I Might Lose Your Respect After Making This Furniture

[@mattnev8930]

Just an observation. Given you started your video bemoaning Bunnings and stating you try to avoid it like the plague. Your clamps Craftright and Trojan Bunnings exclusive brands. Your drivers Kango exclusive Bunnings brand. Trojan tape measure, Empire squares, Irwin mitre saw... Bunnings exclusive brands. Tactics storage boxes are Bunnings brands. Your shop vac Ryobi ... Bunnings exclusive brand.... I see a pattern forming... Look we all know the big green shed is hard to avoid and I know I'm not going to pay stupid prices for tools and materials just because. A heads up for all trades out there brands including Kango, Empire, Hart, Ryobi, AEG, Milwaukee are all owned by a company called TTI Techtronic Industries in Hong Kong. If you want to do Australia a favour avoid these brands. If you want to support Australian brands try to buy Kincrome, P&N, Carbitool, Sutton Tools. The last two actually still make a large chunk of their range here in Australia.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Absolutely, it’s tough to argue with the low price when you just need something quick, especially consumables. But hopefully videos like this will highlight the concerns with the store so people make better choices than I did years ago, before I learnt the extent of their shady business practices. Thanks for the list of brands, that’s great info for everyone!

[@pdog1681]

Avoid Kinchrome, far too expensive for the worst quality of tools and toolboxes I’ve ever owned.

[@Low760]

@@pdog1681 I agree. They are still Chinese made and Sealy brand in u.k offer the same tools as kinchrome, so are they really Australian owned?

[@cinobro6393]

While Carbitool and Sutton Tools / P&N (to an extent) make their products in Australia Kincrome do not and their quality on most products has suffered in the past decade or two in my opinion. Many other brands are also just importers selling rebranded products. While I love my Sutton tool drill bits / taps I try and either buy used or shop around to avoid giving too much of my business to one major retailer (Who are basically owned by large companies or a very rich family anyway...). Most budget / cheap tools all come from the same factory and alot of the time you are really just choosing the same thing in a different colour...

[@cinobro6393]

Also a tip to save some cash, it's not just the budget brands that directly share suppliers and rebrand products, so do premium brands. Diablo impact bits? Same as bosch... Milwaukee sockets? Made by their parent company TTI and available in the same sets. Shop around and look for idential products.

[@Nerdificationing]

Bunnings is great - that table looks great. Don't be too much of a furniture snob, there are people who are not rich enough for fancy furniture but don't want cheap and nasty stuff. This is a great middle ground!

[@daveamies5031]

Precisely this 👍 I hate disposable anything, I expect any cloths I buy to last at least 5-10 years with regular use, shoes to last at least 2 years (I walk ~5 km a day for exercise, so they should come with this) and furniture should last several decades, cheap junk particle board stuff disintegrates if it gets wet and fails this test.

[@tiborpastor72]

I don't want to speak for Robin but he's not being a furniture snob. His commentary explains about his issue with Bunnings. For me I make furniture not as a business but as a hobby and sometimes I sell a piece but the ripple effect of Bunnings pricing AND quality means other businesses suffer in particular the suppliers and once we get past a certain threshold for them. We will have a lot less businesses competing and supplying. Which means the pricing you/we now enjoy will no longer necessary for Bunnings to hold. We will only have very niche timber suppliers left, with their very niche but necessary pricing. Having cheaper but quality furniture is a market already covered in the industry, unfortunately most are manufacturing outside of Australia and then importing in order to be competitive. For a small one man shop, this just isn't financially viable or practical. Understandably it's difficult to tell quality import from mass produced low quality for a buyer. For Robin and others our only option is to carve out a name as a bespoke studio, creating heirloom furniture. By that I mean furniture that gets passed down from generation to generation, rather than ending up on verge collections when it's veneered chipboard can't hold together any more. That's where he wants to move with his business (assumption).

[@leonandrews2668]

I understand where he's coming from - for those not in Australia, Australia is a land of monopolies or duopolies, leading to worse outcomes for consumers (Qantas/Virgin, Coles/Woolies, Real Estate/Domain, Bunnings /Masters .... oh hang on, even with massive backing they couldn't compete). It's incredibly frustrating and not wanting to contribute to that is understandable.

[@reubenmowbray6640]

Definitely Festool track saws are worth their weight in gold. I was skeptical at first and avoided buying for awhile but I haven't looked back! Love the video too - great editing and good info.

[@stephensayers4998]

I must agree. I have used a festool since buying my makita and I really wish I had spent the extra. For a hobby, the makita is fine, but from a business perspective, you really want the best you can get for accuracy and longevity

[@bobbyg8474]

I love the way you are using clamps and extra timber to hold the legs up and brace in place, etc

[@colinwilson8747]

As has already been mentioned in the comments - Get yourself a Good secondhand Festool tracksaw. There are plenty available at the moment [ have a lot of users of this tool like me upgraded to the TS 60K with the larger blade?]. And of course a Festool dust extractor as well - they just work so well together. I have tried the Makita and Bosch track saws. Both good but the Festool is just that much better and a joy to use.

[@snackedonjack]

I battled for years with diy track saw. Picked up a corded second hand festool track saw. Game changer. Super precise. Has adjustments that make it easy to keep it that way. With a vac attached very little dust. Gives me great joy every time I get to use it. Almost every nut bolt and screw is available to fix it when it breaks and are not too expensive.

[@NBag32]

I started out with the Bayer from Sydney Tools, which was ok, but I found a bit inaccurate and had a terrible splinterguard which I eventually replaced with a festool splinterguard. That being said, I too picked up a second hand festool track saw and never looked back.

[@seanalexander9531]

It's almost impossible to avoid Bummings these days. If you're doing your best to source outside of them and occasionally using their stuff, you're doing better than many others. Great job mate 🙌

[@resinatewoodco832]

Nice one Robin. I certainly don’t loose any sleep over shopping at Bunnings if and when I need to. If that is what the client wants, it makes them happy, then that is what they get, also no doubt there were financial constraints, especially in our current climate. You made something that was, simple, nice, affordable for that client and put money in your pocket. Job done…. Next please 🤘🏼

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks man!

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

100% this. I was a plumber that worked on commission; it wasn’t about what I wanted, it was about the customer’s needs and desires. Sometimes finances beat creativity, but other times it’s the other way around.

[@garethkortegast7002]

I use a festool battery track saw and it's awesome, but i do wish I went for the corded option instead of battery. I use it 75% in my workshop where cords aren't an issue and only 25 % for site work. For the work a track saw does require a lot of power, and running a cord, in my opinion, isn't that bad.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Good to know, thanks

[@TristanDavey]

As a weekend warrior woodworker one of the challenges I have is having time to source materials. The local timber yards, fastener suppliers and specialist stores aren’t open before I leave for work or after I get home or on weekends. Even the last local hardware store stopped stocking timber years ago. That means I either have to take time off work to source materials or put up with what Bunnings will sell me at 7pm on a weeknight. If I’m buying a lot of materials it’s worth it to take time off work, but for most projects it isn’t. I quietly hate it, in particular because the quality at Bunnings is often so poor, but there’s not much choice.

[@Artzman01]

Wow I have just found your channel. As someone who has taken on the renovations in my own home, learning and doing things for the first time (deck building, casement window restorations, landscaping, pergola building etc).seeing what you with a more limited tools as you work to expanding your set has been excellent and figuring out how to do it alone is so valuable to me! Great stuff mate. You have a new fan.

[@jeffreytaylor1787]

Hay boet, you did good , table looks great for what the client wanted , that simple, we do what the client wants and that's all that matters creativity can come when the business is bigger, remember to have fun

[@jasondoust4935]

Great video, thanks! I know everybody loves their Festool and Makita track saw, (and only because they're terrific.) But as a alternative view point, I borrowed a mates Ozito track saw to trim down a new front door. It was really precise and a pleasure to use. It made cutting a door that was 3mm wider at the bottom to fit the out-of-plumb jamb easy.

[@karbon4542]

I too have an Ozito tracksaw and have been extremely impressed with its accuracy and the cleanness of the cut. IMO easily worth the $200 it cost, and personally I always suggest going cheap to start with and learn what you don't like before spending a lot of money.

[@OneManBandWoodworks]

Track saw - call your Festool rep and ask for a demo, they will bring it to your shop for you to test - don't bother telling them you're a youtuber as Festool Australia don't seem to have grasped the concept of social media yet, just let them know you're a one man custom furniture operation. No respect lost, it's actually uncanny to see your pathway unfolding almost exactly the same as mine did, keep going down the path you're on, it'll lead you to the right place. You have to live through this stuff to fully appreciate the advice people will give. I would've allowed 3 days to build that unit $720x3 + materials with 30% markup on materials. But 10 years ago it would've taken me 2 weeks, been a roller coaster of emotions, a comedy of errors and i too would've been happy with a $700 profit. Just remember, dowels + pocket screws = zero clamps and zero clamping time, just hide them on the unseen face

[@roxaneoosthuizen9815]

My partner is a shop fitter and won't consider any other track saws, he's used a few and saved up for a Festool. Festool's after sale support and quality means you can have it serviced, fixed or source parts if it needs it which saves you money in the long run.

[@OneManBandWoodworks]

@@roxaneoosthuizen9815 festool rep has come over to my garage to provide training, support and even parts or accessories for my various festools, highest level of support I've received from anyone. But then they changed their rep and it went downhill. Still way better than any of the other brands I've dealt with

[@rockmaninov]

I used to really like your home project style videos before your hiatus, but I have to say I've been loving the past couple of client commission videos. It's so cool to watch you fine tune your process and be along for the ride for each one. Thanks for taking us along!

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thank you, this really means a lot. It’s been a natural progression for me, but I understand there’s been a change in the content and it’s not for everyone. Hearing you say that is awesome! Thanks for sticking around

[@TheIdeasGuy]

I have a 36v Makita track saw and I love it. 90% of the work I do is on-site and over the last decade I’ve moved away from corded tools for the most part. Totally worth it in my opinion.

[@delbasidtimbers]

Hey mate, I'd never lose any sleep over this one as you are running a business too and need to make a margin. Not all jobs are going to be fancy. Sometimes some jobs are fast but are great wedgy projects that keep turnover happening. Over time you'll have a balance between simple and complex jobs. The reality is that the Green Hammer Shop can supply certain products at a certain pricepoint. Sometimes that suits certain client's budgets. You'll still support the smaller merchants when you can and budgets support that choice. The box stores never supply any real exotic timbers or many specialised timberworking tools. The outcome was still cool and you had a happy customer.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks man!

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

I don’t have a track saw, but I do have a dowelmax, and it is hands down the best tool for doing dowels. Accurate and repeatable

[@RobinLewisMakes]

You’re not the first person I’ve heard say that, it sounds like a real game changer

[@OneManBandWoodworks]

I have both dominos with over $1800 on accessories for them and the dowelmax, the dominos are gathering dust and holding the door open on a breezy day, the dowelmax is my go to 90% of the time

[@RobinLewisMakes]

@@OneManBandWoodworks oh wow!

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

@@RobinLewisMakes the dowelmax is fantastic and they do work with influencers as well. Contact them if you’re interested

[@robbreriti]

This was cool learning curb I am a joiner by trade and worked for Bunnings for five years your so right if you do not know what you are doing or what you are looking for the young people in there will not be able to help you which is not there fault it’s the company I worked in the trade centre where I looked after builders but I was called to timber desk to help customers with easy questions that these people could not answer. You done really well on the desk I did exactly the same design office desk for my wife

[@angelaharrison2751]

I totally agree. I am not happy with a store having so much power. Haven’t been happy with Bunnings a few times and was dealt with an attitude of tough. So I go to Bowens for big stuff. Aussie company too. Nurseries and markets for plants and no choice- go to Bunnings who is owned by American co

[@fordmangtho351]

Makita or Festool track saws are possibly at the top of the list, and both saws will work on either brands tracks. If on a tighter budget.

[@DavidWalsh-is7mz]

Don't be too hard on yourself. I remember starting my own business and having to take on jobs that were not ideal, but you have to keep the money coming in. I also remember investing every bit of spare profit into an extra piece of equipment that would make life a bit easier for me. Getting a business going from scratch is not easy but stick with it and the rewards will come. Keep up the great videos, Iove watching them.

[@TimberThoughts]

I have a small hobby business (I work full time somewhere else) and I source a MAJORITY of material from Bunnings. Similar to your and other's comments, it becomes quite difficult to source materials during weekends or during workdays at late evening when the local timber yard is not open. As you mentioned if the customers are operating within a budget, we work with that. Another thing to add is the business model you want to work with and your total addressable market - going with better quality timber (read higher priced) adds to the price of your furniture which further reduces your addressable market - so totally depends on what kind of market you want to address and the business you want to build. Just my two cents ! P.S. Loved the video, great job - totally relate to one man workshop and found a relatable channel in Aus..great going !

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks! Going for the higher end seems to be the way to go according to most furniture makers. We’ll never compete in the low end with our prices

[@shiroiokami9]

I just built myself a wall-mounted desk from a Bunnings slab-$200 for the slab and another $100 for the steel. Before buying it, I looked around for slabs from other places. The next closest price I could find in my area was $300. It turns out the place selling it just goes to Bunnings, buys the slabs, removes the SpecRite cardboard, and resells them. The next cheapest option was about $400, but it wasn’t in the color I wanted, so I would have had to stain it. The cheapest slab in the color I wanted was $550. Adding the cost of the metal, I could have just bought a high-quality prebuilt desk.

[@yossiyaari3760]

I very much appreciate this kind of business transparency. good luck moving forward, in finding your artistic voice, and getting well paid to exercise it.

[@diggerdave519]

Great video. Nice simple table. I do like watching other woodworkers and their processes. I do agree about your point that Bunnings can charge stupidly low prices as their profit margin is made up by the sheer quantity that they sell.

[@Swedishstylek]

I can definitely tell you which tracksaw not to get - the Hare & Forbes Scheppach. While definitely not a bad saw by any means (and a great price), the tracks are non-standard, the dust collection is pretty bad and the cut quality leaves a lot to be desired. It will do straight cuts, but that's about it. Definitely go for one of the name brand saws if you're doing it for a business, the scheppach is definitely only a home jobby. Nice work on the table!

[@AdelaideInvigilation]

Robin I usually try a work in 3s if something costs $10 I sell for $30 and that covers things like paying for it and having it on a shelf not selling for a month or two especially if I have to buy a connie from overseas and buy for it before it leaves the port. The thing I say to people starting up in a specialised business that has regular clients is this = its easier to start at a higher price point than increase your prices as you get better and qicker. BUT I also add that if someone is quoted by a long time expert pro 10 hours to do a job, you quote the same EVEN if it takes you 30 hours (this is your learning time, wear it) and you dont whinge and say "well I did spend 30 hours on it" in the future you will be able to do that job in 10 hours and not having to always increase your prices on the way to get there is easier for you in the long run. BTW the big green shed announced it was going to open a store locally, One existing hardware store closed before construction even started and the other is now struggling with half the stock it had.

[@thisoldproperty]

all your comments made a lot of sense. I gasped when I saw screws... and then realised they were temporary. :) I hope the cupping of the boards doesn't come back to bight you.

[@joinerscorner2359]

I've used the bosch corded tracksaw for a while now, tracks are amazing as you don't need a clamp, and super accurate too! I haven't felt any restrictions from it being corded either. Highly recommend, but it's in the same price range as festool!

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks, will take a look

[@splashpit]

If you are In Melbourne “ Tile importers “ do those panels in tassi oak

[@JustTony72]

Thanks for being so transparent. $27 hourly rate. If you could save some time with a track saw them $30 doing what brings you joy. Not bad at all.

[@daveamies5031]

Can't un-subscribe this is the first time I've seen your channel, you have my respect 👍 These days money is tight for many people, it seems to me your client knew she had a limited budget hence the brief, but also she seemed quite realistic in her expectations, so if using a Bunnings product enables you to make something she loves at a price she can afford but enables her to support a local furniture maker where she otherwise might not have been able to, then I consider that a win for you and her. To help you deal with the ethical dilemma of the Bunnings products, ask yourself would it be better if you refused to use Bunnings products, and because of limited funds she went to AMart furniture and bought something plastic laminate over particle board instead? Sometimes taking an ethical high ground can result in a worse outcome.

[@dainermade]

🫡 great video Robin, especially the script 👊

[@jellyvortex]

I'm only doing work around the house atm, but working my skills from diy to business, but I'm finding other places for tools, timber and metal. I just have to finish repairing/replacing the deck first

[@HoneydaleWoodworks]

Problem is that in country Queensland is there are limited places to source materials. This tends to push us to Bunnings if the budget is tight even though the quality of the products is not the best. As for tooling, get the right tools and look after them. Not only will the quality of your work improve, and your efficiency will also improve. I tend to Makita and Festool for power tools.

[@stulawson]

Agreed from having experienced this in FNQ

[@HoneydaleWoodworks]

@@stulawson Yes - thank goodness that you can get good tooling over the net - but not economical to by wood etc over the net.

[@OzSawdustMakers]

Great looking desk. I've taken similar commissions where the customer has seen those cheap bunnings panels and wants to use them. It's always good getting paid but the satisfaction at the end isn't the same.

[@nicharvey7211]

Hey Robin I was going to say go cordless. Thats what i have and i love it. But considering you work with mainly timber, i would go corded. But get a track saw with a deeper cut. The Festool 60 looks the bee knees. And i think it would suit your needs perfectly. I am a festool tracksaw fan, have the cordless, had the corded. I chop MDF all day. The cordless is great for that! You need something with more depth and grunt!

[@lw8882]

Actually you just keep coming out with bangers. As someone looking to build my first things I was wondering if those bunnings panels were viable, and here you are with this video.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks! They really are. I’ve used them in personal projects and they’re great. Depending where you are you can sometimes find more interesting and custom panels at timber yards too

[@jayneal8154]

Nice work! No I think that is pretty normal especially when you are new! But like you said learn and always try to guide your customer to what is better. Keep up the great work!

[@OrangeZXr10R]

I use a corded Bosch saw and tracks ... 2 @ 1200mm and 1 @ 800mm. Also use a Makita and Dewalt track and saw at work .. I much prefer the Bosch

[@adsy6819]

First time watching one of your videos, you’ve earned my sub.

[@woodruffwoodruff6853]

Only 2 tracksaws, Mafell which you can buy in Victoria, or festool. I've got both. Great machines.

[@MitchellMIller-db7gk]

Loved watching your clip mate. I’m a DIY, and don’t have much choice than other to use Bunnings . I have found their wood products are are lacking in quality of late.

[@acquiredtargett6015]

I love my corded Makita track saw. Milwaukee and Bosch makes ones too that I've heard

[@coolabahwoodworking]

Have the corded makita really good bang for your buck. If you have the budget I think the festool is the high end one. But tbh it will take a lot for me to upgrade like the saw breaking or giving in to a festool sponsorship 😂😂😂😂

[@SimonHoning]

Echo the idea about the tracksaw from Hare & Forbes- Scheppach.I've never been spoiled by owning Festool gear so I use this without any remorse.Bought a second track which joins up easily so you can cut huge sheets with it.Wait until they have it on sale-which happens frequently.It'll be the best 300 bucks you've ever spent.

[@delmsie]

The first time I used a proper track saw after using the home made jig. Sold! Fortunately I can borrow my daughter's Track saw. Oh, and I think "eyeball it" not "freeball it" slightly different meaning 🙂

[@nicholasfarley5967]

Have you thought about a dowel jig? I have a Milescraft one. It's great.

[@StevesWoodshopandToolRev-sk7vg]

I built a long counter top in my workshop from a 1 1/2” hardwood top from Home Depot. The main reason was, the material alone would have cost more than the completed top from Home Depot. Sometimes you just have to grit your teeth and do what’s fiscally responsible, love your videos, keep it up !

[@lengerer]

In my experience bunnings is really expensive. Sikaflex polyurethane sealant is $27 and $16 from my regular supplier My glass gripper gloves are $5 and from bunnings $12

[@sirtra]

But but but.. "If you find a stocked item at a cheaper price elsewhere, they'll beat it by 10%" The dirty little secret is that you won't find an identical item as for many items the product sold at bunnings is done in such a way it's a unique item. Eg they may sell a Makita saw blade set which is near identical to a Makita saw blade set sold elsewhere except it might have one more or less blade. A Milwaukee battery pack might be near identical to one elsewhere but may be 3.5Ah instead of 4.0Ah, or sold as a pair instead of individually and thus it's a different item and won't be price matched. It's a shame Bunnings have managed to cultivate a near monopoly on the hardware store market - mitre 10 is the first one that comes to mind and whilst i think there are a few remaining they are essentially like the last blockbuster stores 😂

[@adam03957]

Sydney tools stock a rebranded version of the WEN track saw from what I am aware of as well

[@nielsverhaar6005]

Great little build. I'm not put off shopping at bunnings. Like you, you need to start some where.

[@riversidewoodworks]

Great video mate. I love my 36V makita track saw but since you have dewalt or Bosch batteries I would go with their track saws. Also it’s kind of my thinking when I buy lots of tools. A lot of people might think what I have bought is overkill but every purchase has meant that I can build things more quickly.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

So far it’s been all festool and makita but Bosch is news to me

[@StevesWoodshopandToolRev-sk7vg]

I have a Ridgid and a Milwaukee track saw. I like them both, for me the Ridgid (AEG) is the best track saw for the money

[@NBag32]

As a hobby woodworker struggling to justify expensive tools but wanting to make the most of my time, i would recommend checking out the loose tennon

[@fathogwoodworking]

Another great video Robin. The filming wall looks great. We don’t have bunnings over in the UK but we do have some big box stores. I’m not a fan. Overpriced low quality items generally although like you said they open late and sometimes that makes them appealing. Keep up the good work 👍

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks man. Thanks for the feedback on the wall, still a work in progress

[@nevilletisch9637]

I believe aeg have just released a track saw, I love my aeg tools

[@garethkortegast7002]

Oh, and btw your production quality has become impressive. Well done

[@FixitFingers]

One tool at a time. A track saw is the right next tool for you I think Robin. (Until Bryan and Joey finally break and just buy you a damn tablesaw cause they are sick of watching you not have a tablesaw... good strategy! 🤣🤣) Bunnings touches everything I make, though slowly I am phasing them out of my woodwork. Sandpaper, glue, fasteners, etc I try to source from specialty local suppliers. But they are a necessary evil for the average home owner and business.

[@Muzzledoctor]

Good luck with deciding on a tracksaw, it's such a tough overpopulated segment now. I've had a Festool TS55 for over a decade and it been excellent since day one. But it is expensive and the accessories are commensurately expensive. But they all work well together and have not failed me. But when I bought the saw, Festool and Maffel (even more expensive) were the only real options. If you have other Festool tools (which it looks like you dont) then get the TS55. Otherwise consider the Makita. Check out Peter over at 10 minute workshop, as he does a whole series on tracksaws.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks, I’ll take a look. He’s normally on point with his opinions

[@crashkg]

I've uncupped some boards by spraying a little water on the side that contracted. By the next morning they were perfectly straight.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Ahhh I needed this info 3 weeks ago! But that’s good to know, thank you!

[@duster8100]

@@RobinLewisMakes Wet the cupped side and lay that side down on a flat surface or floor and you can just about watch it flatten in a very short time. I built 40 restaurant tables and straightened them using that method.

[@deliveredconcepts]

Based on the background of the store and the billboard when you are driving home, I'm guessing you live in Townsville? Exactly to your point around limited supply option in this market. Good video and I like your project planning process.

[@IanMonty]

Good one ! Dont worry about it man. I bet this client will be yours forever. That will pay for the slightly mixed feelings you have about it ATM. Festool tracksaw, then Festool Domino. They cost a heap but mine are nearly 20 years old, going strong and super efficient.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks. Festool keeps coming up as the winner

[@RalphSimpson-o3m]

I have watched a few comparison videos on tracksaws and heard good things about the Milwalkee, but dont own one either (yet). I do have one question for you though - what the hell happened to your hammer?? where is the rest of the handle???

[@timeofyourlife7561]

Take photos of bunnies sheets with all the price tags. Do the same each year, And watch the prices go up every year. Some items go up 25% each year.

[@davidbuckley9743]

My two cents worth on track saws, try and stay with your existing tool platform, if you have makita stuff then check out the makite track saw, same for aeg, Milwaukee, dewalt etc. One question, in this video I saw you sanding with what looked like a towel rolled up, am I right? Where’d you grab that trick from and why’d ya do it? Cheers, Dave.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

It’s like using a soft pad attachment for a powered sander. It allows the sandpaper to follow a curve so you’re less likely to make flat spots. It doesn’t remove a lot of material but it’s effective for higher grits

[@davidbuckley9743]

@ was it actually a towel / rag bundled / rolled up with some sandpaper around it though?

[@jahhally]

a few bunnings slabs slapped together is a whole lot better than a cardboard ikea table, not everything needs to be bespoke and perfect 👌

[@thetechnician832]

Is there any special software you use to come up with your costings for each job?

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Nah, just using a spreadsheet

[@thaMegarockmaster]

Hell yeah, this is sick seeing something with Aussie context with so much transparency about the dichotomy of using bunnings to source materials. It's unfortunate though, with the sometimes very limited choice of suppliers, especially if you're not in a dense metro area, where establishments may not even sell to hobbyists purely because they're not a trade client or don't an ABN. Just one of the many reasons why it's so hard not to shop at bunnings.

[@RawSpeed2311]

I agree. I used to get my timber from a local but they don't always stock the Hoop Pine I need mostly due to local demand. Obviously Bunnings also don't but trying to get it wholesale is impossible, so I am forced to change material. That isn't really an option as Hoop Pine has qualities I need. We have a couple of local Mitre 10's but they are hard to shop at unless you know exactly what they stock (no online trade presence) and they don't like helping low volume consumers. THIS is what is boosting Bunnings. I buy Aluminium locally and they are 20% of the Bunnings pricing but even they make it hard to shop there. I just don't get why these businesses are giving to in Bunnings so easily (yes I understand competition but they seem to be rolling over). Heaven forbid trying to source anything slightly out of the ordinary and not use on-line shopping. I have a Photolab that is in an industry ravaged by Harvey Norman and the like, yet I continue to fight to stay alive just because I can (even though it makes no profit). If I'm not there, then there is no freedom of option for purchases in this industry (in my city). Rant over!!

[@joseph603]

Bunnings give people what they want. Low prices! Agree that’s not for everyone and some consumers prefer bespoke quality and are willing to pay for it. It’s not Bunnings fault that most of the Australian market chooses price.

[@DeejayManii]

Hardware & General is the superior hardware store.

[@geoffb108]

I really dont like dealing with big monopoly dealers.... But at least they have the largest range of product at ,on average the cheapest price. This means only one trip for everything. All the prices can be checked on the one web site ,making quoting easier. I use second hand old timber from the local tipshop. It's old, straight and from big old trees with no knots. Planing ,ripping and nail removing is time consuming but i am retired. The govt gives me money, all i have to do is distribute it around the community. Its an easy job but I am 75 and even doing this somewhat challenging at times Good luck in your buiness. I have filled my house with furniture. So now i just give my pieces to appreciative people and feel usefull and warm hearted. Geoff from Tasmania

[@brad9529]

Everyone has a fesstool for a tracksaw, seems to be the best

[@MrMNRichardWright]

Given where the piece was placed. Might have been an option to do it as a built in.

[@JamesSeale2575]

Very interesting

[@ArchEdge]

Morning Robin - Desk looks great. The client did you a favour by telling you this is the material they wanted you to use. I've lost many clients to other designers who had better salesmanship or potentially quoted a standard lower than what i was - resulting in a lower price.. Not everyone wants custom desks with hidden joints... As long as you priced it accordingly, its still a commission and a happy client, who will potentially come back for more, or better still refer you to others.. A referral is far better than good advertising. Time - Are you allowing for delays in time spent due to setting up views/cameras etc for the video component of your projects? Track Saw - i have the milwaukee partly because it has great reviews, but mostly due to my OCD about having two different battery systems. That said, the Bosch has great reviews, and given your past relationship with them - you should look into it.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks! It did feel like an “easy” project in that sense. It’s amazing how much time we spend milling and dressing. I didn’t calculate camera time but I did record editing time on this one (18 hours) but until KZbin gives me a bigger pay check that’s just going to be lost time. Noted on the Bosch, that’s good to know, thanks!

[@ArchEdge]

@@RobinLewisMakes not specifically editting time, more so the added effort thats taken to setup cameras and film thing instead of just doing them. Could be blowing out your “build time”

[@rmar127]

Don’t knock yourself for making ikea style furniture from bunnings stock. As you said, thats what the customer requested, so thats what they got. At this stage of my woodworking journey, I’d be stoked to make a $600 profit on a single item. On a complete whim and without any research, i bought the Scheppach branded track saw from Hare and Forbes. It’s been great thus far. My only complains are that the clamps on the track dont accommodate very thick stock (great for sheet material though). And the adhesive on the rubber is sub par. I plan on scratching up the surface a little to give the contact adhesive something to key into and regluing the rubber back on.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

I’ve seen that brand before but never actually met someone who uses it. Thanks for sharing!

[@PhallacEye]

I live in a city that has a Bunnings and pretty much nothing else. The only local lumber is available to the construction industry (bulk ordered, pre-cut to size etc). I have no option but to source all my lumber from Bunnings. It sucks because I can't get the rarer species in and I am forced into supporting them. But what can you do? It's just a fact of life for me, unfortunately. On the upside, I am not running a carpentry business, just DIY stuff, so it's all small scale.

[@morganskinner3863]

There’s no issue I can see here. You’ve made a product that fulfils the customers needs, at a price they are happy to pay. Also you’re putting yourself out there online, opening yourself up to criticism, where those that criticise aren’t doing anything. You’re running a business, a KZbin channel, a podcast (can’t wait for the next series), and being open and honest about all. Good for you! Also, you have to get work. If you were turning down higher paid commissions for simpler things such as this table then yes, that would be a bit daft. But instead you’re building up a repertoire of skills and knowledge, a back catalog of videos and projects you can show to potential clients, and getting paid. If you buy a track saw, you might be able to make the next one in half the time - therefore doubling the profit, as time is money. I truly wish you well!

[@RowanMangion1976]

I buy from Bunnings but hate having to check every length of timber due to them being warped or bowed it is stupid how many are not correct when you have to pick though a stack of timber to get 10 that are straight and worth the money you spend I have spent hours in the timber yard sorting out timber and wasting time I need to do the job. The desk looks great very nice Some of the comments about the tools from Bunnings some are great some are rubbish if I could afford too I would love to be able to go and buy tools from say Sydney tools or total Tools but they are not cheap for the good ones

[@RobinLewisMakes]

For those who asked in the previous video about my editing time, I spent around 18 hours on this video

[@Low760]

Wow!

[@davidlovell4390]

Mate , l wouldn’t get too stressed about the whole Bunnings thing and the Client’s perimeters , she got what she asked for and was happy with the job and you made a profit so win ,win. Get a Festool tracksaw . But once , cry once . Very happy with mine and the dust management is excellent.😊 Thanks for sharing 😊

[@RobinLewisMakes]

“But once cry one” beautiful 😆

[@thetechnician832]

Yeah agree dont like using the big box stores. NZ the same but there is probably 50/50 split between Mitre10 Mega and Bunnings. I prefer Mitre10 (sorry) but I try and support local lumber companies where I can. But its the convenience of the big box stores and longer opening hrs that make them appealing I suppose. Like if you run out of some consumable you just duck down to your local Bunnies.

[@doodlecoma]

hi just found your chanel , its gratmkeep it up,roy

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks Roy, appreciate it

[@PriceyBuilt]

Despite the concerns about making a lower end product, your hourly rate is getting better. $684.70 over 26.50 hours is basically the minimum wage for Australia. If I recall correctly, some of your previous commissions were lower than that. I hope KZbin, etcetera, is supplementing that income.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

It’s getting there. Definitely not the profit I need but there’s progression

[@AlwaysSearching..]

Just curious as this is the first video of your channel I have watched, why are you charging so little? I’d imagine the shop space and all the tools/ machinery you have in there must be a large outlay and all that for just minimum wage?

[@RobinLewisMakes]

@AlwaysSearching.. welcome! It’s a couple things; this year I’ve gone full time so I’m charging a lower rate compared to other people. I’m also figuring a lot of this out so I’m spending more time than I should (I thought this job would take 10 hours which would’ve been a much better profit). So in the hopefully near future things will look a lot greener

[@aarondcmedia9585]

Track saw? DIY panel saw FTW!

[@rw-xf4cb]

hard not to use bunnings when they're over half the market, unless you are getting slabs from logs its going to be difficult. So track saw from the profits - tax deductible lol

[@ALLOFTHEBOOST]

I just bought 10 24x12 sheets of plasterboard from bunnings. Why? Because im not paying 150 for delivery from the actual plasterboard store. So costs, ease of getting them, its just a no brainer.

[@pedullastudio]

Don't listen to that Pedulla guy

[@thefakemaker]

No Bunnings here in Bumfudge SA. One day.

[@eriks2962]

I am not a professional woodworker. But in general, as a contractor you essentially need to work in the spending range and the time range of your client. The client didn't need a desk to entertain the Ambassador of Japan. She needed a piece of a particular size to fit a particular space. If IKEA had a desk/table of that particular size, that is what she would have used. A solid slab would have been ten times the price in materials. You could have paneled a desk which would have looked better with nicer woods, larger individual blocks, but that would have been 3 times the material cost probably. She was NEVER gonna pay for that. For the time estimate, a common rule in project planning is: plan the time, times 2, round up. So you planned 10.5 hours, times 2 is 21, round up is 30. I would have quoted 30 hours. Or at least, internally assume that would have been 30 hours. It would have been interesting to see the estimated time break down lined up with the actual time breakdown. I wonder whether the discrepancy is on particular tasks or whether the discrepancy is about uniform throughout the build.

[@derekstaceynelson4204]

Track saw = Festool

[@ingloriouspancake7529]

Good job, yes, we can’t avoid Bunnings in Australia it’s too irresistible… I wouldn’t worry about using Bunnings. As a noob I’d expect you to only get that stuff from Bunnings…

[@jlirving]

Dust collection please 🥺

[@tiborpastor72]

I'd recommended Festool. Yes expensive some say overpriced but and this is a big BUT they are quality products. I dont have their tracksaw I'm still using my old but good makita but i have two other Festool products. The other big thing is they are still a family owned and run business, not Australian but still better than some multinational conglomerate. I've never had a tool break or die on me and the precision has not deteriorated with use. There is sometimes some nuance to the features on the tools I've got that made them better once this was explained. Take its cost and divide it by how much you use it or how much time it saves in its lifetime or annually is how I see it.

[@task82]

The purists will hate, but honestly, come up looking a treat. Client is happy, you're making money, everyone wins.

[@paul-57]

You lucky, lucky b*****d (Monty Python reference). I literally can never go to Bunnings without my 7 year old boy and it's been this way for 5 years. He loves it and I spend 30 min at the playground every visit. I hate Bunnings but sometimes it's the only option. I use Amazon a lot for tools and a company called Vevor. I always use Edcon for steel and my local fastener shop as bunnings are woeful for that. But, they do have a place to fill as they destroyed local hardware stores and now we have to live with that. I built my office desk with a 2100x900x30 glued pine small rom Bunnings about 4 years ago and made a 50x50 steel frame to support it. Total cost about $240 + time

[@RobinLewisMakes]

And that’s a very low and enticing price. Haven’t heard of Edcon, I’ll check them out. Thanks!

[@dylanbarfieldfurniture]

No shame in a small business taking the money. Every project is experience and practice and you got payed as well which is a bonus.

[@jaredgreen5305]

$684 net profit and 26 hours to build, thats and hourly work rate of $26/hour brother.. as perspective, minimum wage in Australia/NZ is $24/hour.

[@arthurwatts1680]

Spare a thought for those of us who don't even have IKEA ;) (fwiw, you could get killed at either of the Bunnings stores here, and the majority of those vehicles are work utes.)