Does anyone trade name a living or of late extra money by building furniture or cabinet?
Answers: Anyone attempting to become a woodcraftsman, need to determine if they solely want to be a hobbiest, or a professional. The hobbiest normally solitary works at the small easy to build craft type projects. The money he earn usually does not cover all his "real" expenses. He get more, out of the adulation/respect he feel from starting, completing a project. The professional, works, works, and works! He sets himself up surrounded by a shop facility that houses the equipment he needs to build what his clients request. He enthusiastically takes on job that he never ever expected to be exposed to, and figures out how to build the item. He learn the in's and outs of the profession, it may take him years to be familiar, each project he take on and finishes that is permitted by his clients, feed his pride and wallet. A well brought-up furniture craftsman is rare. Cabinet maker are a dying breed. The large Box manufacture, can purchase materials in bulk, so much cheaper, than any individual woodworker could ever hope to seize the same materials for. Therefore, cabinet built by an independent cabinet shop, will usually be more expensive. This results, in the client paying more for a product he could get hold of "over the counter" at a "Box" store. But, what the client gets from the small cabinet shop, is 'WHAT HE WANTS"!!! the choice of materials (wood, laminates, finishes) fashion using the small shop better. You are limited by what is available at your "Box" store merchandise. The professional furniture initiator is often praised for his injunity, his choice of materials, his choice of finishing technique, and the final product will be treasured long after the "Box" shop product is dumped and burned. As for the "anal/inane" client, the world is full of idiots that want you to tell them what they can enjoy, and then argue that what you provided isn't what they needed. You learn to spot who these people are, and point them within the direction of the "Box" shops at the mall.
My brother is a cabinet designer. He has be doing it for 25 years and he does only really nice specialty cabinet. He also does an occasional bookcase or other built in piece of furniture. He have always worked by himself, although he have always used a supporter for the installation part of it.
He have a shop at his house and he absolutely loves doing it and he is highly, very honest. He has made some cabinet for the Governor's mansion in NM.
Now, he lone works about 15 hours a week but when he first started he probably worked an unforced 80-100 hours a week. He has made exceptionally good money. Not rich, but he loves the work and is fundamentally comfortable.
The only piece he dislikes about it is some of the citizens who are impossible to please.
Hope that helps.
I do. I in truth started my own business but currently having a building built to expand my possibilities. I've done relatively a few display cases, one is in a museum contained by NYC displaying an Elvis belt. I am looking to do cabinetry and furniture. I would not be surprised if I'm working atleast 60 hrs/week when my building is complete. I love woodworking. My only dislike is some empire try to take positive aspect of small businesses or try and get something for nought. Quality costs a bit more.
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