look at his dining chairs in the designs at the back. They are relatively easy to do they are dead comfortable and stylish even now. Shouldn't take too long to do although some allowance needs to be made if you...

Hello, Everything sold, I made to commission. The problem was the price I had to sell to get the commission was unsustainably low. Asking the sustainable price never got the work, so I lowered so hard the pips squeaked, and still only managed to get some. More examples, when I got the job at...

Hello, I know I'm in the wrong place, but I can't afford to move, I don't earn enough! :) The real killer is, I would be content making stuff for my own consumption as a hobbyist, but my house has nowhere to do it. I try to do bits in the school workshop, but it is shut weekends. And yes...

Hello, Thanks Custard and Mr T. Perhaps some may now realise the reality of what we do, my case tried to do. Funnily enough I came to the exact same figure of £1000 per week workshop contribution, and seldom made it. It didn't seem like such a big deal turning that over, but trying to get it...