It has been my observation that there are too many quality turners trying to sell their work and too few people willing to pay for it. As in professional sports there are thousands that have the skills but few make it. An area that has been overlooked is the commercial or architectural turning. I gave up on the artsy stuff and started doing architectural work. I charge $35/hour shop fee and have NEVER had a complaint about the price. Few ask what it will cost and all pay COD. If they give me the wrong specks they still expect to pay for the work and their mistake. Most also glue up the stock, especially with stain grade work If they don't have a tax number I don't want the job. I don't have to hassle with sales tax! Surprisingly I have found that architectural work is a lot more demanding and challenging. As I only do small jobs, about the time I get comfortable with a piece the job is over. The largest job I have done is 60 pieces and the average is about 20. Quite often figuring out how to done the work is a lot harder than the actual work. Presently hoping to get a 18" by 12' column. The turning part is straight forward but figuring out how to due the glueup and turning using a Powermatic 3520A and 90 to accomplish it was tricky. Bid is $5000 and contractor is happy with the price just waiting to see if customer will spend the money. Presently building my version of the Legacy Ornamental Mill that will handle 20" by 12" stock and expect to come in under $3000. -- Art Ransom Lancaster,TX snipped-for-privacy@comcast.net
- posted
20 years ago
formatting link