Togalosh
Established Member
Well, there is work out there & money to be made. 2 examples:
1) My Dad has just spent £1200 (!!) on a small fitted bedroom cupboard made of god awful formica, fake wood panels which looks like it came from an Argos sale. I was stunned that he never asked me to help him.
2) I have seen some badly executed but nicely designed work by a new maker who is charming & dedicated. He charged a pretty penny for his work & got repeat business from his customers who must have more money than sight. He is much better now & improving all the time.
Surrey is choc full of opportunities from what I see. I'd go for pub & restaurant furniture, the heavy, chunky, recycled stuff that it easy to make & a fine ( classic professional) finish doesn't matter.. but trust no one to pay once the goods are delivered.
A good bench, a big bandsaw & great dust management are absolutely essential IMHO.. this took me years to figure out the hard way & I now kick myself for not sorting this out a lot sooner. My Makita 2704 table saw has done me proud so far but I'd love something sturdier. My DeWalt Dw733 thicknesser was ok for years but is LOUD & now am spending hours fettling a EB HC260 & wish I had space for something proper.
With my 2704, 733, woeful bench (office desk), rubbish router, a tiny bandsaw & few ok hand tools I made furniture in a 4 x 9 apex shed to a standard that I am still proud of all considering.
I am green with envy - Good luck !
Togs
1) My Dad has just spent £1200 (!!) on a small fitted bedroom cupboard made of god awful formica, fake wood panels which looks like it came from an Argos sale. I was stunned that he never asked me to help him.
2) I have seen some badly executed but nicely designed work by a new maker who is charming & dedicated. He charged a pretty penny for his work & got repeat business from his customers who must have more money than sight. He is much better now & improving all the time.
Surrey is choc full of opportunities from what I see. I'd go for pub & restaurant furniture, the heavy, chunky, recycled stuff that it easy to make & a fine ( classic professional) finish doesn't matter.. but trust no one to pay once the goods are delivered.
A good bench, a big bandsaw & great dust management are absolutely essential IMHO.. this took me years to figure out the hard way & I now kick myself for not sorting this out a lot sooner. My Makita 2704 table saw has done me proud so far but I'd love something sturdier. My DeWalt Dw733 thicknesser was ok for years but is LOUD & now am spending hours fettling a EB HC260 & wish I had space for something proper.
With my 2704, 733, woeful bench (office desk), rubbish router, a tiny bandsaw & few ok hand tools I made furniture in a 4 x 9 apex shed to a standard that I am still proud of all considering.
I am green with envy - Good luck !
Togs
