It’s no secret – woodworkers love woodworking.
However, everyone has a breaking point – some point at which they could be convinced to give up something – even something as beloved as the craft of woodworking.
Imagine if you will, a multi-gazillionaire were to come to your town to make you an offer to give up the craft. Cold turkey. A truck and a group of workmen would be dispatched to clear your shop of all of your tools and prized timbers, and, once completed, you would get a briefcase full of cash to use as you wish.
With one caveat. A big one.
The terms of this agreement would be severe – absolutely no woodworking at all. If you were to even read a woodworking magazine, participate in an online woodworking forum, even touch a piece of wood that you intended to cut, shape or drill – you would have to surrender the money and everything you bought with it.
Would you do it, and for how much?
And, just like that, it’s post 995!
I’d kick him out of my driveway on his ass, just on principle!
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
As much as I love ww’ing, I could find another hobby that filled the “hole” similarly, whether it be stained glass making or working on cars. I would miss you guys on the forums though.
Lawrence
Couldn’t do it. Crafting and creating in wood is engrained in my soul. I would have to cut out my own heart in order to give up on it for any amount of money.
This reminds me of an old joke.
On a blind date dinner, the man asked the girl if she would sleep with a total stranger for a million dollars.
After long, careful, thought, she finally said “Yes, I suppose so.”
So then the man said, “How about $20.00?
“What do you think I am!” she asked shocked.
“Well” he said, “we have already established that, now we are discussing price.”.
Rog
Asmuch as I would like to think I coud do it, I doubt I could find a substitute hobby. Perharse metal working or jewelry but it would not be the same. Wood is what I do.
BRuce
As much as I love woodworking, I love my family more. For $10,000,000 my wife and I would never have to work again, and we could spend more time together as a family. I could find another itch to scratch (drawing, blacksmithing, welding, etc.).
Jonathan
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No way. I knew getting into this I would never get rich from it, but there is something to be said for making $$, however modest, off of something you love to do. I’m drawn to wood like a moth to light, even if I tried I would fail the test within days if not hours LOL!
I think I would try to convince the rich guy that he would like woodworking, and then we would go out and buy some REALLY cool tools to play with !
I do have other hobbies the main one being a 40 year old car. If I wasn’t woodworking and had LOTS of money I could clear my double garage of woodworking machinery and have two more! I’d still miss woodworking though (a lot)!
I thought about this for a couple seconds and there is no way. At some point I’m going to want a fence or a box and to pay someone to do something I can do just as well can’t do it.
There is not enough money or ice cream on the planet to make me give up woodworking.
But, if there was money AND ice cream…
… or how about money flavored ice cream. Or ice cream flavored money?!?!
Oh, with questions like that, you can just rock me to sleep tonight…