I had to answer as other. Since my shop is not complete and none of my project are complete or done to my satisfaction, I'll have to label myself as a hack.
I am a pro
I am a semi-pro
I am a quiet seller
I am a hobbyist
none of the above
I had to answer as other. Since my shop is not complete and none of my project are complete or done to my satisfaction, I'll have to label myself as a hack.
I consider myself a hobbyist but voted quiet seller as I have made and sold items to friends after they have seen similar items I have made for family. When I sell an item I only recover my costs and a few bucks to put toward a tool I have my eye on. I'm only a few years from retirement and plan to do more commission work in the future to keep busy. I'll only take projects that I enjoy and if I find it takes the fun out of it for me I'll quickly move back to being a hobbyist.
Take off a full blade, nope, too long, now take off 1/2 blade, nope, too long, now take off 1/4 blade - How the H--- can it be 1/4" short????
Had to think about it. Hobbyist or quiet seller. Hmm. Well, I've sold more than a couple turnings so I guess that makes me a quiet seller.
It’s only work if somebody makes you do it.
A day can really slip by when you're deliberately avoiding what you're supposed to do.
Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side and it binds the universe together.
I've made a little money woodworking but could never make a living at it. As with many here, I find it incredibly satisfying. There's just something inherently wonderful about wood.
My day job is material scientist / tool manufacturer. I try to contribute some technical background where I can. Mostly I really like the people here and find it tremendously educational.
I'm a Creeker, yes I m.
I fries my bacon in a wooden pan.
Pro on-site and in the shop for close to 40.
From "the sill plates up" to remodels and commisioned woodwork and finish.
On-site tools need to be "pro grade".
Shop tools are diverse, good quality, cost effective, fairly accurate and can be upgraded with after market/homebrew setups. Not a full blown production shop by any means but capable.
Hobbyist only, it seems, to the family and friends.
I categorized myself as a Quiet Seller. I started selling some items to help pay for my tools and sold enough that I made it a legitimate small business but my day job puts food on the table. The business side is just enough to interfere with being a true hobbyist but gives me an excuse to spend hours out in the shop.
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Mark Patoka
Stafford, VA
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Long time hobbyist (from early college days) till layoff. Tried valiantly to be a pro for a little over two years, but was burning through my savings too fast. Got a lucky break to get back into my field and had to say farewell to pro wood working. Got a really nice "hobbyiest" shop now as a result.
James
Definitely a hobbyist. I see too many flaws in my finished work to feel good about charging for it. And with the speed at which I work I would be making about 25 cents an hour.
Last edited by Jim Rimmer; 02-16-2011 at 12:57 PM. Reason: spelling
I checked "hobbyist" as there was no category for "maker of expensive mistakes and copious amounts of sawdust"....
I checked hobbyist despite that I've only done construction work so far (building our kitchen, porch, barn, woodshop, bathroom etc....). But as soon as my kitchen is finished in a couple weeks, I'm finally going to start my first project!
- Bob R.
Collegeville PA (30 minutes west of Philly)
is hobbyist a nice term for noob?
i have been building my shop for almost two years but havent made much except for some jigs, simple stuff like cribbage boards, cutting boards,
scrolled ornaments and crosses, and a bunch of bird houses that i have actually been able to sell.
im getting a router table assembled and i should be able to get to building more stuff.
I made custom furniture professionally in my own shop for a little over 25 years. Before opening up on my own I worked at an architectural millwork, as a carpenter, and in a shop specializing in high quality 18th century reproductions.
But then I gave all that up to work as a Paramedic in an ER, wiping butts and runny noses, etc., living the dream .