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Comment by matte_black | Hacker News Reader

I know you may have meant it sarcastically, but woodworking has a lot of traits that appeal to a software developer. I do it as a hobby and if I wasn’t a software engineer I would probably have a woodworking business of some sort.

Better to be a programmer in a woodworking shop than woodworker in a WeWork.

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Woodworking on a CNC is very much a software job. I built a wooden remote and for the most part it’s software with a woodshop component. I explored how I made it in detail in a series of blog posts if you’re interested.

https://medium.com/@samuelclay/everything-you-need-to-build-...

Wow!

Considering your reply and because I now have a lot of opinions to share, I think I might write a Joy of Software and Woodworking article. I feel like I can condense it down to how I figured out how to piece together the parts (cad, cam, cnc, wood) to make the whole.

I’d certainly read it. I don’t own a wood CNC but I’d like to in the future to build some really cool stuff.

Anything that lets me do more with software beyond building web apps is always fun.

Look around for a local makerspace / hackerspace. We have two different size wood CNCs at ours, plus light-weight coworking. No citrus or cucumber water though and members do the cleaning (for now).

How does it compare to having something like a Shapeoko at home?

I'd be interested to hear that.

I wasn't being sarcastic; I have seriously considered, especially recently after a couple of terrible work experiences, completely changing my life and getting away from tech forever. My young son loves working with his hands, so I've been considering picking up some power tools and such and learning something completely different. :)

You should definitely pursue this! Even if you stay in tech, at worst you pick up a hobby that you love, and at best you find your life's calling :) Nothing wrong with diversifying your interests ;)

Woodworking is an incredibly hobby, and woodworking side projects are much more satisfying than writing some worthless app on the side, especially if you produce pieces of furniture you can enjoy everyday in your own home.

However, it's not the cheapest hobby. I've spent thousands setting up a proper shop. But it has been fun. And if I wanted to I could easily make the money back building custom pieces of furniture for other people.

I'd prefer to be a blacksmith personally

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