Making Thousands of Dollars from a Sign Carving Business

Bob says one of his first works sold for $8,000 and that was just the start of his custom sign business

Bob sits in front of one of his latest creations, a laminated business sign of a swan, milled on his Woodland Mills HM130MAX portable sawmill. 

It will sell to his client for a few thousand dollars, one of the many custom pieces he produces in his workshop. Using his  Woodland Mills HM130MAX Portable Sawmill and a chainsaw he carves the lettering, characters, logos and everything else himself by hand.

It's been a profitable venture, says the B.C. woodworker who runs Man Cave Creations Canada, but more importantly it's let him follow his passion and given him more time with family.

"My son is my apprentice. Once he's matching my skill level I'll make him my partner and then just pass this all along to him," says Bob.

From construction to art

Bob wasn't much of a woodworker for most of his life. In fact he only left his job pouring concrete at 47 when he decided to try something new.

After seeing chainsaw carvings at a championship in B.C. and, inspired, decided he wanted to give it a shot.

With a chainsaw in hand he started doing carvings, then doing his custom signs. One of his first projects, a sign with a moose head sticking out, got him $8,000. The customers loved it so much that they hired Bob to do a deck with 25 custom carvings.

The price tag for that piece was $30,000.

"Yeah it was a good summer with those guys," says Bob.

Considering he is entirely self-taught his skills are impressive. Bob says he doesn't try to watch videos of chainsaw carving online because he doesn't want them to inspire his work, he wants them to be all his own.

And considering all of it is done at home in his own workshop it makes the end products even more impressive.

How to make money from sign carvings

When it comes to making money with a sawmill Bob says it's easy when you can do custom dimensions. You just need to find the right customers and the best place to sell.

It tears him up, he says, when he sees sawyers get ahold of black walnut and use it for dimensional lumber.

"That hurts me to watch. Cut that into slabs. There's people that will pay you $20 a board foot for that stuff and then be glad to do it," he says.

For those who want to get into wood carving Bob says he's an example of how you're never to old to be learning new skills. While beginning a new venture can be tough he shows just how rewarding it can be, plus while it not only pays the bills it allows him to connect with his son and make something that he'll pass along someday.

And from impressive banners that are posted atop businesses to address signs, benches, carved bears and more, Bob says with the latest technology and a will to follow your passion anyone can get into the field and be making their own custom creations.