r/Carpentry

Hi, everyone. I'm not really sure what to write, so to start off I suppose I'll introduce myself. My name is Christian. I'm 15 now, 16 early next year. I've been looking to get into carpentry eventually, so I am looking for advice on how, where, when, etc. to start.

Now I have a few questions for you, if you don't mind.

How did you get into carpentry? As in, when did you know you wanted to be a carpenter? Where did you start in the trade, and how did you go about it?

Im almost certain I'm not allowed to work yet, so in the meantime, what would you recommend I do?

How do I go about learning while at home? What are some of the most important things to learn that you would recommend to a beginner?

I appreciate any advice that you have for me, and I thank you for reading my post. God bless you.

Out here in south eastern Pennsylvania it was so hot today my beloved 16 foot Fat Max melted. I typically use the 25 footer but I love the lite weight 16. Gotta love that heat y’all!!

I have an old house that uses radiator heating. I have window a/c units that help keep the bedroom upstairs and main floor cool but the other rooms on the upper floor are unbearably hot. I was wondering if I could basically cut a hole through each floor and install some floor registers with fans in them to help distribute the cool air better in the summer and not have to run my a/c units as much even though there is no existing ductwork. (And conversely pump warm air down in the winter)

There's exceptions to every rule, but the theme I'm seeing in the industry is that carpenters are undervalued and underpaid.

Right now in the midwest US I'm earning $25 an hour with some meager benefits in residential remodeling. I'm not union or anything but I'm essentially an apprentice, though I know how to do a lot and don't need my hand held. Just not at the point where I can tackle most jobs solo or as a lead.

I could make $25 an hour with probably better benefits doing a no skill job working in a warehouse or managing a gas station / grocery store.

I hear of guys earning $30-35 on the residential remodeling side of things, but I have no idea what some of these old heads still on the jobs are getting paid. Probably not enough given their actual essential value to the company. Especially given that typically these guys have more expenses they're expected to handle personally, acquiring more tools, their own work vehicle, tool repair.

Just seems wrong to me with such an intense labor shortage and the fact I see and hear so many guys who work for themselves are able to make so much money if they are able to sell and schedule jobs regularly, that wages aren't higher for employees. Maybe the business owners and office people are being paid too much?

Just looking for some people's experience to get some perspective on this matter. I would have to sacrifice some important things to make time for say an electrical or plumbing apprenticeship, but if that means not being the bottom of the barrel in the trades, it may be necessary.

I am in high school and next year I’m learning carpentry at the county’s trade school. My mom thinks it’s a bad idea because our family is rich and they want me to go to college. Would it be a good idea to become a carpenter or should I just go to college instead for finance?