I tried making money with woodworking. Here’s the TRUTH.
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- Опубликовано: 29 июн 2024
- I watched a video by @SaltyWoodworking where he went over how he has made money building and selling cedar planter boxes and I figured I might as well give it a shot and see if I could make a few bucks building these as well. Watch until the end to hear my results.
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Here's a link to Salty's video:
• How I Made $4,000 In O...
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Im sorry to be the safety police but as a guy that has lost a finger at the table saw it freaked me out to see your left hand actually putting sideways pressure AGAINST the blade. That's pinching the kerf and it WILL cause an ejection. Keep your riving knife installed, keep your left hand the hell away from the blade, lock your thumb around the front of the saw. I'm telling you thats the absolute worst thing you can do. And throw that push stick away. Make a push shoe, it takes 2 minutes and a piece of scrap. I highly recommend you look into table saw safety I'm begging you.
Hey you are completely right about table saw safety. I probably need to do more. I go very slow when cutting but I know that’s not enough. I will definitely figure out the riving knife because that’s not the first comment I’ve gotten about that. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it!
@@AndrewVulgan of course man just looking out. I'll subscribe and can't wait to see your next projects! If you don't have a riving knife the next best thing is a home made zero clearance insert with a wooden splitter that acts as a riving knife. There's an idea for a video there!
@@XxStratAttackxX haha awesome. I appreciate it! I think I have one I just need to find it… but doing something homemade would be cool too
IMO a splitter is actually better because it's exactly the kerf of the blade. If your saw is calibrated your piece won't drift away from the fence AT ALL. @@AndrewVulgan
@@XxStratAttackxX ok good to know. I’m going to be getting a new saw soon so I will probably look into making one for that saw.
Great video. Nice box. I started selling these boxes this year, probably around the beginning of May. And from the beginning of May through mid-June, I couldn't make them fast enough. I only posted them on FB Marketplace. I had no experience in wood working. The very first planters I made were to a customer. It took me over 2 hours for a single planter. I was a nervous wreck. They came, picked it up. Loved it, gave me a 5 star review. Within about 10 days I could build that planter done in about 25 minutes or so. Keep it up. I am far from perfect, but have absolutely loved how building planters has introduced me to the tools, and has increased my confidence in wood working. Best of luck, and I subscribed. I hope to see more content.
@@ryanjohnson19851 hey thanks for the comment! I’ll definitely try again next year and I’ll start earlier than I did this go around. I’ll definitely be putting out more videos in the coming weeks. It’s a little slow and go at the moment since I work full time and have kids but I’m really enjoying this so I want to keep posting. Thanks again for subscribing!
Yes. Thanks for your comment. I may try if I can find cedar fence pickets. I thought about using used and scrap decking boards but people may not want treated wood.
Don't feel bad keep up the good work, it will come around
@@rondusing6081 thanks!
Let them sit in the garage a few days first, then start the milling. They cupped because they acclimated to their new environment, and that’s when you want to plane them. You’ll be able to take out that cupping and twisting with the planer. It looks good though.
That’s great advice. I appreciate it! I’ll definitely do that next time
@@AndrewVulgan twist requires a sled to keep the board still as it goes through the planer to remove otherwise it will simply rock as the twist goes under the blades. But you would be better off to keep weight on the boards while they dry. That will make a big difference in how flat they dry
I appreciate the honesty and being straightforward. You earned a new Sub
@@dgperforms1 thank you!
@@dgperforms1 thank you!
Grats and GL on your new channel sir.
@@TheSublimeSoldier Thanks!
Finally someone not trying to explain to the community that they sold $10,000 in a weekend of planter boxes and it only cost them $0.38😂
I've yet to see a person taken to consideration the fact that they had to build a shop, drive to the store multiple times, unload load unload, go to a craft show for a weekend spend money for the table, all the time needed to set up the tables repack and unpack everything and apparently nobody pays themselves any money because everyone keeps saying labor is free😂😂😂
@@veteranveteran9915 hahaha so true!
I think the whole 'labor is free' bit is to say - if you're spending 3 hours a day watching TV, then you have 3 hours a day to build stuff.
Something also to watch out for is that I think some of "those" people are video creators first and woodworkers second. That is to say that they are really in the business of making videos and not in the actual selling of woodworking. Look at all of the pallet wood videos. Watch Foureyes Furniture video specifically on pallet wood furniture. ruclips.net/video/kgAXUdyFDgQ/видео.html The money doesn't add up. I compare it to the get rich quick scheme instructional videos and books. Why would I tell everyone the secrets who would then compete with me? The fact is that these people aren't making money flipping houses - they make money selling books on flipping houses.
Im glad someone is telling the truth! At the time, my local marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp and fb pages did not have any cedar planters or any wood planter listed. I made a similar style to this and a bench style. I started listing them in early February (I’m in AZ, our growing season is almost all year lol). I have only sold 3 of the bench style. I live in a larger city here in AZ so there’s no shortage of people.
@@AZbone that’s awesome! Hopefully you can corner the market and make a killing selling them!
Seems like we both just started channels and built a planter box 😂
Hope your channel goes well and the planters sell. Keep up the good work.
@@MokuzaiDesign haha that’s awesome. I’ll check your Channel out right now!
Following you both, because I am a novice wood worker and love that you both are taking chances on yourselves
Subscribed to both of you 😊
@@stuartroberts4544 thank you!
Thanks for the video. When I build that style of planter, I cut the fence picket into 1.75 inch strips to deal with the curl. It takes longer at the saw but it makes putting together the planter easier. I also save the straight pickets for the legs which I assemble first, then add the strips. I have sold about 20 of them on Facebook marketplace. Just for reference, they sell for about $40 in San Jose, CA, for a planter that is a bit bigger than yours. good luck!
@@joeladam742 that’s good info I appreciate it. Thanks!
I enjoyed most videos that involve cedar. I don't know why, but I just enjoy seeing wood being cut on a miter saw. Thanks for sharing your video.
Awesome thank you!
I appreciate your honesty. Subscribed and liked 👍
@@junkwagonllcDOTcom thank you!
A great video Andrew!!
Thanks!
Would you have used up more table space putting your project together faster.?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience. I would say that for an entry level planter such as this there will be a lot of competition. If your aren't the lowest price option, ut will be a tough sell.
Being unique and having a fancier planter will give you a better return. Women are far and away the majority of buyers. Paint, stain, add extra trim details, think cute.
I didn’t sell any either. One piece of feedback I kept getting was “they’re kind of small”. I’m in a small town but I think you’re right the market is flooded with these. Keep at it man, something will catch on
@@dougs5406 for sure. I appreciate it!
Finally someone with experience like me!😂
Sorry ..... couldn't help you with your assult-bike-seat problem, despite I'm from bike-country (The Netherlands).
It’s hard to sell them in my area also. But we have a short planting season.
Here's an idea for you.
Look at the going prices on wood storage cabinets (tools, map/drawings, and library catalogs). They tend to command a premium price. See estate sales, auction starting price, Marketplace & eBay.
What about taking an old but quality dresser ($20-$60 or less) and convent it into a storage cabinet. You divide the deep dresser drawers into 2 or 4 drawers. A dresser starting out with 5 drawers may have 10-14, 16 or more drawers.
You likely will be able to use most of the materials from the original drawer to reproduce the smaller drawers.
Is it worth it?
Nice job man.
Thanks for the brutal honest info. Its what I figured, planterboxes likely oversaturated market and the top guys that build up bussiness have been at the top for years. Maybe if you find a project that isnt oversaturated which can cause you to blink out on the sale sites to gain some recognition, once you have that you can go on do more generic builds.
As someone with not too much room for investment and working with mostly a range of hand tools I figure I just make what I can use myself, try to sell it if it doesnt I keep it and dont make another. Else repeat the procces.
Great strategy! I tend to do the same thing.
@@wej0w yeah that’s kind of where I’m at. Limited budget so I just make one and see how it goes. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
I have made five of the tapered planters and sold two. That was last year. I live in a rural area and a lot of people just make stuff their selves. Planters,cutting boards and such , the market is flooded with those.
what would you charge for one of these\
@@jackdurning8637 for around $40 but it won't sell here.
How much are you selling them for? If you dont minf me asking anyway
I do pretty well making similar boxes. I go on my county's "Buy, Sell & Trade" groups offering a "special price for batch run". I always get more sales than I want.
@@mikemetheny1086 ha that’s a good idea! Might have to try that.
Thank you for sharing the cold hard truth of your experience & experiment Andrew. Your market research revealed "Market saturation" & your are correct in assuming that you were "late to the game". You might also consider that among other external factors average credit card dept is at an all time high in the US right now. My own E commerce companies are way down in sales on both the eBay platform and much worse on the FB Marketplace. I have over 20 years on eBay with a spotless 100% rating. So its not just you. Keep up the R&D your
Thanks for taking the time to comment! I’m sure there are a lot of factors at play so thanks for pointing that out. I’ll have to see what happens next year if I start earlier in the year and put a little more effort into the design part of these
Same for me. I just did a trade show yesterday and didn't sell even one. I made some of these too. I didn't try online cause I don't want to ship them.
I like the music. Too each his own. 😊
Me too!
I like to stack the pickets and them dry, if not, after you put them together, they dry leave gaps in between the panels. I've sold a bunch. Take good pictures, and I've sold mostly farmhouse style planters. In my area I sell them for 45 dollars each on market place.
@@migratorygame7400 that’s good info. Thanks for the advice!
Money can be made, but like you said, other people are building them too. Shortly after seeing the video you mentioned and some others, my area Facebook marketplace had a bunch of ads for planter boxes. Everyone was giving it a shot which flooded the market. Now, maybe it’s a seasonal market or they weren’t selling well, but I don’t see ads for them anymore. And one thing I’ll say about the construction process is with these boxes and some other things I’ve seen is the use of pin or Brad nails. Now I’m not going to say that there aren’t any available, but I haven’t seen any exterior use gun nails of any size. Small brad nails are generally for interior finish work, like door and window trim, cove and crown moldings. Also for keeping things lined up till the glue dries. But they don’t have much pull out resistance or whatever it’s called, and not great shear strength. And they will rust, deteriorate over time due to water and the movement of the box because of temperature changes and the rain and maybe freezing if left out too long. I agree they make assembly a lot faster which raises the profit margin, but if if falls apart in a couple years there probably won’t be many repeat customers.
Thanks for sharing. I had not even considered that the brads will rust away soon. Sure there is glue. I should hold. But I want to sell a quality product that lasts. Hmm, have to consider another option.
Like you said in most cases the brad nails are being used just as a clamp until the exterior grade glue dries. Almost all woodworking relies solely on joinery methods and glue. Once the glue dries it is actually stronger then the wood fibers. I've been woodworking for over 35 years I am not going to use questionable methods to tarnish my reputation. I've been making these planters for over a year since Matthew Peach posted the original video with more angles.
A brad nailer increases the speed of assembling things together tremendously.
I’ve made a ton of these things. I got into the game too late as well. I had a pile of them sitting around. The market was saturated with them. I did discover that I could do one more thing to them and before I knew it, they all sold out. I added an embellishment to the sides. It made my planter boxes stand out from the rest. I’m in the south, so it was a hit.
@@davepillow8478 that’s awesome and a good point. I’ll have to try making them a little different and see if I can get some interest that way.
@@AndrewVulganI’m a beginner also and was not selling any at first. I decided to add personalization to them and they flew out the door. If you have that capability, I suggest that or anything that sets you apart from the competition
@@dnikkithebest yes that’s a great idea! I need to get more creative next time I build these for sure. Thanks for taking the time to comment! O
There is no real money made in planters. Not compared to custom pieces. BUT they are almost therapeutic to make while no other orders are going on
It's really hit or miss on your area, I've done decently selling various sized planters near me, great side hobby that pays for itself, and I've seen others in a city about an hour away do really good selling them as well, but on the other hand I know people an hour out in another direction that can barely sell 1 of the planters, Local market is the biggest factor it seems, definitely worth testing the nearby market waters though, not like building one of these is a huge investment. I just started getting more into woodworking back in July 2023 but really started more into it around January making some planters to sell locally
It works if you get all your wood free, and your labor is free.
For sure.
I’m with you, woodworking is a hobby for me. Making stuff to sell or because people ask takes all the fun out of it for me. Is just not worth it. I have a real job, and the videos that claim “big profits “ are just enticing you to watch just for their own gain. Good job on the planter , looks good 👍🏻
@@tobedetermined4180 yeah for sure. Thank you!
I also made planter boxes and my listings only got 14 views last time I looked. In over a month. Not so good. No sales yet. But then again the market is flooded with these.
Yeah might be too late in the year as well. Will have to try again next year!
I built up a bunch of stuff, planters, trellises and large planters made of cedar and treated. Put them up for sale during our annual garage sales. Made a few hundred over three days. Other venders suggested that I sell at flea markets and craft shows for a better price point. The price I got was very low, just about double the cost of material. The only way to make it worthwhile is to be efficient. Make jigs to hold parts for assembly, cut in batches etc. The market in my area (western KY) is saturated since Matthew put out his free videos on these things, so I have to embellish or make something different than the others. Money can be made, but sure not the 4000 a month or 700 a day some are saying. I've been building things for a lot of years and trends come and go. Look at what others are selling and make what they are not.
@@Biker118347 yeah great point. It’s fun to try what others are making but probably not going to be the biggest hit if it’s already popular. I appreciate the comment!
Mathew is the man... learned a lot from him
If it works for you, that's all that matters.
I did the same thing. I’ve sold 1, but the market is saturated. I’ve had way better luck flipping furniture. I need to start filming lol
I sell mine on Marketplace and at the end of my driveway everyday for 20.00 each. Keeps me busy and it only cost 7.00 to make one. I can knock one out in 32 minutes from first cut to last Brad nail.
If I were able to make and sell 20 of these each month under these conditions I would be a very happy man.
But why is everybody making the same type of planter boxes?
How many boards you use for 1 planter? Where I live they are $2.98 each and I use 3 per planter
@@slanwar I use just under 3. They cost 3.46 minus military discount. 3.09 a board. So 9.27 to make one. But I always have scraps left over from other projects, so I don't include those in the price. I'm in St. Louis, prices aren't the best.
That’s awesome. I’ll probably try again next season. Earlier this time
Nice job mate, recently started woodworking myself, left it a bit late (45). One of the first things suggested to me to make was a planter, yours looks great, did you make more than ome? Maybe colour them different for the photos? Or stage them in different settimgs, once you get your first sale im sure word will spread 👍👍
@@timelapsesimgamer5442 hey that’s awesome! Never too late. I only made one just as a test. I think I started late in the season so I’ll try to get on it earlier next year. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
I built a few small ones like yours and a few big ones at 35 +/- " high x 2 ' wide x 3' long. Not a single small one sold but 12-14 of the big ones sold and I made a few at 4' long. Sadly, the design on the larger one did NOT hold up to the weight of the dirt and I had to replace a few of them that I had sold. I had been skeptical of the durability of the build but did it anyway considering I saw other youtubers and local sellers using the same build design on the bigger ones. Anyway, after my first collapse I started building them with pressure treated lumber for the frames and lined with cedar pickets. I used a 2x6 ripped in half for legs and 2x6 ripped down to 3 1.5 x 1.5 for the rest of the frame. BTW, all the cedar builds I only brad nailed and glued, no need for clamping. On the PT frames I didn't trust the glue with brad nails because of the much higher moisture content so I used glue and deck screws for the frame and brad nails for the cedar liner. So I sold about a dozen of the 3' for $100 each and a couple 4' for $125 All on FBMP but sales dropped off a cliff later in May. Next year I will have some built and listed by the end of March. This year I didn't start till April.
I build a lot of different things and never use clamps except when glue is the only joinery. Brad nails or screws act as clamps.
Yeah if I do it again I’ll definitely start earlier in the year. Good ideas on how to make them stronger.
How much did you put them up for then........
@@user-vs4rp1qc6q $35 each.
You may have come in at the end of the season. I sold many at the beginning of the season, and it has dwindled down to almost nothing now
@@VitalPolymath yeah that’s what I’m thinking too
If you avoid the clamps altogether and just use brads and glue, you'll speed up your process. Also, make 3-4 at a time. Batching them out will make the time per unit much lower. And don't forget that these are planter boxes and not fine furniture, so no need for perfection. The hardware store near me sells mass produced versions for 50-60 bucks! I sell a slightly different version for 35-50 depending on the size.
If where you live has seasonal changes and cold winters, you can make pretty awesome profit making frost covers. It's a stupid simple project that uses fence pickets and a couple of cheap hinges. Check them out and make some money!
Good luck with your channel and remember to keep having fun!
@@naturaIIydifferent yeah for sure. I need to figure out how to make sure the boards aren’t cupped when I assemble. That’s why I clamped them.
I will definitely check that out! Thanks for the suggestion!
Absolutely! Thanks!
Plane both sides so.tje moisture content is the same. Shouldn't cup as bad
Make some spice racks
@@frankgreen7988 good suggestion! I will!
Subscribed
Thank you!
The Planter box you built sells for about 25 in my area.
@@Biker118347 that’s probably what it is here too. I listed for $35 but no bites.
Nice planter box, but my question would be was, how are you marketing your boxes? I hope that you made more than just one, so that maybe you could take really nice pictures with different flowers, colors etc?
I think also, that if you are to "batch" out these planter boxes, your builds could got faster and in turn, cost you less to make..
Good luck!
@@rickpouley7561 thanks! Nah I only made one. I had a feeling I was a bit late to the game for this season so I’ll try to get on it earlier next year.
Planter boxes are probably going to sell MUCH much better around the transition time from winter going into spring.
It looks good, but it may be that your timing is a bit off for this product. Start looking ahead for product ideas that you expect to be popular in the season or holiday coming up next.
The planter box looks great! If you wamt to make them more profitable, look for ways that you can make your process more efficient, either by saving time, or less wasted material from off-cuts.
Good luck!
Exactly, my thought process is at my birthday(early june) I should be starting fall, and halloween projects.
@@TNBushcrafter the timing for starting fall projects will depend on when the seasons start to change where you are.
Where I am, June is too early to be thinking about the fall, while mid to late July may still be a little bit early to expect many sales but would be a great time for planning and preparation. August would be when fall sales would probably start to pick up around here.
@@Hawke301 yes that is true, our fall doesnt really start to break here until November. Creating inventory takes time, look at it like stores. They already have Thanksgiving stuff out. People are always looking to the next season. Can't wait until the season is upon ya and try to play catch up. Anyone doing craft shows or whatever needs to be building/making things 3 months into the future. If your 301 applies to area, as someone native to that area with many friends up there I am aware your planting season is about the same as ours. Meaning planters in our areas should be marketed for Mar-Jun. So building them in February here. Gives me time to get inventory. Especially with not knowing how busy I'll be as a contractor.
@@TNBushcrafter planning ahead 3 months makes sense for an established business, but what about someone just getting started? Would you recommend building up a lot of inventory to try to sell, or make items as you get orders/requests for a product?
@@Hawke301 oh I get ya, I luckily am at the point in my life I have a shop. It's kind of a fine line if ya dont have storage space. People are impatient, and if you give them a 2+ day turnaround they may just go on to the next person.
I advertise on market place then build when you get an order. Or always keep 1 or 2 in stock no more. I build on orders only I’ll give the customer 1 day to pickup , but this is me. I’m asking 30.00 for a medium size planter. Let me tell you I live in a small town in Michigan and everyone and their brothers are selling planters but I still sold around 30 or so. I had few orders of 2 to 5 at a time.
You’re not going to get rich doing this.
Where's your riving knife for your table saw?
If u see a video of someone telling you how easy it is to make & sell XYZ, ask urself, if it's SO profitable why are they making this video rather than just pumping out the easy to make, easy to sell product
You need dewalt tools
I have a few but Milwaukee is my favorite by far 😁
l enjoyed your video, but you lost me at "the wife"
Yeah not my best line. Ha!
@@AndrewVulgan , ok I'll give you another go;)!
Same here @melodywilson5255 .... you've gotta start somehow ...... practise makes perfect (so they say). Not everyome can buy the coolest tools. But at least, we've got a hobby. I wish Andrew all the best and surely he will sell some stuff in the future, just keep on going. And also Melody ....... don't give up yet.
Greetings from the Netherlands.
Btw. I subscribed because I'm curious what you DIY's in the near future ..... thanks for this one. You'll get the hang of it.
Thank you for the encouragement! I’m just getting started and there will be a lot more coming from me!