Carpentry Career Guide and Counseling

Question: What are some good carpentry projects to do with my dad? I really love to do carpentry and would like to do a project with my dad, but don't know what to do. Could the project please be a little on the easy side?

Answer: Good for YOU !! Projects I've done over the last few years... from easy to hard (also matches the order I did them as I re-learned) Hat-Rack (simple plank, routed and pegs to hold the hats) Boot-Rack Coat-Rack Bat Houses (yes, bats.. they eat mosquitoes and other pesky bugs) Dog House (silly dogs are too big for it now) Pump House (for our well-pump) Fences and Gates to keep the dogs in !! Routed "Street Signs" for the roads on our ranch Cornice boards in the living room Plywood platform (covered with tile) for a wood-stove Planting boxes and Raised-beds for garden (avoiding gophers) Captain's Bed for the Office Night Stand Book Shelves Bar-cabinets for the Office Cutting Boards Wood Cabinet for the kitty-litter box Barn Jewelry boxes for wife and daughters Chess / Checker Board Picture Frames Toys for my Grandson... Remember to work SAFE... and measure thrice and cut once !!

Question: How can I get started in carpentry? After 3 degrees and 10 years spent building a computer-based career, I'm leaving this career to get into carpentry. My wife got a great job that gives us the financial freedom for me to take the paycut. How should I get started?

Answer: You might find a carpenter who would let you work as an apprentice. That's how I did it when I was younger.

Question: How many joinery and carpentry courses are there in the UK? Does anyone know roughly how many joinery and carpentry courses there are available in the Uk? This includes all levels.

Answer: There are thousands, at a guess. Every city and town will run courses for joinery and carpentry. Try looking at 'Craft training' courses - many of the bigger companies sponser people to do these, which are run by the companies themselves. Sorry not to be exact in the answer but there are too many courses available to count them all. I used to have a connection with Carillion craft training and they accepted about 50 people per year into their training centre. And paid them too!

Question: What is a list of must have tools for small carpentry work, patching and paiting around the the house? I want to repair my house and it needs basic carpentry work, plaster/drywall patching and painting. What is a complete list of must have tools?

Answer: For Drywall--6'' knife,10" knife,utility knife,for cutting and installing tape. basic carpentry-----2' level,&4'level,framing square,circular saw,utility knife,16' rule,cordless or corded drill,verious size bits from 1/4----1-1/4",chisel'es verious sizes , jig saw, hammer, screw driver's both slotted and phillips head,plires both slip joint and neddle nose possably a pair of channel locks, sanders,paint rollers drop cloths,painters tape, this would get you started on your projects,you will probuly find yourself visiting the local home centers tool section for some verious other tools depending on the project you would be working on....Oh it would also help if you would purchase some very good How To Books.There are many ranging from carpentry (at verious levels) electrical,pluming and drywall. Happy projects

Question: What is finish carpentry? How is it different from "regular" carpentry? Actually, I need my front wooden door stripped & restained ... is this considered "finish" carpentry (since the door is being refinished?) or is it something else?

Answer: Picture a home being built from the ground up. All the rough wood framing would be considered "regular" carpentry. When the crew moves indoors, and start putting the window moulding and floor molding, that's "finish" carpentry. Any time you're using a hammer and have to worry about making a mark, that's finish carpentry.

Question: Where/How can I find clients for my husband who works in carpentry and wants to start off on his own? I would like to help my husband start off his own carpentry trimming business but he needs my help. He wants me to search online for builders and stuff like that but I have no clue as to where to start to find him clients. I guess I would be the one helping him out and being his secretary. I really want to help him because I know he can make more money on his own rather then working for someone. Please help I need sources ...

Answer: You can start by doing some basic ads in your local Penny Saver or local classifieds type newspapers. Design a flyer with his name or company name, and bullet items of what he can do, along with phone number tabs people can rip away and post in local grocery stores. Get some free business cards made at www.vistaprint.com and leave them with anyone who will take them. Leave a couple each time you go out to eat at a restaurant, and ask if you can leave a stack at certain businesses like your local paint store. Call your local Chamber of Commerce as they may have some resources he can utilize to promote the business. Know any plumbers, electricians or other tradesmen? Hand your business cards to them. Build a free website at sites.google.com and get a domain name (for $9 per year). Put your website name on your business cards and flyers, and list it with local business oriented sites in your area. Ask for testimonials from current customers, and hand them business cards to pass out. Satisfied customers are a great way to spread the word. Post their testimonials on your website. You might think about getting a custom rubber stamp with your name and text indicating "Take 10% off your first job" which you can stamp the back of your business cards. If you have small local lumber companies, ask if they will promote your business. Offer some Dunkin Donuts coffee coupons to add some incentives to use your services, or as you pass out cards to those who may be really good prospects. Contact local pizza delivery places to see if they will attach your business flyer to their pizza boxes they deliver, in exchange for handing out their coupons to your customers. All of this is either free or very inexpensive ways to promote your business. Best of luck.

Question: What's the best way to learn carpentry/construction skills needed for home maintenance/improvement? I am a homeowner and would like to improve my carpentry/construction skills. I am a teacher and have the summers off, which I would like to spend improving my house. This isn't just to save money; I really want to learn how to do it. I once converted a garage into a sculpture studio, so I have some skills/successes (can build a wall, install new windows and doors, wiring, put in a floor) and some failures (leaking skylights). I've also put in fences, built bookshelves and done some plumbing. Plus sculpture! I know I could take classes at a tech school, but I'm looking for other hands-on ideas where I could learn from someone. Books are great but I need to SEE it and be able to ask questions. Though I have the summers off, they are short and I have young kids. I'd like to work a bit for someone for free in exchange for the teaching - is that feasible? I'm not incompetant, but I am female :)

Answer: call your local habitat for humanity...... they could always use a free hand.......or visit some local construction sites..... to bad you don't live in Alabama i could always use a FREE hand at my plumbing company......... :) best wishes

Question: I need to know which Quickbook edition i should buy for storing carpentry invoices? I need to know which Quickbook edition i should buy for storing carpentry invoices? My boyfriend has is own carpentry business and needs something that can organize him a lot more than hand writing and keeping track of everything on paper. He needs to store invoices and needs an estimator for this type of business?

Answer: Quickbooks Premier Edition

Question: I need a song about women at work in construction: carpentry, welding and electrical jobs? I'm in charge of producing a short 2 minute video of a camp that is happening next week. Its all about women working at carpentry, welding and electrical jobs. Are there any songs that will accurately portray this event?

Answer: actually well it's not about women but Hard Working Man by Brooks and Dunn.

Question: Where can I find a carpentry or furniture production apprenticeship in Liverpool UK? And which option is more likely to lead to work and decent pay? I would prefer furniture production but perhaps carpentry or joinery is a slightly safer bet?

Answer: get a cv together and send or deliver it to the joinery firms in your area, most of them will be in the yellow pages!

Question: How far do I have to finish before a rough carpentry inspection for my basement? finishing basement , already had the rough electrical inspected .Now I need the rough carpentry inspected. Do I have to have the doors in place? or just the studs are fine? anything else would help! I do know that every town is diffrent but just trying to get a basic outline of whats required in most cases. thanks

Answer: The framing inspection is for just that-framing. Walls must be up and secure, rough openings for doors and windows must be built, etc. Framing a basement does not require a lot, due to the fact that the walls are not structural. If everything is built and solid, you are ready for the inspection. Good luck.

Question: the difference between residential carpentry and comercial? HOW MUCH MORE DIFFERENT IS COMERCIAL CARPENTRY THAN RESIDENTIAL? HAS ANYBODY EVER WORKED FOR '' TRADESMEN INTERNATIONAL''? IF SO IS IT A GOOD COMPANY TO WORK FOR? I'VE BEEN DOIN RESIDENTIAL CARPENTRY FOR ABOUT 8 YRS.

Answer: the quality and thickness unless it's a special order won;t be as good as residential. The work load well I don't know??

Question: What are the 20 most used tools in Carpentry? I have a Carpentry class and I have to pick the 20 most used tools and compare prices on them from 3 different stores, but since I just started the class very recently, I have no idea what I need! Help!

Answer: Okay, these would be my picks if I were to outfit my own woodshop: Hammer, Screw driver, measuring tape, drill/screwgun (battery op), compound mitre saw, jig saw, table saw, palm sander, square, clamps, pneumatic stapler, pneumatic finish nailer, air compressor (for pneumatic tools), router, band saw, pliers, chisle set, hand saw, dovetail saw. Things like nails, screws, glue and drill bits I consider supplies, not actual tools, I count saftey equipment seperate, too.

Question: How does a 32yr woman like me get into carpentry? Are there any apprenticeship schemes in london? Is 32 old to get into carpentry? Your advise is needed...

Answer: Contact the CITB ( Construction Industry Training Board) they will be able to help you find employment and training. Good luck.

Question: Would you recommend carpentry as a good career choice? I worked as a union carpenter for 13 years. There were many things that I loved about the industry - like the pride I felt every time I walked by a building that I had helped put up. And there were things I hated about the industry - the lack of job security and the high risk of injuries. I ended up having to leave the carpentry business due to a knee injury (I'm a middle school special ed teacher now) Would you recommend carpentry as a good career choice? And do you think a person coming into the carpentry field would be better off as a member of the Carpenters Union, or working as a non union carpenter? Also, do you think the large number of immigrant carpenters coming into the trade and working at very low wages makes carpentry a bad career choice?

Answer: I worked as a sander on cabinet doors for 2 years. I also notched frames and put them together. Different line, but still carpentry. I don't think you get paid enough to do that work. Plus, it is dangerous. And yes, I think the immigrants are making it harder in the field. I know some that worked for half of what I did at different places. I think your new career is a much better choice.

Question: Is it possible for me to find a website that will help me get a carpentry license at home? I am looking for online courses in Canada. The carpentry license is for rough frame carpentry.

Answer: no.