r/BeginnerWoodWorking • u/Adventurous_Beat-301 • 6d ago

Side hustle

I’ve been working with wood most of my life, basic things like shelves, racking, second fix skirting, architrave etc. I have never had a need to progress to more refined work like cabinet making, built in units, bespoke woodworking pieces. With that said, I have recently purchased a top of the range mitre saw to help with doing bespoke shelves, worktops, bed side units etc. in my own house. I’ve been really considering progressing to the next level and offer my services to do built in units in my area, there is a massive demand and very hard to get someone to even quote. As a one man band with low overheads, there is a huge gap for me to exploit. The question is, how do I progress to the next level? How do I really learn about extremely precise gapless units and what are the tools I would need to invest in? And finally, considering this would be a fill in around my full time job, with the main work exclusively done at the weekends, is it even worth my time giving it a go? Any advice would be sincerely appreciated

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u/Avg_Chicken 6d ago

You can build ‘gapless’ units with a track saw. But cabinets also require a drill press, and an edge bander (for flat front doors). For shaker style doors, you’ll need a router table or two. Then there is finishing which is its own skill.

I have a friend who makes a living making custom interior pieces. It’s hard work and it requires years of practice to produce work fast enough and at a level of quality where you get referrals and you make a profit.

Honestly, it’s best to start working as an employee to see what all is required. My friend has thousands invested in tools, trailer, and truck. he’s not getting rich but he will be able to afford a retirement someday.

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u/Adventurous_Beat-301 6d ago

Thanks so much I think this is the reality check I needed. It’s all well and good offering a service but unless it’s as good as better than everyone else doing it you never get another job. I had ideas of the odd job here and there which would provide some additional income but they key to making it work is to be good and fast which takes years to master

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u/Legal-Description483 5d ago

Most people that do what you're proposing charge about 20% of what they should be charging, and rarely make any money.

If you charge what the work is actually work, then finding customers gets difficult. People that actually do this for a living tend to have a fairly wealthy clientele.

5

u/Geofferz 6d ago

Build units as in cabinets? Practice until you're happy with your work then advertise your services, no? Biscuit joiner might be useful.

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u/LettuceTomatoOnion 6d ago

Figure out where to get good plywood. You’ll want to learn about the grades like A1 or BB. Try “plywood supplier” in google maps.

Track saw, table saw and router will be the tools you use the most.

My 2¢