Thanks for all the encouragement!
As for viability, this job helped me to see that my price point was a little low. My new prices will still be reasonable for wholesaling within the "handmade" market and make it a worthwhile endeavor.
Frank - Yes, they are all individually turned, no duplicator. In this case a duplicator would actually slow me down.....I think. I have a friend with a duplicator, and I will have to try it out and see.
Jim -
1) The pay rate is definitely worth it. That said, one of the more frustrating problems is the yield I am getting out of the 8/4 cherry lumber I purchase. I am not sure if people will be willing to pay for the huge waste factor. The maple pins are no problem in this department.
2) Right now I would only be interested in making pins 2-3 days a week. Even at that rate I would have a decent yearly income (by my low standards
). I would want the rolling pins to help fund my other endeavors and not become a full-time venture. The rest of my time would be spent pursuing artistic woodturning, architectural woodturning, and furniture making. As for my body holding up, manufacturing rolling pins 3 days a week is probably manageable.
3) Hiring employees and still making money would be a little more of a stretch. It would definitely require someone who really knows their way around the lathe, and is confident with speed and accuracy. It's not like they're difficult to make, but to make "real" money you gotta move quickly.
4) The bookkeeping is the part that would be most challenging at the outset. Right now I have a fairly accurate idea of where the money is going, but I certainly would like to keep tabs more closely to ensure I am not missing a "hidden" expense.
Vaughn - I have made a few jigs/fixtures to help speed things up and make the work a little easier. But it's definitely work.
If this idea pans out, it would be a big financial relief. Now if I only had a bigger shop...
Thanks,
Hutch