Full-time makers, what hours are you working?

[Nathan the Machinist]

Yeah, but Nathan...

Oh yeah man, it's like an ATM machine.

I think the number of hours and income we derive from them with our process is similar to other folks, just the use of the mill makes us a bit unusual. As they say, "it takes all kinds". Of course that's nonsense, there just are all kinds. And we're one of the weirder ones...

 

[Rhinoknives1]

I also have nerve damage from an accident and resulting chronic pain and insomnia, so there are lots of all nighters, then dead zones, etc. I suppose I'm probably not the best to model after, to be honest.

Ian,
I also have some issues with accident caused chronic pain & nerve damage in my spine etc.. LOL

It's amazing how many banged up knife makers there are! LOL
There are makers on crutches and in chairs etc

I was disabled years ago and knife making was and still is my road to recovery. I bought a few books back in 96 and taught myself how to make knives just an hour or two at a time in my small shop as I was able and built my business from there.

Keep the faith Brother!

 

[HallHandmade]

Yeah, I've called knifemaking "the island of misfit toys" a good few times. I told a friend recently that the knifemaking community is my largest and best support group.

Now I've just got to get the customers to show up to meetings.




Don, regarding your OP, I think the best thing to take away is that there is a lot of different ways to attack this, and the only thing that will work for you, is what will work for you.

That said, getting a rough idea of what/how much others need to do to survive, is certainly not a bad idea.