Learning

[Royal Wood]

Hi has anybody taught themselfs how to learn woodworking and made money out of it. Ive always been really interested in woodworking and would love to start doing it as a hobby and maybe it will lend to a few quid for tools etc. so how did you learn?

 

[carlb40]

Yes i'm a self taught chippie. I learned as i went along, read a few books, watched a few bits on tv and just did it

 

[Togalosh]

I am busy teaching myself (excluding woodwork at school) & although I am fairly proud of my progress I've a long way to go yet ...

I wish I could have tuition as what I've learnt so far could have been taught in a fraction of the time by an old pro showing me.

... & yes I could make money from it (which is not the same as making a living from it) if I had a home workshop...but I have a day job & a workshop that costs me ..but I love it anyway...& who knows just maybe I could get that good & that much faster so that I could make it my day job (oh pleeease!).

What I do know anecedotaly is that there are a shed loads of people who love furniture & that also really love the idea of having something made just for them, just as they want it..but turning that into a real profit is a trick n a half, getting pocket money is do-able.

 

[MARK.B.]

Over the years my very limited skills (compared to many on here ) have made me a few quid here and there that has allowed the purchase of the odd pint or two, on the other hand the savings i have made over the years by doing things myself amount to many thousands of pounds.In todays economic marketplace i know i could never pay the bills with my amateur efforts in the workshop, but i derive intense satisfaction from knowing that i have the end product that i want ( or to be more precise what swmbo wants ) and my hard earned pennies can be saved for a rainy day .

 

[deema]

The question is not what skill you have, but if you can make something a little innovative or novel. I am self taught and don't do it for any reward, but, some of the things I make are not generally available, I am never short of people looking for me to make things for them. I have received offers for doing stuff, which would if I started to take them up enable me to make a very reasonable living.

Whilst not doing it for a loin, I would focus on creating a really good workshop whilst you have the time to buy machines and kit at opportunity prices. Focus on buying secondhand really good kit, there are in my experience few 'joiners' with a proper workshop. As a consequence this type of work can pay more than 'fitting'.

Making standard windows and doors, stairs, etc, would enable you to make a living, however there is a lot of competition. If you know or are someone very creative, there is an opportunity to make serious money. I read a while ago about a lady with a fret saw who started making Christmas decorative items and now employs 10's of people living the high life.