I too am retired and started to get active in the woodworking hobby. My only complaint with the hobby is that it took me 30 years to collect all my woodworking equipment, and now I can't afford to buy the wood to make something.
I get a lot of wood for "free." Fallen trees, pallet wood, old furniture people do not want. Home improvement centers have higher cost per board-foot than most hardwood dealers. Granted, making a bed from cherry is going to cost a lot more than making a bedside table. If I were making a bed I'd select a less-in-demand wood such as walnut, maple or oak rather than cherry. Wood prices jump around depending on local supplies so take advantage of the what is currently plentiful. Also to keep costs down, think about more smaller projects and fewer larger projects.
I can get rough sawn Cherry that has been in a shed for 3 years for $1 bd ft. I was there just after it was originally cut and stacked.
Walt Conner
One dollar per sq foot is a good deal for most hardwoods.
Why raise the bench when you can dif a trench to stand in?
FoggyTown
What !!! and bend over to lift the shovel????
Pete
Mr. Klausz kneels next to the bench to a)rest his back and b) get close to the work.
charlie b
Thanks to all for the great advice. My objective is to go at woodworking as long as I can and I'm glad to hear that it has been and is a life long hobby for many.
Philly
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