THE INVENTABLES WORKSHOP

Many people find woodworking to be a fulfilling hobby and consider opening a woodworking business; they realize they have a talent and skill others are willing to pay for. For such a person, with the right aptitude and ambition, there is no greater career path than doing something they love on a daily basis. But, as a wise person once said, “If it were easy, everyone would do it.”  Three important aspects of starting a woodworking business are 1) understanding how to run a business, 2) having the knowledge and aptitude to be capable to start that type of business, and 3) understanding the level of dedication it takes to find success.  The fact is, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20% of small businesses fail in the first year, 40% fail in the first five years, and 65% don't last more than ten years. Those figures aren't meant to discourage anyone from opening a new business but provide realistic expectations as to the dedication required for success. Differences bet

  Between lumber, clamps, bits, and other tools and materials for a CNC machine, woodshops have a habit of getting disorganized—and fast. Wouldn’t it be nice to put those tools to work on some projects that will keep all of your most-used items neatly organized and ready to go? Try out some of the ideas below, or use them as inspiration to create your own CNC designs! A Bit Tray This one is essential in any woodshop featuring a CNC machine. You need a place to keep bits organized—and this project features an extra nice touch, which is a slot for the wrench you’ll use to change bits. Feel free to personalize it with text, or if you want extra storage, you can also make larger compartments to hold loose bits and other odds and ends. Storage for Your Clamp Set Tired of digging through disorganized clamps to find the right size for your next project? Make a custom clamp holder to keep all the pieces in place, organized by size. This is another project that is easily customized, too. If y

Alright, so you have a really cool project to work on with your   CNC machine . You’ve already set up the software and machine to get the cutting done—easy and precise. You are ready to assemble your project and starting to consider the final color. Wood is easy to paint, but a beautiful piece of wood is stunning when stained. Here are seven staining tips for creating an even glow for   your wooden project . Get the Right Equipment Stain can be messy and it’s permanent, so treat it like paint. Wear safety goggles to ensure nothing splatters in your eyes (especially with oil-based stain), gloves to keep it off of your hands and old clothing you don’t care about. You might need a drop cloth to ensure nothing gets on the floor or tracked around on your shoes. Test on Scrap Always have an extra board that you can test colors on. You might find the end color just doesn’t look how you thought it would. You may find that you need to create a thicker or thinner layer to get the color you want.

Stuff just has a habit of piling up around the home. If you're around the house more, it's the perfect time to get organizing. But sometimes finding the right place for everything you need to keep on hand requires building that right place. A CNC machine is perfect for building organizational tools that will keep your house tidy. Wall Organizers The   Entryway Wall Organizer  is perfect for those who like to be able to drop it all when they walk in the door.  Based on a pegboard, this modular system allows you to change the configuration of hooks and shelves based on updating storage needs. It provides a space for hanging jackets, hats, bags, as well as glasses, keys and even electronics. Designed by Kati Farrer to be made with birch plywood, the project is 28 by 36 by 0.73 in. and uses an 1/8 in. bit.  For those who want a smaller catchall that's perfect for both the entryway or the kitchen, the   Sunglasses/keys/mail organizer   is a great choice.  This free design by Nic