What Woodworking Projects Sell?
A friend prompted this article. I am accused of focusing on wood art far too much, and I am guilty if one looks at my gallery.
This friend was asking for insight to what projects someone could dive into as a novice to produce. When one is not able to produce art, then what woodworking projects can be done for profit?
What led to this discussion were the issues many run into with places like Etsy flooding the scene with maker products.
For a younger or newer woodworker it can be challenging to find a place to begin and have profitable turn around.
Decorative Wood Mounts
Decorative wood mounts is one woodworking project I see do the best that is also easier to produce. Know up front I do not make these.
I am not a mass production shop. Yet for someone looking to cut their teeth this is a viable place to start.
Where I live most often these mounts are used for placing skulls on them. You may have a funny look on your face after reading that, yet the skulls are usually from cows like you find in a desert.
That is if there are ever cows in a desert. Anyway that is what it looks like they came from.
It is not one of my things to be into but it is a popular item these days. People look for decorative wood mounts to use with them.
To make these a scroll saw would be an easy way to cut out the wood mount. One does not need complicated machinery.
After this using wood burning for art, a dremel, or alternatively a router could carve some designs with speed.
Small Displays For Belt Buckles
As you keep reading this you may get the sense that I am in the country and around nothing but cowboys. Anyway another big item that goes quick are display cases for belt buckles.
Most often these belt buckles are trophies which are won from rodeos.
This woodworking project is an easy design that can be done and streamlined for speed. It would not require anything special in terms of lumber.
Yet one could offer different options of specialty in the wood for something much nicer.
One thing I did notice with these displays is that they could be used for many other items. It would not have to be limited to belt buckles.
If you Google the idea then you can see how the display becomes a perfect little shelf for many different items.
It is most likely for this reason that they sell well and often quickly. How you decide to create your design can accommodate for more ease of use in multi purpose functions.
Organizing Wall Displays
I have seen these called many things yet it is a simple idea. A wall display is made with a cute saying or design. The function is for the purpose of organization, hanging keys, umbrellas, or other assorted items.
Often these would be mounted next to door exits in homes. Yet the idea behind what these displays are do not end here.
Woodworking projects such as these are for those who collect items like spoons, cups, coasters, and refrigerator door magnets. These are not extravagant by any means. Yet they are items which can be easily and quickly done with bare minimum in tools.
For these kinds of displays not much more is needed than a table saw or band saw, router, and wood glue. It just depends on how intricate you decide to make them.
Fish Tank Wood Table Or Cabinets
This may be a little harder to ship but it can be done very well locally. It is a surprising need that I would have never thought of as a woodworking project.
Yet apparently the tables and cabinets which support aquariums are pretty bad structurally over time.
This project will require more attention to detail, understanding of needed support and strength, but few additional tools than already mentioned. I have seen people make and sell them with success.
Almost all sport wheels which allow the aquarium to be rolled on the stand.
Additionally one can also make covered tops for tanks. Screen netting can be used but wood supports allow for mounting of lights, cut outs for doors, and hoses or equipment to be fed in.
The biggest complaint I am told from those who use the store bought tables is that they sag due to the weight over time. The glass can be compromised and crack spilling water.
So making a table to support that weight that is aesthetically pleasing is an easy win as a profitable woodworking project.
Wood Tile For Back Splashes
This is rather different and will require one additional tool. You will need a planer.
I know a guy who takes any assorted wood he can find, old or new. He has used pallet wood and old barn wood as well as left over scraps from other woodworking projects.
He then turns these pieces of wood into tile. I had no idea that someone would ever think of this but the outcome is absolutely beautiful.
The tile is to be used as a backsplash in kitchens.
A hard protective coating is placed across the surface to prevent grease or oils from causing damage. It has a wide variation of colors due to species of wood and stain.
The application of the wood as tile to the wall is no different than the tile you would buy from the store.
While this may seem like a very different type of woodworking project, it definitely is unique. Also it requires nothing more than often scraps that others would throw away.
Wood Plaques And Decor
Wood plaques with cute designs or sayings some people make can sell while others do not. It really depends on how you approach it.
This can be a common item that people turn to early on. Chalk Couture attempts to benefit from this style of popularity.
I have always avoided these woodworking projects even when I started my work within my shop. Hobby Lobby is just full of this kind of stuff.
Yet I place it here because there are those who have their own spin on these things and some people do well.
If I were looking for something as a quick turn around I would go with other ideas that offer more functional use. At least if what you create provides a solution to a need, you have an edge.
Generally speaking these days in woodworking you have to follow one of two paths. Either it must be functional and solve problems, or be exceptionally beautiful in order to sell.
Wood Serving Trays
Find some live edge lumber that has a natural beauty to it. Plane it down a little to give it what it needs as a tray. Then sand it well, stain and seal. There is minimal work needed for a decent profit in this woodworking project.
The problem will be the cost of the boards compared to what people see in stores. So what you offer must be a step up and also unique.
Some of these boards I have seen sell for quite a lot when they were truly unique and done well.
These serving trays are typically for things like cheeses and fruits for entertaining. They can also be used regularly for dinners at home.
Anytime where people fix their own plate it is an easy way to place food for access on something that is clean and safe.
Before jumping into this one I would look at what your local market is like if that is your target. You could try a couple to see how well they go. They tend to do better in some places more than others.
Wood Carving In Cutting Boards
You need more tools and skills for this one. At the minimum a router and the skill to carve into a board very well.
If you have a cnc mill then this one is very easy.
I ran through a phase where people came to me wanting something carved into a cutting board. They would buy the board and then want their custom carving.
In this way I was not making anything.
Of the more common things people wanted done was team logos for sports. This really surprised me as it was women wanting these not men. Nothing wrong with that but it caught me off guard.
For these they wanted low price and a quick run. No major wood art was involved here so the cnc mill was able to make quick work of it.
Normally I never deal with small things like this but they were local and friends of friends by word of mouth.
I quickly saw there was a market for this if one wished to pursue that path. In fact a whole service could be built around the idea with little needed in the form of an actual woodworking project.
It is low profit but little time is needed.
Wood Music Boxes
This one is stepping up the game a little bit as a woodworking project. One will definitely need more in tools depending on what design is implemented.
Yet the mechanical music part of the box can be bought from a 3rd party so that takes care of that issue.
The rest is in how you create your music box. These are actually really cool.
I have seen prices range from cheap plywood style boxes at 20 dollars to hundreds of dollars in very nice wood. Obviously the cheaper the more likely you are to have a faster return.
Using a box joint tool such as the Incra Ibox would speed up the creation process.
A cnc would also help. Yet the table saw would do most of the work in creation. A little thought going into the process can let you get as simple or as intricate and beautiful as you desire.
There Are Many Woodworking Projects
There are simply too many woodworking projects out there to list all in one blog. Yet the above list gives a great place to start and some are off the beaten path.
I always try to stay away from the maker style products that have flooded the internet.
If you are wanting to step out as a new woodworker, or are just looking for new ideas, playing with these will help in other ways. More often than not the better ideas I have had come from something else that I have done or was working on.
Yet the goal is always keeping in mind to remain in a project that provides a functional use for people. If it provides a function or solves a problem then half the battle is already won.
In recent years the popularity of Shou Sugi Ban has hit like a wave. While these projects are usually larger in scope it is another possible option.
This concept may require a little more than the average home shop.
Start A Woodworking Project Using Tools You Currently Have
I strongly suggest you begin a woodworking project based upon the tools you already have in your shop. It is far better than going out to buy tools for a project you think will do well.
In other words I would not go set up a cnc mill tomorrow if I didn’t have one.
More expensive tools really need to pay for themselves based on an existing need one has in the shop. Yet by starting with what you have it allows you to grow into something more in time.
It also helps you to cultivate the name and brand you wish to be seen.
Keep Things Low Cost For Woodworking Projects
Unless you already have a following or a reputation in quality then keep the woodworking projects simple and low cost. It will be difficult to come out the door asking for a lot without that backing.
No matter the idea you come up with, if the above list does not fit you, keeping it simple only helps you. In time you will begin to have multiple projects that begin to drive your woodworking shop.
Among those projects which drive you then you can select which one to specialize in making really nice.
This way the demand for what you are doing will dictate the shops direction more than what one just thinks will do well.
Getting into woodworking projects that sell is not a difficult thing to do. It may require some patience and learning a bit about marketing but often items like these sell themselves.