Turned parts for furniture makers
Make table legs, spindles, balusters and replacement parts to order for cabinet makers and restorers.
- A$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
Producing turned timber components such as legs, spindles, newel posts and matching replacement parts, from drawings or samples.
Your first three steps
- Visit local furniture makers, restorers and joinery shops to ask what turned parts they struggle to source
- Equip a workshop with a sturdy lathe, copy attachment or templates and dust extraction
- Make sample parts and offer a few trade clients a trial order at a fair price
Who pays
Furniture makers, cabinet makers, restorers, builders and shops needing parts they can't turn themselves.
How it makes money
Quote per part or per batch, plus a charge for copying an existing part; repeat trade clients give steady work.
Skills that help
- Accurate copy turning and measuring
- Knowledge of timber species
- Quoting and reliable delivery times
Watch out for
- Check council zoning if you rent a unit or run from home, as industrial noise and dust may be restricted
- Public liability and product liability insurance
- Check your state's WHS rules on machinery guarding, dust and noise
- Late payment from trade clients, so agree terms and consider deposits on larger jobs
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: turned parts for furniture makers
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a trade woodturning business?
Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your lathe and machinery, workspace and timber stock. These are estimates, so get quotes for equipment and any rented unit.
What rules should I check for a trade turning workshop?
Check council zoning if you rent a unit or work from home, as industrial noise and dust may be restricted. Also check your state's WHS rules on machinery guarding, dust and noise, and public liability and product liability insurance.
How much can a trade woodturner earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how many furniture makers and restorers you supply. Late trade payments can hurt, so agree terms and consider deposits on larger jobs.
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