Making Wood Work

An apprentice woodworker asks what he should concentrate on for a career in the trade, and gets a full helping of good advice. October 2, 2005 Full Article: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/The_Most_Important_Skills_to_Learn.html

Plan with a focus on high-margin production, and you might make money — not just wear out a saw. January 14, 2008 Full Article: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Making_Money_with_a_Sawmill_Business.html

A woodworker has thought up a modification that improves on someone else's design, and wonders whether he should seek a patent. Responses supply a rundown on the patent process and its pitfalls. February 17, 2006 Full Article: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Patenting_a_New_Jig_or_Tool.html#google_vignette

One half of a woodshop partnership gets advice on smoothing out rough patches in the relationship. December 9, 2007 Full Article: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Making_a_Partnership_Work.html

Cabinetmakers discuss the pros and cons of having parts cut by another shop. January 26, 2008 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Does_Outsourcing_Cabinet_Parts_Make_Sense.html

Who to pick - the rookie, or the experienced hand? May 4, 2005 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Choosing_an_Employee.html

Confusion over three-phase power throughs a shop leasing agreement into chaos. Here are insights into the legal and practical issues involved. October 27, 2008 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Story_of_a_LandlordTenant_Dispute.html

So brilliant, it's simple: Use full-size cardboard cutouts to mock up your layout on the shop floor before you decide. February 1, 2011 Article Link with Photos: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Laying_Out_a_New_Shop.html

Getting paid for time spent on a job before you know it's yours. April 18, 2004 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Cost_of_Estimates.html

Cabinetmakers discuss how to squeeze dollars out of an estimate and still make a buck. August 14, 2009 Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Competing_on_Price_in_a_Tough_Market.html

Here's a long and somewhat abstract and meandering discussion that still makes some interesting points about how reducing the number of overlapping tasks happening at once can eliminate management headaches and improve productivity. April 20, 2008 Full Article: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Work_in_Progress_Efficiency_and_Profit.html

Cabinetmakers discuss payment problems in the industry, and compare contract and billing strategies. July 3, 2006 Full Article Link: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Struggling_to_Get_Paid.html

Expectations were unclear, now the customer is unhappy. What to do? May 4, 2005 Full Article: https://woodweb.com/knowledge_base/When_a_Job_Goes_Sour.html

Founded in 1994, Woodweb has hosted forums for woodworking professionals ever since. The episodes here are the best of these discussions on various aspects of running a woodworking business. Find these articles and many other Woodworking resources at: Woodweb.com