Ok so I will start out by illustrating that this is simply an idea in my head for perhaps 6-12 months time rather than right now. So i've begun to get the various tools I need for the work (hobby) I want to be doing, and also peered over the edge of that slippy slope that is "quality tools" with the appropriate whistles and cost etc. Now I doubt I will ever be using a dovetail saw enough to warrent spending £2)) and upwards as can easily be done, but something perhaps in the £100 range that I can look after and get a lifetimes worth of enjoyment out of is appealing.
By the time I factor in chisels, planes, shaves etc etc I find myself quickly looking at hiding the credit card statement from the gf for fear of finding the brake cables cut. 8)
So this got me thinking that unless I wish to devote all of my spare income to my hobby then I need an extra source of cash to support it. Thus I looked at perhaps making a few things for sale so my hobby can support itself. I've no intention nor deluded ambitions that I will suddenly churn out bespoke workmanship capable of commanding 1000's. But there is an abundance of cheap rubbish that can be had in any of the major high street retail stores. I already have a heafty table saw along with a resonable bandsaw, so have the ability to purchase large aounts of sawn timber to rip down (thus keeping costs small).
Things I considered were small tables, perhaps stools, dog kennels etc etc. Simple enough items that can be produced from reasonable solid timber using correct joints, marketing them as long lasting strong items on a few places such as fleabay, gumtree etc and sticking them in at prices to match the flatpack stuff. This would mean now and again I could expunge an a shiny new saw or plane without having to hide from the bank manager.
So finally getting to the point, those of you who either make a full living or side income from your woodwork. Is there much market for these kind of low end items? Do folk actually want to buy quality products of this price range or do they just head off to ikea once every 6 months to replace the last table that fell apart, got eaten by the dog etc? Also has anyone sold their products on private classified websites such as I mentioned or does it just come across as a con man to the buyers who want a proper website/brick & mortar shop?
By the time I factor in chisels, planes, shaves etc etc I find myself quickly looking at hiding the credit card statement from the gf for fear of finding the brake cables cut. 8)
So this got me thinking that unless I wish to devote all of my spare income to my hobby then I need an extra source of cash to support it. Thus I looked at perhaps making a few things for sale so my hobby can support itself. I've no intention nor deluded ambitions that I will suddenly churn out bespoke workmanship capable of commanding 1000's. But there is an abundance of cheap rubbish that can be had in any of the major high street retail stores. I already have a heafty table saw along with a resonable bandsaw, so have the ability to purchase large aounts of sawn timber to rip down (thus keeping costs small).
Things I considered were small tables, perhaps stools, dog kennels etc etc. Simple enough items that can be produced from reasonable solid timber using correct joints, marketing them as long lasting strong items on a few places such as fleabay, gumtree etc and sticking them in at prices to match the flatpack stuff. This would mean now and again I could expunge an a shiny new saw or plane without having to hide from the bank manager.
So finally getting to the point, those of you who either make a full living or side income from your woodwork. Is there much market for these kind of low end items? Do folk actually want to buy quality products of this price range or do they just head off to ikea once every 6 months to replace the last table that fell apart, got eaten by the dog etc? Also has anyone sold their products on private classified websites such as I mentioned or does it just come across as a con man to the buyers who want a proper website/brick & mortar shop?
