I want to become a cabinet maker

[jajabinks]

Hi all,

I've mostly been involved in finance for the past few years and before that ran my own business for a few years. And before that I studied design at uni. Deep down I'm a creative person but fell into chasing the wrong career.

Now I've binned finance and want to go back to my roots of being creative. I want to become a cabinet maker, as I enjoyed working in the workshop with my hands when I was at uni and had planned to get into furniture design before I got side tracked by finance. The closet thing I can get to this would be becoming a cabinet maker I think, and its something I would enjoy and also I want to have a trade under my belt.

I'm 31 years old, what's my chances of getting into this and what route do I need to take?

Cheers.

 

[marcros]

welcome to the forum.

It is worth you doing a few searches on the forum because this question does crop up from time to time.

 

[Woodmonkey]

Good luck. It's been said before, but you can make a small fortune cabinet making.... if you start with a large fortune

 

[doctor Bob]

I changed career to woodworking at 33, it can be done.
However I had absolutely nothing to lose as I had pressed the self destruct button on my previous career and was just happy to get a job, screwing drawer runners on to boxes. With a bit of bullshitting and taking a chance, I was working as a maker within 2 years and set up my own business within 6 years.
If you can get in with a decent business, show willing and have some talent (i'm a strong believer woodworking is like art, you either have it or you don't and learning skills will only take you so far) you can do alright.

 

[matthewwh]

Welcome to the craft!

You are lucky to have some of the most outstanding cabinetmaking teachers in the world within striking distance of Manchester. There's David Tragan (very local) Waters and Acland (lake district) and Chris Tribe just over the Pennines in Yorkshire.

I've never heard anyone say "I wish I'd left it a few more years before changing career".

 

[Peter Sefton]

Welcome to the forum, having a career in something you don't enjoy is a common problem these days.

Furniture making and being creative is a very satisfying way to earn your living and spend your life, not the easiest way to become rich but this is often down to being a good businessman not being the best furniture maker.

You are more than welcome to come and see us and chat to the students to see their take on things.

Cheers Peter

 

[RobinBHM]

I would start by working in the industry. It doesnt have to be cabinetmaking, maybe a labourer on site working with a carpentry firm.

You would surprised how quickly skills are gained. First fix carpentry may be seen as 'rough' but you will learn the skill of methodical, quick working. Even as a trainee carpenter, there is constant decision making needed throughout the day, such is thr nature of practical work.