FOR WOODWORKERS

...and those who would be pros

I have had my website in operation since 1999. Things have changed dramatically since then and the Internet has become an even more important tool for information sharing. I believe it to be single most important communication resource in history. It is nothing short of astounding how much information is instantly accessible to anyone with a computer and an internet connection. As a result of this incredible technology I have been able to reach people all over the world from my humble shop in Agoura Hills, California.

Over the years many people have contacted me for advice on becoming a professional woodworker. I have taken the time to answer each and every one of them. I am flattered that they would ask and glad they do. It would be a drag to have worked thirty years and not be able to share what I have learned... and am still learning. I noticed I am asked the same types of questions and that my answers pretty much have the same theme and advice running through them. I decided that it might be a good idea to collect all the email questions and answers I could find and compile them here for anyone who wants to read them. I figure if one person was brave enough to ask many more were thinking the same thing. So here are the letters arranged chronologically pretty much unedited as they were asked and answered. Hopefully after you read all of this, some of your own questions will be answered or you will at least have a greater understanding of what it might take to “turn pro”. If you don't see the answer you are seeking email me a note and I will answer it and post it here when I get time for all to read. Sc 8-16-2008

Q: I am about to embark on a second career as a builder of entertainment centers. A friend of mine does high-end sound system custom installations and he is very unhappy with his current cabinet maker (apparently, the guy takes too long (18 months) to produce). As a result, he has turned to me to build these entertainment centers. My experience in building these centers is limited. My experience has been mainly with furniture, including my queen-size spindle bed, end tables, dining table, cedar blanket chest (w/raised panels), bathroom vanity, etc. Most people that see my work are very impressed, so I think I would be good enough to do this.

A: Going from hobbyist to pro changes the picture dramatically. 18 month waits are ridiculous, most of the people I talk to have a hard time waiting 4-6 weeks for major projects. Make sure your friend can really hook you up with work before you get in too deep. You will get experience as you work, be careful it's the stuff you don't know that always bites you in the ass. If you feel capable go for it. SC

Q: I wanted to let you know that I have drawn a significant amount of inspiration from your site and was wondering if there was any advice you could offer me as I embark on this endeavor. I will be keeping my day job as an Economist, but plan on devoting nights and weekends to cabinetry. I estimate that working a few hours a night during the week and 8 hours/day on the weekends, I could build a center in 3 months or less. Sound reasonable? Do you sub-contract out any of your work to save time, particularly for some of the more intricate moldings and carvings?

A: As an Economist you will understand that if your goal is to make money you must be realistic when you price your work. 3 months is not extreme but typically I am doing major projects start to finish in around 4-6 weeks. Make sure your clients understand your situation and be honest about time frames (with yourself as well as the client.) I don't sub anything because I loose control of the work. My advice is to only take projects you know you can handle. Work with standard materials, finishes and techniques. Don't complicate the project by doing things you haven't done* or are not familiar with. If you do, you are guaranteed not make money and take too much time. Use moldings off the shelf, you will have enough to keep you busy without having to make and sand moldings. Obviously you haven't done a lot of work for sale or entertainment centers. Work within your limits. I also wonder if you have adequate tools. SC

Q: Right now I have a delta contractor saw, 6" delta jointer, DeWalt planer, compound sliding miter saw, drill press, Jet dust collector, two routers, and nailers /compressor. My clients will pay as much as 70% up front so I planned on purchasing a 3hp shaper and a 14" band saw. I don't have spray equip, which I suspect might be a necessity. Any thoughts?

A: Forget the shaper for now, get yourself a good table saw, 10" pro Delta or Powermatic w/ Biesemeyer fence, your contractor model will be to small. A 6" jointer is small, 8" is better but yours will work for now. If you don't have one yet get yourself a biscuit cutter, an absolute must have tool. DeWalt makes a good one that is priced right. Building your tool supply with job money is a good strategy. Be careful you don't over commit on equipment and end up not having enough money to buy materials. Spray equipment is important, it won't do you any good if you don't have a place to utilize it. SC

Q: I'm told by my friend that these people do not blink an eye for a $10k or $20k entertainment center considering they are paying $80-250k for the sound system so the appeal of getting an additional $40-$60k/year is very strong.

A: True, but I suspect some blinking. You must understand that those prices warrant a certain level of work and professionalism. Make sure you are up to the task. SC

Q: Any thoughts on how to approach wood suppliers/tool manufacturers to get a
break on prices?

A: Find a local source that has all the materials you need (good, quality supply of hardwood, plywood, moldings, substrates...) Talk to the manager and explain that you are starting a custom wood business and would like to start an account. If they are leery, offer to have a $500.00/ $1000.00 limit and secure it with a credit card. Tell them if you don't pay your bill they can run the card. After a few months of proving yourself get your card slip back. Ask for at least 30 days on all invoices, that way you are not spending all your front money on materials. Buy tools on the net (amazon.com is good) . Check "Fine Woodworking" (you are reading this mag?) and look at the ads for tools as well. SC

Q: Once again, thanks for the info contained on your site, it's the best that I have come across!

A: Your welcome, I'm glad it helped. You can do this, just get clear about your goals. If you are doing this for the money, make sure you can make some on each project. If you are doing this for fun, DON'T. Woodworking is way more fun as a hobby than a business. Gook luck, keep me posted. SC

Subject: Re: Starting My Own Cabinet Business
Q: Steve, Thanks for your honesty, really. I was a little disheartened to hear you say not to do it for fun, since that is why I initially got into woodworking. However, I must admit, the lure of the extra money and the ability to eventually quit my day job is what is driving me right now. I have a commute of 1.5 hours into NYC and the lure of a 50ft commute blows my mind. Although my skills may not be top notch yet, they are pretty good and I believe I can make it. In any case, my feeling is that I won't know unless I try. I will try to start small and build up, but your advice to not take on anything I can't handle will definitely be heeded. I have the Delta white edition contractor saw (not quite as powerful as the 66 or Unisaw, but still a very good saw with the best fence in the biz (in my opinion), the unifence). As for biscuit jointer, I have the ryobi (don't laugh), because it does a very good job. I was thinking shaper for raised panels, not necessarily for moldings. Table saw will do the panels, but not nearly as safe/stable. Will go with HVLP, have 1500 sq ft basement shop, so space not an issue. Once again, thanks and I'll let you know how I'm progressing.
Kind Regards
Rob

A: I didn't say it wouldn't be fun; just don't go into it for that reason. Making money from something you love changes the picture. Your saw is fine, I thought you might have a small contractor type. Buy your doors and panels. The companies that make them do great work at a reasonable price. You can spec anything you want. I have yet to make a profitable raised panel door. Same principle as using stock molding, you will have your hands full without doing doors. HVLP is a good choice. I agree with you on the commute, mine is 75'. SC

Q: Steve,

I've been looking at your awesome website, and I really appreciate all the great information. Can you help explain something to me? My wife and I are shopping for kitchen cabinetry, and today we visited a local cabinet maker. All the doors and frames are solid wood. I noticed that many of the doors had vertical lines -- as if the "solid" wood door had been fabricated from two, or sometimes three, pieces of wood bound together. It was clear that the grain of one piece of wood ended, and another picked up. The lines were perfectly straight, and not at all a part of the natural grain. I asked the sales person, and she gave me some baloney about "the natural beauty of the wood." I asked her the same question twice, and she clearly either didn't know the answer, or was (not very artfully) dodging the question. When I got home, I looked at some of the solid wood cabinetry we already have in our house (it is Woodmode) and noticed that it, too, has the same sort of clearly unnatural lines that seem to form a seam between two pieces of wood bound together. Can you explain this to me? Does this mean that the cabinets or the wood are inferior? Do the "best" solid wood cabinets have this, or not? The local cabinetmaker we visited was recommended by our builder, and they are a lot cheaper than some of the custom kitchen places we have visited. We are adding onto our home, and it is located in pretty wealthy area. When we're done, the house will be worth well over $1 million, and while it doesn't necessarily have to have the best of the best of everything, we don't want to make any stupid mistakes. I haven't had a chance to ask our architect or interior designer about this (I will when we meet with them next), but I was interested in what you have to say about it. Thanks a bunch in advance for your help. Clinton Baller

A: Clinton, The lines you see are the individual pieces of wood glued up to make the width of the panel. The panels in production solid raised panel doors are built with thin stock and therefore need to be glued together to make up the panel width. This is not bad or inferior construction just unsightly. It's quite noticeable if the wood is not well matched. Unfortunately this process is what makes solid wood doors accessible and reasonably priced. If a production shop was to use wide widths (6" or wider) and selected each piece for color and grain in every panel, you would see a dramatic difference in cost. If you are having custom cabinets built, find out if your cabinet man builds his own doors. If so, request that the panels be made from grain and color matched wide stock to minimize seams. If he orders his doors ( many craftsmen do because they are cheaper to buy than build) have him specify the same criteria to his door supplier. Be prepared to pay a premium for this. If the local shop is a lot cheaper than most custom shops BEWARE. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. The difference between fine work and average to middling is not typically noticeable to laypeople. Your on the right track, read everything you can and ask lots of questions. Good luck,
SC

Q: Hi Steve: Found your site and was really impressed. I'm working now as a Project Manager (formerly a Software Developer) in Dayton Ohio. I have had a very good career and am currently working on my MBA to supplement that career. I'm also an avid woodworker and build furniture for friends and family. For my MBA project, I'm developing a business plan to start a "one-man" woodworking business. I've just started the research phase of this project when I found your website. While I have a career, my dream is to be in business for myself as a woodworker. The hours that I spend building furniture are very rewarding and my wife appreciates that my attitude is always better when I get to spend time in the shop. She also appreciates the new kitchen that I'm working on now for our house. Our neighbors are envious of our cherry raised-panel doors and end caps, and I just recently finished putting in recessed lighting and ceramic floor.

I'm trying to find examples of people who have "changed" careers and now do woodworking. I read an article a while back concerning an orthopedic surgeon that now works full-time as a woodworker. He left a very lucrative private practice and is now a successful woodworker. I'm also wanting to interview woodworkers in different areas of the country and with different market conditions to gauge how successful a custom woodworking business might be for me. While the first order of business is the Business Plan, I would like to pursue the research further. If the research bears out, I would like to get started within the next 3 years. Since I make good money, my friends think I'm slightly warped for looking into this with the seriousness that I currently possess. My friends have seen my work and have indicated that I should do it for money and enter the work in contest, but then they look at me as if I'm possessed when I mention that I would love to do it full-time. They know the money that I make and the living that I've put together, and they think I'm crazy for having this dream! I personally don't think I'm quite that good yet, but I'm getting better. While I enjoy my job, my true love is woodworking and I would love to make it work. While I imagine that you are extremely busy, please think seriously about an e-interview for my project. If you don't have the time, I understand and appreciate your honesty. If you could spare 1/2 hour to answer questions, then it would go a long way in helping me out! Please let me know if you can help me out and if you would like confidentiality statements sent to you to protect your information. Research information will be put on file at the school (Indiana Wesleyan University).

thankz K. David White

A: Hey Dave, Thanks for your note. You are not the first person to want to know this information. It would take way to long for me to write everything you need to know. I am open to you calling me on the phone at a time we can both sit down and talk. I am living my dream and have been at this since I was 21, I'm now 45 and this has been my only career. I don't think you are nuts to follow your heart. There is more to life than making money. Let's arrange a time for you to call by email, and I can go into this in detail for you. Tomorrow afternoon will work for me 3:00 PST. Let me know. Steve Casey 818-******** Custom Home Theater Furniture and Cabinetry www.stevecaseydesign.com email steve@stevecaseydesign.com

editors note: This is not an open invitation to call and chat.

Subject: Your 25th anniversary reprinted comments

Q: Mr. Casey/Steve, Quite by accident I came across your web site today and only yesterday noticed a reprint in the 25th anniversary Fine Woodworking Magazine of your comments about the "Norm Abrams" issue of FWW magazine. I really side with you. I am a new woodworker for all practical purposes, having done what little woodwork I did on saw horses with a circular saw for 30 years. But three years ago, after having watched Norm for all those years, I became convinced that I could do it. I built a shop, bought tools, and while I when I started, now that I am "into it", I can't wait to do the chair and I already have a good set of chisels and planes which I enjoy sharpening and using. Were it not for Norm, I doubt that I would ever have progressed beyond the sawhorse/hand saw level. Your site is beautiful. Perhaps someday, mine will be fleshed in with more of my projects: http://go.to/byjimeny Thanks. (No reply necessary.) Jim Stafford

A: Hey Jim, Thanks for the note. You are a perfect example of what I was talking about in that letter seven years ago. Closed-minded elitism is not going to get anyone interested in anything. The reason that I am doing what I do today is because other craftsmen invited me into their homes and shops to share their lifestyle. I had no clue until then that this kind of life was even a possibility. I'm glad you were inspired, now you can inspire someone as well. Good luck and prosperity with your woodworking. SC

Subject: Advice on getting started

Q: Steve; My name is Jeni and my husband, Evan, is thinking about getting into building furniture for a living. He has been a hobby woodworker and built a lot of various types of furniture. He is wanting to focus on Mission/ Arts and Craft Style furniture.

Is there any helpful advice you could share with him in making the leap from a suit and tie career to one of freedom and doing what he enjoys? He also reads many woodworking articles and books and points out articles to me. The most recent was one from Sam Malouf. Did you really get to meet him and tour his studio? I would love for my husband to get to talk or meet someone who has taken the leap into woodworking. Thanks for your help. You have a wonderful website. Jeni

A: Hey Jeni, Thanks for your note. There is a great article in Fine Woodworking written by some people who have a school that teaches people how to do the business of woodworking. I'm not sure which issue but I think it was in the last year or so. (http://www.taunton.com/cgi-bin/artresult-fw.cgi?heading=Business)You can probably find it online in the FWW index. If you are prepared for the business of woodworking you have a shot at success. It will change how you perceive your hobby dramatically when you have to make money from it. There is way too much stuff to go over in an email but the short answer is you can do it if you plan the business end and are committed 100% to your success. You should fully understand the benefits and risks of self employment verses a job and financial security before you jump in. If you are local ( I am in Agoura Hills,) I would be happy to talk to you in person at my shop some Saturday. Good Luck. SC

editors note: This is not an open invitation to stop by and chat.

Q: I've been asking and searching a lot of websites and hardware stores with no luck. I was wondering, can you stain particle or flakeboard even though it's not really wood? If so how? It has a fake wood look to it, but I don't wanna do anything to it if I shouldn't. Thanks, Lars

A: Just stain it like you would anything. It will look like stained particleboard. SC

Subject: Advice
Q: Hi, I found your website extremely useful in planning my entertainment center project. I admire your style and quality of products. I was hoping you might be able to provide some tips for me. I am looking to use speaker cloth to hide a subwoofer and some home theater components and wanted to know if you have any tips for building a door with speaker cloth inlay to allow for the remote and sound to function properly. My wife wants an all white unit and I plan to use thermafoil coated mdf cabinets. I appreciate any tips you may have. Thanks,
Christopher G. Hoffman

A: Hey Christopher,
Build your doors like a glass door and make a frame to hold the grill-cloth. You can make the frame for the cloth out of 1/4" plywood. You can easily remove and replace it if you need to. I would use the melamine on the case interiors only and paintable materials on the exterior. You can use MDF and poplar, they work great and are inexpensive materials. Good luck with your project. SC

Subject: i need some advice and you are the one to give it

Q: Steve, I am a custom home theater cabinet builder also with not quite so many years experience as you and I have some questions about the way you assemble when you use melamine interiors in your cabinets. First question, do you use ¼”melamine glued to 3/4 plywood, or the other way around? This is assuming the exterior is stain and lacquer. Second question, Do you finish the backside of the face frames before you attach them to the melamine interiors, or do you attach first, and then mask off the melamine? And of coarse there could be other ways of doing these things , i'm sure, that i'm just not seeing. If you would please be so kind, help me out. If I may say so, I am really impressed with your website and also the work that I’ve seen in your pictures. And I am currently very interested in the idea of doing melamine interiors to cabinets as all of my work thus far has been pretty much the same finish inside as outside and I can readily see the advantages to me as the builder to not have to finish the inside of cabinets and also the durability and neatness being an advantage for the customer and any info or tips you could throw my way would be very much appreciated. It would truly be an honor to receive a reply from you. Just based upon your website, I look upon you as the industry leader. Thank you, Albert Ohmer

A: Hey Albert, Thanks for the flattering note. I'll let you in on a little secret. If you switch to melamine carcass you will see instant profitability in all your work. I have been using melamine in all my casework for many years now. Some of the most expensive and nice formal pieces I build many times will have black melamine interiors. I build all the carcasses out of 3/4" melamine (just like you are probably using ply) and then face them with the species of wood we are using. I use biscuits with drywall screws to hold the joints together. I will pre-finish some face stuff and then add it but also just glue it up and mask it off. I only use pine core 2-sided material in 1/4" for backs and drawer bottoms and 3/4" for carcass construction. Use the 2 sided stuff, it will give you a choice on which direction the warp goes and at the same time nowhere near as prone to warping as the single sided junk. I like the Pano-lam brand pine core line because the finish is not to shiny. Be careful on large structures as they can self-destruct when you try to move them. That is if you can move them. This stuff gets heavy in bulk. I build all my large units in small puzzle pieces that go together (check the "start to finish" (link below ) on my site to see how this works) to make the piece. Try it, you'll like it. SC http://www.stevecaseydesign.com/work-in-progress.htm

Subject: A question for you...
Q: While admiring the photographs of your work on your website, I came across a piece that blew my mind! Being a student in Architecture at a local community college, I've decided that I want to be surrounded by architecturally inspired art. I never had anything specific in mind until I saw your rendition of steel beams joining in wood. I shouted "That's what I want!!!" Now all of this is probably a waste of your time, since as I stated I'm just a college student. However, Just out of curiosity, I was wondering if you could give me some background on the piece. What's it's story?... Who owns it now?... How much did it sell for?... Is there more than one like it?... I'm not an art collector, and I don't intend to become one. I've simply been moved by a photograph of your art, and I hope that someday I can draw inspiration from having it in my home. Thanks for your time, ~Buck

A: Hey Buck,
Thanks for the nice note. I built the original "Girder" for an office that my Dad had years ago. I have since built 3 others that are in private collections mine included. The last one that I sold was 16 years ago or more to a developer that saw it at a craft show I was doing. He special ordered a large one in mahogany. He put it on a wall behind his desk and then arranged all the furniture in his office at the angle of the piece. I think I charged him $3k way back then so figure at least $5k in today's dollars. That might sound like a lot of dough to you now but someday it will sound cheap like the $3k does to me now. Good luck in your endeavors. Call me after you close your first "Big One". SC

editors note: the $5k sounds to low in today's $$ 8/16/08

Subject: Advice for a another woodworker?
Q: Steve, I was browsing the net when I came upon your site. I to am a custom woodworker in Arkansas. I currently work at the Postal Service and do the woodwork on the side. I do furniture and kitchens, however I prefer to do furniture or built-ins. I am wanting to try to market myself as a custom furniture maker. I wish to do work like you do, entertainment centers and the like. No shops around here currently filling that market solely as a trade. I was wondering what you might have for advice on getting the word out. What works and what does not. I know I'm in a totally different market out here, but there is allot of old money if you can get people to part with it! Anyways, I would appreciate the input. I am just now 30. My shop and tools are paid for. I feel I have the perfect opportunity right now. Thanks, Mike Booneville, AR

A: Hey Mike, Go for it! Get with the local stereo and audio / video shops in your area. Tell them you specialize in Home Theater Furniture and Cabinetry and that if any of their customers need or ask for that you would be happy to meet with them. Try and hook up with local Interior Designers (this is a two edged sword; they have the work but can be a major pain in the ass to deal with so be forewarned!) Architects, custom homebuilders and general contractors are good as well. Professional sound and a/v technicians and home theater stereo installation guys are great contacts. You just need to find them. You might find them in the phonebook or in local directories. Cold call them and see if you can get a face-to-face meeting to sell yourself. Make sure you have a professional presentation. How you present yourself and your work reflects directly on how you operate. Sell that you can do furniture and cabinets but that you are a "home theater specialist". Even if you have not done much of this work you need to put it out there that it is what you want to do. If you do, you will get some of those jobs and you will eventually have the portfolio and the credibility that goes with it. Never miss an opportunity to promote yourself and your work. (no one else is going to do it for you) Most important: if you decide to do this you must GET COMMITTED. If you commit to make this happen for yourself 'no matter what', you will be successful. Now get on the phone and start calling the local pros. Good luck, let me know what happens. SC

Subject: words of wisdom/advice?
Q:Mr. Casey, Hello there. Reviewed your website..it's great! Your business is exactly the direction my husband wants to go with his. He has been operating his workshop doing custom work out of our garage. He's ready to take the next step and find some industrial space to lease. We love how you work out of a shop close to your home, but this isn't much of an option for us at this point. Do you have any words of wisdom/advice as we embark down this path? Thanks so much for any advice you can give us. Brad and Robin Wood, Woodline Design, Arvada, CO

A: Hey Brad and Robin, Thanks for the compliments. The basic words of advice I have for you are to be very clear in your intention and then commit fully to your goals. Plan your strategy, write down your goals and then do whatever it takes to make them happen. It will take resolve and serious commitment. Whatever you do don't give up and you will be successful. Read, study and ask questions about business in general and woodworking business in particular. Check out my commissioning work section. It's a template and model for woodworkers to be compensated for their expertise and to commit clients to using you so you don't waste your time with shoppers. You can make a decent living at this just be smart about it. That is the really short version but it's also the really important stuff. Good luck, SC

editors note: This is not and invitation to copy my original copyrighted pages! Guess why I even have to say that?

Subject: questions from woodworker wannabe
Q: Hi Steve, You have no idea who I am, but after perusing your website, I feel like I know you. Your story is a huge inspiration to me as I toy with the idea of going pro as a woodworker. I have been in the software development business for 15 years and am woefully under-satisfied with my achievements and day-to-day work life. Some might be completely satisfied with the bits and bytes, but they leave me quite empty. Hearing stories like yours gives me hope that pursuing my dreams of being a cabinetmaker might be feasible after all. The only thing my career in technology has been good for is that it has given me the opportunity to outfit my wood shop quite nicely. Other than that, I get no satisfaction from the business at all.

Having just completed building my dream shop, I'm really considering making a break. If you had time, I'd love to hear from you about anything related to the business. I've read lots about turning hobbies into careers. I have lots of hobbies, but I really yearn for woodworking. I get bored with hobbies, but with woodworking's unlimited possibilities, I constantly see areas to grow into. I have so many ideas and no time to implement any of them.

I guess what I'm saying is that I feel like this is a calling. I've always thought it's not a matter of if I'll ever do it, but when. The question has always been when I'll have big enough beans to throw away everything I've worked pretty hard at (and that pays well), but hated. I have the support of my wife and kids and a little capital to get me going. My number one question would be "Would you do it all over again?". Other questions I'd love to have answers for: How big a problem is monthly cash flow or lack thereof? What's the best advertising to get started? I'm guessing word of mouth keeps you going now. Do you work strictly on commission or do you ever generate an inventory and sell it? Sell it where? Is the built-in stuff more lucrative than freestanding? Do you have production work that pays the bills or is everything commission? I could go on and on but don't want to take too much of your time. I'd really appreciate any insights you had to offer. I also totally understand that you are probably a very busy man and you just might not have time for such shenanigans. Either way, I'm thankful for your carefully crafted website and the help it has given me. Have a great day, Domenic LaRosa

A: Hey Domenic
Thanks for the nice note. I wish I had the time to answer all your questions and will answer all the specific ones you asked. I'm glad my site inspired you. I was fortunate enough when I was just starting out to visit with some craftsmen who inspired me to pursue this lifestyle. It's nice to know that inspiration goes full circle. It would be a huge risk on your part to chuck the current job you have for an unknown result. The question you need to ask yourself is, are you willing to do whatever it takes to make your passion your business? You need to look at the reality of making a living from your skills. It's tough but could be well worth it for you. The short list of things I would advise is that if you make the decision to do this, you must commit to it completely. If you are committed and never give up, you will be successful. Treat this as a business from the start and you will be able to make a decent living eventually. There is lot's to learn and many things besides the wood to master. The good news is you will never be bored.

My number one question would be "Would you do it all over again?".

Yes, in a heartbeat. I started at 19 years old and had my shop going when I was 21. I can't imagine working for a company or at a regular job. That is not to minimize these things, they are just not for me.

How big a problem is monthly cash flow or lack thereof?

After 25 years I'm used to the unstable nature of my business. Make hay when you can and save some for when you can't. I am actually doing quite well this year. I think it's an attitude thing as well. Never tie your personal economy to the bullshit "media economy" and you will be fine.

What's the best advertising to get started? I'm guessing word of mouth keeps you going now?

Word of mouth is gold. It does help and is a big part of my program but you do need new blood. The website is the single best promotional thing I ever did for my business. I designed it as a qualifying tool and it turned into actual business. I get over 300 unique visitors a day. That boggles my mind.

Do you work strictly on commission or do you ever generate an inventory and sell it? Sell it where?

All my work is commissioned. I don't do any spec work. I did a lot of spec early on, it was a good way to master technique and build a portfolio. But not profitable so be careful what you do “for the portfolio”. You can go outa business making beautiful stuff just to get experience or a picture.

Is the built-in stuff more lucrative than freestanding?

Absolutely. People can justify spending big$$ on stuff attached to the house that fits their specific needs. Some of those same people would not buy a coffee table from me cause my coffee table would be too expensive.

Do you have production work that pays the bills or is everything on commissions?

Everything is on commission.

That is the picture for me today, 25 years down the road. That does not mean that that is how I would approach starting out. You do have to pay some dues and you have to do what feels right for you. If you decide to take the plunge, make sure you are committed 100%. This is not something you want to go about half assed. Never give up once you start and you will be successful. That is the exact same advice Sam Maloof personally gave me 25 years ago. Good Luck , SC

Subject: Request for advice from Keith Mell
Q: Dear Mr. Casey: I was introduced to your work via the CustomMade.com web site and was very impressed with the fine craftsmanship of your work. I am in the mist of exploring a career change (from high-tech) into custom built-in cabinetmaking and fine finish carpentry and am looking for advice and insight on the demand for this type of work. Do you have any feel for the current and future demand? Is the economy impacting demand? Any advice you can provide will be appreciated May I give you a call for a brief (5 min) conversation to get your take on opportunities, challenges, and recommendations? If OK, let me know the best time to call. Thanks Keith Mell

A: Hey Keith, If you tie your personal economy to the one the media generates for the general public you might as well hang it up before you start. You will create your own market for your own skills and abilities. If you make a commitment, plan out a logical strategy and then remain absolutely committed to that strategy and your business, you can make it. I can talk to you on the phone if you like but I doubt 5 min would cover anything. Try me at home in the evening around 7:00 pm during the week. 818-******** SC

editors note: Again...this is not an open invitation to call and chat.

Subject: Question on cabinetmaking
Q: Hello. I wrote to you about 2 years ago form the good state of Illinois on how much I admired your web site and they way that you go about your business. I was working for someone at the time, but have since then started my own shop. I have one question that maybe you could help me out with. At the shop I used to work at, for speaker grill cloth doors, all my boss wanted to do was to cut a piece of fabric and use glass retainer to hold in in place and then staple the glass retainer to the door. This was kind of a lengthy process and in the end came out looking like garbage, but my boss still went with it. I refuse to do that on my own work and came across a sample of this plastic mesh material with fabric adhered to it. So all you have to do is cut the piece to fit the rabbet in the door and use glass retainer to hold it in place, just like a piece of glass. You may know what I am talking about and hopefully you do. I have been trying to find a supplier for this mesh stuff and all I can really find is Rockler. I need to buy bigger quantities and hopefully buy it for cheaper than rocklers price. Do you by any chance know of a supplier or have any suggestions on a better way that you wouldn't mind sharing? Thank you so much for your input and congratulations on the 25 years. Sincerely, Jason Stabosz

A: Hey Jason, I make all my grills from scratch. I use black stretch fabric from Acoustex for 95% of everything I do. I make a frame and then stretch the fabric on to it with 3M #77 spray glue and then staple the back with 3/16" staples for insurance. I don't know what the material you are talking about is. Here is a link to Acoustex http://www.acoustex.com/ They have a huge variety of colored fabric as well. Good luck , SC

Subject: you have a fan
Q: Mr.Casey, My name is Ryan and I live in Ontario Canada. I’m 18 and am starting a small woodworking business myself. I'm very impressed with your work. It must take a while to reach that skill level. Who inspired you when you started out? Was it a slow process to save up for all the machinery? I want to find a way to build using mostly laminates and veneers because I have no jointer or planer yet to do otherwise with solid rough lumber. I worked in a cabinet making shop for almost four years. I took a carpentry level one apprenticeship program at a local college but framing wasn't really my thing, I want to focus on the fine work. I'm in a entrepreneurship program right now which is run through the government and am taking a cabinet making night course at Durham College also. I read that you took a fine woodworking course, how was that? Is saving up for a shop at home the way to go? Ryan

A: Hey Ryan, Thanks for the note. Sounds like you are on the right track. I started much like you when I was 19, so you are a year ahead of me. I saw Sam Maloof at his house, Art Carpenter (Espenet) and a host of other now well known guys when i started at Cal State Northridge. Them and Tom Trammel and Ralph Evans (my college profs) were responsible for me knowing that I could be a designer / craftsman and make a living at it.

Be patient about the tools, it will take time. Every time you sell some work, reinvest some of the dough back into your business. Eventually you will have everything you ever wanted. The shop at home has worked extremely well for me. I love having it and it was what I worked towards my first 11 years in business. I highly recommend it if you can pull it off.

Stay focused, don't give up and you will make it. Your skills will eventually (if they aren't already) be at a premium as there are only a handful of qualified and experienced people who do what we do. One foot in front of the other and eventually you will be looking back at 26 years of business like I am. If you have specific questions that you need answered now, or later as things come up , email me and I'll be happy to tell you what I know. Good luck, SC

Subject: contact from Australia

Q: Dear Steve, Just thought I would send you an email to say Hi and congratulate you on your woodworking skills and excellent web site. I also enjoyed reading your back ground and adventures! Like you I love timber, I have a small wood working shop making fine custom designed furniture down here in Queensland Australia. My real trade is bio medical engineering, however, some years back I worked for GE and they decided to part with my company! So I took my skills and now make fine furniture, currently things are tough, I try to have your philosophy as mentioned on your FAQ page on quoting but most times when I design a project and present in auto cad drawings, the client compares it to an off the shelf Chinese product at about 25% of the price and makes a judgment that I must be making a lot of profit! I have made some stunning pieces that give me great satisfaction but very time consuming and low return on effort.

I have your FAQ sheet on my desk as a reference. I am a bit of a technology nut and have made several cnc machines to take out the hard work and produce fine carvings, from Auto cad drawings I can produce a full working plan ready for manufacture, I am impressed that you still use the old pencil for drawings ! I went to google earth and found out where you are located. Hope you and your family are healthy and well Best regards, Peter Klosowski

A: Hey Peter, Thanks for the nice note. My family and myself are doing quite well, thank you. It still amazes me that someone on the other side of the world can be inspired by my work. The internet is an amazing thing. I still do drawings by hand because I can't get past the learning curves on the four or five programs I have tried to master over the years. I have one now that I might get to work if I can remember all the stuff about it I already forgot.

Good for you on getting out on your own. Very few people in the world have the balls to actually do that. If times are tough you need to do some marketing. You need to reach the people that appreciate and will pay for the kind of work you do. Trying to sell it to people that don't get the difference between custom handmade work and Chinese crap is a big waste of time. Stick to your guns on pricing. Pay yourself well cause sure as hell no one else will. Make your prospective clients understand what is different about having you design and build the work rather than then buying off the shelf Chinese junk. If you charge for your design time, prospective clients have to get off the fence right away. It will save you lots of time and grief as well. When they invest in the design process they HAVE to make a commitment to you. If you do that initial work for free, people WILL take advantage of it and will not respect you or your position. I can't tell you how many times in my career that someone brought me some other guys drawing to bid. I tell those people that I am going to be way more money than the guy that originally drew them so they should just have him do the work. Every once and a while I blow out a client on price and then my design is done by a cheaper shop. However, the client always paid me a good chunk of change for the privilege of shopping that design around. I am also quite confident that they got what they deserve and it sure wasn't what I would have done for them.

Don't give up, keep at it and demand respect and to be paid as any other professional would. By doing that you will attract the kind of people that do the same in their lives and they will be really happy they found you. Good luck, SC

Q2: Dear Steve What an encouraging response to my email , I have felt like giving it up recently and going back to a mainstream job so I can get income from unsatisfying work. SO I thank you for you email. I agree marketing is the key to success. I cant advertise as my budget is zero at the moment, I have been sending emails to interior designers and architects but most I see come back as "not read"!

I will have a good think about how to get some more exposure. I like your ideas on home entertainment. I made a stunning book case out of silky oak (you guys call it lace wood ) recently which would have been a good entertainment unit, however , I was desperate and it was a labor of love. Do you want a copy of Auto cad, I can send you a full working copy (not pirate version) if you are interested, I could teach you over the net if
you like!

I have made a few inlayed floors and spent hours with a guy designing a complete house layout with inlay, he promised I would get the job and charged him zero for the design work (stupid me), when I did not hear from him for some time, I asked the builder if I could provide a quote and you guessed it out came all my drawings. In the end they got a half job at a half price which was substandard (see drawing ) I would like to keep in contact if that's ok. Best and thanks regards, Peter

A2: Peter, Emailing is not going to work for you, it's just spam to them. You need to contact people directly. Starting with "local" architects, interior designers and contractors. If you want to do "home theater", establish a relationship with the local Audio Video retailers in your area. Get out the phone book and make a personal contact by phone with at least three new design business people every day till you have a job. You can leave a message but don't stop calling that day till you TALK to at least three real people. Even if you get blown off it doesn't matter cause it's about putting what you do out there in the world. It will come back to you. Get them on the phone then ask if you can come out to their office to talk about your work. Tell them you would be happy to look at any projects now and in the future that they may have requiring your skills and services. It's been my experience that someone is out there waiting for you to call and save their ass. Take whatever visual stuff you have to convince them of the great resource you will be for themselves and their clients. Work on a professional presentation and just keep doing it no mater how bad you think you are at promoting yourself. Eventually you will be experienced at self promotion and it will show. If you connect with three new people a day starting this Monday I bet you have a job to do by weeks end. Then when you think you are busy, keep promoting anyway cause sure enough you will run out of work. Unfortunately there are just a few options as a self-employed woodworker, 1)Nothing at all happening, 2) Busy, 3) or Way Too Busy. I'll take the busy and way too busy over "nothing happing" any day. Thanks for the offer on Auto Cad. I will think about it. Looks like you already had one good lesson on not charging for your time on design. Don't get another one cause it's the same painful lesson over and over. You are welcome to keep in touch. I would love to hear about how you took my advice and just exactly how many calls it took you get a new job. SC

Q3: Dear Steve, I really appreciate your comments and the time you have spent talking to me, considering you don't know me from a bar of soap! Today is a new day with new challenges and I am taking your advice. I will contact you in a couple of weeks with my progress. If I can help you in any way, please contact me. Best regards peter

A3: Good for you. I was lucky. When I started out, things were really tough for me too. Over 28 years ago Sam Malouf (this country's premier wood craftsman and furniture maker) visited my meager shop with one of my wood class college professors. Since I had the opportunity, I asked him how the hell do you make it in this wacky business with so much against you. He said to me "All I can tell you is that what ever you do, don’t give up and you will be successful." He was right. Sam telling me that from his experience and position got me through some really tough times. When it got bad I would think "Sam says don't give up" and then there would eventually be light at the end of the tunnel. I am simply passing this on to you just because you reached out and asked. I do it for anyone that does. It completes the circle that Sam started and will continue with whoever asks you years from now.....if you don't give up. Good luck, SC

Q: Mr. Casey, I was hoping you might be able to take a moment out of your busy schedule and answer a few questions for me. I have viewed your site front to back and am absolutely amazed at your work and how your business has grown to what it is. I do (try to at least) custom woodworking in my spare time, nothing fancy just simple things like coffee tables, night stands, platform beds, book shelves, etc. I use Auto CAD and draft plans up by hand (sometimes) for just about all my projects (originally I was going to school for to be an architect before joining the Air Force) I am seriously considering once my next enlistment is up starting my own custom woodworking company. I have taken some business classes, and done loads of research on marketing, business plans, etc. My question to you is, what advice would you be willing to share with me about starting your own woodworking business, past experiences, hard lessons learned, things of that nature, or information you wish somebody would have shared with you first starting out. I’m not looking to make tons of money but at least enough to support my family and eventually expand the business. The main reason I really want to do this is because of my love for woodworking. It’s awesome to be able to see raw wood and watch it transform into something amazing. I’ am sorry to bother you but I figured you would be an excellent source to ask questions. Thank you so much for your time. Senior Airman Ryan D Burk

A: Hey Ryan,

Read all this stuff (on this page) till in sinks in. SC

If you read to the bottom...good for you. I am not discouraging legitimate inquires with my editors notes. Please understand this is a site open to the public and I don't want people thinking I can just answer anything at any time. I will be selective and add worthwhile content to this page as I can. Thanks, SC 8-16-2008

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