Woodworking can be anything from a hobby enjoyed in one's spare time to a full-fledged career path. For those that practice recreationally, many find the process to be relaxing and rewarding. Creating something with your hands that you then get to use and enjoy for years to come is an amazing feeling. Kevin Hays, founder of Woodworker Lodge, explains the satisfaction that can come from woodworking on his blog. A self-described "ex-submariner turned woodworking hobbyist", Hays shares that, "When a project goes smoothly, there's no better feeling in the world." He encourages anyone with interest in woodworking to give it a try. It can be a valuable skill, a creative outlet and even a profitable hobby. 

Hays explains that many imagine woodworking to simply be carpentry, such as building furniture and appliances. While carpentry does fall under woodworking, the umbrella of woodworking is even broader. It encompasses anything built or created using wood. Even engraving text counts, notes Hays. This also gives woodworkers infinite freedom in terms of what to create. Want to create a designer paperweight or an elaborate tree house for your kids? The possibilities are endless.

You may be interested in taking up woodworking on your own time, but it can be intimidating to see all of these incredible pieces. Where does one even begin? Do not be discouraged, ambitious future woodworker. The internet is an amazing place, and it contains more than enough resources to start you on your wood crafting journey. Blogs such as Woodworker Lodge, The House of Wood, Woodworker's Journal and countless others make beginning a project seem much less daunting. What tools do you need to start? How expensive will the materials be? What type of wood is best for the project you've envisioned? The answers are certainly out there; don't let fear hold you back!

There is a common misconception that woodworking must be an incredibly costly activity. Though many skilled workers agree that crafting a custom piece is likely to be more expensive than purchasing a mass manufactured one, not everything you create needs to cost you a pretty penny. Brian Forbes, author and woodworking expert, shares tips on his blog to make starting your woodworking journey more cost effective. He recommends searching for second hand tools online first before investing in more expensive tools later down the line. "Start out small," he writes. "You only need the basic tools at first." The startup cost is much lower than many expect, when purchasing is strategic and only used on what is necessary in the beginning.

If your passion and skill transcend the amateur arena, perhaps you are interested in pursuing a full-time career in woodworking. This can be an appealing choice for those who want to express their creative side through their work and those who are very patient with excellent attention to detail. To work professionally as a woodworker, you may require fulfilling an apprenticeship or enrolling in trade school, depending on where you live and the path you want to take. However, many skilled woodworkers are self-taught, with the internet being their primary guides, so there is no need to follow one specific path in advancing your career.

Being a woodworker is certainly a viable career option for those dedicated to the art. In 2017, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the average salary for a woodworker in the US was $34,000 per year. The range of income varied greatly by state, however, with Hawaii, Alaska and Illinois reporting average salaries much higher than the rest of the nation. As of now, there are approximately 290,000 people employed as woodworkers in the United States, with about 40% of them specializing in furniture making.

Another concern that sometimes discourages people from taking up woodworking is the belief that it must be extremely dangerous. Using power tools with sharp blades to manipulate wood certainly does pose risks, but countless enthusiasts dive into woodworking safely (and without ever losing a finger!). Certain tools, such as the table saw, are much more likely to be responsible for accidents. According to a study conducted by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, table saws were the culprit for around 64,000 injuries in 2017. Unsurprisingly, the most at-risk body parts for woodworkers are their fingers, hands, and eyes.

There are always methods to mitigate risk and ensure safe practicing when using woodworking tools. Scott Curry, writer of the blog Make From Wood, shared some of his top tips on staying safe: know your machine, use the correct tool for the job and don't skimp on safety equipment. He reminds readers that wearing protective gear is always worth the hassle. "Working on saw blades that are spinning at thousands of RPM’s per minute means accidents happen in a split second. Never skip on the basics for safety."

When calculating risks associated with woodworking, don't forget to be aware of the hidden risks. Curry reminds readers of his blog to always protect their ears and lungs as well. Power tools such as the chop saw can reach 110 decibels, which can cause hearing damage to unprotected ears, especially if exposure is frequent or for long periods of time.

As for the lungs of woodworkers, it is important that they are protected from inhaling too much saw dust. A high quality mask, a good air filtration system and a dust collector can all work together to protect the lungs of everyone in the vicinity of saw dust.