Thread: Newbie seeking advice

I found this supposedly free 3D rendering software called ZW3D. I guess I could make plans for my product virtually and have a carpenter flesh them out in the real world with wood. Is this how the process normally works. Sorry completely clueless newbie here.

Ok so that Software seems overly complex. Also I have never done blueprints before so have no clue what I am doing even trying to draw on paper. These are skills one needs to be taught. And unfortunately only now do I realize how difficult it is to acquire these skills during these times of expensive degree factories. I would experiment with wood myself but the prices for pieces of timber from the local hardware shops is ridiculous; that that option is not feasible. I guess I will have to find someone giving away pallets or scrap timber and experiment myself and try and create the design myself. That is going to be credibly tough trying to implement my idea by self taught methods. But Australia doesn't care about a late 20 something with a unique business idea that has real potential.

Too bad I am not a migrant or immigrant. If I was I would be placed into a carpentry program for free and get paid to attend the program. Such is life in this unfair country.

Originally Posted by TheCarpenterSon

Ok so that Software seems overly complex. Also I have never done blueprints before so have no clue what I am doing even trying to draw on paper. These are skills one needs to be taught. And unfortunately only now do I realize how difficult it is to acquire these skills during these times of expensive degree factories. I would experiment with wood myself but the prices for pieces of timber from the local hardware shops is ridiculous; that that option is not feasible. I guess I will have to find someone giving away pallets or scrap timber and experiment myself and try and create the design myself. That is going to be credibly tough trying to implement my idea by self taught methods. But Australia doesn't care about a late 20 something with a unique business idea that has real potential.

Too bad I am not a migrant or immigrant. If I was I would be placed into a carpentry program for free and get paid to attend the program. Such is life in this unfair country.

Whingeing and complaining about how badly you are done by and how you think Australia is an "unfair country" certainly won't get you any brownie points. Try living somewhere like Serbia!!! You don't realise how lucky you really are!!!

Originally Posted by TheCarpenterSon

Too bad I am not a migrant or immigrant. If I was I would be placed into a carpentry program for free and get paid to attend the program. Such is life in this unfair country.

I'm a migrant, can you please point me in the right direction for the free educational courses that come with stipends?

Dry your tears and go to your local TAFE to enquire about their adult programs if you feel that you require a classroom environment to learn basic technical drawing, but there are plenty of books on the subject along with YouTube videos that you can learn the basics from. It's not difficult, I learnt it as a school subject.

You could also try a mens shed.

But be warned, they often contain crusty old blokes who call a spade, a spade, trowel, digging implement and a shovel, so be prepared.

for plans/concept drawings/blueprints. Download "sketchup make". it free and pretty easy to learn if you have some idea of how drawing programs work. If not there is a billion (yes i counted them all) websites out there to help with sketchup because it is a very popular program.

As far as a chippy being able to steal your idea. Yeah he probably can unless you have some kind of official copyright on the design beforehand. A great idea is worth the expense to copyright, an idea which 'may' bring a single blokes wage in each week isn't worth stealing....

Many of the processes in woodwork don't require someone to hold your hand while you learn. They show you how to cut a piece of timber to length using a handsaw while you watch. Learn from the comfort of an armchair and watch youtubes of people sawing timber. Yep its true, my trade has been reduced down to a few youtube videos....

Everything's too expensive. The software is too complex. I'm unskilled. It's too hard.

Great way to introduce yourself and try and get help.

It's not the government's job to prop up every newbie who thinks they have a good idea.

Want advice? Get a job that you CAN do to support yourself and work on your ideas in your spare time instead of asking everyone to bail you out.

I am a migrant too,I paid to move here.
Granted things are not easy and no one owes you a living.
I work full time with my business in woodworking and I am almost entirely self taught,I started woodworking in A small garden shed with very few and basic tools.Having a formal education and training is not a prerequisite to becoming a successful furniture maker or success in any other profession else,you can start from scratch with practically nothing.I am luck to be doing something I like and am quite good at.

I don not use any design software and rarely produce any drawings,I form the ideas in my head (granted it's gets a bit confusing up there sometimes !)

I recently sold a bookcase I made which was on show at a prominent gallery in Margaret river for over $ 8000,it makes me proud that people appreciate the things I make.

As others have said moaning about being hard done by is going to get you nowhere in life,we all have our trials to deal with every day.
If it is truly your dream then I am sure you can make it happen.

I know immigrants are getting paid to attend courses, and get paid whether they work or not....because I used to train them in the hospitality industry. I don't need condescending judgements; I say it how it is. This country has become so unattractive for anyone wanting to start a business, and everything is so expensive.

Let me move to Serbia any day, I can imagine there would be much less red tape. You seem to have this idea Australia is this ideal- sorry its not.

You judge me, but when you hit hard times and you realize the hypocrisy of this country then perhaps you will have a inkling of what I am talking about.

We are a nation of individuals, who blindly worship the dollar. Once you fall off your perch; nobody in this country will help you.

Originally Posted by TheCarpenterSon

We are a nation of individuals, who blindly worship the dollar. Once you fall off your perch; nobody in this country will help you.

Maybe North Korea would be more your speed. No capitalist system there, just good old fashioned communism. Heck, you might even be tempted (persuaded) to join the military and become one of the drones. I think the move there would include a mandatory frontal lobotomy.

I'm trying not to get personal here, but come on, stop crying and get on with enjoying life in this great country. Change your attitude and I'm sure things will fall into place for you.

I'm afraid you have come to the right place, but with the wrong attitude.
The reality is that you have shown you are equipped to work at a job you would prefer not to ... Like plenty of " regular Australians" who won't work at menial jobs, and resent those who are prepared to work in hospitality, but have come here as migrants. Legendary hard working folk happy to do what it takes to get ahead.
My advice to you is ONLY ask for help of those here who have done the hard work, showing you are prepared to do it yourself.
If you said, I'm working nights to get cash for my idea, and you didn't open up with a statement supposing carpenters here might be thieves who would steal your inspired idea, you would have got a much different reaction.
Lightwood

Hi TheCarpenterSon,

You're obviously in a bad place at the moment and feeling pretty down in the mouth. You need to find a way to bring a bit of joy and pleasure to your life. If you troll through the posts above you will find there is some very good advice there, have a look at the posts of BobL and Kuffy etc. Don't concentrate on the comments you feel are negative just grab the positive. You are the only person who can drag you out of the hole you find yourself in. And whatever you do don't spend time looking at other people and thinking how easy they've got it. I know several members of this forum who have been dealt some pretty bum cards, but they're out there doing the best they can. I know it's hard but you can join them if you can get your head in the right place.

All the best,
David

It does not matter where you go things do not improve, because you have to take the main problem with you, your self.
Cheer up.

Originally Posted by TheCarpenterSon

Hi. I don't have any carpentry skills and have an idea for a complex wood work idea that I have been trying to implement using cardboard boxes as it's the only way I am able to physically flesh out my idea. Problem is I am wondering if I get a carpenter to create my design for me, do I forfeit all rights of my design to the carpenter?

It's a tough one. I am in Townsville and have been looking around for carpentry courses, problem is they all cost too much and I am unemployed an not on Centrelink.

I was thinking my only realistic option is to find a carpenter who will allow me to collaborate with them and allow me to watch how they create, so I can then copy and make the items myself. As I am planning on opening my own business selling the products I make. Problem is, without professional carpentry skills to give the product aprofessional finish I am worried my products will come across as tacky andtherefore be unappealing and unsellable.

Time is critical here, I need to start selling asp to stop myself spiralling into debt, so any advice would be much appreciated at this time.Thanks.

Hi TheCarpenterson,
Well this conversation has spiraled off in the wrong direction so lets all take a breath count to ten and start over.
I will get right back to the questions asked and try to answer them honestly.
You have an idea and you think it may have potential. The next step is to run the idea past people who can make it and sell it to see if it is feasable. You already know you cant make it yourself at this stage so the carpenter should be able to tell if they think it can be done and how much it will cost to make. That has to include his time and use of his equipment. (As for who owns a design only a patent can protect that.)
With that figure you then have to see if there is a market for it at a price that gives you a profit margin.
That is about as simple as I can put it but there will be thousands of items to attend to like funding, running a small buisness, raw material, machinery and tooling, transport,marketing and the list goes on.
I will also point out that the shops are full of wood items that sell for less than the market price of the wood to make them. Of the thousands of woodworkers on this forum only a very few make a living at it. Sure quite a few of us sell a bit now and then but at very small profit. Usually just to help the hobby along.
Regards
John