17 minutes ago, HandyDan said:

I have told some that they could come over and I could supervise them while the built what they wanted.  No one has ever been willing to spend the estimated time it would take.

same here...

and a lot of them never see the project through to completion..

but...

can't understand why I didn't finish it for them...

4 hours ago, Stick486 said:

same here...

and a lot of them never see the project through to completion..

but...

can't understand why I didn't finish it for them...

What's your schedule look like?  I would like to take you up on that offer.  

19 hours ago, It Was Al B said:

I have one of John's cutting boards and it's a beauty

Al, I love seeing the face behind the name, thanks so much for showing off in the image, and yes, @John Moody cutting boards are amazing, I had one too, and it was the loveliest piece of flat wooded patterns, I have ever seen.

8 hours ago, PostalTom said:

OK, here's my 2 cents worth.  Basically, I think we could lighten up a little.  I don't necessarily think everyone who asks When? and How Much? is a greedy idiot.  They just don't understand, or maybe they do understand their own financial limitations, and need to know if they can afford the item.  Maybe they need that coffee table or hutch by a certain time for a family gathering, and need to know if you can reasonably meet that, or if they should look for another source.  Of course, there are the ones out there that are looking to manipulate you into saving them some money, and those are the ones that deserve the cold shoulder.  But I don't think that describes everyone.  Members of this website pride themselves on being inclusive and non-judgmental, but that is beginning to sound like it only applies to members of TPW.  Maybe this feeling of elitism is misplaced?  All that being said, I admit that my level of woodworking is not close to what some of you do, so I haven't experienced the frustrating expectations from the public that you have.  Just my thoughts on the issue. 

Thank you Tom, perfectly said!

8 hours ago, PostalTom said:

OK, here's my 2 cents worth.  Basically, I think we could lighten up a little.  I don't necessarily think everyone who asks When? and How Much? is a greedy idiot.  They just don't understand, or maybe they do understand their own financial limitations, and need to know if they can afford the item.  Maybe they need that coffee table or hutch by a certain time for a family gathering, and need to know if you can reasonably meet that, or if they should look for another source.  Of course, there are the ones out there that are looking to manipulate you into saving them some money, and those are the ones that deserve the cold shoulder.  But I don't think that describes everyone.  Members of this website pride themselves on being inclusive and non-judgmental, but that is beginning to sound like it only applies to members of TPW.  Maybe this feeling of elitism is misplaced?  All that being said, I admit that my level of woodworking is not close to what some of you do, so I haven't experienced the frustrating expectations from the public that you have.  Just my thoughts on the issue. 

since i started this thread -  fair enough.

 

the person who i described as wanting a cutting board, he has seen some of my work in pics, and i had made his dad something (another cutting board) a few years ago.  so he's not ignorant.

 

by the same token, he began his private note to me with "do you have enough scraps to make a cutting board"

 

well, scraps aren't free.  it's wood i have paid for that i haven't made anything out of yet.  and the project they came from was a gift, so you can't include the cost of that lumber in the prior project.

 

i do this for fun, for enjoyment.  but if i'm going to spend time in my shop for YOUR benefit, by making you a project from scratch, then i'd like a little consideration for my time and expertise.  his budget would have barely covered materials and shipping.  spend 3 days working for you for $5 a day?  how much do you make in a day?

 

and this applies to all.  friend and stranger.

 

you don't call up your lawyer buddy and ask him to prepare a Will for you, and you'll pay for the paper and ink (knowing that he has templates for such work, and all he has to do is put your name and other detail into it).  no, you'd expect to pay his going rate for such work.

 

well...... likewise.

 

i can tell you my shop rate is whatever i want it to be that day.  my plumber charges me $125/hr, plus materials, plus travel/gas.  am i less than everyone else, including those who pick fruit or wait tables?

 

I choose to give to those who I give to, and who I don't give to.

 

Exodus 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

 

same idea.  I get to decide how my life is lived, not others.

20 hours ago, JIMMIEM said:

What's your schedule look like?  I would like to take you up on that offer.  

 

open...

1 hour ago, Stick486 said:

 

open...

Shall I submit the project plans ahead of time?

sure..