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In this article, Jasco Goods introduces a unique approach to making money through woodworking. He focuses on larger projects that are easy for beginners to tackle.
These projects not only use sheet goods but also offer the chance to earn significant profit or even rent them out.
By showcasing a fun and creative build, Jasco encourages others to explore woodworking as a profitable hobby. He shares tips and techniques for cutting and constructing eye-catching pieces that can be sold at high prices in the market.
Key Takeaways
- Beginner-friendly woodworking projects can yield high profits.
- Renting out finished projects can create ongoing income.
- Creating unique designs from common materials increases market value.
Project Overview
Jasco Goods introduces an engaging way to earn money through woodworking projects that are beginner-friendly and a bit larger than usual.
Unlike smaller projects, these builds typically use sheet goods and can yield significant profits. He emphasizes that besides selling, people can also rent out these creations, allowing for multiple income opportunities.
The current project he demonstrates costs less than $30 in materials and takes only a few hours to complete. These items have been known to sell for over $3,000.
He quickly sketches a large circle on plywood using a simple jig made from a stick and a pencil, avoiding fancy tools for time efficiency. After cutting the circle, he refines the edges with a sanding block.
Next, he reveals that he’s creating a backdrop for a friend’s balloon business. Backdrops like this can be pricey, with the current trend showing a starting sale price around $260.
Jasco understands the importance of efficiency and aims to use all wood scraps wisely while crafting additional pieces for the project.
He adds stands using leftover materials, all while keeping in mind the tight timeline before handing them off for painting.
He checks various prices for similar props on Etsy, showcasing the potential for profit in woodworking. For example:
- A 5ft moon: $337
- A moon with two clouds: $125
- Plywood arch with shelves: $55
- Arch rental: $350 for one day
This project not only illustrates Jasco’s building skills but also highlights the profitable potential of woodworking in today’s market.
Materials and Cost
The project utilizes simple materials to keep costs low. Here’s a breakdown of what is needed and their costs:
- Plywood: Around $30 for a sheet.
- Jigsaw: Commonly used for cutting shapes like circles and arcs.
- 2x4s: Used for creating stands, often recycled from previous projects.
- Miscellaneous Supplies: Includes screws and nails for assembly.
Building this backdrop takes just a few hours, making it an efficient project. Once completed, items can be sold for high profits. For example, similar props have sold for over $3000 in some cases.
Renting options exist, allowing continued earnings from the same materials.
Here are some selling prices seen in the market:
- 5ft Moon: $337 on Etsy
- Moon with Two Clouds: $125
- Smaller Moon and Clouds: $849
- Plywood Arch with Shelves: $55
- Arch Rental for a Day: $350
This approach demonstrates how woodworking can lead to profitable ventures with a relatively small initial investment.
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Circle Cutting Method
To start the circle cutting process, a simple jig can be made using basic materials.
First, a stick longer than 3 feet is needed. A hole is drilled in each end of the stick, spaced exactly 3 feet apart. A nail is used to hold a pencil at one end, while the other end is secured to the plywood.
With this setup, the stick acts like a compass. By pivoting it, a large circle can be drawn on the plywood.
If only a half circle is needed, it can easily be done on a standard 4-foot sheet of plywood.
Once the circle is drawn, the next step is to cut off a portion of the plywood for easier handling.
A jigsaw is used to follow the drawn line. This technique saves time, especially when quick creations are needed for projects.
After cutting, the plywood piece can be refined. Edges are sanded down to eliminate roughness, giving it a polished look.
The remaining piece can also be utilized, such as cutting out cartoonish clouds to enhance the design.
For stability, stands can be made from leftover materials.
In this case, scrap pieces along with some 2x4s serve as a support for the main shape. This approach maximizes efficiency and minimizes waste while ensuring the final product is ready for use.
Building the Stand and Final Details
To create this project, the first step involved cutting a large circle in a piece of plywood.
Instead of making a complex jig, a simple method was used. A stick, longer than three feet, was drilled at both ends to measure three feet apart. A nail secured a pencil at one end, while the other end was fastened to the plywood. This created a makeshift compass, making it easy to draw a six-foot circle.
After marking the circle, the next task was cutting it out with a jigsaw.
A friend, who owns a balloon business, needed a backdrop for an event. They discovered that these backdrops can be quite pricey. The six-and-a-half-foot plywood arch backdrop was priced at $260, even on sale.
It’s important to note that this arch was not just plywood; it included additional features like a hinge and stands.
After cutting the arch, the extra plywood was repurposed to create cartoonish clouds.
Using careful cuts, the clouds were formed by making relief cuts and then following the outlines with the jigsaw.
Emphasizing efficiency, the leftover wood was minimized, supporting cost-effectiveness in the build.
For supports, previously made scraps were utilized to save time. Adding some 2x4s to these remains worked perfectly as a stand for the moon shape.
The stand was designed to remain unattached so it would fit into the friend’s SUV for transportation.
Once completed, the friend painted the pieces to finish the project.
Prices for similar backdrops revealed a strong market. For instance, a five-foot moon sold for $337 on Etsy, while smaller clouds were available for $125.
Notably, renting these backdrops could also yield a good return, with some fetching up to $350 for just one day. This process highlighted the potential for woodworking projects to not only create attractive designs but to also serve as profitable ventures.
Painting and Final Assembly
To start, a circle was drawn onto a sheet of plywood using a simple jig made from a stick.
By drilling holes in each end of the stick exactly 3 feet apart, it served as a compass. A pencil was secured at one end, and the other end was fixed down so it could create a large circle.
After marking the circle, two feet were trimmed off the bottom of the plywood for easier handling.
Using a jigsaw, they followed the drawn line to cut out a half-circle arch. This arch was created to serve as a backdrop for a balloon company.
For a fun twist, cartoonish clouds were drawn on a scrap piece of plywood and cut out.
This was done to utilize as much material as possible and waste little wood. Efficiency is key when making these projects.
To finish the piece, stands were needed but time was limited.
Instead of creating new stands, leftover corral pieces from another project were used, along with some scraps from the plywood sheet.
They were cut and assembled into stands quickly, allowing the moon piece to be supported without taking much time.
Since the friend was going to paint the finished arch at her home, the stand was not attached to the moon.
The end result was sent over in a video showing the props beautifully set up alongside balloons.
Price Comparisons
Making unique wooden backdrops can bring in significant earnings.
A simple plywood arch backdrop was found listed online for $260 before shipping. This is before adding any enhancements, like hinges or a stand, which can raise the price further.
Here are some examples of similar items:
- A 5-foot moon is priced at $337 on Etsy.
- A moon with two clouds made from plastic cardboard is listed for $125 on Etsy, with multiple customers considering a purchase.
- A more detailed moon and small clouds made from 3/4 inch plywood costs about $849 on Etsy.
- A plywood arch with shelves was found at $55.
Additionally, rental options can be significant.
For instance, one arch is available to rent for $350 for a day. Another package, which includes several items, can be rented for $950 for the same duration.
These numbers show how woodworking projects can turn into profitable business opportunities, either through sales or rentals.
Display of Completed Project by a Friend
In this project, a friend benefited from a creative woodworking build that was both fun and profitable. They created a backdrop for a balloon company, making a piece that not only looks good but also serves a practical purpose during parties.
The backdrop was made from a sheet of plywood, featuring an arch cut into the top. This design is popular for taking pictures and typically costs a lot in stores. The friend found that such a backdrop was selling for $260 before shipping. By making it themselves, they saved money and added a personal touch.
To craft the backdrop, they used a simple method to draw a 6-foot circle onto the plywood. Instead of a complicated jig, they opted for a straightforward stick method.
After cutting the circle, they made an inner arch and added decorative cloud shapes from leftover wood. A sanding block helped smooth the edges for a polished look.
For the stand, they reused some spare 2x4s and other scrap pieces from previous projects. This choice saved time and materials. After the assembly, the project was ready to be painted by their friend.
Here are some of the prices for similar items in the market:
| Item Description | Price on Etsy |
|---|---|
| 5-foot moon | $337 |
| Moon with two clouds | $125 |
| Smaller moon in clouds | $849 |
| Arch backdrop with shelves | $55 |
| Rental for an arch backdrop | $350 |
This mix of creativity and efficiency illustrates how woodworking can lead to profitable opportunities, showcasing that a little effort can go a long way.