My dad would ask "Does a mailman take a walk on his day off?"
I asked a similar questions of myself when I retired from 40+ years of building homes and commercial structures. Now what?
And your answer is?
"MikroProjects"
MikroProjects are a hybrid, much smaller than the homes I used to build but much larger than many hobbyist woodworkers take on. Projects like beds, bunks, dorm-room lofts, raised garden beds, bases for large farmhouse-style dining tables, heavy-duty castered workbenches; and more. Why stop there? Why not build fabric, steel or corrugated roof structures for screen rooms, garden sheds, hunting blinds, ice fishing shacks and firewood shelters?
We own an RV; we travel for months at a time; I fish, kayak, bike, and do other stuff retired folks do. So how is that gonna work? Maybe I could woodwork when we travel? Maybe I could teach woodworking, something I love to do? Maybe I could "mentor" other woodworkers wanting to sell their creations and: maybe I would still build beds, garden beds and small structures as a "hobby" then sell a few pieces to support my "new tool addiction" BUT not with a commitment or deadlines. Never want to go there again!
Initially this got way out of hand but I did just that stuffing routers, a miter saw and and even a table saw in the RV then built stuff on the picnic tables in State and National Park campgrounds. Although I don't pack as much gear I still take some and then take short-term memberships at Maker Spaces wherever I can. Hopefully soon this will also include teaching courses at those venues.
I am so fortunate to be invited to teach woodworking at several venues including The Clearing, a nationally recognized folk school here in Door County, at Grand Inspired in Stoughton, WI; occasional one-on-one mentoring here in my own shop; and on my channel at Instructables.com. Are you affiliated with a Maker's Space or other venue here in Wisconsin or (winter months) in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, the Carolinas? Try me! Teaching when and where we RV travel is certainly on my radar!
I see them on Etsy, Pinterest, Facebook posting cutting boards, bird houses, monster live edge slabs... but can't help thinking "Are they actually making a profit"? Knowing, first hand, how much time it takes to cut, rip, sand, glue... but, even before that, the trips to Menards for materials, cost of the tools, bits, blades, stains... Then there are the 40% cut the retailer takes, "free" shipping costs and the credit card processing fees. Now granted, many have no intention of "making it living on on woodworking", only just a subsidy to support their hobby but then there others. Since I have several projects already designed, detailed cutlists, shop tested, ability to teach and 2 U.S. Patents on a really cool piece of hardware might I help other woodworkers that want to make saleable, and actually "profitable" projects.
Because I invented and patented a crazy method of joinery; because I'm constantly testing that system and/or a project design to teach in class; because my shop is full of power tools; and because I still love woodworking I build stuff, big stuff, and since we don't need anything around here; and since our adult kids think Ikea is "the greatest thing since sliced bread"; and I need to make space for the next project... I post partially completed prototypes or finished projects for sale here in my online Store, on FB Marketplace, Craigslist /andor, because there is large RV Park further down our road, out at the end of our driveway.
Saving this space for the next chapter :-)
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