LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Years of Woodworking

15K views 42 replies 21 participants last post by  Jim Jakosh 
#1 ·
Paid off.

Delivered the first set of Coffee and End tables Tuesday the 2nd .
the store owner was very satisfied and So they ordered two more tables and 4 child rocking chairs.
So now the work begins, spent one day digging out more lumber out of the drying shed (Now I need to restock that) but that is good.

When I was in the Furniture store , I was approached by one of the sales people about learning some woodworking skills and possibly working with me part time. This should help with having a person see how and what goes into building Quality furniture .

This is something One waits for some times a life time, Well I'm 56, it's about time. Ya think.!
The feeling that come over me when this happened was almost like winning the lottery.
I just hope it's not long before I have to expand and have to start putting more people to work.
That has been one of my goals too.
I have Photos of the furniture I built , entered it under Furniture By Douglas album on my face book page under my name ( Doug Scott ) and on this site too.
 
See less See more
#11 ·
Delivered 4 Tables

4 more tables as of Oct 19th. I haven't got any word if the other ones have sold. but it sure makes me happy that I'm getting work for the business. If the orders get doubled I might have to look for a larger space to work out of, Thats just a small problem that I would not have a problem dealing with.

Next project is a cherry 6 drawer dresser, Photo's will follow on this suite.
 
#12 ·
Proves it is possible to compete with the Chinese if you have unique designs,well made furniture and a sensible price. Using reclaimed wood appears to save you money but if the time element becomes important recycling timber might not be the best option. Really nice product and you deserve your success. As a matter of interest what are the dimensions and what finish did you use.

Regards Chris

If you are fit you don't need exercise and if you are not fit you shouldn't be doing it….
 
#15 ·
overwhelmed with woodwork

I don't know if it because of the election coming up , but a week ago I had a months worth of work ahead of me , and now in just three day it has doubled, I hope it's because of the satisfied customers referring me to other people. I just wish the monies would come in as fast as the customers have, if your self employed you know that don't happen , it goes out faster and not to always going into your own pocket.
Ya, we have all heard , you got to spend money to make money, Well I have had NO problem with that,
if I would not have invested in the woodworking equipment I would not been able to get as far as I have .

A few years ago I invested in the Legacy woodworking machine and just a few months after I got it set up I
got a staircase spindle job for a new home . It consisted of 167 spindles and 12 posts, and it made enough to cover the cost of the purchase of the Legacy. Now if i could only invest in the next machine I'm looking at to
purchase and have a job come in and cover the cost of that , It would make my day, Then I would not be afraid to stick my neck out to expand more and more.

I haven't looked at it as luck, it's helps with the experience I've acquired in woodworking.
 
#23 ·
Replacing , repairing equipment

It's bound to come some day that the equipment is going fail and or need repair, but a small amount of preventive maintenance would have saved this one. I'm going to point this out this so that this might not happen with you, Blow the dust and over spray out of all your motors periodically , make a list or a schedule for this, like I have for the bearings on the equipment used a lot , Band saw, belt sander, and many others.
Because I had the Air compressor motor catch fire just before the last job was finished for Christmas, and it was a good thing I didn't have to put a finish on it, But it cost $350.00 to replace the motor.
Their were no flames , but it went poof when I hit the switch with a puff of smoke after that, then nothing.

Some of us can't afford many costly expenses now days, I'm one of them.
 
#24 ·
Good point. I have been doing this for years When I blow air into motors and machines , I try to hold my shop vac hose on the other side to catch most of the STUFF coming out. The vac also helps draw the dust out too.
 
#25 ·
Experience with budgeting

Try budgeting in this economy is not an easy task, but over the years one learns to do just what he has to do to keep his head above water, ( Go without ) As you all know it has not been easy since this economy has taken a down turn. Not to point fingers at any one person or persons is what most of us lower income people have to do most of our lives is budget our money. ( should this have to be explained any more to make my point )

Now , I am self-employed, and how long would I have my job if I didn't do the work I was hired to do,
So without pointing a finger, you know who it is pointing toward . How hard is it to pass what Government is asking for from the RICH to pull their load and keep this Country moving ahead.
I always heard my Grandfather say the government need cleaned out and put in some new blood in.
Or maybe some are afraid to take money out of one pockets that might by giving them Kickbacks or campaign
monies.

It's not bad enough that this economy is bad enough with high prices, and now with this on top of it how
is the lower income people going to survive.

( Just my opinion ) If someone has the answer, let us know.
 
#26 ·
Get it Right !

You would think that a guy that has 25 years plus, building furniture would NOT make mistakes.
Let me explain: I started with a simple drawing , with measurements of what the customer wanted,and I don't usually build furniture out of Pine ( Used it cause it was FREE)
I'm building a 4 drawer dresser with doors at the bottom, it's a baby changing dresser.

First thing I goofed on , cut both end panels 4" short, 36" X 18" and after I had almost all the machining done.

2nd , I started putting the drawers together and one of the sides didn't get cut square, so I had to go through all the steps for just one drawer side, I made 2 ( Just to be safe ) all my drawers are dovetailed too ( NOT a square box glued and stapled together )

3rd, Making the rails and stiles for the doors, some how I cut the rails 2" short , and Yes I measure twice
but some times get interrupted. ( Good excuse )

I did manage to use the end panels for the second set of door stills and rails. Not a total waist
of lumber. I was so glad when I got it finished and delivered I usually take a photo of every thing I build, So
I'll have to get with the customer later to take photo's. So I can remember that job !
 
#27 ·
You won't forget that one for a while, Doug!! I have cut stuff short lots of time. Luckliy there is more material laying around so I don't have to buy it over. I know what you mean about finding a bad part far into the process. I had that today when I found two plywood box sides were just a little thicker than all the rest of the parts. They have to be all the same for lock miters. Well, two parts had to go through all the steps again.
 
#29 ·
Time , Experience

Maybe some of us veteran woodworkers don't spend as much time in the shop as some one like us that are working this for a full time business. I have had some people say to me " you have that done already"
Yes ! when one has the right tools and Knowledge and experience as some of us.

I look back at the places I worked before I was a full time woodworker,
( St.johns table Co. Cadillac Mich. Hard wood dinning room furniture. started as a chair inspector then moved into cabinet assembler.)

( 3 years with Kindel furniture Co.Grand Rapids, Mich. High end Dinning & bed room furniture, started as a sub-assembler, ended up as Drawer and Door fitter)

( Baker furniture Co. Grand Rapids, MI 12 years, with learning to be a Drawer & Door fitter landed this
job with Baker )

Not all of us are as lucky I was to get employed with as much exposure to woodwork or now even
in the same trade as I have . Another point I want to make , Learn from one's that have more years and experience than you. I picked up a lot of knowledge from the Veterans of their trade. I think more that I would have from any book. But books are full of information too.
 
#30 ·
"ended up as Drawer and Door fitter"

Heh. Made me think of that old joke about the guy who told someone he was a "Diesel Fitter". When asked what that was he said he worked in a factory where they made ladies panties.

He said he was the last inspector on the line, whereas he would pull the panties over his head and say "Dieselfitter"!
 
#33 ·
Customer ! ask a expert first

Most of us long time woodworkers have some experience drying our own lumber, If not look it up on a computer or ask an expert. Reason and I'll explain, Just had a customer drop off 100 board feet of walnut to be surface planed, I don't usually plain other peoples lumber without knowing a few things. How thick do they want it and first how long has it been since it was cut into lumber, I didn't think to ask.

Well after planning a few boards I could feel the moisture , So I got the moisture meter and
it read 20 - 25 % .
He thought that since the tree had been cut down about a year ago but it was only cut into lumber
3 or 4 months ago, it had only been sticker-ed to dry only 2 months. I was always told lumber
needs to sit to dry a year for every inch thick, if totally air dried.

If some one knows of someone that kiln dries in the Grand Rapids , Mich area
Please notify me @ ds_woods1956@yahoo.com

Thank you
 
#36 ·
Years of experience has paid off

Back in May I got a phone call from a Company That was looking for a person with my experience and skills.

So a week later I went to talk with them, and found what they were all about.
I previously had experience as a cabinet door and drawer fitter, plus a case assembler.
Also have time setting up woodworking machinery. sicker, molder, multi-head boring, thickness plainer
and wide belt sander.
But for the past 10 years I have run my own business, custom building furniture and repairing
But it was a struggle to keep it going, not a lot of extra money, ( Mr Bill got most of it ) and during the interview
when they told me what the starting wadge was $16.00 per hour and the average week is 45 to 48 hours
I asked when do I start, But with the 6 am start time and 10 hours a day with a 30 mile drive one way
I sure don't have any ambishen to work in the shop when I get home in the evening and I still had some orders
I hadn't finished. Now 2 months later I'm almost caught up.

After I started the plant manager told me they didn't finish reading all my resume, when they saw what they needed they hurried and call me before someone else snagged me, at that time I should of held out for
more wadges. I said that I could not make that amount all day for what they were paying .

I wish they would of found me years ago, oh Well !
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top