Woodworking Relativity

Good luck on that last thought, Miles. I will have to pass on a visit to your new digs, having already given to the cause shortly after my 52nd birthday. LOL.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Actually, I would take it as a compliment to your fine work. But I too have recently fell victim to my sister-in-law to do all the trim moulding in her bedroom. So what I did was include her into the project. She got to go to the store to buy the lumber and she gets to do all the staining too. Actually, my wife “volunteered” me for this, so it’s rather like being thrown to the dogs.

Have fun!

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

Ah, the family. I have come to the point where if they cover materials I’m happy. I do it when I have time and if they want it by a specific date, then they become a regular customer. Fortunately for me, my family has been pretty good about covering materials plus some.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

i have often wondered why my friends and family wouldnt pay me more than some jack leg they found in the yellow pages after all they already know me and know ill do a good job at a fair price hmmm…....

Miles, in case anyone calls your bluff, you should instead say ObGyn instead…

-- Dekker - http://www.WoodworkDetails.com/Blog/MNagy/

LMAO Dekker! Well i was gonna make my selling point a groundbreaking colonoscopy procedure that involved a tube down the throat. Sorta like those oil change places that no longer take the oil plug out. HEHE

-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""

ROTFLMAO. Just please don’t make me drink anymore of that Go Lightly stuff (Rectum? It nearly killed ‘em – sorry old joke)

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Yeah… when I was in school, my mom would be happy to slip a hand written “coupon” for babysitting, dinner out and what not into a birthday card. The second I graduated with a degree in Graphic Design it seemed everyone crawled out of the woodwork for me to create custom designed coupons, invitations and such, always family, always, “oh, tonight could you…” Nothing hard, nothing groundbreaking, just lots of freetime given up on what days ago wasn’t even necc… – after putting in my 8-5 at the computer, and while everyone else was down watching TV! Funny what powers and changes of consciousness a slip of paper (or faux sheepskin) can bring about in family members.

I’ve been trying to come up with a good answer when people ask “what do you do.”

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Vincent Van Gogh -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

Sure I would love to do that for you, but do me a favor and have 911 on stand by. Some of what you want can get a little tricky and we don’t want anymore loss of property or appendages than necessary.

Thats my story!

I’m with Russell. I ask them to pay for the materials and tell them I’m Sllllloooooowwww. I’ll get it done in m own timing. If they need it by a certain time, then they need another woodworker. I make a living based on deadlines and my woodworking is meant to be a relaxing hobby. I don’t need anymore stress with a deadline from friends.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

People ask me: “Are you a doctor or a lawyer?”

To which I reply: “Yes”

When they next say “Haha. which?”

I say: “Proctologist”

Do you think we get this humor from inhaling sawdust?

-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.

The problems for all of us. I get asked to write software programs for people. But not a lot anymore. I’m retired.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

Me too, what you all said! I’ve been clear with my family that my woodworking is my job, and I have to pay the bills first. If I had a store, they couldn’t expect to get free merchandise from me. The deal is: they can cover materials and I’ll do it when I get to it, or they can pay for my time and I’ll put them in the schedule. I’ve had takers both ways. Those who are willing to pay get a bid from me, sign a contract, and put down a materials deposit just like my other clients. However, I give them a “friends and family discount.” That way they can 1) see what the project would normally be worth, 2) see that they are getting a great deal, 3) allow me to earn a living. Most of my family like the idea that they are getting a deal, while also helping support my business.

-- Coffee is best with a fine layer of sawdust on top. -- http://www.north40custom.com

If it’s any consolation, being a computer professional can be worse. A good party discussion is trying to figure out which profession is guaranteed to result in no requests for uncompensated help. Still haven’t come up with one.

-- Dan Lyke, Petaluma California, http://www.flutterby.net/User:DanLyke

Dan-
I am a chemist and usually people will not ask for favors, or any more questions after their initial revulsion is overcome… since I started woodworking however all bets are off, now my family and friends all need things, a few are even willing to pay for the materials.