5 Lessons from Different Woodworkers

Woodworking is an ancient skill that dates back thousands of years. It’s believed that woodworking efforts began in China and spread worldwide, being honed by masters who put their own spin on it, developing woodworking into the craft it is today.

From houses to furniture to cabinets to jewelry, woodworkers produce countless practical and stylish items, and woodworking skills are in demand. In 2020, the woodworking machinery market generated global revenue of $4.53 billion U.S. The industry’s rebounding after a small decline during the pandemic, and aspiring woodworkers can use these tips from woodworkers to learn their craft and launch a woodworking hobby or career.

1. Explore New Tools

Monica Raymond began her woodworking career with an ambitious goal. Raymond decided to build a house, a project that ultimately inspired her to start making furniture. According to Raymond, woodworkers should start with projects that require tools they’re familiar with and then learn new tools to perfect their craft. 

Experience with different tools can help you pick the right tools for your projects. Every woodworker’s expertise informs their decisions when shopping for a wood chisel set or other tools. Chisel sets are excellent tools for shaving wood surfaces and cutting materials such as wood, brick, metal, and stone. Learning to use new tools can improve a woodworker’s technique and expand their skill set.

2. Combine Passions

Greg Mitchell started working construction during the summers when he was still in high school. He developed an interest in cabinetmaking and pursued an apprenticeship in this field before he began restoring historic buildings. Eventually, Mitchell realized he could apply his skills to other projects inspired by his interests.

Today, Mitchell creates wood products he designed, including surfboards and credenzas. Surfers understand how a surfboard should look and feel, and Mitchell successfully demonstrated how his experience informs his woodworking craft. With so many products made from wood, woodworkers can often combine interests to produce custom wood items consumers love.

3. Be Adaptable

Woodworkers need skills, creativity, and flexibility. Jessy Duque and Monica McLeary discovered this when the coronavirus pandemic forced them to close their woodworking studio. Duque and McLeary improvised, changing their business plan and focusing on producing items they could sell online. Although woodworkers may start a woodworking business with a clear focus in mind, creating wood products that sell well can help them establish their reputation and generate the revenue they need to achieve their long-term dreams.

4. Keep it Simple

Ted McGrath has over two decades of woodworking experience, and he’s happy to share his experience with novices and seasoned woodworkers. McGrath offers thousands of easy-to-follow guides to help you create stunning woodworking projects. Some instructors try to impress people with their skills by making things seem more complicated than they are. McGrath breaks projects down into straightforward tutorials that help woodworkers complete impressive woodworking projects in no time.

5. Try New Materials

Duque and McLeary discovered that flexibility was critical to their business success, and that principle applies to more than their business focus. Exploring different materials is a fantastic way for woodworkers to enhance designs and create desirable wood products. Changing materials can also improve a woodworker’s products and restore their love for their craft. While some woods warp over time, bamboo plywood is durable and warp-resistant, making it an ideal material for many wood products. 

New and experienced woodworkers can improve their skills and revitalize their passion for woodworking by applying the advice from experienced woodworkers. Exploring new tools, combining passions, being adaptable, simplifying projects, and trying new materials are effective ways for woodworkers to increase their output, acquire new skills, and create woodworking projects they love.