I make small projects (footstools, small tables, plant stands, clocks etc.) and sell them to a variety of customers. I use red or white oak, walnut, maple, or other hardwoods almost exclusively. For the sake of efficiency, I like to make at least five copies of a piece even if I don’t have five customers lined-up. I’ve been told by my woodworking “mentor” that it is best to finish a piece as soon as it is completed so the wood does not have a chance to warp or discolor. At the same time, I would like to give my customers a chance to pick their favorite stain. Sometimes the color of a piece can make the difference between a sale or no sale. My question is: are there some measures I can take to protect an unfinished project until I find a buyer and let them choose the stain color? Thanks in advance.
RCM
Replies
Hi, RCM.
Good question.
Would say, though, that there are several aspects to reasoning. So, will offer these other ones:
1. What about finishing the five or so items in different shades, based on earlier sales, so that customers can readily pick a finished sample?
2. It might be easier to sell a finished piece to an eager customer. Some customers 'want it now'.
3. A finished piece of furniture in general ought to look more attractive than an unfinished one.
4. A customer that insists on a particular shade not available, ought to be one that could wait for one to be made. It could cost a little more, to offset the increased cost of just making one at a time. That means the customer continues to have a choice.
5. Of the five-or-so made, you could also chose to leave only one unfinished.
Best wishes.
-mbl-
Edited 5/6/2004 1:11 pm ET by mbl
Thank you for the good suggestions regarding my question. I'll be sure to keep unfinished projects away from light somehow. I think I shall try the suggestion to make and finish some projects in stains that have sold well in the past and perhaps hold back one unfinished item for the person who wants a stain that I don't have on hand.
This was my first instance of using the Knots forum and I was very satisfied. I'll be a regular from now on.
RCM
Another thing,
Since price is an issue for most buyers, you might also sell the unfinished one for less to one who wants to put his own color and save money, or can't quite budget the finished item.
That might be the last option to offer.
By the way, there's a place here where all they sell is unfinished furniture, so there's always a means figured for every duely justified situation.
It's a huge place, so they must have a good turn-around, and it obviously appeals to budgeted buyers.
Heck, some woodworkes might be their re-seller clients. L.O.L.
-mbl-
Maybe keep them out of the shop and away from sunlight,where you have some control over relative humidity. Whenever I build a piece(always to order), I want it out of the shop ASAP, since "shop rash" will encroach.
Why not put a light coat of shellac on them. You can still stain and finish later.
If you are worried about damage, try wrapping them in those thick furniture pads. I work part time as a finisher for a furniture company, and we wrap items in the pads, then use "shrink wrap" to hold everything in place. Works well, keeps the sunlight off.
If you want to go all out bag them in air evacuated black plastic trash bags to help prevent oxidation and UV lighting/darkening. I used mostly WB finishes so I sand to 220 with an ROS then wet it to raise the grain before final hand sanding with worn 220 ROS disks and a foam H&L hand pad (3M). I'd stop there and then do the hand sanding right before staining.
John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking
Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne
If you store them assembled....it is not a problem. Especially if assembled and glued. No problem whatsoever. You would run into problems if you apply finish on one side of a top but not the other.....
If you assemble but don't glue....judiciously add some clamps to hold it all together until you get to finishing.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled