$500 in Materials to make a $6000 Table

I used $500 worth of materials to make a table I sold for $6000. I don’t do a lot of woodworking or making commissions but I thought this would be a useful case study to demonstrate how a little bit of design thinking can add value. In my discussions with the client I discovered that prices for store bought tables jump dramatically once the tables get to be over 9-feet in length. This DIY dining table for 10 requires a well rounded maker skill set but nothing beyond an intermediate level of ability of welding and woodworking.
All of the tools I used can be purchased for less than $1000.
I primed the steel table legs with Rust-oleum Rusty Metal Primer and painted them with Rust-oleum Protective Enamel in Gloss White.
Thank you to Rust-oleum for sponsoring this video:
Link to the table I made for Gary V:
• Building a Table for G...
if you want to see real woodworking check out four eyes furniture:
• Build A Modern One Leg...
Links:
Rust-oleum Rusty Metal Primer www.homedepot....
Rust-oleum Protective Enamel in Gloss White www.homedepot....
Forney Welder: amzn.to/38hoH3T
affiliate link
Ryobi Circular Saw www.homedepot....
Ryobi Drill + Driver www.homedepot....
Ryobi Angle Grinder www.homedepot....
Ryobi Palm Router www.homedepot....
Ryobi Orbital Sander www.homedepot....
Varathane Water Based Polyurethane www.homedepot....
Follow us on Instagram: / benjaminuyeda
For additional projects and information check out our website: www.homemade-mo...

[@lucasmurphy5407]

For a 6k table I would have gone with solid maple not plywood but the legs are pretty sweet not gonna lie

[@chrismoore9997]

They would have been nice if they were powder coated instead of sprayed with a rattle can.

[@CottonTailJoe]

That’s because you are a craftsman and artisan. He is a businessman.

[@richardschurter2115]

If you watch the video he explains why he didn’t.

[@41hz]

Plywood is pretty popular in modern furniture

[@padraics]

I think he meant $600 table. Didn't even bother with edge banding... And there's visible seams between plywood??

[@sonjanielsen5766]

I have done some woodworks in the past but this woodwork plan kzbin.infoUgkxZF0EMnrujZvqHhGkxiz559uIABJWR9TG helps me do much in a far lesser time than i used to do i have already built several projects with this plan and i intend to do many more soon. Thank you so much!

[@vaughanchapman2930]

Am I the only one who kept thinking, “someone paid 6000 bucks for this?”

[@jishimoari]

More like 800

[@wesleywamsley443]

At that price I was surprised it wasn't solid wood.

[@kentab11]

Yeah it was overpriced.

[@rfcilia]

@@breandanh4912 $5500 for the time, money, equipment and skills.... for the money??? What the heck does that mean, you charge the client for the money? He included the cost of materials into the price, he said the materials cost $500, the final price was $6000, so you're adding a second charge for the cost of the materials in the $5500, as for the equipment, we watched the video, he used scraps for templates and the rest of the tools are pretty common inexpensive tools, angle grinder, circular saw, sawzall, etc. The only equipment that would be consider expensive would be his welding equipment - in the end I'm happy that he found a client that would pay this much for the table but it's not a $6000 table, none of what you you mentioned accounts for that type of markup, he was just lucky enough to find some rich people that don't have a concept of how much things cost and are willing to throw crazy amounts of money at whatever it is they need - we should all be that lucky :)

[@madisonpictures7553]

rfcilia do would you say that the prices on the websites he was talking about are overpriced to? There is such a thing as creator value which is what makes a client buy a more expensive at this guys place rather than a 4000 one at one of those stores. This guy came up with the design, thought about its’ life cycle and took into account the clients situation. Maybe 6000$ was excessive for the materials, but judging from what he was showing as the standard competition prices, he made it within the standard. (I don’t know the market price for large tables sorry)

[@russellborrego1689]

For those that are astonished at the price tag. A very smart and VERY successful guy told me over two decades ago some words that stuck with me since. "Creativity costs money." Not everyone can write a novel or paint a masterpiece, but the majority of the population can appreciate them because of the talent they don't possess to conceptualize or create one themselves.

[@MrAndi1281]

I agree with you...to some extend, On Top of the 500$ there is cost for the labor that needs to be accounted for as well. My problem is: In my opinion the design of the the desk is not that special that it justifies being an example of your argument. I think that there are a lot of people out there that can come up with a similar or even better design, whereas there are not a lot of people out there who can paint better than the top painters of our time.

[@russellborrego1689]

@@MrAndi1281, I don't disagree with matching talents between people. But it's the conceptualizing where my point lies, not the execution. Look are Robert Indiana and Keith Haring, just to stick with artists. 99% of the people who have watched and will watch this video can look at their works and reproduce them with little effort. But .1% of those might have actually come up with the concept completely on their own given the opportunity. That's why those guys are famous, and tons of artists after them slung boxes for a living like I do or some other menial job saying to themselves "why didn't *I* think of that?!"

[@jlabate1]

I really love the design of the table. To be honest unlike alot of the folks commenting I have no issues with the price. I do however feel like if you have a client dropping good money like that you do owe it to them to spend a lot of time getting the details done correctly, and in my humble opinion I would never show a client a table with sloppy joints like that. It's good your clients didnt mind.

[@HomeMadeModern]

I dont ask people to be my clients and accept commissions on my own terms. I make it very clear that i am not a professional woodworker and that they are paying for my time. The client has seen these comments and is happy with the table and wants me to build more furniture. i will try to get them on camera in the future. I dont owe anyone anything other than what i promised at the beginning of the commission.

[@jlabate1]

@@HomeMadeModern Your a good Carpenter man. My main point was if your making furniture at this level why not slow things down a bit and spend a little extra money on some decent tools that will allow you to do things properly and give you super accurate seams and cuts. I enjoy your stuff I think your a super talented designer try not to take the criticism to personal.

[@london_james]

how can you not have a problem with the price

[@london_james]

@Dorian Gray yeah i get that. things are worth what people pay for them. but if i had 50 million dollars i still wouldn't buy that table. it is made of cheap materials and doesn't look nice. www.etsy.com/listing/624551775/river-table-dining-tables check what you can get for half the price

[@leonardorojas1781]

@@HomeMadeModern "You are commissioning a $6k table to a designer with little skils in woodworking and welding, warned you are." 😂🤣😂😂😂🤣

[@johnvweber]

"The wood putty did match it pretty good". Wood putty in a $6000 table? I guess there's a sucker born every minute.

[@caleighjohnson5543]

john weber bro you’ve clearly never seen fine furniture. The goal is to create a beautiful piece, something without flaws(supposedly). The gap created would’ve been an eyesore, so you just find a way to cover it up. It all comes down to the craftsman- will they sell anything they make for the highest price they can, or do they feel an obligation to only sell it for what they humbly believe it’s worth. The price of this table is in the base and one-of-a-kind handcrafted element. If you think you can do better I highly suggest you try it. This world needs more people who work with their hands.

[@jenniferwood4916]

Its really not that much money to go to a wood shop and get a 9x5 slab of pine or some other cheap wood that would be finer quality and you could even do a live edge which is super popular right now... and not filled with wood glue and putty that puts weak points throughout the table

[@adammacer]

@@caleighjohnson5543 I'm a designer/maker/carpenter and I would never have the cheek or stoop so low as to charge 6k for this piece of slapped-together crap - he didn't bother to cut his steel 'stretchers' between to length and create smooth joints.. nor pull his 4 top pieces of ply together tightly.. as others have said, for 6k you should expect a solid timber slab.. hack crap for a fool of a client..

[@XsmaelTheBest7]

So this is how you made it, I want my money back!

[@sokar5804]

Me after following this tutorial: 500$ in materials to make a 50$ table

[@jasonjanes9756]

I am not sure I would pay $50

[@steve90z]

the material isn't even $500

[@Alvin_0523]

This is a very not functional table, not even with great quality or looking. Maximum i will pay for the size of the wood and some service charge.

[@Alvin_0523]

And then, i don't like how people say this have design... so any normal people who know some wood work can make this design what design you have? Just a rectangular piece.

[@Alvin_0523]

Artist: my design of table, this cost 6000 Me:i can but a better material, if people can create without any thinking or skill that is not consider as design or art lol

[@willtube61]

Yeah, I would have felt guilty using ply for a $6k table. I built a solid ash 42"x10' table for $3500.

[@monsterbarbell8306]

I make and sell high end concrete furniture (I've helped modustrial maker with his concrete KZbin castings). The way I've always explained it to people who don't understand the cost "because the materials aren't that expensive"; you dont walk into a music shop and expect to pay the same for a handmade violin as you would a pallet; they're both made from wood. It's the time, skill, creativity and the fact its bespoke, that's what is being paid for. You can either be high end or low end. The middle ground doesn't work. Keep doing what you're doing.

[@TracksWithDax]

“The middle ground doesn’t work”, is that because all the cheap-but-decent furniture being sold by big box retailers in this range? Or what makes this so?

[@monsterbarbell8306]

@@TracksWithDax If you're cheap the high end market won't be interested. If you're expensive the low end cant afford you. The middle ground between the 2 is this; The low end wont pay more than what is necessary or will always try to find the cheapest deal and the high end will wonder why it's cheaper than the high end prices, because the mindset here is that you get what you pay for...so pay more.

[@monsterbarbell8306]

@Dorian Gray never used it. We already have a glass aggregate we use as a sand replacement to make our concrete much lighter.. And glass fibre reinforced concrete is very light anyway compared to other materials

[@beavis3421]

yea, filling badly cut plywood with wood putty is that 5k $ skill and creativity

[@monsterbarbell8306]

@@beavis3421 I dont recall where in my post where I referenced the actual table, but more so why high end exists or rather why custom is more expensive. Care to share your creations? I would very much like to see them, send me a message on instagram; Da Vinci Designer Concrete

[@matgggg55]

Honestly I’m just hung up with a $6,000 table having a plywood top and spray painted legs also where do u get ur steel from?!?! Cuz I’d watch a whole video on where you find 20ft of 1/2 “ for $9

[@rfcilia]

probably the junk yard or some scrap metal yard :)

[@bastijn111]

I dont think he sold it for 6000 dollars and its defenetly not worth it if it was build better it might but cheap material and spray paint like you said thats not worth 6000 dollars

[@lennartvanschuilenburg3430]

Bastijn Kluts I’m sure he made it for himself and telling his friends it’s a 6000 dollar table in his living room.... but is it’s a good clickbait 🤣, not sure if it’s the kind of attention u want tho

[@John...44...]

He said it's for a client, and that they paid 6k for it 🤷🏼‍♂️ whether you think it's worth 6k is different

[@matgggg55]

The client must be a rich family member or something lol

[@chrisk1724]

He could have got 10' veneer sheet for about $100 and had a glass smooth top with no seams

[@bananaear23]

@Dorian Gray inspired?

[@Mysha0726]

I highly doubt he need or wants a 10ft table.

[@samponette3306]

Dorian Gray you do not have to read it...

[@thatwaggoner074]

Or just buy a used table and make it from there

[@horatioswrld]

Wouldn’t you atleast joint the boards so you don’t need that much putty for the seams???

[@mariannerady1137]

Fabulous! Thanks for breaking all of this down, perfect example of how to do commissions. Very inspiring!

[@predator-20244]

simple, creative, well deserve the price...its not about the cost, its about unique handmade creative design table. Bravo

[@IMEEMADE]

Your videos are always full of information, but I like this one a lot. It's neat to hear you perspectives on why you chose materials and your thought process on setting expectations for a commissioned piece.

[@smascarenhas33]

6000 bucks is wayy too much for this level of craftsmanship and materials. Jimmy McGill's Cocobolo desk costed 7 grand

[@davidmitchell5638]

Oh Jimmy and his cocobolo desk!

[@irfancooking298]

man i just watched the show!!

[@danielskaska]

aahahaha love the reference

[@rafeejoy8697]

I still wonder how did they got that table inside his office :D

[@ok-hd4so]

da boss can sock me

[@thiagofrsilva]

Thanks SO MUCH for the honesty in this video. This kind of inside info in invaluable, and something people don't do at all. And to go into your pricing like this, seriously helpful material. We tend to undervaluate ourselves, and this is such an important part of business.

[@Pwn3dbyth3n00b]

The fact someone spent 6 grand for a plywood table blows my mind.

[@HomeMadeModern]

the idea that people buy furniture instead of having fun making it themselves blows my mind but happy to be part of mutually beneficial business deals.

[@craftsmanceramics8653]

@@HomeMadeModern I would be pretty upset if my $6000 table was made from any kind of plywood. For how much you spent on maple plywood; you could have used real maple. I follow your channel, a real wood top glue up is way outside your skill and tool set available to you.

[@toomars1301]

Very creative...enjoyed the video! Thanks for posting!

[@TommyShlong]

I hope your customer doesn't see this video. That's quite the mark-up for a tabletop that's not high quality.

[@chrismoore9997]

You are too polite. It is horrible. The plywood is fine, but the joinery is the worst.

[@antoniot4025]

Welding technique, accurancy and finish...

[@EatPezzzz]

@@antoniot4025 Flux core welding to boot!

[@wandakowalski7063]

Ben, you make the welding look SO easy! Thanks so much for your generosity in sharing your ideas, techniques and especially for the design notes at the end. You are such a nice person for doing this!

[@cammyers2910]

Project looks great, but I’m so bothered by the fact that you can feel okay selling something covered in four dollar spray paint which I know for a fact (both from personal and professional experience) is not good quality, for 6000$. I’d just feel crummy doing that. Even if the client preferred the plywood top I’d drop the price down to like 2000$. 1500$ for design and labor is still a solid pay out. 5500$ is just a total rip off.

[@chrismoore9997]

Yes! The least he could do was take that metal to a fab shop that could powder-coat it. Even in my backwater burg of a town, there are three shops that could do a good job of it for not a lot of money.

[@ayeeeeewrc]

I mean, if the client wants to pay that much, then let them pay that much.

[@eckee]

It’s client’s fault. Don’t blame this guy. It’s his job, not charity.

[@mosusumedikenneth5203]

I guess everyone charges what they are worth.

[@Gitnardoproductions]

Can't hate on his grind, while he makes 6k for 1 table you'll make 3 tables for the same price

[@bobbypiper6636]

As an industrial designer and craftsman I applaud you on the design. Very sustainable design with modern lines and simplicity. The value is always in both the confidence of the builder and ability of the designer. Your not paid $6000 for the actually table, but the years spent perfecting your craft. :)

[@roynielsen1911]

Thanks for going over the design considerations, it was very informative. It sounds like you gave the client exactly what they were looking for and they have the option to change the top in the future.

[@TheAMavk]

Appreciate the design thoughts at the end, table looks great!

[@fdekr9643]

Watching this as a german professional carpenter really gives me headaches, it would have been really easy and quick to do this in a proper workshop (i get that you don't have that but i really don't understand your client here)

[@mky3003]

Ich wollte sowas auch schreiben... Ich bin leider kein gelernter Tischler, sondern nur ambitionierter Hobbytischler und darf daher auch keine Möbel bauen bzw. verkaufen, aber für 6000$ könnte jemand von mir mehr erwarten, als DAS.. Massivholz, pulverbeschichtete Beine, ...

[@ThomasT1980]

@@mky3003 Genau

[@marcusmetzkow7987]

Was hat der denn da zusammengeschustert?

[@RushFred]

Sieht ja alles ganz schön aus aber die Holzplatte sollte schon Vollmaterial sein für den Preis .

[@ceeg93]

Ich hätte zumindest eine 3m multiplex platte genommen und nicht gestückelt.

[@DD-uf2uo]

My thinking is: you and the customer agreed on Everything that was to be used (materials, design ect.) and the price, so I see NO problem. KEEP the customer HAPPY !!!!

[@WhenWillILearn]

I feel like there are going to be a lot of comments from people who don't really understand the difference between the value of materials and the value of design

[@MatthewBowe]

THIS^^^

[@ZeoCyberG]

Absolutely, most people have no appreciation for labor, art, craftsmanship, customization, cost of the tools and skill set required, and just getting something unique and not mass produced. But that's why most of the stuff in stores are junk and the trades have nearly died out...

[@is6781]

These same people couldnt even build a box let alone design one

[@is6781]

I do agree though - a nicer wood than plywood would have looked far more premium.

[@HomeMadeModern]

Link to the table I made for Gary V: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5TNiYqee8d4btU Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/benjaminuyeda/ Rust-oleum Rusty Metal Primer www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Stops-Rust-12-oz-Flat-Rusty-Metal-Primer-Spray-7769830/202056392 Rust-oleum Protective Enamel in Gloss White www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Stops-Rust-12-oz-Protective-Enamel-Gloss-White-Spray-Paint-7792830/100125235 Forney Welder: amzn.to/38hoH3T Ryobi Circular Saw www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Cordless-Brushless-7-1-4-in-Circular-Saw-Tool-Only-P508/301848641 Ryobi Drill + Driver www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-2-Tool-Combo-Kit-w-Drill-Driver-Impact-Driver-2-1-5-Ah-Batteries-Charger-and-Bag-P1817/309659483 Ryobi Angle Grinder www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Cordless-Brushless-4-1-2-in-Cut-Off-Tool-Angle-Grinder-Tool-Only-P423/301853890 Ryobi Palm Router www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Cordless-Fixed-Base-Trim-Router-Tool-Only-with-Tool-Free-Depth-Adjustment-P601/206955202 Ryobi Orbital Sander www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Cordless-5-in-Random-Orbit-Sander-Tool-Only-P411/205975756 Varathane Water Based Polyurethane www.homedepot.com/p/Varathane-8-oz-Clear-Matte-Water-Based-Interior-Polyurethane-262075/305587649

[@alexreid4131]

Heads up your link to the Forney Welder in your description is the same link as for the Rust-oleum. Copy and paste issue I'm guessing.

[@alexreid4131]

Actually you've done the same copy and paste for the Rust-oleum in this comment as well.

[@noahno]

Prob “sold” the table to his own company for $6k and then wrote it off as a business expense 😂

[@hittinlicks1512]

You’re a genius. BRB going to make a table 😂

[@peterciepiela8459]

I bet client feels real special watching this :-)

[@martintomlinson5355]

Wow chill people... 6k so what if the client can afford it and is willing to pay that amount of money to one of the mentioned websites for a production table whats the difference. Apart from no one else will have the same table obviously. The client researched what they wanted and approached the artist they wanted to make it, this been Ben!! a maker who they knew would have the artistic design ability to create the product they wanted. U smashed it Ben 👌 great content as always 👏 👌 haters gonna hate...

[@saticharlie]

I understand, but still, critics is important for improvement, and the «normal» plywood top woll not age well, the only value of this ply is in the last maple sheet, i think russian plywood, for a 200$ (or less) in material would have made a better product. By you are right

[@regu8488]

the price is not the real problem, the lack of attention to the details is. did you saw those joints dude? ahaha what a fanboy, be real

[@JSGilbert]

6 Grand for plywood? I need me some clients like that.

[@jwatkins123]

Exactly what I was thinking!

[@McFlysGarage]

Dude. Seriously.....

[@Weird_guy79]

customers with more dollars then sense.

[@SurferKenTV3]

Watching this makes it easier to understand why modern furniture prices are so high. Very labor intensive to say the least.

[@greglautz8470]

With the exception of the legs, if you feel this project was labor-intensive as a woodworking project, you must not have watched actual fine Woodworkers on KZbin

[@pbbonano4136]

2020 Robin Hood! He steals from the rich to give himself

[@sdleakey]

The level of craftsmanship for that kind of commission is woefully out of balance. As a client I never would have accepted the build quality. Weird rough ends of the metal bars (why didn't you butt the connecting pieces onto the spine pieces??), absolutely atrocious joinery... You're giving people false hope that this is an achievable commission with putting in the absolute bare minimum of effort. If I saw this video as the client, I would be extremely disappointed. Do better!

[@ashleypierce8500]

Scott Leakey you didn’t watch to the end. Your criticisms are unfounded and rude.

[@user-nk6lk4ik3p]

You obviously don’t know what fine furniture quality is

[@ashleypierce8500]

The long and short is the table wasn't made for you. You didn't buy it (obviously) but again your criticisms are rude. You can express YOUR OPINION without rudeness.

[@ashleypierce8500]

No I’m speaking to Scott

[@axegrinder3746]

"absolutely atrocious joinery." I agree completely, the 1/4 inch gap filled with who knows what right?. Spline, glue and clamp the pieces before joining them for god's sake. The joinery is very questionable if it will even stay together depending on what adhesive he used and the completely improper glue up. I would bet he never put any adhesive on both surfaces! 40 lb. cement blocks stacked two even levels high on every inch would have been the way to go, I happen to have many but,....the clamping was uneven and not even close to being right no matter what. it will de-laminate for sure before too long. The builder needs to do some research on many aspects of building imho. Nothing personal just, wow!

[@lseh]

You can’t dismiss the cost of your tools and additional supplies to get the job done. They still factor in to the cost so saying $500 isn’t fully truthful, never mind the time put into it, when your talking about cost vs selling value. The table is beautiful and the future thinking is very smart! I’m sure they are very happy customers. 🥰 Nicely done

[@user-nk6lk4ik3p]

I agree with most of the comments here. I to own a fine architectural mill work company. We work with a lot of architects to build bespoke fixtures, both modern and contemporary. The overall design is very cool, but the execution is what’s lacking. There is a reason my shop cost me over 100k in machines and a certified spray booth to produce what we do. Again, the consensus I see is that the design is great, and I think he did a great job with the design, but the craftsmanship is lacking. And food for thought, you can order oversized plywood so you don’t have any seams - but that is custom from a mill

[@bradwad]

I wouldn't be surprised seeing this as what someone who had a home workshop and did it for a hobby

[@musgrovebarry]

Aren't we going down the road here of modern art and "my 3 year old could have done that"?

[@OzzyOwnsAll]

I don’t know much, but what I do know is if someone paid $6000 for that table I am in the wrong business and there really is a sucker born every minute

[@Unc_Talks]

I love that he charged around what stores charge. As a person with no talent in this area, I expect a "handmade" modern 9 foot table to be at least $5k (as he explained) Get your money man.. lol

[@MrAndi1281]

but stores have completetely different cost structures that a KZbinr

[@shadypalmtree2989]

Except you can get a solid wood 9ft table from a store for the same price. No way I would pay that much for plywood. It’s insane.

[@pwoodson21]

someone paid $6,000 for a table that came already sagging lol

[@toosas]

Bloody hell, you ripped somebody off

[@kelvinmwangi1869]

This is amazing and I love how you explained your choice of using steel as opposed to a wooden base

[@AllDayDan]

Plywood and can sprayed metal for 6k. Big yikes for who ever paid for that 😂

[@Jonasmonasonas]

True

[@johandavid9774]

I am pretty sure you did not watch the whole video.

[@WuschelofDespair]

Creighton Daggett that’s why people like you and me won’t make the big bucks, we‘re too honest. However there’s also the problem, that if you‘re good at something you stop to see how hard it is for others and undersell your work because you think „I’m not doing that much“ when I’m reality you should also be paid for the time you spent learning your craft

[@Mixwell1983]

@@WuschelofDespair i tend to do that with projects or jobs, undersell myself. I built a wooden gate between a walkway on the side of a friends house and only charged $80 for labor. Built a $40 in materials solid leopold style bench from 2x8s for myself in about 1 1/2 hours that was easy and fun. My mom said I should make some and sell em for $150 but I felt like $80 retail wasnt bad. $40 profit for less than 2 hours work. Again probably grossly under selling myself

[@axegrinder3746]

@Creighton Daggett exactly!

[@gislo]

I liked that you added the comments towards the ends, regarding solid wood top and regarding the visible cuts...

[@ThePaulus2010]

great idea 💡 on the legs.. really liked them.. thanks for sharing! I do find it a bit far fetched that your client would pay that much for the wood putty filled top.. but hey.. I would sell them all day long if there were customers for it!.. if all parties are happy with it why not... but i am also blown away by the prices they sell stuff for in the USA..

[@ThePaulus2010]

@Dorian Gray I am not bitch slapping anyone.. I gave my personal opinion that I would not pay 6g for it.. but also in the same sentence would sell them all day long if I could. I am blown away by prices in the usa /etsy.. again my personal opinion.. i have made all my own furnature and haven't put it out there like Ben does.. its far from perfect! and defenitly not sell worthy too other people.. calling me a keyboard warrior is easy from behind your keyboard.. personal question to you is.. would you pay 6G for a table like that..? knowing you would get a Ben original. but with wood putty filled top..? you all might be rich or something but 6G is a lot of money.. and even more than all the tools I own.. I love Ben's ideas and how he goes about it. and people can price it for what they want..

[@toby1kenobe]

Why didnt you spend more time, getting the joints tighter on the top? Those were big gaps.

[@MrEnderCreeper1337]

Coz this guy is a rip off. That's a $2000 table at most and with that level of workmanship even that's a stretch. Those gaps were a joke.

[@jacqueschamma3045]

@Dorian Gray exactly, he's not a woodworker so this table could never be sold at 6k *as it is*. What people are saying is that on that kind of objects and price tags, details count. If you're about to spend 6k, you'll be paying attention to details! Not just the overall design...

[@chrismoore9997]

@Dorian Gray - are you the customer that got robbed blind buying this table? I think I could make one like it but do it better. Where is my $6k?

[@SickFerrusquia]

Dorian Gray I make custom furniture, if you’re interested in a table like this I can make it an any dimensions and have it shipped out to you

[@asthecitysleepsofficial]

Dorian Gray for $6000 he better be a more competent woodworker than this lol

[@wardprocter2371]

Nice build. I like the base, shows what can be accomplished with some design skills and a cheap welder. Just wondering if using hardwood edging on the top was a consideration? The exposed plywood edges just don’t do it for me, especially at this price point.

[@oscargarcia-android]

You are a very creative person. Thanks for sharing.

[@purplealice]

The arrangement of steel rods is beginning to look like a locomotive cow-catcher :-)

[@TracksWithDax]

Love the design notes Ben! They give a lot of insight into the choices you make

[@addm15]

Gonna start on my own desk, your channel has been an inspiration!

[@UnableToSpeak92]

I bet that client loves this video

[@Mitrasmit]

Your asking price is on point, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It might be interesting though next time to do more of an asking price breakdown rather than material breakdown, as it allows you to explain to these couch heroes how there's more than materials - you don't only pay for the time it took to craft it, you also pay for the 10 years of design experience it took you to get here. For the completely personalized and involved design (the absolute worst thing for a client to add to a process). For the nights where you maybe lie awake considering design options. For last month, where you did not have any commission piece paying the bills. For the area you live in, which is both rather expensive and rather remote, if I'm not mistaken. All they're seeing now is a $5500 profit, and you owe it to yourself to come out of such an honest video with a better image.

[@millanferende6723]

Guys here complaining, how many things have you earned commissioning? The client paid this much for it and is happy. The other tables were also 5000-7000, this is a fine price for what it is.

[@alexreid4131]

*HomeMadeModern* Thanks for sorting out the Forney Welder link. I want to buy one but wanted to make sure you get your kick back for the purchase ;-)

[@HomeMadeModern]

thank you!

[@alexreid4131]

@@HomeMadeModern Of course. Keep up the great content mate.

[@michaelmerrill7510]

Thank you for this. This is really motivating for post B Arch students. The pricing segment is really informative!

[@warpman74]

Great video! Love the combination of the build and then breaking down the design and thought process, thanks for sharing!

[@davidd5269]

Well done video. Perfect tutorial. Concise. Happy customers. Inspirational. Ignore the haters. Like someone else said "haters gonna hate". Keep the content coming!

[@johndavidalexander6646]

I can't believe someone paid 6k for that.

[@HomeMadeModern]

To a certain extent I understand your point. I would not pay $6000 for any sort of table but I am not everyone and Restoration Hardware does over $2 BILLION in sales a year with furniture at this price point. I wouldn’t pay $1000 for sneakers either but I know a lot of people who do. A product is worth what a consumer and producer agree. I don’t think I could sell 100 of these tables a year but I get about 5-10 custom commission requests a month and I filter that done to about 3-4 projects a year. I pick the commissions that are the best fit creatively and financially. The idea of the client being called stupid in youtube comments made me laugh. There are some really well educated hardworking successful people out there that like the idea of something be made just for them. I told them to check out the comment sections of the video and am totally comfortable with people having their own ideas about value and price. From a business perspective I don’t want to use custom labor to get a slight profit margin off of materials. I want to get paid for ideas and design and so I built my business to do just that. How about you make a table out of solid oak or walnut. I will pay for the materials. I will build a table out of plywood. we will put them up for sale and see whose table sells for more.

[@emersonmellado5617]

@@HomeMadeModern i can´t believe someone like sebastian didn´t see your work here. U Rock.

[@johndavidalexander6646]

@@HomeMadeModern compared to some of the other "high end" tables that you showed as other options for your client, I think yours is a bargain at 6k. I think my comment may have been misunderstood, I merely struggle to put myself in the mindset of someone who would invest that kind of money in a table, regardless of the design.

[@monsterbarbell8306]

@@johndavidalexander6646 I would guess you are from a working class/blue collar background? Money has a different meaning to people (myself included) in our class bracket, backing expendable income to spend on custom furniture, cars, holiday homes or any cosmetic item is foreign to people who just want to pay Bill's and have a nice holiday every year/take care of their family.

[@TheAstronomyDude]

@@HomeMadeModern Two words for you: Jimmy DiResta. You're an absolute genius for moving to California. Anywhere else on the planet and you'd be broke with zero clients.

[@SSC.CGL_BANK.PO_WITH_CHURAMANI]

I'm impressed by the thumbnail.👍

[@stamx_]

HMM: I made a $6000 table with $500 in material! Apple: Amateur.

[@JHA854]

You could inlay some steel between each plywood board on top to make a feature out of the seams

[@jodyclaborn]

I agree totally! I initially was thinking of a contrasting wood, but I like your idea with the steel much better.

[@ChapmanWW]

Only thing that matters: "client was happy". Tons of bitter folks in the comments.

[@LifeOnHoth]

It's a nice table, and it's a cool design, and client is happy. Unfortunately that doesn't mean the client will show you off to other potential clients. Instead of "client is ok with that" doesn't mean you don't go home and think hard what to do better next time.

[@Eric-469]

The client being happy doesn't mean he or she didn't get scammed. It's a cool project, but not $6k cool.

[@asulliv1954]

If you can find a sucker to pay go for it I’m sure the client was happy!!lol

[@user-hd8ej8yx9p]

It’s not bitterness to witness a crime and be upset that it has occurred. Right?

[@fabes9500]

Great job, Ben! Thanks for the sharing and inspiration. Appreciate the hard work behind this video.

[@StudioJohm]

Good for you! I'm glad some design work gets appreciated. The video was very interesting to watch!

[@HomeMadeModern]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Nick_Tippett]

$500 in materials to make a $500 table is correct description.

[@snorredyhr708]

6000 dollars is too much for a table where you had to fill cracks with puddy.

[@ChrisPage68]

Putty. 🤦

[@AnEvolvingApe]

I would have filled them with a line of epoxy with white or pearl coloring.

[@HomeMadeModern]

@@AnEvolvingApe I suggest it but the client thinks that epoxy is tacky.

[@AnEvolvingApe]

@@HomeMadeModern I guess mother of pearl inlay then? I actually like the table a lot (and your aesthetic in general) but I just feel there should be one more bit of detail on it.

[@snorredyhr708]

You shouldn't have to fill at crack with anything because there shouldn't be a crack in a table for 6k Pardon my English I'm Danish

[@troyanfrancis4642]

Hey Home Made never mind these comments bro I learnt a lot form this video thanks.

[@TallGuyDIY]

Bandana Ben, distant cousin of Prison Mike from Scranton PA.

[@pankajkumarchoudhary436]

Hhhgggggggg7uio

[@tythrutime]

I love you for this

[@fredthebasspro2256]

Those of you freaking out over the seemingly expensive price-tag are thinking about it the wrong way entirely. The proper way to view this situation starts with everything that happened before and leading up to this sale, and that of course is *years of hard work building skills / experience and a successful KZbin channel / business which ultimately leads to clients being interested in purchasing something from him and is precisely why this man becomes able to command a price of $6,000 for his labor, expertise, creative vision, materials, etc.* (which might I add, is not unreasonable considering similar products readily available on the market currently - as was shown in the video). *This is the same reason why you can't, and didn't, sell a ply-wood table for $6,000.* Your jealousy is showing and it's not attractive. 💯

[@neemaborji9993]

Your “client” has more dollars than sense

[@tnasty3619]

don't listen to the haters, the table looks great and the legs steal the show. not all tables need to be slabs

[@motionlessmerc8936]

wow, they got ripped off, lol, 6000 for a plywood top thats not even joined properly...lol

[@yaelurtusastegui2774]

@Dorian Gray it's a nice table, but definitely not 6k. When buying a 6k table you should expect at least some high end hardwood tabletop instead of plywood.

[@patrickdunn8918]

I love the design, and the finished product, and cannot believe some of the comments.

[@DMonZ1988]

lol, literally everyone else, i hear ya. while it is very steep, remember these are austrailan pesos and if we're generous and say that including consulting time and a few design proposals, grinding, sanding and finishing this took 30 hours, thats 150AUD/hour labour cost, and as a self employed person Ben has to pay income tax, health and accident insurance himself, so you can halve that. convert to your currency of choice, and you can see what he's really getting.

[@DuncanRenovates]

I wish I could "like" your comment more than just once.... Nobody shows in their videos all the hours and hours of setup. Especially the welding -- cleaning that many parts properly can take several hours, and it's tedious. That's only one piece of the project. Of course, anybody who's convinced it's a weekend project -- go for it! He freely posted the design, the tool list, the part list and the step-by-step instructions. There is NOTHING stopping any of us from recreating what he built, improving it and charging less. Please, start a channel and show us what you come up with.

[@aaronvanhoucke2065]

I live in Belgium a self employed woodworker in Belgium that ask €50/hour is already considered expensive.

[@MrAndi1281]

can you explain to me why "australian pesos". i thought he lives in the USA?

[@TheAstronomyDude]

@@MrAndi1281 yeah he lives and works in California.

[@MrAndi1281]

@@TheAstronomyDude so no "Australien Pesos" ??

[@bernhardvandenende7292]

people complaining about an 11x markup, please take a look at your phone and think about the markup on that thing. Awesome work!

[@lukasdon0007]

The table would look much better with a large bevel on the underside (like you see on many mid century tables). It makes the top look thinner and lighter than it is, and instantly scores you bonus points for sleek looks and professional design.

[@WillBao]

Agree with the folks who are recognizing and seeing the video to the end, the value-add is all in the design and pretty concentrated in the legs. I loved that you’ve built this to the lifecycle of what the client is expecting. Please keep these up! Only suggestion, you should do a welding intro series, there’s nothing good in the area I’ve found. Love to see your take on it.

[@120Livi]

I hope the client watches this and reads the comments. If you do and you're reading this you're a fool and have been taken for a ride.

[@neko77025]

Amen

[@HomeMadeModern]

I sent them the link. you do realize that $6000 is not a lot of money to a lot of people and restoration hardware sells 2 billion worth of furniture a year at this price point.

[@is6781]

You also don’t factor in his labour time and skill. Many people are happy to pay for things outside of their expertise even if it is a lot for you it probably isnt a lot for the client in this case.

[@rodanvsandrew]

@@HomeMadeModern Your pricing is entirely reasonable. I think some of these commenters are forgetting that your time is a factor in pricing as well as your experience in designing a product that can be built. Also, I assume you have a business, with some amount of overhead to account for such as electrical, marketing, business administration time such as client development, accounting, registration/filings. Add to that, in the end, a margin of profit. You've done just fine, and I think this is a great video. Product pricing is complicated and you've been generous to outline some of your steps and costs, some people won't accept the learning opportunity you've given here, but that's a part of what it takes to change from hobbyist to running a profitable, respected business.

[@chrisray1567]

How was the client taken for a ride? They explicitly asked for the inexpensive table top because it was intended for use with young children. The client got exactly what they wanted and were willing to pay for it.

[@asthecitysleepsofficial]

I’m impressed you found someone who would pay $6000 for a table with a plywood top lol

[@patschwab4083]

Ben, the leg design is cool. It's the clients' money and if they are happy with their one of a kind table that is all that matters here.

[@tiredx9762]

Genius design. Will definitely give it a try once I get my Weilding machine. Thank you.

[@RaphaelAguirre]

Very cool table. Price is right for a custom job. I'd have the feet black, but that's just a personal taste. Great work :)

[@RaphaelAguirre]

@Dorian Gray if you gonna have a wood floor and wood top and a white wall, black would make them pop. I agree with you tho, they are the star of the show!

[@mustafashamsi6426]

Amazing Job Buddy you are an amazing Designer and also creative don't get into their words. Keep Creating and Stay motjvated !!

[@Nick-hm9rh]

Imagine paying 6 k for an plywood table.

[@GenXeroFilms]

Imagine having THE MONEY to actually buy a plywood table for 6k.

[@Nick-hm9rh]

@Dorian Gray Someones here offended. Sorry for the Typo. English is not my first language. My mother Language is German. If your german is as good as my English we can Conversate in that!

[@Nick-hm9rh]

@Dorian Gray so? Your point?

[@dave2379]

For everyone complaining about the choice of plywood, he explains its at 13:20

[@ModernBuilds]

Keep doing design notes!!

[@HomeMadeModern]

That's the plan! thanks Mike! the bus series is awesome!

[@indovonne]

More bus videos, Mike! it's a great joy seeing the skoolie being put together. If Malaysia is not such hot country and the streets are safer, i will consider a skoolie for road trips too. The legs design is fabulous!! Looking forward to more of such custom designs, Ben.

[@user-hd8ej8yx9p]

the legs are a crazy good design. should have paid someone to make a nice top then put them together and make your money like any general contractor.

[@jonabub]

It's just hilarious how you try to make 500 quit in materials that could have been gotten for way less look good by contrasting it with 6000 which is just exaggerated. I hope the client was too rich to care and considers it a piece of art otherwise this is a dickish move.

[@danguarino3814]

Lol. i think anyone dropping 6k on a table is doing alright..

[@ThisDoeb]

Great video and amazing design! I also really appreciate talking thru how you priced it and the whole process. Thanks!

[@Mobile_Dom]

11x markup on material costs, damn. im not having a go, that's impressive, and your time is with something as is your experience.

[@Selendryle]

Materials are one thing, the time and labor spent creating it is another. But that's still pretty ridiculous.

[@Ace-zb5xr]

You can't use the standard markup pricing for custom work you've never made before. You never know what you'll run into, what complications will occur, how things change etc

[@garenne0169]

i love your approach to make great things with few "simple" tools. it's the better way to stimulate creativity. but i notice one thing with my little experince of DIY : Behind simple stuff there are often a ton of reflexions and design. Congrats

[@998robzombie]

he's using a marble table as a price reference for his table of plywood, what a joke

[@final_cut_]

Hey man, if you can think of a better way to sell a 500 dollar table for 6000, you should try that.

[@IIBLANKII]

@@final_cut_ or not be a conman, like sell your product with a decent markup, and not sell a 500$ table that will last a month at a 1200% markup

[@listigerlurch2575]

hahahah just thought the same. First one: solid oak / Second one: Marble. wtf haha

[@2485williams]

Dude! People likely you have restored my faith in humanity.

[@MikeFaneros]

Great build. I wouldn't want that table (not my style), but I know there are people who do. As for people crying out about cost, think about the cost of the food you are eating when you go to a high-priced restaurant. The material cost is not much; you can buy the same materials for much less if you could make the meal. You are paying for the expertise of the cook and waiter, the atmosphere, and the luxury of not doing it yourself. Think about the cost of that bottle of beer next time you go to the bar; you could pay a little more and get a six pack at the store. Lastly, the choice of plywood was the client's not necessarily the maker's. He offered a hardwood top and they declined.

[@v1m30]

The problem isn't making custom furniture but finding a customer willing to pay thousands of dollars for it.

[@frankiewalnuts]

6k with those joints lol - would have been better of painting the top satin white and leaving the exposed ply on the edges and hiding those joins

[@____julia____]

Did you listen to his design notes?

[@user-nk6lk4ik3p]

Honestly I never comment, but as a professional shop owner for 20 years, I would never let that leave my shop. If my employees use wood filler like that then they have failed to set up a machine properly or just plain don’t care.

[@livelyosprey]

@Dorian Gray you dont need to be a top tier craftsman to know that a seamed plywood table is not $6k

[@seonjie]

@@____julia____ is not about the design, for a table , 6k for plate wood is a joke

[@treasend4126]

i love the look of the legs, so ultra modern

[@bobdickweed]

Somepeople pay $1000 for a smart phone and 3 years later need to buy a new one..this table will last, i would say 23 years maybe 36..well worth it..i still would make my own

[@amorphous14]

Those are some accurate times for failure!

[@mars8044]

Congrats Mr HMM . Really enjoyed watching your craft. Some great design.