Hi everyone,
I am a brand new here although I have sifted around the various woodworking forums, including this one, for years.
I am reaching out to all y’all as I’m a college student up in Minnesota doing research on industrial hobbies, like woodworking, as I’ve been interested/involved for the last 5 or so years. I have a few questions, if anyone is willing to pitch in their 2 cents it would be much appreciated!
1. Why are you interested in wood working?
2. Do you have other interests besides woodworking?
3. Where do you, in general, see the state of woodworking? Are there a good amount of people starting to get into it nowadays?
4. If so, are there significant barriers to entry into woodworking as a hobby/interest/passion? i.e. costs, space needed, etc.
Thank you for considering!!
Jack
Replies
As you are collecting data on space requirements, cost of entry, number of people getting into the hobby, etc... then I believe the first step in your research is to define woodworking.
Is sitting on the porch carving Santa ornaments woodworking?
Does making an outdoor bench of pressure-treated lumber using only a circular saw and a cordless drill qualify as woodworking?
How about building a $50,000 outbuilding and filling it with tens of thousands of dollars worth of cast iron stationary tools ?
You see where I'm going with this. It seems like the data will be confounded unless the *kind* of woodworking is defined.
Just my .02
Thanks for the reply, an excellent point. What I had in mind are projects mostly under what I’d think of as the construction category: coffee tables, dining tables, cutting boards, dressers, jewelry boxes, smaller chests etc. What I’m guessing an amateur (Like me!) would first think of.
Thanks!
Will give it a go!
1. Natural need to work with my hands however work in an office. Originally because I needed some furniture for my first apartment then got sucked in (at age 24). Now see the craft as the perfect combination of artistic meets technical. Great escapism.
2. Sailing mainly.
3. Since I started in 2011 I have seen it get better and better. Online content getting better and better. Tool manufacture better and better. Lots of younger youtube content creators indicate that woodworking is certainly not on the decline?
4. If you want it badly enough there are no barriers. Worked on a workmate on an old curtain in my living room. Shavings everywhere. All tools from ebay. Was up and running (building a side table) for less that 100£.
1. It provides an enjoyable hands-on hobby that produces a tangible product.
2. I also enjoy cooking for the same reason as #1
3. Woodworking is being folded into "making" and is growing in popularity.
4. Barriers to entry are few. A few hundred dollars worth of tools from Craig's list along with some space in a garage, shed or carport will get you started. After that, the sky's the limit.
1. My vocation (now retired) was an office job, but I was raised in a "work with your hands" home. Working with wood became a hobby as a result of a) a desire to work with my hands, and b) as a means of "saving money...", not having to hire basic carpentry work out and doing it myself instead. In retirement, working with wood - as part of a gradual shift into "woodworking," (as opposed to carpentry) - thankfully keeps me enjoyably busy.
2. Fishing, hunting, reading and travel!
3. I don't know that I can provide a broad answer - I don't have an opportunity to interact in person. From what I read online and attending the occasional woodworking show, my perception is that it is becoming more and more popular (at least in the hobbiest category).
4. I'll echo the above respondents. Many enjoy the hobby without expending much money. If I see a barrier to entry, it's maybe "self-imposed," with those starting out assuming they need a basic kit of power tools (helpful, but not necessary.) IMO, a handful of hand tools can get the ball rolling for new entrants.
Awesome! Thanks for the responses! Great point about younger youtube creators Mchick, also appreciate how you brought up the "making" bit Mike. I think you bring up another good point Curmudgeon about self imposed barriers...sort of plays off the whole 'first steps are the hardest' cliche.
1. Why are you interested in wood working?
Initially, like a lot of my friends, started out young because needed furnishings/furniture. For the next 30 years, worked in software development that was abstract and a long time between concept and completion. Enjoyed something more tangible (and something my mother would understand). Started out making furniture. Once house was filled up, went to decorative items like boxes and picture frames, then the kids grew up, got their own places and the demand for furniture came back. Have a few years hiatus until the grandchildren graduate and get out on their own.
2. Do you have other interests besides woodworking?
Yes, but it is my main one. I keep bees, play cards and build theater sets and furniture for people coming out of homelessness.
3. Where do you, in general, see the state of woodworking? Are there a good amount of people starting to get into it nowadays?
I'm in a woodworking club. I'd say less than 10% are under 50, and at least half are retired. Maybe they are just not "joiners" (no pun intended), but it's where I learned a lot when starting out. I have heard the "maker movement" is popular with younger people, but don't have any first hand experience with this. I got a call from a local HS a few years ago to do a project with their science club. The advisor said they could do robotics and circuit boards, but was not sure they could measure or cut a board to length. He was right. I had them make tool totes. One of them remarked on the way out, "These are great, my iPad fits right in here." I think a lot of the really younger people are more into getting their nose in a screen.
. If so, are there significant barriers to entry into woodworking as a hobby/interest/passion? i.e. costs, space needed, etc.
Cost and space needed can be minimized in the beginning and work up gradually as projects require. My first projects were with a hand saw, tape measure, plane, hammer and square. A few years later, I added a circular saw and drill. Those served me for about 8 years, including two apartments. Having recently looked for a home with room for a shop, I found it difficult. Most basements are now finished. Outbuildings are rare. And I didn't want to work in an alternately cold and hot garage.
Sounds like an interesting project you have taken on. It would be great if yo would post your results back here.
I got into woodworking because of the sense of satisfaction I got from my first project in Jr. High wood shop class. I spent the next 35 years gathering tools and knowledge and doing small projects. I found the process of creating was relaxing and destressing while I worked my career. Upon retirement I began spending more time in the shop and built a greater skill set. I then got a part-time job at the Woodcraft store which gave me access to more skills, tools and techniques.
I also like to ride horses, cook and read.
The state of woodworking is healthy. I see a lot of newbies come into the store seeking advice on their first project. Our woodworking basics class is also consistently sold out. The access to good on-line content and "free" advice in the Woodcraft store helps people feel comfortable diving into a new craft. I think deep down everyone wants to make something rather than push buttons on a computer.
Barriers may be a bit strong. In reality, in the olden days, before electricity, all furniture was made with a few basic hand tools and years of practice. Today we can substitute power tools for years of practice. For example, we can learn to put an edge on a board with a router in a couple of hours versus years of practicing with planes and spokeshaves. Money is the only real "barrier". Wood is expensive, tools are expensive, work space is expensive. But all of that can be mitigated. So that leaves the only one true barrier - time.
1. I'm third generation and played in my dad's shop starting at age 9 or so. Growing up with it gave me strong sense that it's a "normal" thing to do. No magic involved. Krenov's books in the 80's and the need for furniture kindled a permanent passion. That, and a love of the wood itself keep me going.
2. Travel, photography, playing jazz guitar all interest me but...
3. I see woodworking as an increasingly fertile place with plenty of inspiration, variety and information out there.
4. Barriers are few if a person wants to begin. Tool #1 is a place to work. Tool #2 is a bench. From that point on, if you "can't not" you will figure out a way.
1. Why are you interested in wood working?
Humans have a creative urge - unless it's been buried by the passive-audience culture of modern times. WW has a large scope for being creative in many different ways. Personally I took it up as an antidote to the lack of creative opportunities as a wage slave in a large bureaucratic organisation.
2. Do you have other interests besides woodworking?
Cycling; archery, fell-walking (with dogs); gardening; non-fiction reading (history, political theory and similar); Trainz (a 3D software railway simulator) route-building. Stained glass; and considering basic metal working, as enhancements to the WW.
3. Where do you, in general, see the state of woodworking? Are there a good amount of people starting to get into it nowadays?
How could any individual know this without access to a large survey or the stats of sellers into the WW market? Our anecdotes about our own experiences are just that. I can tell you that I've been teaching basic WW to women from the ladywife's local Women's Institute, which signifies ...????
4. If so, are there significant barriers to entry into woodworking as a hobby/interest/passion? i.e. costs, space needed, etc.
That depends on individual circumstances. For those on low income with a family and a demanding job, living in a tiny apartment, the barriers will be greater than to a pensioner with an understanding wife and a decent pension with which to fill a large WW shed. But information sources are now extensive, allowing anyone with the ambition to learn a lot easily & quickly. .... And you can buy a tool to do anything, in several different ways (if you can afford them).
But the most significant barrier is cultural, as Western consumerist culture is making most people far more passive than in previous times; and lacking the confidence or ambition to do anything much more than "buy one".
Lataxe
I got started as a homeowner who decided I wanted to repair some things on my own, and not replace all the time. But then, I am a boomer who had shop class in grade school, and grew up around men who worked with their hands. I became more interested in making things like furniture when I learned how satisfying it was to make stuff for people.
As a young person, you should best be able to judge how interested your generation is in woodworking. I think there was a bump in recent years as older boomers had the time and money to pursue hobbies (like buying Harleys), and younger folks came in through the Maker movement. But I see that declining. People just aren't interested in heirloom furniture or custom stuff when the cheap stuff works OK.
The obstacle used to be the availability of good, reasonably priced power tools that hobbyists could pick up and run with. Now that the market has developed for small shops, its cultural as Lataxe, said. The learning curve is too steep, and the investment in time deters interest.
1. Why are you interested in wood working?
I have an office job, but an hour in the shop gives me satisfaction I can never find in front of a screen. However, I could never earn in a shop what I earn in front of a computer screen. My shop time is precious time of solitude. I'm hand-tools only because I don't "need" to make anything. The only power-tools I have are a power-drill, router and a RO sander. I use them less and less.
2. Do you have other interests besides woodworking?
I used to read more and I was doing competitive sports when I was younger (now I'm 40), but now I spend most of my spare time researching woodworking related content (letter carving, marquetry, period history, ...).
3. Where do you, in general, see the state of woodworking? Are there a good amount of people starting to get into it nowadays?
Can't say in general, but I'm probably no exception: I didn't have a shop to speak of two years ago, but small fix-jobs around the house and YouTube sucked me deeper in. There are content creators that make good money chasing views and pushing product. A single free 10min video shows lots of tools and takes a rough board to a finished product. I remember a year ago I still had the itch to get a table saw and most videos push big products, but I'm past that now. Now I know myself better. But what I'm saying is, a lot of that YouTube content is less than 5 years old. That says something.
4. If so, are there significant barriers to entry into woodworking as a hobby/interest/passion? i.e. costs, space needed, etc.
As a hobby it's more expensive than other ways to spend your time. Besides space and tool expenses, most things you do consume wood products. When you start out, a lot of content creators and their advertisers steer you into the expensive big tool route. I'm inoculated from that now and go my own way. I'm preparing to go into carving and marquetry which, after buying $100 bugs worth of tools, will slow my shop down even more and bring costs down too.
So after an initial-expenses-barrier, the question is if you can find a happy woodworking life with the constraints given. If cost is an issue, are you happy carving scraps, or do you need to batch out side tables or use a slab per week?
I see the State of Woodworking as declining... both generationally and in the quality of work being produced: this will be received as Heresy among the craftsman out there; as there are still many who do incredibly innovative and fine work. However, Retail outlets, such as Woodcraft and Rockler, are struggling, the manufacturers have virtually abandoned Woodworking Shows. American manufactures of stationary equipment are now mostly just Chinese-made brands. Regarding the generational comment, I see the serious hobbyist as a relatively aging group; and a waning demand for fine, custom furniture - people just aren't willing to pay for the skilled labor and high material costs.
The Cost of Entry is both relatively low and very high - you can buy a Table Saw, Bandsaw, and jointer for a few hundred dollars; however, to produce serious work requires the investment in good layout tools, router bits, a router, a good planer, and a host of supporting stuff. My guess is that a well-equipped shop will be $5,000, to start. And, you'll need at least 400 square feet of designated space, with great lighting and plenty of electric power. Then there is the cost of materials - I've made several custom rocking chairs - the wood is $400/chair.
I'm not trying to scare you off, though, it does sound like I'm trying hard to do so. My takeaway is that progressively good work requires progressively good equipment, wood, and hand tools (I expect serious push-back on this comment), and with these and ample practice, you'll be proud of your work. If all you need is to dimension and assemble wood things; to simply get started, the entry is relatively inexpensive; however, if you want to become a serious hobbyist, there are several further steps.
RE: expenses, I always say, "It's cheaper than golf."
I bought a Unisaw 35 years ago for about $1400. It has served me very well since then, and still. I used to work with a bunch of guys into golf, besides the local greens fees, cart rental, clubs that got upgraded every few years, drinks or dinner afterwards, and the annual trip south in the spring with 36 holes a day, all meals out, and hotel lodging, I'm sure they spent way more than that. And none of them belonged to a country club (like my brother). And I have hundreds of products to show for it.
1. Why are you interested in wood working?
This activity relaxes me and at the same time keeps my mind sharp and my body somewhat nimble. That's important as you become an elder.
2. Do you have other interests besides woodworking?
I love to read about interesting people, world history, the military, and the origins of wood furniture, especially arts and crafts type.
3. Where do you, in general, see the state of woodworking? Are there a good amount of people starting to get into it nowadays?
Wood working is alive and well. More women are getting into the craft as well. Wood working tools and machinery is a huge business which verifies it.
4. If so, are there significant barriers to entry into woodworking as a hobby/interest/passion? i.e. costs, space needed, etc.
Space and costs are the two main barriers. One can construct many projects with home store bought tools instead of the larger machines. It is also possible to work in confined spaces with the availability of portable like tools and machinery. Interest and passion is free.
This so called hobby is also a very satisfying art - as many of us do not have the capabilities of learning music, drawing, painting, etc. anyone can get the same level of self satisfaction on wood working. And that is the main reason it will continue to grow in popularity as people discover that.
1. Why are you interested in wood working?
I have always been a 'doer' and generalist. I did not like woodwork at school though, preferring to work with metal and plastics. I watched an episode or 20 of the New Yankee Workshop on Sky about 20 years or so though, and once I realised that wood could be made flat and true (as opposed to working with the bits of banana supplied at school) it was all on.
2. Do you have other interests besides woodworking?
Electronics, programming, landscaping, fixing things, DIY.
3. Where do you, in general, see the state of woodworking? Are there a good amount of people starting to get into it nowadays?
I think that youtube is supplying an amazing amount of information for people, which is a powerful enabler. As for people getting in to it, it is uncommon for me to meet anyone younger who enjoys the hobby (though see barriers below) and I do get to meet a lot of younger people in my job as a doctor (family physician/general practitioner) I met one recently, but that is rare enough for it to stand out.
4. If so, are there significant barriers to entry into woodworking as a hobby/interest/passion? i.e. costs, space needed, etc
It is not so much barriers, as there needs to be a few prerequisites:
- you probably need to have some facility with basic tools early on. At least knowing how to use a hand saw and perhaps a chisel. If this basic education is missing and you have not grown up with tools, then the confidence to buy some is likely to be lacking - other hobbies provide faster results and are cheaper.
- you need some form of training. This can be formal or self-directed learning, so this is now widely available.
- you need space in which to work commensurate with what you intend to achieve.
- you need appropriate tools and a place to keep them.
The thing is, the current mood amongst young adults does not seem to favour the home-ownership, property and 'stuff' approach to life that perhaps is more typical of those currently over 40. They are not buying houses or burdening themselves with things to move around and of course woodworking tools are heavy, bulky and messy to use. They don't fit the current lifestyle choices being made by young adults.
If you don't own a home, you don't need tools or skills to fix it (as the landlord deals with all of that) so you don't develop that basic level of skill that can then be extended into other practical fields.
One personal theory I have that may be relevant to you is that I believe that the aptitude for woodwork (and so many other things) is quite strongly genetic. It attracts I think two kinds of people - Drivers (who typically also are engineers, surgeons, politicians, teachers, CEOs, investment bankers) and Amiables (who typically are tradesmen, teachers (yes they can be either), farmers, repairmen, IT tech support staff etc. You might find it particularly interesting to see if there is any correlation between the kind of work people do and their choice of hobby. The theory is very dense and chewy but if you are interested in a private discussion, do let me know. I'm a bit bored at present...
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