How I Got Started in Woodworking (And What I'm Building Today)

Everybody who gets into woodworking has to start somewhere.

Some people grow up around woodworking. Others learn from a parent or grandparent. And some just decide one day that they want to try building something.

Regardless of how you get started, I think most woodworkers can agree on one thing: your interests, skills, and the types of projects you enjoy tend to change over time.

That's certainly been the case for me.

I've been involved in woodworking for years through Rocky River Woodworks, and when I look back at the projects I've built, the tools I've used, and the things I've learned along the way, it's interesting to see how much my approach to woodworking has changed.

In this episode of The Scrap Pile, I'm talking about how I got started in woodworking, the direction my woodworking has taken over the years, and what I'm interested in building these days.

Listen to The Scrap Pile: How I Got Into Woodworking and What I'm Doing Now

Everybody Starts Somewhere

One thing I think beginners sometimes forget is that nobody starts woodworking knowing everything.

There's a learning curve.

You have to figure out how to use tools properly, understand different materials, learn joinery techniques, and develop the patience to work through mistakes.

And you're going to make plenty of mistakes.

That's just part of the process.

One of the great things about woodworking is that you don't have to know how to build elaborate furniture to get started.

You can begin with relatively simple projects and gradually develop your skills.

In fact, I think some of the best projects for beginners are smaller ones that can be completed without an enormous investment in tools or materials.

They give you the opportunity to learn while actually finishing something.

And finishing projects is important, especially when you're first getting started.

The Early Days of Rocky River Woodworks

Rocky River Woodworks has been around for quite a while now.

Over the years, I've built different types of projects, experimented with techniques, and shared a lot of that work through YouTube.

Like most woodworkers, my interests haven't stayed exactly the same.

There have been periods when I was interested in larger projects and others when smaller, more detailed projects caught my attention.

I've also spent time exploring the business side of woodworking and what it actually takes to make money from the hobby.

Some experiences were rewarding.

Others taught me what I didn't particularly enjoy doing.

And I think that's an important part of figuring out what woodworking means to you.

Just because you know how to build something doesn't necessarily mean you want to spend all your time building it.

Why My Interests Have Changed Over Time

One thing I've learned is that the types of projects you enjoy can change as your life changes.

A large furniture project might sound exciting when you have plenty of free time.

But when you're juggling work, family, and other responsibilities, spending weeks on one project can start to feel like a chore.

That's one reason I've developed an appreciation for smaller woodworking projects.

There's something satisfying about being able to start a project, work through the process, and actually finish it without spending weeks in the shop.

That doesn't mean I've completely lost interest in larger projects.

It's just that I appreciate the flexibility and variety that smaller projects offer.

And I think there's something to be said for choosing projects based on what you genuinely enjoy rather than what you feel like you should be building.

Getting Into Woodturning and Pen Making

One area of woodworking I've spent time exploring is pen making.

It's a little different from traditional furniture building or cabinetry.

You're working on a much smaller scale, and the details become incredibly important.

Things like material selection, fit, finish, and proportions can make a big difference in the final product.

I've also become interested in making bespoke, kitless pens using materials such as cast resin.

Unlike traditional pen kits, where much of the hardware and design is predetermined, kitless pen making gives you more control over the final design.

And that's something I enjoy.

There's a lot of precision involved, but the projects are relatively compact, and you can often see the results of your work much sooner than you would with a large furniture build.

It's a different type of woodworking, but it still involves many of the same skills: planning, craftsmanship, problem-solving, and attention to detail.

The Difference Between Woodworking for Fun and Woodworking for Money

Another part of my woodworking journey has involved exploring ways to make money from the hobby.

And that's taught me quite a few lessons.

It's easy to think that turning woodworking into a business would be the perfect situation.

You're getting paid to do something you love.

But once customers, deadlines, pricing, and expectations enter the picture, things can change.

I've talked about this in other episodes of The Scrap Pile, particularly when it comes to custom orders.

There was a point when custom woodworking projects started taking some of the enjoyment out of the hobby for me.

Instead of heading into the shop to work on something I wanted to build, I was working on something I had agreed to build for someone else.

That's a very different experience.

And it's helped shape how I think about woodworking today.

I still believe there are opportunities to make money woodworking.

But I also believe it's important to find an approach that doesn't make you miserable in the process.

What I'm Doing in the Shop These Days

These days, I'm interested in a combination of smaller woodworking projects, woodturning, and creating content around the craft.

I still enjoy building things.

But I also enjoy talking about woodworking, sharing what I've learned, and exploring the questions that woodworkers have about tools, projects, and making money.

That's part of what led me to start The Scrap Pile.

I wanted an opportunity to have conversations about woodworking that don't necessarily require spending weeks building a project for every video.

Sometimes I want to demonstrate a technique or build something.

Other times, I want to discuss a topic, share an opinion, or talk about something I've learned from experience.

And I think there's room for both.

Why I Started The Scrap Pile

One of the things I've realized after years of creating woodworking content is that there's a lot more to the hobby than just showing finished projects.

There are the tools we buy, the mistakes we make, the money we spend, the frustrations we experience, and the decisions we face when trying to improve our skills.

And sometimes those topics are just as interesting as the projects themselves.

That's what I want The Scrap Pile to be.

A place where I can talk about woodworking without feeling like every episode needs to revolve around a new build.

Some episodes will focus on woodworking businesses and side hustles.

Others will be about tools, projects, trends, and the woodworking community.

And sometimes, it'll just be an opportunity to share what's been going on in my own shop.

Woodworking Doesn't Have to Stay the Same

If there's one thing I'd tell someone who's been woodworking for a while, it's that your interests don't have to stay the same.

Maybe you started out building furniture and now enjoy woodturning.

Maybe you used to love making cutting boards but have moved on to something completely different.

Or maybe you've spent years trying to turn woodworking into a business and have decided you'd rather keep it as a hobby.

There's nothing wrong with any of that.

Woodworking is supposed to be something you enjoy.

And part of that enjoyment comes from having the freedom to explore different things.

For me, Rocky River Woodworks has changed quite a bit over the years.

And I'm sure it will continue to change.

But that's part of what makes woodworking interesting.

There's always something new to learn, another technique to try, or another project waiting to be built.

Listen to The Scrap Pile

This article accompanies an episode of The Scrap Pile, a woodworking podcast from Rocky River Woodworks.

In this episode, I share more about how I got involved in woodworking, how my interests have evolved, and the types of projects I'm currently working on.

Listen to "How I Got Into Woodworking and What I'm Doing Now"

How did you get started in woodworking? And are you still building the same types of projects you enjoyed when you first started?

I'd love to hear your story.