This Fence Picket Project Made $700 in 5 Days + 8 Things I Learned Starting My Woodworking Business

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3 ай бұрын

In this video, I show you the process of how I started my springtime woodworking/carpentry side hustle of building raised garden beds from fence pickets and AC2 pressure treated wood. At the end, I discuss 8 things I learned in the process. This is about as simple of a woodworking business as you can start, so feel free to give it a try.
Items used:
AC2 pressure treated pickets (1x6)
AC2 pressure treated 2x4s
Decking screws
Some sort of saw
Drill/driver
Belt sander or drywall plane
Here is an Amazon affiliate link for the Skil Sliding Miter Saw I bought, where I get a small percentage if you use it to purchase a product:
amzn.to/3uFD5Cs
My Skil belt Sander on Amazon:
amzn.to/49ntBuJ
The current version of my DeWalt Impact driver:
amzn.to/3UNYbJA
The Music I use is from Epidemic Sound. Here is an affiliate link if you're interested in them. Signing up through my link gets me months where I don't have to pay the subscription cost.
www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
This is not a paid review. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
For business inquiries:
davidmicd@gmail.com or
P.O. Box 271
Oxford, IN 47971

Пікірлер: 279

@lindseyreyes983 2 ай бұрын

6x4 raised beds can be covered by a twin-size fitted sheet in a pinch so it's convenient for many gardeners (if there's a late/early frost at the beginning/end of the season, or a surprise hail storm, etc. If you make 6x4 beds you can advertise something like that and show it with a fitted sheet covering it in the listing just as an example.

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the idea.

@torycaswell4204 2 ай бұрын

Great idea

@guyh.4553 2 ай бұрын

Could also add PVC pipe "pockets" (3/4" fitting into 1") to basically make a modified cold frame covered by clear plastic to extend your season.

@EnjoyingMyWork 2 ай бұрын

Great idea 😃

@su-mu 2 ай бұрын

9:34 Buying tools from profit is the right way to build/grow a business; Not by getting into debt. Bravo. Good/Great example.

@ashokmoghe8035 2 ай бұрын

There are several videos showing how to build planters but yours is unique that shares the business aspects of it. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work.

@huntermccomack3693 2 ай бұрын

Can confirm that I made close to $1000 dollars in about a month making these with just a hand saw and a plastic miter box a couple of years ago. Great honesty in this video

@guyh.4553 2 ай бұрын

And you were able to cancel your gym membership with the great workout you had! 😅😅😅

@mattstanislen3165 2 ай бұрын

exactly the same? how was the bowing when filled with soil?

@FragmentOfInfinity 2 ай бұрын

@@mattstanislen3165you just flatten the boards. Boiling water and bricks lol

@fatehdebbah 2 ай бұрын

Chicken coops - garden furniture - Small decorative wooden bridges - Decorative mail boxes - Decorative bird feeds . Outdoors doll houses .

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

Thanks. Outdoor doll houses is a new one to me.

@jerryedmonds79 11 күн бұрын

When I saw the trellis my first thought was to make them with chicken wire instead of fence, and design a way to connect them to make them modular. Someone can buy as many sections as they want to make the length of the coop. Design and build an enclosed end and an entrance end, and you have a good coop for the hobbyist chicken keeper.

@oblinesgamingfootage5359 2 ай бұрын

Love how you showed that you dont need power tools to get started.

@FranciscoRios-gt2nb 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for all the details. Often, this kind of information is missing from money making project like this one.

@preppedupproper262 3 ай бұрын

Very inspiring. Just a suggestion, but I would recommend putting additional treated 2x4's in the middle of the larger boxes from one side to the other, as an additional support. Even my treated 2x8's or 2x10's bow outward as dirt settles over the years.

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

I did that with 2x3s later in the video. It definitely made it more rigid.

@michaeladamson1729 2 ай бұрын

The 7 different techniques for the same cut is funny to watch. Point taken sir.

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

It also makes the video more fun to film.

@clickster1883 2 ай бұрын

I was smiling half way thru those once I realized what he was doing/showing. 😃

@hughhesler7928 Ай бұрын

@DavidCanMakeThat should have lightly glued an already cut end back on then karate chopped it off 😅

@nore8141 2 ай бұрын

I’ll be starting my small business soon. I’ve been retired for a few years and bored at doing nothing 😂. My projects will be set around outdoor furniture and birdhouses 😂. But first I still have a workshop shed to build in the backyard. Great video on how to charge people for a certain piece. ❤

@damiondifranco2967 3 ай бұрын

Sounds like a rural community, great choice with garden beds for that. Speaks to your point abour location. You gotta sell what those particular people need

@jasonschannel9017 2 ай бұрын

One think to look at is how thick the wood you use is. 3/4 " wood is probably fine if the bed is less than 12"high but the beds will start to bow out from soil pressure as you go higher. You'll either need to drive a stake in at least 12" and screw it to the outside wall (stake going all the way to the top of the bed)or stiffen it up with something like painted angle iron on the inside. Also, if you have a pickup, consider selling a soil mixture with the bed. They'll have to get it somewhere and you might as well provide it. Just make sure it's good soil.

@3frogltd987 2 ай бұрын

My suggestion is to have the corner posts on the outside so the hydraulic pressure from wet soil pushes the sides into the post rather than away from them. This will require L shape corner posts, (2 2x4s, or 2x4 & a 2x2). Also for added sidewall strength, on each inside face add a diagonal picket from a top corner down to bottom corner. Yes, more material and cost, but will be far stronger. You can price up and sell as a HD model.

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the suggestion.

@porkchop3094 20 күн бұрын

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

@DirkCox-tp5lp 23 күн бұрын

Thank you for all the details👍👍👍

@John-yt5zr 2 ай бұрын

I’m in the process of doing that exact same thing, making some side money, just bought a miter saw this weekend, next week a table saw, have most of the basic tools etc. I enjoy woodworking so that’s a plus for me. Excellent video and lots of helpful advice. Thanks for sharing this with us, I think it’s really helpful!

@jackknows6509 2 күн бұрын

Thank you David. All great info and so true, from seasonal issues to competition.

@Todjcam 2 ай бұрын

I respect the hustle! 👊🏼

@herbertpete6424 Ай бұрын

I love this! Thank you for sharing!

@chewyfingers1288 2 ай бұрын

I’m planning to do this. You’ve given me a couple things to think on.👍

@DavidRobinson-mx6cl Ай бұрын

Awesome information and very nice job!!!!! 👍

@jacobdavis8164 2 ай бұрын

wow. I like the different ways you cut the ends off.

@erickjarquin2355 2 ай бұрын

Awesome Job !!!!

@VSLComputers 22 күн бұрын

Great video!

@robertcharlton1551 Ай бұрын

you did a wonderful job at giving others a heads up. 😊

@sharonbishop4687 2 ай бұрын

Awesome job

@NPOAfterMidnight-ft9zj 2 ай бұрын

Dude! That’s awesome. Way to go. What a great way to put money into your shop. Congrats. Loved the learning experience part too!

@wisconsinchristian 3 ай бұрын

Very interesting, you are doing a great job building useful items as well as videoing the progress to help other entrepreneurs. Thanks!

@ApteryxRex 2 ай бұрын

Love this video. Great content., sharing your learnings was fantastic.

@loripowers7882 28 күн бұрын

I like the fact you showed different ways to cut the wood. I wish my husband would make me a couple raised garden beds. The trellis was pretty cool.

@cpage07 Ай бұрын

Nice miter saw. I have the same one and it works great, the value to performance is incredible.

@Sx_TRASHER_xS 2 ай бұрын

Finishing the top of the boxes with a top lip is a nice touch. Just rip down a picket into 2, 45 each end, and attach with your preferred method. Also adds extra rigidity and also makes it easier to lean over.

@JamesSmullins 2 ай бұрын

That's what I do. I also make a garden vegetable box that hooks over the side so they can put what they harvest in it and carry inside. It's cheap, simple and a great plus sale.

@Sx_TRASHER_xS 2 ай бұрын

@@JamesSmullins Nice touch!!

@terwillagermcghee4148 2 ай бұрын

Like your style✌🏼

@tjhoward4421 2 ай бұрын

Great Video really learned a lot.

@pctips4all Ай бұрын

Thanks so much man! Wow!!

@ReadySetHomesteadUSA 2 ай бұрын

That’s cool, honest and informative. I do wood working as well, i’m glad you talked about the profit at the end because I was adding up the numbers during the video and thought, “but that’s only like a $15-20 profit after all costs.”

@kathyr.6825 2 ай бұрын

Good information I may try this!! ❤😊

@scottbionicnerf8727 2 ай бұрын

Hey Brother.! Thanks for taking the time to make this video. It was very encouraging to see how well you did in your area. I live in a area of the country that's a little denser populated. I should I would be able to do well with these.

@syedammarrizvi4516 2 ай бұрын

Excellent video

@BrianAranda 3 ай бұрын

great idea for a seasonal side-hustle, especially as home-gardening is becoming more popular, well done!

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@Mike-ox3bv 2 ай бұрын

Nice video glad I run into you !

@matthewcunningham1190 2 ай бұрын

Love the inspiration thanks

@su-mu 2 ай бұрын

17:59 Lot of business tips. Good.

@connielea1896 2 ай бұрын

I notice a lot of people are always looking for homemade products because the person building them don't cut corners and build them to last. Case in point i bought from big box store some outdoor 😮furniture, within one summer it was falling apart. They were made of thin material and i didn't t think about buying the lumber and doing myself. So dont sell yourself short. If you are building a quality product people will buy it and pay more.

@yourdimeyourdesign2206 2 ай бұрын

Great video. Keep it up. I will be making some garden bed myself. I will let you know it goes.

@coburnlowman 2 ай бұрын

I've made bunches of porch swings from these pickets. I'd cut the dog ear off to length , then rip them into 3 equal width PCS. I'd frame them.with pressure treated 2Xs. Those pickets USTA be dirt cheap, I'd make them by the dozen for Christmas gitfs , Birthday , ec. Xcetra.

@stevee7634 2 ай бұрын

Cool stuff

@tombrownrigg8794 2 ай бұрын

Nice work

@johnsiperly2234 2 ай бұрын

Nice work brother.

@cyotedude Ай бұрын

I recently built two raised beds: one 4x8 sheet of plywood makes one 8' x4' x16" box. Using a 2x4 ripped in half to make 2x2 x16 corners.

@malcolmbacon7892 2 ай бұрын

Really like your content and ideas and the fact you explain things and show all the different tools you can do the job with so you have a new sub , seen a few beginner videos and they have like £50,000 worth of brand new kit

@greatgrandpaswoodworking 2 ай бұрын

Nice miter saw. You are doing it right. Make sales and then use that profit to buy tools. It might be too late but I would suggest a 12" sliding miter saw. Cost a little more but is useful.

@davidjefferds8532 2 ай бұрын

Very good video.

@VictoryHardball 2 ай бұрын

Thanks pal

@RickyC005 2 ай бұрын

You should make cutting/drilling/attaching things in different ways your thing. It was great. More detail even if it’s a cutlist would be good

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

Thanks. Those aren't bad ideas.

@daveolson5042 Ай бұрын

Excellent thanks~!!!!!

@katspeace5550 2 ай бұрын

Great Vid. Lot's of great information 💜

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@timd5343 Ай бұрын

very good thnx

@cyotedude Ай бұрын

Great commentary on marketing and customer demand

@Jasonsdesignshop 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for all the info. You inspire me to make stuff to sell to get my next tool. A band saw. I just need $500 more. Thanks!

@3mulespossum 2 ай бұрын

Good info David. Thank you. I started a couple weeks ago making flower planter boxes, for the same reason you did. My niche is, my good friends have a huge nursery that I'm building for. So we'll see how that pans out. But like you said on the time frame for seasonal stuff...so I'll be making inventory this coming winter.

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

Always good to have friends that will pay for you to get experience.

@tuskegeehoney 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing - this is great - I just got my miter saw and was looking for what else I could make with it! Thanks

@Firevine 2 ай бұрын

I really like that trellis. I think I'll knock out a few this weekend. I've got some welded wire that I bought for another project that didn't work out, so I might as well make use of it. I've got plenty of the tools to get going on this sort of thing. Time is just the problem. Since I garden myself, that takes time, plus I'd want to keep all the raised beds. 🤣 I think the first big purchase with profits would be a planer, since I already have a table saw, miter saw, drill press, etc. Basically anything I could want other than a planer and a jointer.

@danielhanawalt4998 Ай бұрын

I live out in the country, but I have a couple advantages. A hardware store three miles away and a feed and seed store next door. This video got me thinking the feed and seed store might like to display and sell these for me. Or not. Just have to check it out. Have to consider all the cost and labor when pricing. Good information you give.

@YesiPleb 2 ай бұрын

Love this video. I particularly noticed and liked the different ways to cut the ends off near the start. I made a couple planters for my garden where we had builders rubble close to the surface buried so we couldn't dig. Both were 1m wide, 2m long and 17" tall. Yes, I'm from the UK and we use metric and imperial and I use whatever unit is most appropriate. Because I used pallet wood (cheapest of the cheapest) none of it was protected so before fixing any parts together, all 6 sides were treated with Creosote. Found an old container full in the in-law's garage a while back. Because of the treatment I used I lined mine with thick plastic as I planned to grow food. Don't want those chemicals leaking into the soil. The planters were open-bottomed and the plastic was slightly higher than 17" (actually about 25") and overlapped in a bit from the edge at the bottom. I now coat them with used engine oil when I change the oil in my diesel car. When the oil dries there's no residue. Goes on black and the wood grain shows through, looks much better than it sounds.

@YesiPleb 2 ай бұрын

Forgot to add, I see a lot of people building and selling planters locally to me, some via Facebook and some via garden centres or farm shops and many of them are very poorly made. For example, one farm shop the planters look great but the bottoms are sheets of ply with no feet sitting on the floor. I lifted a couple up and noticed the ply already starting to delaminate. One tip I have is whenever out and about if you see any planters or items for sale in garden centre, farm shops, driveways etc. that you like the look of, take a load of photos and when home, replicate them and look to see if there's any way you can improve them. Make them stronger. Make them easier to build. Make them cheaper to build. I see some over-engineered products out there and many designs that are great ideas.

@mjb9176 2 ай бұрын

Lifelong raised bed gardener here and I love your raised bed on legs. Really nice, sturdy design.

@woodandwheelz 2 ай бұрын

Great Video. You have a new subscriber. Thank you for sharing.

@JBNetBreaker 2 ай бұрын

I think you're on the right track brother, keep it up, ignore nay sayers.

@mrmyblessednest1722 2 ай бұрын

Great video David!! Ignore the comments about using treated

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

Thanks! Most people don't realize that the substances used to treat wood changed in 2004 and no longer contain arsenic and are therefore not nearly as dangerous. I just released a video about that since I got so many comments.

@joshuadean6279 2 ай бұрын

You have the same dust collection system that I tend to run in my shop.

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

Only the best.

@ChuckN100 2 ай бұрын

I love your designs! They are great for flowers and other non-edible plants. Vegetable garden boxes made from wood that isn’t pressure treated might be a better choice because of the contamination potential from using pressure treated wood. I would recommend people use food grade plastic to line the inside of treated lumber if they are growing food for human consumption.

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the compliment. Here's some information for you about using modern pressure treated wood for garden beds. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qreYY5yhr5Oxj2Q.html

@greenhornadventure 2 ай бұрын

Great video, thanks for sharing the different struggles and things you've learned. Couple thoughts, you can't compete with the big guys on price, but you can definitely compete on quality and customization. Be different and do things better than the run of the mill. Fence pickets are great for a lot of things, but consider using 5/4 decking for larger builds. I only use cedar for my products. It looks nicer and no worries about chemicals. (Although I have heard that they are safe). Give people the option to spend more.

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the ideas. Here's a video I made about whether modern pressure treated wood is ok for garden beds. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qreYY5yhr5Oxj2Q.html

@thatWebGuySolutions 2 ай бұрын

Great video! I read green board leech chems in the soil better to use cedar or other natural wood that stands up to elements.

@briankuhn7396 Ай бұрын

I built some of these planters for my wife, but I used cedar pickets and planed them. Apparently, there were a lot of neighbors who wanted a couple for themselves.

@user-oh8jv8ef8l 2 ай бұрын

Informative video. I’m a little skeptical about how the fence pickets are going to hold up. I built my personal beds out of 2x10 pressure treated and after one season the pressure of all the dirt is already trying to pull the corners loose.

@airplayamusements5717 Ай бұрын

I recommend to my customers to fill the bottom half of the planter with discarded plastic bottles. You need less fill and it allows for water to drain through to the ground. The ground is one thing as far as weight and pressure but a good rain storm will double that pressure on the sides.

@Zornat89 Ай бұрын

@@airplayamusements5717 Instead of plastic bottles that could leech chemicals into your soil. I would recommend yard debris such as rocks on the bottom with large pieces of wood, smaller branches, leaves, yard clippings. Cheers

@drillsgtlangdon 2 ай бұрын

I love your ideas! Something else you might be able to profit on is by building flower boxes that hang over deck railing. Very simple! Very cheap to make and you can make a ton of them ahead of time and sell them at a very profitable price, especially if you offer options. ie, Kiln dried and ready for paint/stain etc. (They can paint/stain their own or pay you to do the work etc) Just a thought is all. Hope all continues to work out for you my friend. Cheers

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the idea!

@McofCOD Ай бұрын

Love that you used every type of saw in the shop to cut the angled pieces off the pickets 😂

@daniell.5654 Ай бұрын

Thank you for the honest and straightforward content. I might have missed it but what do you use to line the insides of these beds?

@humbleacres5106 3 ай бұрын

Great video! I just found your channel, and was taken back when I saw the video clips of the town. Old IGA across from Pizza King? Next the post office and town square? I grew up just a few miles outside of town.

@deborahdanhauer8525 2 ай бұрын

I don’t think I live near you but I’m always looking for a particular type of picnic table that the big box stores don’t sell. I bet people in your area are too. The box stores sell tables with the seats attached. If a heavy person sits on one side with no one on the other, the table will tip over. Also you can’t move the seats away and get close to the table standing up to work on something. I want a picnic table with simple detached bench seats. They are so hard to find these days. Hope this helps!❤️🐝🤗

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

That's a good idea, thank you!

@deborahdanhauer8525 2 ай бұрын

@@DavidCanMakeThat You’re welcome. In my childhood they sold those kind and we had them. But they stopped for some reason and they are a much more versatile table. You can use the table or the benches alone. We would move the benches near the fire pit at night. And we used the table alone to stand and work on projects. Anyway, I’m sure people in your area would like them too.❤️🐝🤗

@jeff2101 Ай бұрын

Used every saw in the shop to remove those dog ears! LOL

@frankingram3382 2 ай бұрын

David, let me mention one thing you might not have thought of. There are other crafters around, that will see your video and next season will try and compete with you. This year, they didn't think the planters would sell. Good luck and God Bless my friend.

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

I thought about it, but I think there's enough business to go around. Also, I only serve a tiny little corner of the world.

@jjmcmahon4308 2 ай бұрын

Just a little heads up. Gor the trellises it depends on the type that you are making. A woodworker named Mathew makes great ones and gives you the specs that sell and shows you how you can compete with big box. More people will buy from you if you advertise how sturdy your products are verse big box.

@americanman4746 Ай бұрын

Pickets are great to make certain projects. If you buy pickets they will most likely have a high moisture content, so anything you build will shrink, bow, or cup. Pickets also don’t do well when making ground contact. They last about two years..then rot.

@chuckjohnson4048 26 күн бұрын

I concur, I had decided to make bird houses. Made 4, checked prices online, discovered I would almost break even if I charged their prices.

@LockRocker 2 ай бұрын

Maybe down the road you can get one of those branding irons and give them your mark. Definitely put a delivery on it, people need to find a way or help keep you running.

@Warriori2i Ай бұрын

green house custom benches/shelving

@Art.V.73 2 ай бұрын

If nobody has mentioned it yet, you could sell those garden trellises as fencing for garden but you'd have to redesign it some.

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

I have thought about that, thanks for the confirmation.

@Struthio_Camelus Күн бұрын

I won't use PT material in a planter anybody might be growing food in - cedar is ok, but the nearest big box that carries cedar pickets is an hour away.

@mrdaniel911 3 ай бұрын

Don't get too down on your trellises that didn't sell very quickly, as they are thin and more easily stored, so can wait longer than you bigger pieces to sell. The bigger the piece, the faster it has to sell, as you only have so much storage space.

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

Thanks.

@markphillips3341 2 ай бұрын

You could stack up 2 or 3 palings and cut them all together. This will save time and increase efficiency.

@JohnJohn-nh2rl Күн бұрын

i saved up to get ether table saw or miter saw. advice on what to get first. thx

@jeffccr3620 2 ай бұрын

Now you need to make the jump to making garage cabinet with resawn and shop cabinets 3/4 ply helpful hint pocket holes euro hinges soft close drawer glides and hinges 👍 Before you know it you have router lift and shaper and planer going burning up raised panel bits

@jeffccr3620 2 ай бұрын

Just a heads up the 6' and 8' beds once full create a lot of pressure in the center might need a brace to keep from bowing out might do a follow up with your customers they will appreciate it and let's them know you stand behind your product

@DavidCanMakeThat 2 ай бұрын

I do give my customers advice on how to make sure they don't bow.