One of a kind? Sets? Mass quantities?

[Lee DeRaud]

You should make a set of those Lee.

And that got me thinking...always a dangerous thing: as near as I can tell, since I started this woodworking hobby seriously, I have yet to make a "second" of anything, at least not without diddling the design enough that the two of them don't look like a set. Is this typical? (Note: I don't do things like dining room furniture.)

[Tyler Howell]

One of a kind.
Can't remember how I did the last one.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Lee........you take it for granted that one is capable of making 2 or more alike.....

[John Hart]

Anything that I've duplicated, I've enjoyed the process considerably less. Feels a lot like work.

I've done it...but don't like it.

[Jim DeLaney]

I only want to make one of anything. Sometimes, I do get stuck with making multiples - like night stands, or dining chairs, though.

Heard a story once, about a well known craftsperson who had a chair for sale - $500.00. Potential customer said she wanted twelve of them. He told her "Fine. $15,000.00."

She did the math and got very upset. "Why so much!?" she asked.

"Because I enjoyed making one. Twelve is a job." he replied...

[Garry Smith]

Anything that I've duplicated, I've enjoyed the process considerably less. Feels a lot like work.

I've done it...but don't like it.

I don't like making a dresser with many drawers because I get board from the production of making the drawers. Anything that becomes too repetitive on a project is likely to be less rewarding because it just becomes something you just want to be done.

[Michael Stafford]

I used to make a lot of duplicates of certain flatwork boxes but I became so disenchanted with that process I now only do it when I am giving gifts, or if my wife wants some duplicate items for her needlepoint.

When it comes to turning, I can't turn the same thing twice anyway so duplication is not a problem....

[Allen Grimes]

First of all, I didnt vote, because none of those options apply to me.

As far as things I've made, I have yet to make a duplicate, but that is only because I havent made a lot of stuff yet.

Anyway, I design things in catagories. I have my designs that are to eventually be mass produced and sold through my furniture stores in the future and I have my one of a kind pieces for the people who want them and are willing to pay more for them.

[Ernie Nyvall]

Lee, I had one of those moments of "What I am saying is best for you, but don't expect ME to follow the same."

Actually, I did this tuff a couple of years ago before I had a lathe. The boxes aren't turned, but 16 sided. The 9 cutting boards are all end grain hard maple and cherry. There were 65 items all total... some not shown. I started them in October and was very busy into many nights. I think it's what drove me insane... course others have said it happened long before this.
NEVER AGAIN!!!

Ernie

[Frank Bierline]

It is better to only make one of a kind, but sometimes I end up making several when asked to. For instance, I made a doll display cabinet for the little woman, and later one for my daughter, but they were completely different, and 'wing-it' designs. Another time, I made three matching rocking chairs for my grandsons, then last year three matching rocking horses. For both, I made templates to make the second and third easier. In both cases though, they were modified plans. I can always find a problem with a plan - either too flimsy or they don't look quite the way I would like them.
I'll attempt to post a couple of pictures...

[Frank Pellow]

I voted for "Only if someone asks for a copy of an existing piece. ", because it comes closest to what I do.

Many of the things I make are gifts and often I decide that someone would like somnething similar to an item that I have already made.

[Jim Becker]

I couldn't answer the poll with the given answers. Mine is: I make multiples of something if I like it. Example would be the Shaker style candle stands or the Thos Moser side tables I have made. (another candle stand is in progress at present)