5 Terrible Builds That Paid Me $131,708
5 Terrible Builds That Paid Me $131,708
Early mishaps, lucrative learning moments, and tips on how to become a YouTuber.
While this journey into becoming a YouTubing woodworker has yielded a lot to be proud of, there’s something to be said for having an appreciation for the times when things didn't go exactly right. If you’re interested in becoming a YouTube content creator, it’s important to pursue constant growth, live without regrets, and keep moving forward.
The following list highlights some builds that didn’t necessarily go to plan. However, they helped to provide valuable lessons and earned $131,708 from ads paid from Youtube/Google.
1.The Trypophobia Table
Project
This small accent table was created by hollowing out a piece of ponderosa pine but gets its name from the small circular patterns that were carved into its sides using a spheric Kutzal bit. Trypophobia, a potentially fictitious disorder that refers to a fear of tightly-woven, small repetitive patterns (think honeycomb), is maybe the best way to describe what the sides of this table induce. The table was then hit with a flamethrower to char the wood before sealing and filling it with a substantial amount of epoxy. Next, the same Kutzal bit was used to reintroduce sections of the raw wood - this provided contrast to the rest of the charred wood. After the table was finished and buffed, a light was installed to shine through the epoxy and three bright brass legs were installed.
What went wrong?
In the end, the mixture of charred wood, raw honeycomb patterns, glossy epoxy, and shiny brass legs made the table feel pretty busy. Unfortunately, the improvised techniques made it feel less intentional and rendered it not a personal favorite.
The plus side
Even though this table wasn’t a personal favorite, once it was placed on the Blacktail Studio website it sold for $2500, which goes to show that beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. As an example of why even a project that doesn’t turn out as expected is worth sharing for YouTube creators: this video earned $5486 from the ads that run on Youtube. Watch this project to learn more about it here.
An interesting side-note to this video is that it has ended up being my most-ever viewed Facebook video. Having been reposted several times over the last 18 months or so, it has paid me over $150,000 in total from Facebook. More than my most profitable YouTube video!
2.Napster Table
Project
Using a slab of wood that was considered worthless by wood suppliers to build a unique circular, tall table. The slab was first squared off and sliced into 2 equally-sized pieces before being glued together to create one unified slab. The project started as a shot in the dark, but during the process, the wood immediately showed some cool textural potential. Using a bandsaw, large and small circular wood slabs were cut, connected, and shaved down to create a unified table base that tapered into a connection with a large singular leg. The table leg began as a large rectangular piece and was shaped using an angle grinder and a small hand plane. Once the base was flush and the leg was sanded to optimal smoothness, Rubio Monocoat was used to finish the leg and base. After the table top had been processed by the industrial planer at Creative Woodworking NW finish was applied and it was connected to the base.
What went wrong?
This was a unique project attempt and though it felt worthwhile to try, the leg itself was a large and difficult piece to sand by hand. The slight spindly appearance gave a sense of reassurance that the next build of this sort would be much smoother.
The good news
Even though this table had some great qualities, in the end, it didn’t feel up to par so it was never listed for sale. That said, the video still earned a total of $27,721.
Why is it important to share numbers and prices?
When it comes to creative passions, producing content for online creation is one of the most liberating facilitators of the arts. Whether you are passionate about photography, you’re interested in a niche form of custom carpentry, or you love to create inventive dishes; YouTube creates a wealth of opportunity. For creative people, YouTube is a place that not only allows you to host your work but can earn you money to support your passion.
The reason for the transparency with prices on this channel is to express gratitude for the ability to make a living as a content-creating woodworker, but also in hopes to inspire other creators. By openly sharing information about how to get paid to use YouTube the intention is to create an awareness for others about just how viable becoming a YouTuber can be.
3. Burnt Wood Table
Project
Inspired by a woodworking post on Reddit, the goal of this project was to perform calculated burns on a $20 slab of silver maple to create a darkened textured look. Next, sealing the blackened wood with epoxy would give it a lustrous sheen while also providing an almost 3-dimensional appearance. After a lot of epoxy pouring, mold construction, removal, and patience the table was taken to be planed. While planing the table top a certain cut ran too deep revealing the bright unburnt wood beneath the char - this ended up being a welcome accent. To combat the dust that had collected in the set epoxy and some self-leveling issues, it was necessary to heat the table up before evenly adding more epoxy. Next, some sanding and buffing were performed and table legs were charred and installed.
The good news
Though this build never ended up being sold, it provided a valuable learning experience and helped elevate skills relating to both epoxy and burnt wood projects. This project is also the Blacktail Studio YouTube video with the highest view count and earned a total of $70,533. Watch the video here. Side note: Although this video has nearly double the views of my second-highest video, it is not the highest-earning video (it is my 4th highest-earning video if you are curious).
What went wrong?
Apart from some minor epoxy learning curves and cutting it a little too close when squaring the table top, this table build went pretty well. The issue: because this was an introduction to working with burnt wood, it was hard to feel confident offering the table for sale. However, after holding onto the table for a few years and seeing how well it held up, it felt right to give it away rather than accepting any money for it.
4. Blue Epoxy Table
Project
This commissioned table began by processing two large slabs. Next, a mold was created to house both of the slabs and featured a river section through the middle of them. Within the river pour section, there were also a couple of little wooden islands that were placed to add intrigue to the blue epoxy section. The epoxy was blended with a powdered blue pigment that had a slightly pale sparkling quality. The blue epoxy was poured into the mold, and to make swirls within the blue a small paint stick was used in circular motions throughout the river. A heat gun was then used to remove any bubbles. After surfacing and planing the table top, some rich walnut was used to create dovetail legs. Next, the table was thoroughly sanded, finished, buffed, and the dovetail legs were attached.
What went wrong
Although everything went almost exactly according to plan while building this table, it feels like this is the least aesthetically pleasing table to have come out of the studio - mainly due to the blue coloring. Because this table was such an early build there was an eagerness to take on any project requested. So when the client asked to incorporate a blue epoxy, I went for it even though I otherwise never would have used it.
The plus side
A table like this was so important at the time because it helped to get things up and running. In the early days when starting a business and a YouTube channel, getting commissioned pieces like this really helped. The fact that it wasn't a personal favorite is only a subjective opinion and on the whole, this table still helped to gain some important experience, and some income and to learn about how projects can still be a success if they aren't favorites. This table sold for $4000 and the YouTube video earned $14,880. Side note: This build ended up turning into a few different Youtube videos. One on my finishing process, one on the build itself, and 1/5th of this video.
5. White/ Yellow Epoxy Table5.
Project
Beginning with a chunk of English walnut that was donated by a friend, the idea was to build a round epoxy table that showcased the unique shape of the wood. With a circular mold, epoxy and white dye were blended and poured to fill all of the spaces around and throughout the wood. Some blocks of walnut were used to fill the space beneath the epoxy, which is not advisable as they were almost visible through the epoxy. Once the epoxy had set, the mold was removed and the circular table top was planed and sanded. At this point, it looked great. After some chamfering, some finish, and some buffing, a removable black table base was installed.
What went wrong?
This was one of the first epoxy table projects taken on at Blacktail Studio and at the time there was still a lot to learn about working with epoxy. The white dye that was used with the epoxy ended up turning into an unpleasant yellowish, almost smoke stained color, after the client had received it. The white epoxy dye had shifted colors completely:
Join The Epoxy Workshop
Through trials, tribulations and lots of learning I have developed methods and techniques for working with epoxy. To help avoid a lot of mistakes that are easily made, you can sign up for the Blacktail Studio Epoxy Workshop. This workshop will help you learn how to become proficient with epoxy.
The plus side
This project was both a valuable lesson in working with epoxy dyes, and in customer service. When the client sent word (and photos) about what had happened, it felt right to either completely refund her or to build her a new table. When she chose the latter, a different dye was used to recreate a similar table with much nicer results. The client was so happy with the way I handled the yellow table problem that she immediately ordered a $10,000 dining table. The first table was ordered for $2500 and the YouTube revenue was $13,088. Side note: The main reason for the epoxy yellowing was from using a poor quality epoxy. This particular brand was Chill Technologies. Which I found to yellow aggressively and not be nearly as hard as other brands.
Why mistakes are good
With every mistake, there is an important learning opportunity to be had, especially when you’re on the road to starting a business as a creative of any kind. These mistakes help you to gain experience that is imperative in the journey to pursuing your passion and documenting it.
Learn how to become a YouTuber
Learning from mistakes is something that all content creators have done, which is why we created this course. With the success of Blacktail Studio and through conversations with other full-time YouTubers, the idea to help new video-based creators learn the ins and outs of this unique and rewarding platform was formed. With YouTube channels like Foureyes Furniture, Lincoln St. Woodworks, DIY Huntress, and more, Blacktail Studio partnered up to create an intensive course for anyone interested in learning how to become a YouTuber.
Watch the full video here
If you want to see each of the mistakes that happened during the builds that inspired this post, or to learn the intricacies of how much each earned, you can watch the whole video here.