Author Topic: project ideas (Read 1294 times)

dlabrie · « **on:** January 17, 2012, 12:40:18 pm »

I am looking for some projects that I could cut, build and sell to pay for a band mill. I have access to a lot of white pine on my property. I saw where someone was making and selling chicken coops, which was pretty cool. I am thinking more along the lines of picnic tables or something along that idea. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks

Chuck White · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2012, 05:02:42 pm »

If you make picnic tables and put them in sight of the road with a price tag that wasn't too high, I'll bet you'll sell a bunch of them.

They really catch your eye when the lumber is still fresh.

And hey, Welcome to the Forestry Forum!

4speed · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2012, 07:23:58 pm »

I make these out of old pallets and used lumber to keep the cost down. I gave a picnic table to each of our local sno-cone stands with my contact information.

Welcome to the forum! I am a new comer as well. Best of luck on the sawmill fund. I have a couple more thousand picnic tables and chairs to make.

bandmiller2 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2012, 08:33:49 pm »

Delabre,something simple like dog houses,wood sheds,tool houses you have to experiment.Dave Dearborn came from your area used to go up to his shows years ago,hes gone now. Frank C.

taw6243 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2012, 08:43:51 pm »

Apparently I don't know the rules of posting fully, Sorry
Tim

dlabrie · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2012, 08:19:06 am »

Wow! Great Ideas!

taw6243, I have gone through about half of your picts, very creative.

I like the idea for kid-sized Adirondack chairs and picnic tables. The benches are pretty neat too.

My wife is part owner of a consignment shop and she said the kid-sized stuff flies out the door.

David

Chris Burchfield · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2012, 09:13:31 am »

I have a friend that made an outhouse for his tool shed from lumber I'd milled for him. Shovels, rakes and such are stored in there.

eastberkshirecustoms · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2012, 06:37:31 pm »

You mentioned the chicken coop idea, instead of the entire coop what about nest boxes? I just finished an 8 hole egg roll away nest box today. Single hole plastic boxes sell for around $20, single hole plywood- $12-$15, single hole pine board- $30-$40, all non-roll away. I've attached a few photos. It is made out of plywood, but could be made out of solid wood also. Should be able to fetch a decent price for something this size, at least $100-$120.

dlabrie · « **Reply #8 on:** January 18, 2012, 06:44:00 pm »

Quote from: eastberkshirecustoms on January 18, 2012, 06:37:31 pm

You mentioned the chicken coop idea, instead of the entire coop what about nest boxes? I just finished an 8 hole egg roll away nest box today. Single hole plastic boxes sell for around $20, single hole plywood- $12-$15, single hole pine board- $30-$40, all non-roll away. I've attached a few photos. It is made out of plywood, but could be made out of solid wood also. Should be able to fetch a decent price for something this size, at least $100-$120.

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)

Very nice! I have been raising chickens for a dozen years or so. I like how you have the eggs roll to the front.

redbeard · « **Reply #9 on:** January 18, 2012, 08:54:41 pm »

These were easy to make and sold for 40-50$ i used the butt end on the flitches for legs and used 2'' slabs for the top. just set the skill saw at desired angle and cut on the flat side then fastened the kickers with screws when its all assembled i would flip bench upside down on mill and cut the legs at around 20'' high, I called them firewood benches for camp fires and such.

Magicman · « **Reply #10 on:** January 18, 2012, 09:06:16 pm »

Your idea for cutting the legs evenly is super.

I like the benches too. I really should do more of that rather than trashing the slabs.

paul case · « **Reply #11 on:** January 18, 2012, 10:35:11 pm »

I don't know if this will work where you are but here goes.
My latest project is going to be 20 - 10' portable cattle panels, 5'6'' tall with 5 1x6 rails and 2 2x4 posts and a 1x4 in the middle. cost for the lumber from my mill is $21 and they sell for $45 assembled. Put together with 1 5/8'' decking screws.
Afriend of mine mills out and assembles mineral feeders for cattle. PC

ladylake · « **Reply #12 on:** January 19, 2012, 06:53:13 am »

Quote from: redbeard on January 18, 2012, 08:54:41 pm

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.) These were easy to make and sold for 40-50$ i used the butt end on the flitches for legs and used 2'' slabs for the top. just set the skill saw at desired angle and cut on the flat side then fastened the kickers with screws when its all assembled i would flip bench upside down on mill and cut the legs at around 20'' high, I called them firewood benches for camp fires and such.

Your WAY too cheap, should be at leat $75. Way to nice for $50. Steve

Mooney · « **Reply #13 on:** January 20, 2012, 07:41:27 am »

We uploaded all the projects from our recent Personal Best contest, many of which are projects that the craftsmen described as something they sold to make extra money. Tables, chicken coops, furniture, etc.

www.woodmizer.com/pb

WDH · « **Reply #14 on:** January 20, 2012, 07:57:45 am »

Redbeard, I really like those benches, but I agree with LadyLake that they are worth a good bit more than you are selling them for. Your customers are getting a great deal.

Magicman · « **Reply #15 on:** January 20, 2012, 08:19:12 am »

Jeff's (redbeard) marketing strategy may well be on the spot for his area. Selling 5 for $45 could be better than selling 3 for $75. Same money for more work, but he has two more satisfied customers showing their benches to potential customers. Sometimes volume may have it's advantages.

Woodchuck53 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 20, 2012, 09:38:39 am »

Depending on your skill set and time needed, I am always asked if I have time to build childrens toy boxes are the fathers gun cabinet. Depending on the family what I charge.

Some of the older retired men around here want a lot of my lesser boards planed for bird house material.

Another something you may check into is mats for loggers if you ever run into a load of Oak.

dlabrie · « **Reply #17 on:** January 20, 2012, 12:03:46 pm »

Quote from: Woodchuck53 on January 20, 2012, 09:38:39 am

Another something you may check into is mats for loggers if you ever run into a load of Oak.

What is a Mat for a logger

thecfarm · « **Reply #18 on:** January 20, 2012, 04:58:27 pm »

Mats are swamp mats,to help logging equipment get over a wet spot. In our neck of the woods hemlock is used,about a foot square. I don't really know the length. 8 feet X10-12?? Some are used in bridge work too. Look for them and you may see them in use on a bridge or on a logging truck.

dunmakinbabies · « **Reply #19 on:** January 20, 2012, 05:24:42 pm »

I sell picnic tables too.I started doing it two years ago, the first year i sold 25 last year was 125.Find a hardware store or greenhouse where you can put them out. Offer 10% most will take it. I make regular oct and kids. The oct you can get pretty good coin for but the first few take a bit of time. I found you can make two at the same time as quick as you can make one. Also storage sheds!!!!!!!! they sell like hot cakes. But you need to be able to deliver them. I charge $2 a mile with a min of $100 evin if its just going next door. GOOD LUCK and you will have fun doing it too.

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Author Topic: project ideas (Read 1294 times)