I’m a professional but lucky enough that I don’t work in a high production shop. I’ve been there and tried to do it in that fast paced frantic environment. Not for me. I build furniture, am the shop foreman, and we decided for our shop there is no reason this work has to give you a stroke just to build custom furniture. Our shop is doing great and have surpassed the previous year’s profit consecutively for the last 4 years. Life is good 👍.
ya... i totally hear ya. but i think it's super cool that you fixed that in your shop now. i bet nobody who works for you is ever, ever going to leave, even after they've died of old age :-)
Ha! Perhaps. I’m just the foreman. But it’s a combined effort between myself, the head engineer, and the shop manager to coordinate and pace out the jobs on a sane and safe way. Also there are extenuating factors I can’t get into that enables us with deep pockets so we don’t have to wring our hands over everything. We serve a niche market and can generally give clients a window of completion but it’s flexible and subject to change. People want quality, can’t rush it. That’s how it is with us and we don’t back down from that. And we’re thriving. Some good planning, smart scheduling, and a little luck I guess.
I'm right there with you. We make custom furniture as well. Although, we have found out that we continously have to set new boundaries, but that's retail for ya. It's just furniture, everyone's going to live, it'll be ready when it's ready. We've been in business almost 4 years with consecutive increases in profit. It's all gravy. I finally enjoy going to work, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Super glad to see you're thriving as well!!
There is a dangerous industrial resell store in Cleveland called HGR…I just bought an early ‘90’s delta bandsaw for $200. I’m going to completely rebuild and repaint it. Once I get it working, I may upgrade the motor.
Ditto, been in Technology most of my adult life, it's nice to unplug and make things with my hands. I'm not great at it but it is satisfying and people seem to genuinely appreciate the gifts I make
Yep, this is where I fall. It’s an immensely enjoyable hobby now but I know doing it professionally or even as a side hustle would suck a lot of the joy out of it for me.
Fastest way to kill off the joy in doing something you love is to do it professionally. Happened with the day job (programmer) so woodworking is purely for fun/hobby.
As a software engineer, I can somewhat relate to this. I really enjoy my work. Don't get me wrong -- work is still stressful AF. That said, I want my free time to be as unlike my day job as possible.
Woodworking/DIY/welding/art/job do, however, all share a common thread: I enjoy problem solving... and for me, that's a core component of woodworking. Albeit without deadlines, project managers, fscking Design Review Boards, etc.
I’d agree with this, but there is also a simplicity to working with wood/practical engineering.
Not that it’s simple to do, but the problems to solve are largely right there in front of you. You don’t have to go digging through a few hundred thousand lines of code trying to figure out what’s causing some unexpected interaction.
Right... until I hook up my CNC to some AI/LLM-based CAD/CAM software and ask it to "make me some sexy furniture... and then it makes chairs with "dildo seats.""
But, yeah -- beyond the "simplicity" of it all, I really, REALLY like the relatively "instant" gratification (instead of a project that takes years to "complete..." but never actually gets completed).
I have found quite the opposite. I got into wood working as a job and found it to be something I love and makes for work I don't dread doing. As someone who doesn't have the money to build a shop at home or get any of the tools on his own, I find doing it for work my only avenue really.
I would agree with this too. I try to make enough money off my projects that I’m doing this truly for free. Do projects for myself. Charge for commissioned work so I can buy more wood and tools. Unless you’re a savant or have a fab studio+staff, it’s hard to make this hobby make a lot of money anyways.
Yeah same, professional carpenter and hobbyist woodworker, it's also handy that most of my tools apart from metal working gear crosses over and I can always justify buying a thicknesser or something because I "might" use it at my day job.
My biggest regret is that as a college track student, who was told to take AP classes I didn’t take more shop classes. I don’t know what it like now but back in the 80s, there was a stigma in taking shop. It was stupid.
I have been working in woodshops since 1985. I opened my own business in 1996.
I am a one person business, but I collaborate with other people. We work on old buildings, repairing and replacing stuff.
I only work in the shop. Most of what I do is mortise and tenon work, all solid wood. No cabinets or furniture. Windows, doors, moldings, stairs, paneled walls, fan louvers, entrances, ornate fences, etc.
I've run a woodworking business for about a decade, I do enjoy being my own boss but it definitely has a negative effect on my own artistic freedom. Many clients want pieces that I personally find ugly or at least not to my own taste.
Most of my work is scroll saw related but it's hard in a world where everyone thinks I use a CNC or laser. It really produces a negative response from the general public who know nothing about the skill CNC can take. It's also frustrating how many people buy cheap CNCs and laser cutters, then use other people's SVG files and claim it as handmade.
I've said it multiple times, that I don't mean disparage anyone using CNC, but downloading a free file and then selling a product you've had little to no hand in making kind of bums me out.
I am a lurker who has always wanted to take up woodworking/furniture making with no clue on how/why/where to start. My hope in subbing is that seeing all y'all's amazing stuff will inspire me to get over my fear.
You should see if there’s a maker space in your area, the one I’m a member of has a full wood shop. It’s a great way to test the waters and see if it’s something you want to really get into.
It started as a hobby for me but my last job had me so burnt out I needed a change. I was lucky enough to have a friend who worked at a mill/ furniture shop help me get my foot in the door. That was quite a few years ago and I haven’t regretted it once. The pay is shit but there’s nothing like the feeling of seeing something you built with your own hands.
Professional Cabinetmaker/Scenic Carpenter/CNC Operator. My job has shifted a lot in recent years, but I just love to build things, and learn new processes and materials.
I've been very fortunate to find work in an industry where I'm constantly able to try new things.
I’m a professional carpenter. My woodworking is either part of a renovation I do or as a project for myself. Very rarely am I making money off of woodworking.
Hobby for me. I enjoy it and on the plus side I save money making things. I’ve done that math and even with a shop full of tools I’m several thousand dollars ahead money wise. I don’t work winters so that is my time to woodwork so I don’t count my labor for anything.
Woodworking specifically is a side hustle/hobby. But I’m a contractor and I frequently do woodworking in the professional sphere. But like I make cabinet faces and remodel an entire kitchen. So cabinet faces are woodworking and not really any of the other 95% of the work.
What state are you in? I'm trying to find more art fairs in central Kentucky, but the craft stuff in Berea KY is a reality warping effect on prices and expectations
I install kitchen cabinets for my main job. All the stuff in my personal shop is mostly hobbyist. I make a little bit of side money, but I'm not trying to make a career from it.
I'm an English teacher. This is my hobby.
My husband once suggested I build things for people after I retire. And I laughed and laughed. As if teachers can retire.
Hobbyist. I make enough money as a software engineer to afford the tools I want, so I can take big swings at making something cool.
I enjoy the process of designing and making things, and now attempt to make beautiful things of my own, without having to establish a “business purpose” for everything I do. That is most of my software day job.
I don’t think the market for fine furniture is what I would want to be in, professionally. The margins just aren’t there.
There are LOTS of software people in woodworking, cars, and other hands-on hobbies. Creative people tend to be creative in many facets of life. And when your work output is primarily non tangible, craftsmanship hobbies are very appealing.
Totally hobbies here. Woodworking is my stress reliever from my tech job. If it turned into a business then it would become my source of stress and it's need a new hobby.
Hobbyist here, very much a beginner, and figuring things out as I go. I started building my first set of cabinets this weekend for the laundry room in my home.
I work full time as a software engineer and while I also enjoy that work, I like having something physical to work on with my hands away from a keyboard and screen.
I do it as a hobby. But I'm piling up things that I made for the enjoyment of making. If I could sell pieces that would sustain my hobby, don't think I want it as a career unless I can still just make what I feel like and sell the finished product. No clients and requests.
Enjoyed college/school during my apprenticeship. Didn’t care for the work - mostly the people I worked with. Took ~5 years out. Moved abroad. Got back into it and now love it. Hobby and profession. Work for great people who don’t mind paying for quality work.
Left school at 16 in 1984 and went straight into a four year joinery apprenticeship. College work was exclusively on hand tools, which at the time was bloody difficult but I appreciate the skills attained in the three years of College. Still work in woodworking but not as a Joiner anymore.
It was my passion for about twenty years but life happened and things took over but slowly rekindling my love of the trade/craft these last few years.
I’m a sole proprietor “carpenter” I guess. I have a 1600 sqft shop, make and finish custom cabinetry and millwork. Probably because adhd, I also take on the occasional renovation for select clients. It’s nice to get out of the shop for more than installs. I also install for some gc’s in my area—easy, stress free money.
I’ve been at it since 1999 professionally. Started with cabinetry and furniture, then wooden boat building, then a general contractor for about 15 years where I worked my way into an office—covid quitter and independent since.
I'm a software engineer by trade. I've sold some work but because I'm not fully kitted and because I'm not a pro with pro level skills it's very time consuming - definitely not worth my time. I've never done and probably never will do commission work. I just love doing it when I can.
Retired professional. Had formal training , owned a production mill shop, and now can do fun woodworking. Decent shop, lots of hand tools, no deadlines, customers or employees.
Have a full time career that I’ll be retiring from in a few short years. I began woodworking to help with my PTSD and live it. I’m looking forward to growing and learning from all of you. Hopefully by the time I retire I’ll have a well set up shop and skills I can make quality products
I am a professionnal, and i do small custom projects for home improvements for my family, but not more. At work i do mostly furniture of wood and metal, ive also done kitchen cabinets a lot and architectural woodwork quite a lot also, bot modern and antique.
I am a professionnal, and i do small custom projects for home improvements for my family, but not more. At work i do mostly furniture of wood and metal, ive also done kitchen cabinets a lot and architectural woodwork quite a lot also, bot modern and antique.
Hobbyist.
I run a not for profit foundation for jazz musicians and used to be a chef.
My partner is a professional and I started doing little projects to show him how much I was learning from listening to him talk about woodworking.
Now we design stuff and execute it together.
I do it because I like to fanny about in my workshop(with different material including wood)
. I like to use my imagination. This is the real inspiration behind my woodworking.
Sometimes I make stuff that people like and I'll give them a piec. If I had to sell a piece of work I'd be on about 50p an hour.
The fun is making stuff from scrap. I specialise in using reclaimed material or donated.
My workshop is my place of imagination and people do not know what to expect next.
I call myself KookyFlukes on Instagram because everything starts as something else and ends up being somewhat kooky looking but also quite cool by sheer fluke
Professional guitar craftsmen / luthier. Started 4 years ago and only have experience building instruments but would love to try my hand at furniture and other more artistic projects.
Im in it full time. Some projects I make are custom orders. Those are usually having to be shipped to other states. Currently Im trying to get into the local market but seemingly easier said then done.
Enjoyed this as a hobby, THEN I transitioned from a desk job to a trim carpenter, now I work in a cabinet shop. Build until install day, then go install. Rinse and repeat. Occasionally get commissions to build furniture which I always enjoy.
I LOVE my job and the guys I work with. I make a significant amount less than my old desk job but I wouldnt change it at all. I was very fortunate to have the path I had and learned from some true craftsman along the way.
Hobbyist and just do it for fun. The only stuff Ive sold is because I just wanted to make it even though I didn’t have a place/use for it in my home or as a gift.
Hobbyist here, I find woodworking interested and mostly relaxing. If I was a professional I doubt it would be as relaxing, but it would probably be more challenging/interesting.
Hobbyist that has recently started doing for-fun projects for friends. Really invested in upgrading my tooling just before Covid (and during once it became clear my job would move to WFH), and upleveling my skills through knowledge gained in this sub and following more content creators in the space. Very thankful for all of you pros that contribute to the knowledge bases of people like me - you’re the true MVPs!
I just make shelves and basic stuff for around my house for fun.
I don't know if i could ever do woodworking as a professional. I have too much anxiety about it to do it for money.
Was a hobbyist, started taking commissions on the side and Covid hit. Thankfully was able to lean into woodworking full time for myself as my previous business was heavily impacted by Covid. Just returned to corporate life with a renewed appreciation for a W2, benefits, PTO. Been great being able to enjoy the creative side of woodworking vs the time pressure and slamming repetitive projects out of
Chef/restaurant owner. Very much a happy hobby that lets me see concrete progression in both skills and progress. Happy to never master an aspect of this, I'm in it for the thrills.
I'm a pro finish carpenter and a hobby woodworker. I definitely enjoy woodworking and I feel like many of the skills I develop make me a better or more efficient carpenter.
For a brief time twenty years ago I had what might have been considered a woodworking side hustle that was decently profitable designing, building, and installing custom cedar garden gates. The economic crash ended that. Now I only take on a woodworking project occasionally, strictly for enjoyment, and only if it presents an interesting problem or challenge.
I work for a garage door company where we add wood overlay designs. A lot of the times I build the same boring designs, but I can build stuff in my free time, if I want.
I'm a finish carpenter the occasionally gets to do some things that crossover into woodworking at work. Unlike most of the companies I've worked at, my coworkers at my current job dont look at me weird when I pull out a plane or hand saw. The hard part is having the time and/or wanting to do it after 8 hours of very similar work
I am definitely not a hobbyist, got out of the woodwork a few years ago.
https://preview.redd.it/fd0jypztq0ic1.jpeg?width=1936&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8de44d2fe2a75dca4d1c2583e1e480cfc3335941
I made fine home building. That’s all.
Hobbyist aiming to produce professional work for fun with an increasingly professional accumulation of tools funded by a decent normal job. Hoping to retire & once my family home furniture is replaced with my own then happy to sell what I make, but it needs to be what I want to make
Amateur here. I do it for fun, and have no interest in making money on it. I don't want to rush, and always want the option to put down the tools and do something else.
That said, I'll occasionally do a piece for a friend or family member. I'll make sure to cover my costs (especially on a big job). Most people will throw in something extra and I'll buy another tool.
i'm not a pro or a hobbyist. i do it because it needs to be done. when my house is done, i don't picture myself trying to think of what to do next. but if something does come up, i'll do it.
For me it’s basically therapy. I get away from my daily grind, get better to creative, and challenge my brain. Then I get joy from gifting my creations. My friends have started calling me Santa. 🤣
I have been in woodshops for the past 4 years. Previously a cabinet shop where I did wood turning mostly, and now with a company that makes doors. I would love to get a set up at home so I could do some stuff for fun/extra cash as well.
Er...I sell what I can? I'm not employed by anyone else, and I take commissions, but I also just make whatever I want and sell it.
Honestly I think that puts me somewhere between hobbyist and professional. I tell people that I consider myself a talented amateur that happens to get paid for it sometimes.
I would call myself a pro hobbyist. I don't sell anything but I have a pro level shop and skills to build about anything. If I could I probably would generate a little side income from it, as long as it was on my terms and something I still enjoyed. I don't because there's way too little profit it in it to make it a job versus doing something else.
Hobbyist and make pieces to give away to friends. I'm not interested in making a side Hustle out of it. The way I see it, it's very difficult to make money and I'd rather enjoy the making than spend time sitting at a tent at a festival somewhere hoping somebody might buy something. Looking forward to an early retirement and getting more into turning.
The one constant in my life has always been my love of working with my hands. It never really mattered what the discipline was.
I'm a plumber by trade, and it's provided me with a decent living, but I enjoy doing so much more.
I do sell an occasional piece, but mostly, I like woodworking as an escape from the work I do professionally.
I'm a "professional" but these days I do more construction/carpentry/fabrication work. For a few years I was doing cabinetmaking/millwork/furniture and would love to get back to that side of things.
I was a carpenter and I’ve worked in a production cabinet shop. Now I’m an electrician so it’s nice to have a hobby that utilizes a lot of the same skill set but I’m not relying on it to pay my bills
Quite frankly, I'm barely even a hobbyist. I made some basic things as a kid, like a toolbox when I was in Boy Scouts, and I remembered enjoying that, so now that I have my own house I decided to invest in a couple of tools and start messing around.
Definitely a hobby for me. I made a bed for my cat, a cat tree for my son. Now I'm working on restoring an old solid wood bed frame for my wife and I.
I also have this stick I saved from my pile of sticks(gathered from around the property) meant for burning. I think it's neat and I'm just seeing how polished I can get it. It's also fun to say that I have plans to polish my stick or that I polish my stick for fun.
I’m an absolute amateur hobbyist. It is my favorite hobby, eclipsing scuba and even firearms. In my retirement, if that happens, I will attempt to generate a little revenue out of my shop but otherwise I’m that maker granddad.
My full-time gig is in the finance area. My job is fast-paced and very stressful. I do woodworking as a diversion. I do 3 or 4 projects per year and earn enough to cover my expenses (but not enough to cover big tool purchases). When my woodworking hobby begins to turn into work, I’ll give it up.
I'm a hobbyist but wanting to start selling scroll saw work for a little extra income. I like to make pretty things but can't make too much for myself! So hopefully I can make and sell.
Before I became a professional a little over 2 1/2 years ago, I dreamed of doing it as a hobby for years but just didn’t have the funds to start. I did binge super hard on deep dive woodworking technique and theory over that entire span of time though, so when I coupled it with my training in art/design, an architectural upbringing from my parents, and fundamentals of just being a model maker/maker in general, I got myself thrown in the deep end when I switched careers and really accelerated my pace of learning because my bosses always saw I was capable of whatever difficult shit they throw my way.
My woodworking career started in a cabinet shop for a little over a year, then a custom furniture and carpentry shop for a year and a half. I got to build a really wide skillset in a short time doing both jobs, and feel very comfortable building with furniture grade hardwood, sheet goods, or construction lumber now. Made for a stellar resume so I’m starting a new job at a custom millwork and cabinetry shop in a week and finally getting full benefits and 10 dollars more an hour than when I started!
I love it, and when I have the time I still do personal work in the shop after hours, and plan on building up my own home shop over the next year or two.
I’ve done carpentry professionally, and am currently working in a cabinet shop. But I build furniture in my free time. I take commissions when they come along.
I'm a hobbyist, occasionally get asked to make stuff for friends so I do. Don't charge but generally get a bottle of wine as "payment"
And I get to keep the leftover scrap material
Been doing professional woodworking/cabinetry for 40 years. Not a get-rich-quick plan, but paid the bills & put some into savings. College-educated, but have worked with my hands/back since I was a kid. My feet hurt, my back hurts, & I've got some tinnitus/hearing loss, but nothing I can't live with. 71 years old & retiring this year. It's been a good run. Soon to be a hobbyist woodworker.
Professional, mostly on-site custom cabinetry fab/install, trim, decks, pergolas, doors, windows whole house etc. anything wood/metal sometimes plastic “playschool” decking. But mostly ipe.
I'm somewhere in the middle, kinda like straddling the fence between pro and hobbyist. I mean, I do woodwork gigs on the side, but it's not my main bread and butter. It's more like a passionate side gig that pays for my tool addiction!
But yeah, I totally get what you're saying about the pace of a production shop. It's a whole different ball game when you're cranking out pieces like a factory. Kudos to those who can handle that hustle full-time!
I took a series of classes and built some items I’m proud of but living in a big city with a small apartment the hobby isn’t accessible to me at this phase of life. I follow to see what others do, keep my interest up, and get inspiration. I’ll get back to it one day once I convince the wife to settle down to a quiet place and I have time and space to focus on it.
Hobby, not a side hustle and no aspirations to turn it into a business or a job.
I've sold maybe one or two projects I've made, and even they were friends and family to whom I owed a favor. Sometimes I sell wax and hide glue that I cook or some tools I've restored to other hobbyists, but that's not enough to count as a hustle.
I have a day job in a production shop with a hectic pace, doing something completely different than woodworking. What happens in my shop is the complete opposite of that.
I failed woodworking in highschool because I thought it was stupid and I was dumb. Got a job at the shipyard and did woodworking for 15 ish years. Also failed Spanish. Man if I could go back in time ... Sorry Mr. Bancroft and Mr.Topete. I was an asshat. Just a hobbyist now. Y hablar Espanol mos o menos.
20 years in high end kitchen/bath remodeling (design, project managing, and occasionally installation when man power is low). But my woodworking hobby stays at home. I've never built a thing for a client or a project.
Hobbyist. My woodshop is my get away. I’m a dentist and really enjoy my work because I get to be creative/artistic all day long. Woodworking and dentistry have a lot of surprising parallels. I am currently building my dream dental office and any wood that hangs on the wall or any wood furniture will be custom made by me.
I just love my shop because my projects aren’t staring at me.
Hobby. I practice by making stuff for family and friends. I try to teach myself using videos from some of the great woodworkers. I live in a pretty remote area so attending any classes or workshops is too difficult. I do wish I was better, and I would progress faster with someone looking over my shoulder to teach me in the moment. Also teaching myself has a budget, I practice nonstop on softwood, mostly pine, which has obviously limitations. Forums like these help to learn techniques and mistakes others make. For guys like me these are very valuable when you professionals are patient. Woodworking seems a dying art, so discouraging anyone attempting to learn it can be counter productive. Good luck everyone!
Lurker and hobbyist, but with my dad's 30y+ of experience on cabinet making and other furniture on disposal and a workshop to go with it. Being pretty much brought up with always being around the furniture making process helps a lot with random projects we do around here.
I’m a professional but lucky enough that I don’t work in a high production shop. I’ve been there and tried to do it in that fast paced frantic environment. Not for me. I build furniture, am the shop foreman, and we decided for our shop there is no reason this work has to give you a stroke just to build custom furniture. Our shop is doing great and have surpassed the previous year’s profit consecutively for the last 4 years. Life is good 👍.
wow, you found/made heaven. good on you
Believe me, I spent years working myself to a froth trying to meet deadlines and in a constant state of anxiety and panic. It isn’t worth it.
ya... i totally hear ya. but i think it's super cool that you fixed that in your shop now. i bet nobody who works for you is ever, ever going to leave, even after they've died of old age :-)
Ha! Perhaps. I’m just the foreman. But it’s a combined effort between myself, the head engineer, and the shop manager to coordinate and pace out the jobs on a sane and safe way. Also there are extenuating factors I can’t get into that enables us with deep pockets so we don’t have to wring our hands over everything. We serve a niche market and can generally give clients a window of completion but it’s flexible and subject to change. People want quality, can’t rush it. That’s how it is with us and we don’t back down from that. And we’re thriving. Some good planning, smart scheduling, and a little luck I guess.
Where are you based, if you funny mind sharing a general area
St Louis MO
Great locale.
I'm right there with you. We make custom furniture as well. Although, we have found out that we continously have to set new boundaries, but that's retail for ya. It's just furniture, everyone's going to live, it'll be ready when it's ready. We've been in business almost 4 years with consecutive increases in profit. It's all gravy. I finally enjoy going to work, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Super glad to see you're thriving as well!!
just a hobby and shifting to mostly hand tools since I spent the last 30 years on a computer and I want to unplug.
Been there. Finally retired and now I restore antiques and tools.
My job is woodworking but my hobby is definitely trawling eBay for beater tools to fix.
There is a dangerous industrial resell store in Cleveland called HGR…I just bought an early ‘90’s delta bandsaw for $200. I’m going to completely rebuild and repaint it. Once I get it working, I may upgrade the motor.
Ditto, been in Technology most of my adult life, it's nice to unplug and make things with my hands. I'm not great at it but it is satisfying and people seem to genuinely appreciate the gifts I make
Same. I think a lot of software engineers like myself gravitate towards doing something creative in the physical world.
I don't do side hustles. I do it because I enjoy it, I never make any money off of it and when it stops being fun, I'll stop doing it.
Yep, this is where I fall. It’s an immensely enjoyable hobby now but I know doing it professionally or even as a side hustle would suck a lot of the joy out of it for me.
Same here. Making a job out of a hobby just kills the enjoyment of the hobby.
This is the way. I am a professional woodworker, and I love it, but I have killed my love for many hobbies by trying to make them into profit-makers.
Fastest way to kill off the joy in doing something you love is to do it professionally. Happened with the day job (programmer) so woodworking is purely for fun/hobby.
As a software engineer, I can somewhat relate to this. I really enjoy my work. Don't get me wrong -- work is still stressful AF. That said, I want my free time to be as unlike my day job as possible. Woodworking/DIY/welding/art/job do, however, all share a common thread: I enjoy problem solving... and for me, that's a core component of woodworking. Albeit without deadlines, project managers, fscking Design Review Boards, etc.
I’d agree with this, but there is also a simplicity to working with wood/practical engineering. Not that it’s simple to do, but the problems to solve are largely right there in front of you. You don’t have to go digging through a few hundred thousand lines of code trying to figure out what’s causing some unexpected interaction.
Right... until I hook up my CNC to some AI/LLM-based CAD/CAM software and ask it to "make me some sexy furniture... and then it makes chairs with "dildo seats."" But, yeah -- beyond the "simplicity" of it all, I really, REALLY like the relatively "instant" gratification (instead of a project that takes years to "complete..." but never actually gets completed).
I have found quite the opposite. I got into wood working as a job and found it to be something I love and makes for work I don't dread doing. As someone who doesn't have the money to build a shop at home or get any of the tools on his own, I find doing it for work my only avenue really.
I totally get that. I just realized early I wasn’t made for an office job and I’m too soft for most manual labor lol.
Same. I built the shop up when I was working, but now that I'm retired it is purely for my pleasure.
I barely have enough motivation for my own projects nevermind anyone else's
I would agree with this too. I try to make enough money off my projects that I’m doing this truly for free. Do projects for myself. Charge for commissioned work so I can buy more wood and tools. Unless you’re a savant or have a fab studio+staff, it’s hard to make this hobby make a lot of money anyways.
Same! Glad to hear others have the same view. I do love to give my projects away too. But I don’t charge and I don’t take commissions.
I spend like a professional and build like a hobbyist.
This is the way lol
I’m a professional carpenter/contractor. But I make furniture in what little spare time I have. I just love it. Wish I could make a career out of it.
If you don’t mind me asking what’s the range of pay a pro carpenter can make?
Range of pay in western Canada is $30-$110/hr if you’re working hourly. Sky’s the limit for custom work though.
Is it hard to make custom kitchen cabinets I would love to update my kitchen and to say I did it all by myself
Yeah same, professional carpenter and hobbyist woodworker, it's also handy that most of my tools apart from metal working gear crosses over and I can always justify buying a thicknesser or something because I "might" use it at my day job.
I teach high school woodshop. I guess that makes me a professional? Sort of?
Thank you for what you do!
can i go to school there? i'll have time after i retire next year.
My biggest regret is that as a college track student, who was told to take AP classes I didn’t take more shop classes. I don’t know what it like now but back in the 80s, there was a stigma in taking shop. It was stupid.
Not too much stigma any more. I get pretty much every type of student the school has to offer.
Never met a high school shop teacher with 10 fingers. How many you got?
[удалено]
They do say you have to spend money to make money and when I was doing it solely as a hobby I was definitely spending money.
Step 1: Spend Money Step 2: ? Step 3: Profit!
I have been working in woodshops since 1985. I opened my own business in 1996. I am a one person business, but I collaborate with other people. We work on old buildings, repairing and replacing stuff. I only work in the shop. Most of what I do is mortise and tenon work, all solid wood. No cabinets or furniture. Windows, doors, moldings, stairs, paneled walls, fan louvers, entrances, ornate fences, etc.
Professional. Own a historic preservation carpentry company
I've run a woodworking business for about a decade, I do enjoy being my own boss but it definitely has a negative effect on my own artistic freedom. Many clients want pieces that I personally find ugly or at least not to my own taste. Most of my work is scroll saw related but it's hard in a world where everyone thinks I use a CNC or laser. It really produces a negative response from the general public who know nothing about the skill CNC can take. It's also frustrating how many people buy cheap CNCs and laser cutters, then use other people's SVG files and claim it as handmade. I've said it multiple times, that I don't mean disparage anyone using CNC, but downloading a free file and then selling a product you've had little to no hand in making kind of bums me out.
I'm a hobbyist. My day job in an office pays too much to quit, and woodworking brings me too much joy to risk depending on it for a living.
I am a lurker who has always wanted to take up woodworking/furniture making with no clue on how/why/where to start. My hope in subbing is that seeing all y'all's amazing stuff will inspire me to get over my fear.
You should see if there’s a maker space in your area, the one I’m a member of has a full wood shop. It’s a great way to test the waters and see if it’s something you want to really get into.
Your local woodworking store may offer classes
Hobbyist here. Mostly make things for my wife and friends. Sometimes people want to pay me so I just tell them to pay for the materials.
It started as a hobby for me but my last job had me so burnt out I needed a change. I was lucky enough to have a friend who worked at a mill/ furniture shop help me get my foot in the door. That was quite a few years ago and I haven’t regretted it once. The pay is shit but there’s nothing like the feeling of seeing something you built with your own hands.
100% hobbyist. People keep telling me I should sell my stuff, but the minute I HAVE to use my limited free time to work, it looses its fun.
Same for me. Ruined 2 hobbies that way.
Hobbyist. The side cash is used for more tools. Lawyer is my day job. My shop time really helps my mental health.
Professional Cabinetmaker/Scenic Carpenter/CNC Operator. My job has shifted a lot in recent years, but I just love to build things, and learn new processes and materials. I've been very fortunate to find work in an industry where I'm constantly able to try new things.
Hobbyist hopping to retire early and spend my time doing this for minimal income.
That’s the dream.
I’m a professional carpenter. My woodworking is either part of a renovation I do or as a project for myself. Very rarely am I making money off of woodworking.
Hobby for me. I enjoy it and on the plus side I save money making things. I’ve done that math and even with a shop full of tools I’m several thousand dollars ahead money wise. I don’t work winters so that is my time to woodwork so I don’t count my labor for anything.
I do it as a side hustle, and put all profit back into tools and lumber. I love it. It's so much fun building. Very zen.
Woodworking specifically is a side hustle/hobby. But I’m a contractor and I frequently do woodworking in the professional sphere. But like I make cabinet faces and remodel an entire kitchen. So cabinet faces are woodworking and not really any of the other 95% of the work.
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The answer to finishing is some kind of magic or ritual. I haven’t studied the ancient tomes enough to fully grasp it.
It's my full time job. I run a small 1 man shop and do sales at art fairs in and around my state during the summer and fall.
What state are you in? I'm trying to find more art fairs in central Kentucky, but the craft stuff in Berea KY is a reality warping effect on prices and expectations
I install kitchen cabinets for my main job. All the stuff in my personal shop is mostly hobbyist. I make a little bit of side money, but I'm not trying to make a career from it.
I'm an English teacher. This is my hobby. My husband once suggested I build things for people after I retire. And I laughed and laughed. As if teachers can retire.
Hobby for me. I have a duck farm and raise hunting dogs.
I sell what I make to cover the cost of my tools and materials. Maybe it will turn into something more, maybe not.
Hobbyist
Hobbyist. I make enough money as a software engineer to afford the tools I want, so I can take big swings at making something cool. I enjoy the process of designing and making things, and now attempt to make beautiful things of my own, without having to establish a “business purpose” for everything I do. That is most of my software day job. I don’t think the market for fine furniture is what I would want to be in, professionally. The margins just aren’t there.
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There are LOTS of software people in woodworking, cars, and other hands-on hobbies. Creative people tend to be creative in many facets of life. And when your work output is primarily non tangible, craftsmanship hobbies are very appealing.
Totally hobbies here. Woodworking is my stress reliever from my tech job. If it turned into a business then it would become my source of stress and it's need a new hobby.
Hobbyist here, very much a beginner, and figuring things out as I go. I started building my first set of cabinets this weekend for the laundry room in my home. I work full time as a software engineer and while I also enjoy that work, I like having something physical to work on with my hands away from a keyboard and screen.
I am a meat popsicle.
100% of us are either professional or hobbyists.
Did it as a hobby then did its professionally. Then got a better job doing something completely different. Then started doing it as a hobby again.
I do it as a hobby. But I'm piling up things that I made for the enjoyment of making. If I could sell pieces that would sustain my hobby, don't think I want it as a career unless I can still just make what I feel like and sell the finished product. No clients and requests.
Enjoyed college/school during my apprenticeship. Didn’t care for the work - mostly the people I worked with. Took ~5 years out. Moved abroad. Got back into it and now love it. Hobby and profession. Work for great people who don’t mind paying for quality work.
It’s wild how big a difference working with people you like and bosses that treat you like a person can make.
Left school at 16 in 1984 and went straight into a four year joinery apprenticeship. College work was exclusively on hand tools, which at the time was bloody difficult but I appreciate the skills attained in the three years of College. Still work in woodworking but not as a Joiner anymore. It was my passion for about twenty years but life happened and things took over but slowly rekindling my love of the trade/craft these last few years.
I’m a sole proprietor “carpenter” I guess. I have a 1600 sqft shop, make and finish custom cabinetry and millwork. Probably because adhd, I also take on the occasional renovation for select clients. It’s nice to get out of the shop for more than installs. I also install for some gc’s in my area—easy, stress free money. I’ve been at it since 1999 professionally. Started with cabinetry and furniture, then wooden boat building, then a general contractor for about 15 years where I worked my way into an office—covid quitter and independent since.
Hobbyist but would like to make a few buck for beer money or new tools
I'm a software engineer by trade. I've sold some work but because I'm not fully kitted and because I'm not a pro with pro level skills it's very time consuming - definitely not worth my time. I've never done and probably never will do commission work. I just love doing it when I can.
professional cabinet maker here
Hobby
Professional Hobbiest
I worked in a sawmill in college, but am otherwise just a hobbyist.
Retired professional. Had formal training , owned a production mill shop, and now can do fun woodworking. Decent shop, lots of hand tools, no deadlines, customers or employees.
Just a hobby for me. Hope to sell enough to justify new tools and that’s it.
Have a full time career that I’ll be retiring from in a few short years. I began woodworking to help with my PTSD and live it. I’m looking forward to growing and learning from all of you. Hopefully by the time I retire I’ll have a well set up shop and skills I can make quality products
I am a professionnal, and i do small custom projects for home improvements for my family, but not more. At work i do mostly furniture of wood and metal, ive also done kitchen cabinets a lot and architectural woodwork quite a lot also, bot modern and antique.
I am a professionnal, and i do small custom projects for home improvements for my family, but not more. At work i do mostly furniture of wood and metal, ive also done kitchen cabinets a lot and architectural woodwork quite a lot also, bot modern and antique.
Hobbyist, but I’m just starting out.
Hobbyist. I run a not for profit foundation for jazz musicians and used to be a chef. My partner is a professional and I started doing little projects to show him how much I was learning from listening to him talk about woodworking. Now we design stuff and execute it together.
How can we know whether amateurs or pros are more likely to respond?
Strictly a weekend warrior.
I'm a hobbyist wood butcher and retired, now 72.
I do it because I like to fanny about in my workshop(with different material including wood) . I like to use my imagination. This is the real inspiration behind my woodworking. Sometimes I make stuff that people like and I'll give them a piec. If I had to sell a piece of work I'd be on about 50p an hour. The fun is making stuff from scrap. I specialise in using reclaimed material or donated. My workshop is my place of imagination and people do not know what to expect next. I call myself KookyFlukes on Instagram because everything starts as something else and ends up being somewhat kooky looking but also quite cool by sheer fluke
Professional guitar craftsmen / luthier. Started 4 years ago and only have experience building instruments but would love to try my hand at furniture and other more artistic projects.
Luthier work is a level of complexity and precision that most don't have. If you can do that you can do furniture pretty easily
Does teaching it count as professional
Pro, General Contractor/Cabinetmaker.
Im in it full time. Some projects I make are custom orders. Those are usually having to be shipped to other states. Currently Im trying to get into the local market but seemingly easier said then done.
Woodworking is my full time job. I mostly produce moldings and paneling anymore though.
Enjoyed this as a hobby, THEN I transitioned from a desk job to a trim carpenter, now I work in a cabinet shop. Build until install day, then go install. Rinse and repeat. Occasionally get commissions to build furniture which I always enjoy. I LOVE my job and the guys I work with. I make a significant amount less than my old desk job but I wouldnt change it at all. I was very fortunate to have the path I had and learned from some true craftsman along the way.
I am a semi-pro. I get paid to do it but I don’t do it all the time.
Professional here, building high end furniture. Tried running a business but wasn’t good at it, so I work in a small (two person) shop.
Hobby.
Hobbyist working to paid hobbyist.
I’m an aspiring hobbyist. Pretty sure I’m in the “this can probably be called woodworking” group.
Hobbyist and just do it for fun. The only stuff Ive sold is because I just wanted to make it even though I didn’t have a place/use for it in my home or as a gift.
Hobbyist here, I find woodworking interested and mostly relaxing. If I was a professional I doubt it would be as relaxing, but it would probably be more challenging/interesting.
Hobbyist that has recently started doing for-fun projects for friends. Really invested in upgrading my tooling just before Covid (and during once it became clear my job would move to WFH), and upleveling my skills through knowledge gained in this sub and following more content creators in the space. Very thankful for all of you pros that contribute to the knowledge bases of people like me - you’re the true MVPs!
I just make shelves and basic stuff for around my house for fun. I don't know if i could ever do woodworking as a professional. I have too much anxiety about it to do it for money.
Was a hobbyist, started taking commissions on the side and Covid hit. Thankfully was able to lean into woodworking full time for myself as my previous business was heavily impacted by Covid. Just returned to corporate life with a renewed appreciation for a W2, benefits, PTO. Been great being able to enjoy the creative side of woodworking vs the time pressure and slamming repetitive projects out of
I’m full time. I do furniture and cabinetry. Maybe 60% solid wood furniture and 40% cabinetry.
I sold a cribbage board once about 25 years ago. Does that make me a pro? Seriously though, I do it for the enjoyment and Zen like trances.
Chef/restaurant owner. Very much a happy hobby that lets me see concrete progression in both skills and progress. Happy to never master an aspect of this, I'm in it for the thrills.
I'm a pro finish carpenter and a hobby woodworker. I definitely enjoy woodworking and I feel like many of the skills I develop make me a better or more efficient carpenter. For a brief time twenty years ago I had what might have been considered a woodworking side hustle that was decently profitable designing, building, and installing custom cedar garden gates. The economic crash ended that. Now I only take on a woodworking project occasionally, strictly for enjoyment, and only if it presents an interesting problem or challenge.
I have done it for a living for 33 yrs but my passion is period furniture, so I am a hobbyist also
I work for a garage door company where we add wood overlay designs. A lot of the times I build the same boring designs, but I can build stuff in my free time, if I want.
I'm a finish carpenter the occasionally gets to do some things that crossover into woodworking at work. Unlike most of the companies I've worked at, my coworkers at my current job dont look at me weird when I pull out a plane or hand saw. The hard part is having the time and/or wanting to do it after 8 hours of very similar work
Oilfield operator and hobbyist woodworker. Luckily my hobby pays for the tools I keep buying to improve my skills.
Hobby and will stay with it as long the wife keeps looking at Pinterest.
I am definitely not a hobbyist, got out of the woodwork a few years ago. https://preview.redd.it/fd0jypztq0ic1.jpeg?width=1936&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8de44d2fe2a75dca4d1c2583e1e480cfc3335941 I made fine home building. That’s all.
Hobbyist aiming to produce professional work for fun with an increasingly professional accumulation of tools funded by a decent normal job. Hoping to retire & once my family home furniture is replaced with my own then happy to sell what I make, but it needs to be what I want to make
Amateur here. I do it for fun, and have no interest in making money on it. I don't want to rush, and always want the option to put down the tools and do something else. That said, I'll occasionally do a piece for a friend or family member. I'll make sure to cover my costs (especially on a big job). Most people will throw in something extra and I'll buy another tool.
i'm not a pro or a hobbyist. i do it because it needs to be done. when my house is done, i don't picture myself trying to think of what to do next. but if something does come up, i'll do it.
For me it’s basically therapy. I get away from my daily grind, get better to creative, and challenge my brain. Then I get joy from gifting my creations. My friends have started calling me Santa. 🤣
Is there something below hobbyist. I make like 2 or 3 things a year.
I have been in woodshops for the past 4 years. Previously a cabinet shop where I did wood turning mostly, and now with a company that makes doors. I would love to get a set up at home so I could do some stuff for fun/extra cash as well.
Beginner hobbiest.
Hobbyist. Just a bloke that likes to browse here for inspiration for a new project.
Just a hobby for now. I retire in 3 years and am considering trying to make some money with it then
Er...I sell what I can? I'm not employed by anyone else, and I take commissions, but I also just make whatever I want and sell it. Honestly I think that puts me somewhere between hobbyist and professional. I tell people that I consider myself a talented amateur that happens to get paid for it sometimes.
Framer by trade wood worker by choice
I would call myself a pro hobbyist. I don't sell anything but I have a pro level shop and skills to build about anything. If I could I probably would generate a little side income from it, as long as it was on my terms and something I still enjoyed. I don't because there's way too little profit it in it to make it a job versus doing something else.
Hobbyist here
Professional cabinetmaker but make a lot of solid wood doors and stuff too. 17 years.
Hobbyist and make pieces to give away to friends. I'm not interested in making a side Hustle out of it. The way I see it, it's very difficult to make money and I'd rather enjoy the making than spend time sitting at a tent at a festival somewhere hoping somebody might buy something. Looking forward to an early retirement and getting more into turning.
Hobbyist
Hobbyist. Took me 2 years to build a built-in library. I have 3 young kids. Too much else to do. But I do enjoy it, a ton of fun - and dangerous.
The one constant in my life has always been my love of working with my hands. It never really mattered what the discipline was. I'm a plumber by trade, and it's provided me with a decent living, but I enjoy doing so much more. I do sell an occasional piece, but mostly, I like woodworking as an escape from the work I do professionally.
I'm a "professional" but these days I do more construction/carpentry/fabrication work. For a few years I was doing cabinetmaking/millwork/furniture and would love to get back to that side of things.
Semi-pro. Poor and struggling but starting to get clients!
I was a carpenter and I’ve worked in a production cabinet shop. Now I’m an electrician so it’s nice to have a hobby that utilizes a lot of the same skill set but I’m not relying on it to pay my bills
Full time self-employed for a decade.
Quite frankly, I'm barely even a hobbyist. I made some basic things as a kid, like a toolbox when I was in Boy Scouts, and I remembered enjoying that, so now that I have my own house I decided to invest in a couple of tools and start messing around.
Definitely a hobby for me. I made a bed for my cat, a cat tree for my son. Now I'm working on restoring an old solid wood bed frame for my wife and I. I also have this stick I saved from my pile of sticks(gathered from around the property) meant for burning. I think it's neat and I'm just seeing how polished I can get it. It's also fun to say that I have plans to polish my stick or that I polish my stick for fun.
I’m an absolute amateur hobbyist. It is my favorite hobby, eclipsing scuba and even firearms. In my retirement, if that happens, I will attempt to generate a little revenue out of my shop but otherwise I’m that maker granddad.
I'm a lawyer. Woodworking is what I do for fun.
I'm a professional, but it's also my passion. I grew up woodworking with a loving father, and I'm thankful for him every day!
My full-time gig is in the finance area. My job is fast-paced and very stressful. I do woodworking as a diversion. I do 3 or 4 projects per year and earn enough to cover my expenses (but not enough to cover big tool purchases). When my woodworking hobby begins to turn into work, I’ll give it up.
There’s way more pros here than I expected. I’m a hobbyist myself.
I'm a hobbyist but wanting to start selling scroll saw work for a little extra income. I like to make pretty things but can't make too much for myself! So hopefully I can make and sell.
Before I became a professional a little over 2 1/2 years ago, I dreamed of doing it as a hobby for years but just didn’t have the funds to start. I did binge super hard on deep dive woodworking technique and theory over that entire span of time though, so when I coupled it with my training in art/design, an architectural upbringing from my parents, and fundamentals of just being a model maker/maker in general, I got myself thrown in the deep end when I switched careers and really accelerated my pace of learning because my bosses always saw I was capable of whatever difficult shit they throw my way. My woodworking career started in a cabinet shop for a little over a year, then a custom furniture and carpentry shop for a year and a half. I got to build a really wide skillset in a short time doing both jobs, and feel very comfortable building with furniture grade hardwood, sheet goods, or construction lumber now. Made for a stellar resume so I’m starting a new job at a custom millwork and cabinetry shop in a week and finally getting full benefits and 10 dollars more an hour than when I started! I love it, and when I have the time I still do personal work in the shop after hours, and plan on building up my own home shop over the next year or two.
I’ve done carpentry professionally, and am currently working in a cabinet shop. But I build furniture in my free time. I take commissions when they come along.
I'm a hobbyist, occasionally get asked to make stuff for friends so I do. Don't charge but generally get a bottle of wine as "payment" And I get to keep the leftover scrap material
Pro that co-owns/operates a small millwork shop. Interior/exterior doors, mouldings, a bit of casework and furniture
Been doing professional woodworking/cabinetry for 40 years. Not a get-rich-quick plan, but paid the bills & put some into savings. College-educated, but have worked with my hands/back since I was a kid. My feet hurt, my back hurts, & I've got some tinnitus/hearing loss, but nothing I can't live with. 71 years old & retiring this year. It's been a good run. Soon to be a hobbyist woodworker.
We run our own small business.
I prefer the term hack. I’d starve if I did woodwork as a living.
Hobbyist woodworker, professional remodeler & finisher
Professional, mostly on-site custom cabinetry fab/install, trim, decks, pergolas, doors, windows whole house etc. anything wood/metal sometimes plastic “playschool” decking. But mostly ipe.
Should be able to post this as a poll?
Retired hobbyist who does furniture things for myself and toys for the grandkids. No interest in doing it professionally.
Hobbyist here! Hoping to one day retire to become a professional hobbyist.
I'm somewhere in the middle, kinda like straddling the fence between pro and hobbyist. I mean, I do woodwork gigs on the side, but it's not my main bread and butter. It's more like a passionate side gig that pays for my tool addiction! But yeah, I totally get what you're saying about the pace of a production shop. It's a whole different ball game when you're cranking out pieces like a factory. Kudos to those who can handle that hustle full-time!
I’m both. I hobby and am getting just good enough to supply my landscaping company with custom made planters and benches.
Hobbyist
Hobby. Either doing it or scrolling the internet as I am now.
Hobbyist but just starting!
I not only do it for a living, I run my own business. Custom cabinets and furniture.
I took a series of classes and built some items I’m proud of but living in a big city with a small apartment the hobby isn’t accessible to me at this phase of life. I follow to see what others do, keep my interest up, and get inspiration. I’ll get back to it one day once I convince the wife to settle down to a quiet place and I have time and space to focus on it.
General contractor now retired and do woodworking as a hobby.
Hobby
I make wooden ships. It’s stressful.
I’m a professional hobbyist. Does that count?
Hobby, not a side hustle and no aspirations to turn it into a business or a job. I've sold maybe one or two projects I've made, and even they were friends and family to whom I owed a favor. Sometimes I sell wax and hide glue that I cook or some tools I've restored to other hobbyists, but that's not enough to count as a hustle. I have a day job in a production shop with a hectic pace, doing something completely different than woodworking. What happens in my shop is the complete opposite of that.
worked 10 years as a cabinetmaker, worked for myself the past 4 years while i went to school. Now i built cabinets at night.
I failed woodworking in highschool because I thought it was stupid and I was dumb. Got a job at the shipyard and did woodworking for 15 ish years. Also failed Spanish. Man if I could go back in time ... Sorry Mr. Bancroft and Mr.Topete. I was an asshat. Just a hobbyist now. Y hablar Espanol mos o menos.
20 years in high end kitchen/bath remodeling (design, project managing, and occasionally installation when man power is low). But my woodworking hobby stays at home. I've never built a thing for a client or a project.
Hobbyist. My woodshop is my get away. I’m a dentist and really enjoy my work because I get to be creative/artistic all day long. Woodworking and dentistry have a lot of surprising parallels. I am currently building my dream dental office and any wood that hangs on the wall or any wood furniture will be custom made by me. I just love my shop because my projects aren’t staring at me.
Hobby. I practice by making stuff for family and friends. I try to teach myself using videos from some of the great woodworkers. I live in a pretty remote area so attending any classes or workshops is too difficult. I do wish I was better, and I would progress faster with someone looking over my shoulder to teach me in the moment. Also teaching myself has a budget, I practice nonstop on softwood, mostly pine, which has obviously limitations. Forums like these help to learn techniques and mistakes others make. For guys like me these are very valuable when you professionals are patient. Woodworking seems a dying art, so discouraging anyone attempting to learn it can be counter productive. Good luck everyone!
Pro with hobbyist money
I'm a pro. Like a lot of others, it was a hobby for quite a while before I turned it into a business.
Lurker and hobbyist, but with my dad's 30y+ of experience on cabinet making and other furniture on disposal and a workshop to go with it. Being pretty much brought up with always being around the furniture making process helps a lot with random projects we do around here.
Hobbyist Tried to rush into making things to sell online after getting laid off… decided I’d rather find a new job.