Is Making Stuff Better?

I’ve been a little distracted recently.  The kids started school.  Business is thriving and full of interesting opportunities.  It’s been hotter than [fill in the hyperbole].  Oh, and I got on a kick.

It’s sort of a secret project.  So I’m not going to say much about it right now.  It’s mostly about rejiggering.  It involves IKEA.  And it’s in celebration of my two oldest daughters new school year.  I’m thinking the full post on this secret project is about 3-5 weeks away.  But it did involve acquiring some stuff.  Here’s what happened.

Over the past few weeks I’ve begun to reduce my stuff.  Ebay is currently my preferred tool for stuff reduction, because people tend to lose their mind and moral compass on Ebay.  That means I normally get crazy amounts of money for the things I sell there.  Which, when I don’t lose my mind and moral compass, I try to use for the good of our family and the world.  Recently I’ve sold some books, a retractable fountain pen, an iPod, some coins, and a stuffed animal.  The proceeds for everything but the stuffed animal are in the bank.  They will be divided between paying some bills, putting some money toward the young boy we support in the Dominican Republic, and other causes.  With the proceeds from the stuffed animal (I know this sounds utterly strange), I was able to buy a router and a router table and two router bits.  Yes, you read that right.  I sold a stuffed animal and bought the wood working tools needed to create my secret project.

For the past five years I’ve considered what would be the most versatile, cost-effective tool I can add to my small workspace to do the wood projects I’d like to do.  About two years ago I decided a router and router table would do the trick.  This past week, I pulled the trigger and bought both (with the money I made selling a stuffed animal on Ebay).

I got the Triton 2 1/4 horsepower plunge router.  The Aussies know how to make a great router.  This thing is amazing!  I’ve already used it to create modified window brace for our portable AC unit.  And in the next few days I’ll start my secret rejigger project with it.  I also got the basic Rockler router table package.  It’s a great deal!  The best part of it for me is that it comes with a free router that I don’t need.  You guessed it, that router is now on Ebay and going to fetch me 1/3 the cost of the whole package.  I’ll have money for shellac, stain, some brass screws, and some doe to spare for the bank or some charity.

Anyway, I’ve been a bit distracted.  I’m kind of on a “making kick” right now.  I suppose I could have used some of the money I got from my Ebay entrepreneurialism to just buy what I am making for my secret project.  But I sort of think that making is better than buying.

What do you think?

Comments

[Rachel B.]

Self satisfaction in something well made or guilt over another unnecessary expenditure? I definitely have to agree with you. Handcrafted wins!

[Angela]

What is your user name on ebay? Yeah we don't often purchase on ebay for that exact reason (until we find an auction where people haven't gone nuts and we can get a great deal) but we love to sell on there.

[Daiko]

What was the animal stuffed with that you were able to buy a router, a router table, and two bits with the proceeds? That's a great trick.

[Daiko]

I forgot to say: making is definitely better than buying. It slows down the rate of acquisition, builds reusable skills, and provides a lasting satisfaction.

When was the last time you heard someone say "I'm so proud of assembling that IKEA bookshelf. I hope it will be a treasured heirloom for my kids." Hopefully never.