Wed, Nov 16, 2005, 8:37am snipped-for-privacy@charm.net (Tom=A0Riley) asks the impossible: =A0The first problem is to identify a first market, then a first product, and minimum cost tools to get the business started.
When you figure out all that, let me know.
The market would be whoever wants what's being sold. But, in rural Armenia that may include barter, along with hard cash. Dunno about a "first" product, but I'm thinking along the lines of maybe buckets, chests (seating, storage), beds (maybe rope beds), stools and/or chairs. In about that order - which may well be wrong, caskets could be the first choice. Me, I think I'd want a big chest first, long enough to sleep on, that'd solve sleeping, sitting, storage, all in one go, then it could make a casket. The market would be whatever the people there wanted/needed the most. Tables would probably be low priority, except that small tables, for tea, games, etc., might have a higher priority than larger tables for eating. This is all based on past travels, which are now long in the past.
Minimum tools. I would say a decent saw. And a hatchet with a hammer head. There should be a blacksmith somewhere in the area who could make adequate chisels, etc. No prob.
But, I would say also a brace and bit (complete set of bits). At least one plane, preferably two or three. Spokeshave. Drawknife. Set of chisels. At least a ruler. Square. If nails and screws are readily available, a hammer, and several screwdrivers. Not a lot, but it would do the job, and could be toted all at one go by one person. Be no major deal to make a people powered wood lathe - blacksmith for turning tools. =
SCA sites have plans for furniture that could be duplicated with minimal hand tools. I've posted probably most of them, check the archives.
I would say more details are needed to give a better answer.
JOAT Just pretend I'm not here. That's what I'm doing.