Bird, what type of work do you do in the shop? That is an awesome workspace. Neat little rolltop desk - do you use that or is it a fix-it job?
My garage is mainly for mechanical repairs and metalworking. I do have one of those ancient Craftsman 8" table saws for doing home improvements, repairs.
Al
I don't know too much about mechanic stuff---- I leave that to my dad. He lives about 45 minutes away. I've had the same old 24o volvo station wagon since....well, it's the only car I've ever owned!!! It's been in my care and I in its care for 17 years. It keeps running thanks to dear ole dad. He's got a car lift in his shop..... nothing like walking underneath a car to change the oil!!!! It only has a drivers seat.... so I can fit 10 ft of lumber in it with the doors closed! People always tell me I need a truck. ..... but, I wouldn't trade this car for anything!
I wouldn't trust me around metal working or plumbing, either. So, what I do is all woodworking---- it's what I do for a living along with catering, when I feel like it or need the money. Before woodworking I was a chef (well, still am!) --- the only job I've ever had in one form or another (teaching cooking lessons, working in restaurants, and catereing). I build alot of smaller stuff--- stools, cutting boards, coasters because I come across a lot of gorgeous wood given to me from others cutoffs. I like to "show case" cool grain patterns that would work for some larger stuff.
I build chests, tables, book shelves, ect. But, I've found a good target customer---- grandparents! They have saved up some money, done raising the kids (for the lucky ones!), ect. So, when that first grandchild comes along, I try to make something that's a "keepsake". I started building kids outdoor furniture (adorondak chairs, tables, ect) and benches that look much like a park bench, but out of wood and smaller. I can't compete with the all the stoors that now mass produce furniture, and I certaintly can't charge by the hour. But, I can build out of all local woods-- fallen timber rather then supporting loggers.
I've been catering for folks in Charlottesville (1 hour from here) since I was literally fifteen years old. So, I have a large clientel of wealthier persons that love to buy things from me. If I'm lucky, I can rope persons into buying a chair for each of their grandkids!!!!! Or, get someone who decides to buy cutting boards for all their Christmas gifts that year.
I love making benches for homes because I can often save one big beautiful board for the project. I'm also in the process of coming up with some wood projects for kids to do. ....... even a little kit of five peices of wood for a box, with predrilled holes, ect. for a kid to paint and put together. THAT is my latest way to use up every scrap of lumber!!!! I might try coming up with a "bird house kit" ----- fitting name, being Bird----
Anyhow, that's a long answer.
cheers,
bird
