Could use some advice from real men

T0000009 · 2016-11-06T21:20:57+00:00

Having worked on projects large and small, with the whole range of millwork from laminate to steel it takes a lot of time to really develop skill. It also takes years to build up all the tools you need, there are hundreds of different saws and bits you require to really create a quality piece.

START SMALL and hone your craft, take any job you can get on a construction crew, it will give you the chance to get your basic hand tools and learn how to use them. Then move up from there, drills, saw, blades, bits, and all the rest. You will learn what tools work and what is junk pretty fast, and the guys on the crew will teach you a lot of technique and provide more training.

Watch & Learn there are plenty of DIY vids out there, start watching, learn the nomenclature and lingo, build a shoe box, a shelf, anything that is small, and the wood can be found all over. Pick up some scap lumber, just find a framing crew and ask for a few 2x4 chunks and play with those.

Then keep going, and eventually you will get there

JStheHammer · 2016-11-06T21:39:51+00:00

Work on it as a hobby.

Meet people that do that to see if it is possible.

Network.

Playstation_5 · 2016-11-06T21:26:29+00:00

I had this exact business, combined with making custom art, for a decade. The start up costs for me were low as I already had sufficient equipment as it was my hobby since childhood.

My initial route into self employment was to cut my regular job to three days a week, economise, and rent a very cheap studio space. While I enjoyed the work considerably and made it my full-time employment just a year after starting, I did find that people are so cheap nowadays that if I quoted even just 600 for something that was going to take me 30 hours to do, 90% of the customers would turn it down. People literally expect skilled workers to do shit for free and cannot understand why wood is expensive.

You'll find a route through it though with determination, probably by coming up with something unique and using online routes to retail.

In terms of motivation, the greatest personal asset from becoming self employed was that the economising part really changed my life. Instead of going out to eat every other day, I've now done years of cooking at home. Few restaurants can touch my signature dishes. I don't have wardrobes full of clothes, just a small selection of items which need washing every week and look fine on me.

Instead of expensive hobbies, I surf and cycle and never spend more than 100 a year replacing or upgrading equipment. My only real 'splurge' is Netflix, and when I'm out of stuff to watch on that during the winter evenings, I youtube.

My main motivation comes from knowing I'm happier than ever before. I've had so many amazing days this past summer out surfing with my kids and then home to some great home cooked food. If someone dropped 10k in my lap I'd struggle to know what to spend it on.

I'd say keep one luxury though - I do like keeping a great car as we have great driving routes where I live, the occasional blast over 100mph really gets me going.

My father worked hard his whole life, saved up a massive amount, and died two years after retiring. Life is to be lived right now, man!

BruceJennerTesticles · 2016-11-06T22:26:25+00:00

However, something like this requires a fair amount of capital, as I will need my own house and garage for work, a place to set up my business, the tools and materials necessary, and a truck/trailer to transport my goods.

Not necessarily. A full blown PRO level workshop does... but you can get your feet wet and started (to learn skills, techniques etc) with some pretty basic, small & even cheap equipment -- especially if you start producing SMALLER items.

You don't NEED a table saw (especially not initially or when working on SMALL things) -- the vast majority of what can be done on a table saw can also be done with a handheld circular saw (probably about $50 new).
Likewise you don't NEED to have a drill press OR a band saw -- again not initially -- the majority of what can also be done with those can also be done with a handheld drill (def under $50), and a handheld sabresaw or "jigsaw" (~$50 or less).
You probably WILL want some kind of power-sander, but again you don't NEED to have a whole big array -- you can start off with a relatively cheap handheld square pad sander (prob $30 or less) -- or a random orbital sander ($50 or less) -- and of course just a wood block with sandpaper (various grades from course to medium to fine).
Fancy edges require a "router" but you don't HAVE to have a big router or a dedicated router table -- most of the things you can do with those you can also do with a decent little "trim" router (anywhere from $50 to $100) -- and a pack of standard "router bits" (probably $25 for a basic set).
There are other things -- especially non-power hand tools, like a hammer, set of chisels (chief thing there is to keep them SHARP), and maybe a handsaw -- but those too are not that expensive.

Moreover ALL of the above will basically fit into a "gym bag".

But what about a workshop? Well ever hear of a place called "outside"? Even a small porch or patio or driveway will do, and/or some corner of a basement (chief problem there is dust & wood chip cleanup). As for a worktable, well a set of fold-up sawhorses (lightweight plastic will do initially) and a 2 ft x 4 ft plywood board, and you have a worksurface... again portable (easily fit into any apartment storage space or even a bedroom closet if necessary, just sweep/blow/wipe the dust off before you put it away).

As you learn and progress, you'll doubtless want other tools. But buy only what you really have a NEED and solid USE for -- you don't need to go "hog wild" -- definitely not in your initial stages.

Then, save up and watch for both USED stuff (often dirt cheap at garage sales, Craigslist, etc) -- and even brand new stuff on SPECIAL SALES -- especially around (and after) holidays -- Christmas and post Christmas "clearance", and then Father's Day & afterward.

Also, don't turn your nose up at "consumer" grade stuff -- true it won't last as long (under HEAVY use) as the more expensive "professional" tools -- but at least initially (and probably for a good couple of years) you are simply not going to be using the stuff that heavily.

Now as far as doing it as a PROFESSIONAL CAREER... for that I'd say look (and I mean REALLY look, expend EFFORT to locate) for some place (existing business; cabinet maker, etc) that you can begin working for -- admittedly at the bottom as basically a low-wage apprentice to -- people who are themselves "professionals." You'll not only gain skills and knowledge from them, but probably access to a shop with equipment, and depending on that environment, they will probably not only allow you to use the shop (at least after hours), but may even ENCOURAGE you to learn more working on your own personal "projects."

At least then you would be doing something you are INTERESTED in, and learning both the skills AND the business.

illegal_toothpaste · 2016-11-06T21:28:03+00:00

start small

I go to auctions and garage sales to get my tools. its really cheap and i like going to them. and if you just accumulate gradually you can wait until you find what you want for almost nothing.

and then use scrap hardwood salvaged from pallets, old furniture, wood from old demolished buildings, barns and scrap from lumber yards, construction sites and shops. and just start making small detailed pieces to refine your skills

squidracer · 2016-11-06T21:55:02+00:00

You'll need money.. Since you have an interest in a trade maybe you should consider getting a job in the trades.

Many of the skills could transfer, and who knows? If you work with a carpenter you may change your mind and decide you enjoy that more

Eyes_Of_The_Dragon · 2016-11-07T04:50:31+00:00

Being single is the perfect time to start a business. Find a maker space near you that has woodworking equipment. You can even do this in the living room of an apartment as long as you keep a shopvac nearby. Can do it outside when weather is good or a small shed. Even one of those carport type tent structures.

One channel on YouTube I really like is Scrap Wood City. No inane chatter. Just work.

wordjedi · 2016-11-07T08:42:57+00:00

There is a "maker space" meetup group near where I live. You can use their shop for free I think.

Title	Could use some advice from real men
Author	baptized-in-flames
Upvotes	6
Comments	11
Date	November 6, 2016 8:55 PM UTC (9 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MGTOW
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MGTOW/comments/5bi03p/could_use_some_advice_from_real_men/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MGTOW/could-use-some-advice-from-real-men.613504 https://theredarchive.com/post/613504

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