just wondering

You pretty much said it like it is for me except I have a contracting business to fall back on. So I build decks instead of furniture right now.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com

Woodman71, I’m sure you’re not the only one that finds it hard to keep motivated during these times. My only income has been from woodworking for over twenty years and this is not the first time I’ve seen a slow down. You just have to adjust for the times and ride it through. I may do projects that I would normally turn down during good times, but I still feel a bad day at the shop is better then a so called good day at a job! lol. I have found this website the most positive influence for me. Because of this site, I’m more excited about my woodworking then ever. When I see all the talent and knowledge displayed here from woodworkers from all walks of life from all over the world with one common thread…....We all are passionate about our woodworking, I can’t help but get excited and want to get back in my shop. It’s helped me create new designs, try new things, work with woods I’ve never worked with before and feel good about sharing what little knowledge I have about woodworking with anyone that’s interested.
I hope this site can help you through these times. Everyone here is pulling for each other and hope the best for everyone. Good luck and will look forward to your future post.

-- John @ Myrtle Beach

This is my hobby and granted I upgraded from a contractor saw to a cabinet saw…I can’t afford to replace the Forrest WWII and the dado blades right now, or buy some more dust hose or get those bits I wanted. What I’ve found comfort in is building new jigs for the new saw from scrap pieces. Yeah I need a bolt or threaded insert now and then…so I spend a few bucks. Now if it’s your career, I guess there’s a lot more concern there. I wish those guys good luck. Why don’t you come up with the next jig that we all have to have or make your shop layout work better…something like that? Spend small amounts of money if any, and try for an impact.

I guess in some ways, the economy has actually enhanced my woodworking the last year or so. When money was there, I would spend a lot shopping for gifts. Last Christmas I built some boxes, because I didn’t have the money for nice gifts. That was a win-win situation for me. I had a ball working in the shop, and they got personal gifts that can’t be bought with any amount of money. The boxes were made with scrap lumber from my door shop. I do have access to a lot of great wood because I have a production shop. I consider myself extremely fortunate in that area. I rarely have to buy wood for small projects. ——Well actually I do, it’s just absorbed through my business.

All that said, I’ve really had to cut back on tools. I have always been one to buy a lot of cool tools just because I could. I have had to be much more disciplined about that, but I still buy things I need. I decided I’d rather buy tools than eat out or things like that.

The economy is obviously affecting all of us in some ways, but for me I decided to make the best of it. It won’t last for ever, and I hope to grow as a person in spite of what’s happening around me. Getting everything you could hope for when you want it is not always the best thing for us. We humans certainly get spoiled easily, don’t we. Slow down and make the best of what you do have.

-- Kent Shepherd * The goal is-----More Tools!

As a sawyer and woodworker, I take on projects every now and again that are less than ideal
to stay occupied with my work. What I have found, is that sometimes these project pay dividends
down the line. You do a project for someone who wants small burl stock cut up or very small logs
for a project. For me it takes a lot of time, but you never know what the connections to that person
or client will bring. Sometimes, it isn’t much, and others it brings a great project or opportunity for the
future. That client may know someone who has or needs what could be a profitable or desireable
project right around the next turn, you just never know. Keep your chin up and keep providing
quality products and services…..

-- Phil