What businesses needs our skills?

This may sound rather outlandish, but it’s true.

I once built a number of pine coffins for an undertaker. He said that’s what was specified in the deceased’s (sp?) will and the undertaker played hell trying to find a supplier. Seems all the coffin makers make the fancy caskets and few, if any, will make the old pine boxes like you see in the westerns. I guess some folks like that style.

Made me start thinking that maybe someday, I should make one of my own, take it apart, and leave it stored in the attic, until such time as my family “needs it!” LOL!

-- Dave; Lansing, Kansas

I know A vary talented woodworker that started make wooden stakes for construction and has turned out to be a very lucrative business for him.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

wooden stakes?? plz explain more! lol

I took a tour of a Timberframe home, the Home owners says he he got the oak dowels for the pinned tennons from a Guy who does nothing but turned oak dowels for a living.

-- Thuan

Crosses for the church.
Bread/cheese boards
Kiddies toys – educational and traditional.
Garden implements, signage, wind screens, small hot houses (various sizes)
Throw tables for interiors.
Dog Kennels from pallets.
These are just some of the periffiral industries which has sprung up over a short period of time.
And they seem to be very lucrative.

-- "Even small steps makes a distance." (Shawn Phillips, musician)

Hi I am having the same problem and am toying with the idea of a range of eco friendky furniture for a nursery/baby room.
1. The wood from packing crates from Europe a white pine. the wood is all from a sustainable source.
2. Paint Milk paint same as the masters used.
3. Organic varnish
4. Stain tea or coffee
5. Oxides to color paint or sand, crushed clay tiles there are endlis possibilities.
Green is the new fashion

Kind Regards Roger SA

-- Always give it your best shot

my sister owns a shoe stor and i make boot jacks for them

-- gagewestern

One word re toys and kids furniture LIABILITY!

-- Fred, Springfield, Ma

I have several friends that go to shows, you know the ones that you get a 10’X10’square. Some of those venders make little stuff like stoneware and art stuff that do not have a carpenter bone in their bodies. There is much gossip in these groups and great word of mouth. There is a killing to be made at making display cases and shelving that break down and lays flat. Cash box desk, a place where they can keep the cas box and reciepts and stuff like that. It would be better if you had a spot for yourself at the show and could network that way. I plan to get some shows in next spring and will let you know how it goes.

-- Humble Wood Servant

what a great topic!!
i love “out of the box” thinking. Now.. to find someone to make the box :D

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

There’s work out there. It would seem that there are businesses out there, particularly new ones that have needs but don’t know where or how to fill them. It’s just a matter of networking and tracking business down. We just did a bar and some doors for a microbrewery and a peer turned some tap handles for them. Like where would you get tap handles (other than the commercial brands they would get from the distributor.) An interesting little niche.

-- arborial reconfiguration specialist

There are some good idea’s here. Pete and catspaw have some good points. Network and help small businesses identify their needs. Think of yourself as a small scale manufacture with specialized tools and skills offering specialized services.

I recall reading an article about brew taps. I think the woodworker tried created a prototype and quoted the client $50 or $75 per tap. The client balked wanting to pay something like $5 per tap.

Here is some inspiration for you.

http://pensforcollege.com

I was making stairs for a mobile home park dwellers once for about 6 months. the city changed the law and they all had to put stairs at their back doors. I built and sold 100’s. my son and built four days a week and delivered 1 day a week. most were at $300.00 a pop for a 3 step and 3×3 landing. oh yes, the good old days.

russv

-- yknotwood.com: where to go because you don't want no stinking plastic!