It’s a myth that it is expensive to start woodworking. While some projects do cost more than others, you can get started in woodworking without spending a lot. Follow these helpful tips and you can get started in woodworking for a lot less than you think.
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Woodworking and Spending Money
Hobbies can be expensive. That’s the nature of most of them. Any time you want to do something for fun, there are companies lined up for miles to provide you with that fun for a price.
Woodworking is no different, but you can do a lot of things to curb that cost. It’s not true at all when people say that woodworking is expensive to start. In most cases it’s not.
If you make poor decisions, and you decide you need a ton of tools, then it can be. However, you can do things a little slower, and a little more frugally, and that will get you into the hobby without selling the house.
The following are a few ways that you can destroy the myth that woodworking is expensive, and if you start doing them, you will have a much less expensive experience.
See Also: 13 Woodworking Ideas to Help Any Beginner
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Finding Free and Cheap Materials
One of the constant costs of woodworking is materials. Unlike tools, materials need to be constantly replaced after they are used. The tools you use will need replacing too, but that can be years or decades down the line.
Wood and fasteners are consumables, and those just run out faster. The way to make sure that you are not buying stuff you don’t need is to use free or inexpensive materials. There are a ton of ways to find these kinds of materials, and they can greatly reduce your cost.
Even after nearly two decades of woodworking, I still use these sources, and they are still a great way I control my costs. You can do the same thing, and you will be amazed that the projects you can make from a scrap bin sale, or from pallets you find for free.
See Also: 15 Great Places to Get Woodworking Wood
Buying Second Hand Tools
Tools are pretty much the same whether or not they are new. If the tool is in good condition, but it has been used for a while, it’s still a good tool. As long as the care is there, it will have no real difference from new.
When you buy tools, this is a huge win. Look at the used tools first, and see if you can get something for a deal. Look online too. There are a lot of people that are trying to get out of woodworking and into another hobby. They are all happy to give a deal, and you can get into the hobby easily.
If you have no idea what to look for, bring someone with you that does. Check the tools out, and if they are good, you can get into woodworking without spending a lot. Check several places, and you might end up buying your whole shop second hand.
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See Also: 29 Ways to Maximize Your Woodworking Shop Layout
Choosing the Right Beginner Projects
One way to make woodworking expensive is to pick out the wrong projects. In the beginning, choose the right projects that will help you learn, and not break the bank. There are many projects that require very few tools, and this is a great way to reduce the cost.
For example, pen making is a relatively low cost sector of woodworking. Once you have the lathe, which can be sourced second hand, your materials cost is pretty low. This is how you can control your cost, and still make fun woodworking projects.
On the other end, if you want to build an entire kitchen full of cabinets, you are going to need more tools. This is a bigger project, and while it may be a great goal, it will cost a lot in the beginning. Instead, think about easier projects that require less tools. Make sure you are in the hobby for the long run, and you will be happy you did.
See Also: Best Beginner Woodworking Projects
Your Homework
Your homework is to take a look at some of the money saving methods that you just read, and put them into use. If you have never even looked at a used tool, try it. You will be surprised at what you can pick up if you just look.
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Also, if you are normally the type of person that buys all new materials, take a look at the second hand market. Many times, you can find materials that are free, or close to free. This is a huge win, because you get to make more things for less money.
If you make and sell things, and you can use reclaimed wood, this is a double win. When you make a project and sell it, the cost of the materials is in the price of the project. Free materials mean a less expensive sell or a more profitable sell depending which way you want to go.
See Also: 13 Myths About Getting Into Woodworking
The Myth That it’s Expensive to Get Into Woodworking Wrap-Up
It’s a myth that it’s expensive to get started in woodworking. While there are expensive projects in woodworking, you don’t have to get started with these. You get to pick what you want to make, so you also get to choose what you want to spend.
You can use some money saving woodworking tips to help control your initial cost. The biggest among these is to look at second hand tools. Most of the time, a gently used tool is the same as a new tool, and for a lot less.
Also, make it a point to use reclaimed materials, and low cost materials. If you make small projects, a scrap bin at a local hardwood store can be a treasure trove. This way, you can make a lot of projects for a very low cost.
See Also: 9 Important Things to Put In Your Woodworking Notebook
If you have any questions about The Myth That It’s Expensive to Get Into Woodworking, please leave a comment and I will be glad to answer them. Happy building.
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