If I were asked to advise someone on becoming a pipe maker, I'd tell them to review the cost of goods they intend to sell. What costs? Years of learning how to make a good pipe, finding a mentor, tools, supplies (rod and briar), workspace, and the tools you need for that (like dust eaters). Then, you might want to consider LLC or whatever you're business structure is (unless this will be a hobby). Might need to pay for that, and the accountant. Then consider your misfires...the pipes you mess up (with that spendy briar), or the cracks or rocks or pits you find.
Then.... consider cost of sales. Some buyers asking questions (time), plus shooting good pictures... maybe that's not hard.
I'd never endeavor to do it. I've got bills to pay, and I lack... talent. But for the talented folks, maybe it takes a day to make a pipe (after all that prep) and maybe after the messed up ones you have a few to sell every week.
How much do you need to make the keep the lights on? My mechanic makes $125 an hour, I live in a spendy state... everything is expensive here. Say it takes a really talented person just 8 hours to complete a $1000 pipe from start to finish. I'm not talking an OK pipe, I'm talking the rare special perfect one that stands out. Beautiful , artistic, etc. Well, that's the rate my mechanic makes. Good guy too, keeps my car on the road.
Takes decades to be a Roush or Talbert or many others. That's why a pipe can cost a thousand dollars. Or more.
