I need a hobby that yields tangible/profitable results

[RoJoHen]

Howdy!

(back in the day, I used to start all my threads with "Howdy!" I need to bring that back)

I need a [cheap] hobby that yields tangible results. I want to make things. I love carpentry, but lumber can get kind of pricey. I also don't really need to build anything right now. I have an over-abundance of furniture. I kind of want to start building things and selling them, but I'm not sure what I should build.

What kinds of lumbery things would you buy from me? Chairs? Tables? Picket fences? Shelving units?

I built my friend a dog house last summer for her two puppies (one of which went missing last weekend and has yet to be found! ). It took me forever to finish it because I was lazy, so I ended up not charging her for it, but I really do enjoy that kind of work.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Wooden stakes for my weekend job as a vampire hunter.

 

[RoJoHen]

I'm actually investing the noble of art of refinishing crappy old furniture to make it pretty again.

 

[Shatnertage]

^ That's a good one.

I'd also say custom shelving would be a good sell.

 

[trekkiedane]

I need a [cheap] hobby that yields tangible results. I want to make things. I love carpentry, but lumber can get kind of pricey. I also don't really need to build anything right now. I have an over-abundance of furniture. I kind of want to start building things and selling them, but I'm not sure what I should build.

If you were to design and build small things you might be able to sell them on-line. I'm thinking stuff like desktop-sets or charger organizers.

 

[6079SmithW]

Fell trees and then cut them up into little one foot sections and sell firewood.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I'm actually investing the noble of art of refinishing crappy old furniture to make it pretty again.

You can turn table and chair legs into stakes!! But I was mostly kidding.

I could use some dining chairs. I have a table and no chairs. It vexes me.

 

[RoJoHen]

I need a [cheap] hobby that yields tangible results. I want to make things. I love carpentry, but lumber can get kind of pricey. I also don't really need to build anything right now. I have an over-abundance of furniture. I kind of want to start building things and selling them, but I'm not sure what I should build.

If you were to design and build small things you might be able to sell them on-line. I'm thinking stuff like desktop-sets or charger organizers.

Ooh, interesting.

Fell trees and then cut them up into little one foot sections and sell firewood.

This would require me chopping down trees. We don't just have random dead trees lying on the ground.

 

[auntiehill]

Easy portable items: dog houses, bird houses, deck chairs---luxury items that are pretty, nice to have and spruce up one's home--but don't cost an arm and a leg, which the really large items usually do.

I would never consider buying a big piece of furniture right now, but a unique bench for my front porch? Sure.

 

[trekkiedane]

Fell trees and then cut them up into little one foot sections and sell firewood.

There's more money to make if you cut them into ½-inch sections and sell cutting-boards

 

[TrekkieMonster]

Oh, that kind of wood.

*files away the gay porn suggestion for another time*

 

[Brolan]

Make wooden toys. A former co-worker of mine said he used to make decent money making toys and selling them a flea markets and local gift stores.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Go to etsy.com, find stuff that seems to be selling and steal the ideas.

http://www.etsy.com/search/handmade?q=wooden+stake

 

[Myasishchev]

You mean a job?

Off the top of my head: restoring classic cars.

 

[RoJoHen]

You mean a job?

Nope, already have two of those at the moment.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

Porn? I mean ... there's wood involved ...

 

[Starbreaker]

Hooking. I'll take 75% off the top.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

Everyone needs a pimp.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Bookcases are good. Or those tall, corner things for DVDs. Also lawn furniture; we used to have some handmade lawn furniture that was really nice.

I built my friend a dog house last summer for her two puppies (one of which went missing last weekend and has yet to be found! ).

I hope the puppy turns up alive and well.

 

[Holdfast]

I love carpentry, but lumber can get kind of pricey. I also don't really need to build anything right now. I have an over-abundance of furniture. I kind of want to start building things and selling them, but I'm not sure what I should build.

Spice racks. You may have to move to Arrakis to sell lots of them though.

On a serious note, if only you were in the UK, I'd hire you to build me something to organise my ties. Something with a clever hinging system that folds down into a small space, but at the press of a button or lever expands to display them all so I can easily choose what I want to wear that day. Would need to store about 100 ties without creasing them, and sit comfortably on top of a chest of drawers. Probably impossible to design but...