Future Summer project

Release

Par4QC

I've still got dozens of plans around here in boxes, etc.. Used to have a large woodworking biz, but just never got around to building those things that would have been for our personal home. Only have just a few of the tools left, but will start keeping an eye out for what I'll need/want, for the retirement years(coming in the next couple years......or days😉). Wanting to build some Stickley style chairs and couch for the basement.

Release

I don't have a wood work shop. The only time I'll have it will be after my kids are out of the graduate schools, and If I come in with a bunch of disposable fortune.
Love to have a full wood working shop and a golf station next to it.

But for now, if I need to save some time from working with the smaller projects, the lumber yards usually will cut the pieces for the buyers if they are not overwhelmed with customer.

One of my old neighbor had a fully equipped wood work shop in one of his garage bay. Often times will see him working in it when I came home in the twilight hours. Never knew he was a medical surgeon.... one day heard from other neighbors ( this was before the neighborhood web site was set up ) that he injured his hand while working in the wood shop.... bad news for someone depending on their hands making a living .

They moved away to somewhere higher in the area with view later on.

Par4QC

Release You don't really need to spend a lot of money on equipment. Surprising what 'cheap' tools can do, IF you take the time to make sure they are all adjusted/set correctly. I started my biz with 3 main machines that cost under $600 total, at that time. I did my 1st project the next day, delivered, and banked about $800!! Those little portable machines(table saw, planer, jointer, router, chop saw) can be quite useful. Folding tables can be used for sawhorses, table saw extensions, even as a router table.

Release

Par4QC

Journey level carpenter do not use the whole shop to do most of their task.

I had seen someone use tools from Harbor Freight ( their mid level priced Chicago brands ) and did work around the house.

Having the toys is just a fantasy for me but I'm sure there would be places to spend the money better.

mulegolf

When I retired I had decided to make a little extra money by building deck/patio furniture. I already owned a decent DeWalt table saw and purchased a 12" Dewalt dual compounding slider miter saw with stand and a Hitachi variable speed router to accomplish it. I wanted to build the outdoor furniture using wood made from recycled plastic bottles so there was no need to paint/repaint every couple of years. There is a manufacturer for that type of lumber only 30 minutes from me so I felt I could get my materials there. My dream crashed when I went to the manufacturer and explained what I wanted to do. They (and I) were excited about the plans but I soon found that it wasn't possible to start small and possibly build on it from there. They would only sell materials to me if I purchased 1000 lbs of material of each size I wanted (2x4, 2X6, etc) and if I wanted a different color I would also need to purchase 1000 lbs of materials at a time in each color I wanted to use. I didn't want to put that much money into it (up front) and didn't really have a place to store that much material prior to using it any how. So, no deck/patio furniture building for me. I've still got the saws and the router. I use both saws and I still haven't used the router but I still plan do use all of them in the next couple of years when I will need to replace my deck itself.

Par4QC

mulegolf Use redwood or cedar. Maintenance is simply applying waterproofing every couple years. It will sell.

mulegolf

Par4QC
a day ago

mulegolf Use redwood or cedar. Maintenance is simply applying waterproofing every couple years. It will sell.

I will not likely do that. A big part of wanting to use the plastic wood product was that there is no need to refinish every couple of years. Also, you can leave it outside over the winter and just power wash it in the spring (and it's ready to use and looking good again). The only detractor I've found is that it's very heavy.