Often, migrants emigrate just in search of greener pastures. However, no matter where you are or migrate to, you must work to support and feed yourself. Indeed, some environments are more favorable than others when it comes to earning a livelihood. Nonetheless, a viable way of making a living as a migrant is by working as a woodworker.
Thus, this is a guide to making money from woodworking. This skill involves creating items from wood. The activity includes cabinet making (cabinetry and furniture), wood carving, joinery, carpentry, and woodturning. It’s a learnable and very suitable craft for migrants.
Woodworkers who want to produce even more sophisticated craft use a wood lathe, a piece of equipment that helps with making complex items from a variety of woods. Also, it helps with creating wood designs of your choice.
Choosing a suitable wood lathe might be tasking for a newbie. However, besides a mini lathe, a midi model such as the Delta Industrial 46-460 Wood Lathe is ideal for a beginner looking to craft wood in larger quantities. The device is straightforward and helps with achieving smooth, beautiful masterpieces. Moreover, its patented belt tensioning system allows easy adjustment of turning speeds.
With a report from the U.S Bureau of Labor and Statistics, that the median pay of a woodworker is $31,550 per year and $15.17 per hour, woodworking is a lucrative venture to dive into.
What are the Things You Need to Get Started on Woodworking?
1. Mechanical or Technical Skills: Woodworking involves wood and tools handling. As a result, you need mechanical or technical skills to be an expert in this field.
2. Attention to Details: Since you’re dealing with wood, it’s necessary to manage resources to avoid wastage. Your knowledge of mathematics is also very crucial in the craft as it involves lots of measurement in fitting a particular shape into the hole you’ve made on another wood.
3. Strength: This craft requires physical strength. You might need to work all day. Although, knowing what to work on will save you from unnecessary stress. So, develop some muscles and stamina.
Essential tools and materials setup for any beginning woodworker looking to sell projects should include the following:
- Circular Saw
This tool is for making straight cuts on lumber and plywood.
- Jig Saw
This tool helps with making curved cuts or cutting out interior shapes.
- Power Drill
This instrument is for drilling holes and driving screws.
- Orbital Sander
You can sand the final work using this tool. Also, don’t forget your sandpaper, drill bits, cheap miter saw, circular saw, and paints. If you’re just getting started with woodworking, you’d want to look for a wood that’s ready to be finished.
Means to Selling Your Woodworks
Commercializing your woodworks is as essential as making them. Below are ways you can sell your products;
- Locally
Display your products at a strategic location and sell to people around your vicinity.
- Online
This route is a step-up from the above point. You can display your products to a broader audience through online advertisements, and by creating your own website.
Here are Some Easy Woodwork Projects You Can Sell
Tealight Holder: This super simple project requires nothing more than cutting wood to length, drilling holes using a Forstner bit, and adding some stain or finish to the wood.
Blanket Ladder: Blanket ladders are a perfect introduction to furniture style work. They look great, and best of all, they require very little material and only a few tools.
Picture frames: Picture frames are items that, when done well, can sell for a substantial markup.
Pallet Wood Coat Rack: The pallet wood coat rack utilizes free pallet wood and is easy to recondition or paint to make it modern and sleek or farmhouse rustic. As a migrant, consider venturing into woodworking, it’s a great way to make money that’ll be enough for feeding and paying bills. Go ahead and acquire the skill; you’ll be amazed at the results.
