The Temptation To Go Pro
Summer is coming to a close, Labor Day is just a few weeks away and the days are already getting shorter. The fall holiday season is quickly approaching and with it comes fall festivals, Thanksgiving turkey and, yes, another Christmas season. Back when I had a job that was difficult to get excited about each day, I would wake up and try to figure out if I could make a living turning wood, something I still get excited about.
I’ve been in this industry for the better part of two decades now and have been in front of over one million folks during my wood turning career which has helped shape my understanding of our craft. So I make the following recommendations based on those years of experience. You will need to meet all of the following conditions before becoming a Full Time Wood Turner if you expect to make a full time income.
You will need a secure sustainable sufficient source of income other than wood turning You will need a source of liquid working capital 4 times larger than you think you need You need to be prepared to work harder than you ever thought possible and be physically able to put in 12-16 hour days with no days off for weeks (sometimes months) in a row You will need to travel extensively to meet your public and accept less than first class accommodations. You will need to understand that the public will never appreciate the amount of effort, skill and pure hard work that goes into the items you produce and they rarely pay what your work is worth If you are married, your spouse will need to be in 100% agreement with all of the above You need to think 5 years ahead because it will take at least that long to see any measurable amount of success You must understand that almost anyone can earn part-time money turning wood, but full time income is a whole different story If you answered yes to all of these, welcome aboard; You are ready to take the plunge!
On the other hand, to earn a part time income while keeping the “Other Job” you need only to decide what items you never tire of making and make a bunch. It is easy to sell a few of something and everyone who tries usually succeeds pretty easily. Remember, make what sells, not what you like to make unless what you like to make sells. Try a wide variety in the beginning to find out what sells and what you like to make.
Turning is an easy part time hobby which produces decent part time income, but is a very poor full time income source for most people. I know only a very few folks who actually make a decent living from turning wood. They all meet the conditions I described above, including me.
I’m telling you all of this because we are entering the harvest time of year when it is easy to make money and it is easy to lose sight of what the rest of the year will be like. Enjoy your time in the shop and think of it like desert after the meal, not the meal itself because wherever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this week’s message:
Deut 28:12 The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.
Ps 104:23 Then people go out to their work, to their labor until evening.
Prov 12:11 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
2Thess 3:8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
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Quick Update
I received a fantastic response to my request for suggestions regarding new designs for this years laser cut Christmas ornaments. Thanks! I'm sure I will be using some of them which will earn their contributors a $100 gift certificate.
It is very obvious I haven't done a very good job publishing some of the designs I already have in that many suggestions for new designs have been available for the past 3 years. In particular are the military; Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and more. We have just published a new page on the website just for those designs. We offer them for $9.99 each plus shipping. Look for it HERE
New Web Page
Check out our new offerings for only $9.99 each kit.
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I added a few Medical kits with the Caduceus, RN, MD, DDS More by request, same low price
Later this week I expect to add Fire and Police emblems.
Sale Extended Another Week
Indexing Master Set - New
Regular Retail $139.99
Limited Time Sale $89
I've redesigned the locking mechanism and the 180 division disks to work even better with lathes from 10" swings to 25" swings. The spindle sizes available are 1", 1.25", 1.50", M33 & M30.
Any time you need to space something equal distances apart from 3 to 180 on your lathe, you can do it with this set. Wheather drilling holes, marking lines, or anything else, this is the master's set. Made from tough ABS and HDPE for durability this set is the last one you will ever need.
THANK YOU!
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Other Related Chuck Videos:
Ron's YouTube Channel - Coolhammerman
https://www.youtube.com/user/coolhammerman
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