What is a Woodworking?
Woodworking involves making or carving out creative, decorative and utility items from wood. If you look around you, you would be surprised at the number of things that are made from wood. From indoor woodwork like chairs, tables, bed frames, shelves and kitchen cabinets to outdoor woodwork such as sheds, fences, lawn chairs, and railings. Right from ancient civilization to the modern era, woodwork has always been a major feature in our homes and lives. That is why the demand for woodworking has always been on the high and will remain so for a long time.
Starting a Woodworking Business
Do you have woodworking skills? A lot of people pride themselves on their solid woodworking skills, but most of them never take it beyond a hobby. If that describes you, then here is your chance to convert your skills into a profitable business. There are no formal qualifications required to start a woodworking business, neither is there any need to break the bank to get started. In fact, nothing stops you but the limitation you place on yourself.
If you have been thinking about starting your woodworking business or already have plans in motion, here are some helpful tips to help you along the way.
1. You should have a business plan
Most experts recommend that a business plan should be put into place at the very beginning. However, it is also important to test the market first, making some products and putting them up for sale to see how they sell. This will help you determine the route to go with your business plan and ensure that it is a sustainable business.
2. Create a marketing plan
Once you have made and sold enough of the test products, you can map out your business plan, then start producing enough of your woodwork pieces to be sold at arts and crafts fairs, flea markets, showings and other gatherings where people go in search of great pieces for their home or gifting. You can even start a website with beautiful and digital pictures of your work on display.
3. Advertise your products
As your products start gaining some popularity, you should start advertising in local magazines, on the internet, bulletin boards in the local stores, etc. You can even make flyers and business cards that help identify the products and hand them out everywhere.
Must Have Tools For Your Woodworking Business
Woodworkers usually require a variety of tools to carve and create items. Some are large machine tools while others are smaller ones. Acquiring the right tools is one of the most significant aspects of the woodworking business.
For people who are already in the woodworking business, they might already know what tools they can handle easily, even if they are complicated to use. However, if you are just starting off in the this business, the tools you should buy would depend mostly on the kind of woodwork you will make, the amount of money you can afford to spend and the space you have in your wood shop.
You also have the choice to adjust your woodwork according to your tools or buy your tools according to the kind of work you do.
Here are the most important tools you need for your woodworking business:
• Backsaw
• Bandsaw
• Chainsaw
• Clamps
• Carpenter’s square
• Reciprocating saw or sawzall
• Jigsaw
• Circular saw
• Portable hand drill
• Orbital sander
• Plunge router
• Thickness planer
• Table saw
• Hammer
• Set of chisels
• Mallet
• Measuring tape
• Saw horses
• Work bench
• Paint brushes
• Band saw
• Belt sander
• Compound mitre saw
• Drill press
• Cordless drill
• Corded drill
• Dust collector
• Router
• Air compressor and nailer
• Bench-top mortiser
However, if you are a beginner, you should not spend so much money on fancy tools. Try buying used tools that you will commonly use.
Featured photo credit: Teach First Wiki via teachfirstwiki.org
