“Woodmaster’s the BEST KEPT SECRET IN FINE WOODWORKING — combo molder, planer, drum sander, saw in one small footprint.”

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"This is the Woodmaster Advantage," says Paul. "This is a curly maple tabletop running through my Woodmaster. Making a finishing pass on a glued up tabletop is normally a bad idea. The only reason it worked here is because of Woodmaster's Spiral Cutterhead."

“This is the Woodmaster Advantage,” says Paul. “This is a curly maple tabletop running through my Woodmaster. Making a finishing pass on a glued up tabletop is normally a bad idea. The only reason it worked here is because of Woodmaster’s Spiral Cutterhead.”

Here's Paul in his shop with his 18" Woodmaster Molder/Planer. He's a man on a mission to make great furniture!

Here’s Paul in his shop with his 18″ Woodmaster Molder/Planer. He’s a man on a mission to make great furniture!

  Paul Mayer’s one hard-workin’ guy. He works a full time job, writes articles and makes videos for the Woodworkers Guild of America, started his own side business, AND builds excellent furniture evenings and weekends with his Woodmaster Molder/Planer! We caught up with Paul recently — here’s his story…

curly detail

Here's Paul's completed table. Curly maple tabletop, the rest is walnut. "I planed all the components on my Woodmaster," he says.

Here’s Paul’s completed table. Curly maple tabletop, the rest is walnut. “I planed all the components on my Woodmaster,” he says.

“I feel like the luckiest man in the world. My wife gave me a table saw for my thirtieth birthday; I built my dream woodshop for my fortieth; I have a passion for woodworking; and I always have a project going. My day job is Product Management in a software company with over 20,000 employees. There’s a lot of stress but woodworking is my stress reliever.

I’ve been woodworking for 18 years and I’m probably an upper intermediate, serious hobbyist. I work in a variety of styles, building furniture, cabinetry, and more for my family and friends. I also hope to take on more commissions once I get caught up on my family’s furniture requests!

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"I built these matching dressers for my two children. I used solid maple and cherry as well as cherry plywood. All solid wood was planed on my Woodmaster," says Paul. "Now I'm jealous because these are much bigger and nicer than my rickety old dresser!"

“I built these matching dressers for my two children. I used solid maple and cherry as well as cherry plywood. All solid wood was planed on my Woodmaster,” says Paul. “Now I’m jealous because these are much bigger and nicer than my rickety old dresser!”

“Woodmaster gives you 4 machines in 1 small footprint.”

I have a medium-sized Woodmaster Molder/Planer. It has power and pizzazz others don’t. There are three main things I like about it. First, it’s USA made. Second, it’s one-tenth the price of industrial planers.

But the third thing is the biggest performance advantage: it’s four machines in one. You get four woodworking machines in one footprint. With simple changeovers, you can set it up as a molder, planer, drum sander, or rip saw. Most of the time, I use my Woodmaster set up as a planer, occasionally as a drum sander. I’ve used it as a ripsaw, too — it’s slick.

CLICK TO SEE ALL 4 FUNCTIONS IN ACTION!

Fewer machines means more open workspace

"I built this bench of walnut, planed on my Woodmaster. I based it on a design by woodworking legend, Sam Maloof," says Paul. "This piece demonstrates that you can make 'non-boxy' furniture with a Woodmaster."

“I built this bench of walnut, planed on my Woodmaster. I based it on a design by woodworking legend, Sam Maloof,” says Paul. “This piece demonstrates that you can make ‘non-boxy’ furniture with a Woodmaster.”

BenchOpen shop space is important. I have a big shop but there’s no way I’ll take up space with a lot of equipment. My shop could fit twice as many tools as I have but I won’t do it. For example, I’m testing a lathe right now but I won’t keep it — it just takes up too much room for the use I’d get out of it. That’s why Woodmaster is such a big win. It gives me three or four times the functionality in one machine, one small footprint.

I got the Spiral Cutterhead, too, and I love it. I used it on the curly maple table in the photos. Most of the wood I buy is $2 to $5 a board foot. This curly maple was $25 a board foot, a very special piece of wood with an intense pattern. Woodmaster’s Spiral Cutterhead worked perfectly and a trip through the Woodmaster turned it into a $400 tabletop.

“Best kept secret in the fine woodworking community.”

I think Woodmaster is the best kept secret in the fine woodworking community. Sure, lots of guys are earning money by making molding with their Woodmasters — it’s easy to see the return on investment. But any woodworker who makes furniture or cabinetry will be amazed by the increase in capabilities this machine gives them. As one small example, I can make molding of the same wood as the furniture I’m building. 99% of woodworkers have to match molding as best they can. In my experience, the color and grain patterns never quite match unless you make the molding yourself from the same wood.

Paul, a 14" maple plank, and his Woodmaster. "This is one of the first test runs I did on my Woodmaster."

Paul, a 14″ maple plank, and his Woodmaster. “This is one of the first test runs I did on my Woodmaster.”

I think of the Woodmaster as a combination planer and drum sander for the small to medium shop. And it’s priced for small shops. Industrial machines are up to $25,000. Woodmaster’s a great planer and, with incremental cost, you get a drum sander, too. Plus, it’s the only American-made planer on the market.

A true Woodmaster fan

I love woodworking and I love writing about it — I write regular articles for the Woodworkers Guild of America’s website. Readers contact me about the Woodmaster Molder/Planer quite a bit because of the articles and videos about Woodmaster I’ve put together. I’m getting well known as a zealous advocate for Woodmaster!”

— Paul Mayer, Woodmaster Molder/Planer owner, Minnesota

See Paul’s videos on our Woodmaster Tools blog, and his posts on the Woodworkers Guild of America website. And visit Tool Metrix, his tool testing and evaluation consulting business.

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Charles builds an AWESOME 17,000 sq. ft. homestead with his Woodmaster Molder/Planer

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THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT CHARLES BUILT with help from his 25" Woodmaster Molder/Planer and his 50″ Woodmaster Drum Sander: over 17,000 sq. ft. of living space…76 interior doors…4 kitchens…12 bathrooms…7 fireplaces…miles of molding and trim…and more!

THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT CHARLES BUILT with help from his 25″ Woodmaster Molder/Planer and his 50″ Woodmaster Drum Sander: over 17,000 sq. ft. of living space…76 interior doors…4 kitchens…12 bathrooms…7 fireplaces…miles of molding and trim…and more!

Charles gets some serious use out of his Woodmaster Molder/Planer, shown here. He has everything he needs to turn roughcut lumber into finished trim and molding. And that’s exactly what he did.

Charles gets some serious use out of his Woodmaster Molder/Planer, shown here. He has everything he needs to turn roughcut lumber into finished trim and molding. And that’s exactly what he did.

For Charles McCullough, home is 13,000 square feet big in the style of an English country home. Throw in a 1,000 square foot guest house and a 3,200 square foot workshop and you’ve got over 17,000 square feet of living space. But besides the sheer size and scale, the remarkable fact is Charles built all this himself. With help, of course, from the best contractors in his area, and his Woodmaster Molder/Planer and Woodmaster Drum Sander. Here’s what Charles emailed us recently when he entered our Photo Contest…

Dear Woodmaster,

Can an entire house be considered a ‘woodworking project?’ It was, for me, the biggest woodworking project I have ever undertaken.

We broke ground for our ‘dream home’ in 2004 and I convinced my wife that she should let me build my dream workshop first so I could make all the interior woodwork for the home right here on site. She bought into that idea so we built a 3,200 square foot workshop, sawmill shed, and dry kiln before starting the 13,000 square foot home.

I bought a new sawmill from TimberKing, a Nyle L200 dry kiln unit, a Woodmaster 725 Molder/Planer with all the options and a boatload of knives, a Woodmaster 5075 Drum Sander, and your Big Max DB500 dust collector.

I hired the best craftsmen this area had to offer. We bought truckloads of logs from the local area and began sawing, drying, and milling lumber. The house has 76 interior doors, four kitchens, around a dozen bathrooms, and miles of crown molding, trim, cabinets, bookshelves, 7 fireplaces (with mantles, of course) and we made it all right here on site.

The project was completed in June, 2007. The home has been featured in “Avenues” magazine, and has been the site for several charitable fundraisers, a couple of weddings, and lots of entertainment.

The Timberking mill and the Woodmaster machines performed very well throughout the construction period. Support from your staff was excellent and prompt throughout and I highly recommend your products to my woodworking friends.

Regards, Charles McCullough

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The McCullough homestead seems to be straight out of the English countryside. It’s amazing what a serious D-I-Y guy can accomplish!

The McCullough homestead seems to be straight out of the English countryside. It’s amazing what a serious D-I-Y guy can accomplish!

Charles tells the rest of his story…

“I’ve always been a ‘wannabe woodworker’ but never had the opportunity to spend the time or money on woodworking. My wife and I had built half a dozen homes in our 43 year marriage. This is the biggest but we were comfortable doing it.

We have three grown children who come up for weekends. We wanted a home big enough to have everybody at once including our grandchildren. My wife and I decided now was a good time to do it.

Biggest & best equipment for this BIG D-I-Y project

Here's a man with an eye for detail and the hands-on skills to bring it all to life. Charles says this outstanding bar was inspired by a bar in Boston. Cheers!

Here’s a man with an eye for detail and the hands-on skills to bring it all to life. Charles says this outstanding bar was inspired by a bar in Boston. Cheers!

I got a TimberKing sawmill to saw trees into lumber. I got the 25” Woodmaster 725 Molder/Planer to dress and size the lumber. I got the 50” 5075 Woodmaster Drum Sander primarily for sending doors – all 76 of them and all the cabinet doors throughout the house. I wanted the biggest and best machines you sell.

Our home is 13,000 square feet. The guest house is 1,000 square feet. There are 76 interior doors, four kitchens, and about a dozen bathrooms. There are miles of crown molding, trim, cabinets, and bookshelves. There are seven fireplaces (each with a mantle, of course!).

We’ve been planning and saving blueprints and articles for years. I realized that the millwork I’d need for this home would bust the budget so I build a workshop and stocked it with really good tools including a Woodmaster Drum Sander and a Woodmaster Molder/Planer. I figured making the millwork myself could save enough to pay for the workshop.

The first year, we ran our TimberKing Sawmill and sawed out 200,000 board feet of lumber. We dried 6,000 board feet at a time in our dry kiln and kept it running around the clock for 18 months. We broke ground in 2005, hired the best contractors in our area as I built, and we moved in two and a half years later.

Extraordinary details everywhere you look

How do you sand 76 full size doors without spending a lifetime doing it? Simple — do what Charles did: run 'em through a 50″ wide Woodmaster Drum Sander.

How do you sand 76 full size doors without spending a lifetime doing it? Simple — do what Charles did: run ’em through a 50″ wide Woodmaster Drum Sander.

The building with the green roof is my workshop. The house itself is styled as an English country home. Outside, its exterior is Arkansas limestone. The beams and curved arches are cypress – there are 36 of them!  Inside there’s a study with walnut paneling. The main kitchen has an island made of black cypress from the Black River Swamp in Black River, Arkansas.

The bar is modeled after a bar in Boston. It’s solid walnut, cabinets and all. The guest house kitchen is made of 100-year-old barn wood from the corn crib from a dairy farm. It’s probably red oak. It’s not stained, I just used tung oil to bring out the natural color.

Foreign machines can’t compare with Woodmaster

I looked at foreign-made equipment but there was nothing to compare with Woodmaster machines. Plus, foreign machines use metric measurements – 9mm, 11mm, and so on. Woodmaster is American made and I’d rather deal with American dimensions like ½”, 3/8”, etc.

Here’s Charles’ walnut paneled library. He made the paneling himself with his Woodmasters and saved a bundle.

Here’s Charles’ walnut paneled library. He made the paneling himself with his Woodmasters and saved a bundle.

Both my Woodmaster Molder/Planer and my Woodmaster Drum Sander have fully variable feed rates. Other machines have just two speeds. This is a very good feature because you can slow it down to a crawl to get an excellent surface.

Commercial duty

I wholeheartedly recommend the Woodmaster Molder/Planer and Drum Sander and . I have nothing but good things to say about them. I use them as hard as if they’re in a commercial manufacturing environment.”

—  Charles McCullough, WoodmasterMolder/Planer & Drum Sander Owner, Missouri

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Old World Woodworker says, “IF YOU WORK HARD IN AMERICA, YOU WILL MAKE IT. NO OTHER COUNTRY IS LIKE THAT”

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Nick with Planer If you put your back into it, you can make it in America. That’s the American Dream and it’s coming true for millions of American woodworkers. Here’s an inspiring story of a post-WWII German immigrant – an old-world craftsman – who grew up appreciating the value of work. These days, “Nick” Schwickerath is completely renovating his home with his Woodmaster Molder/Planer. His dream? Starting a woodworking business in retirement.

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“I was born in Germany at the end of World War II. I immigrated to America 45 years ago with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Over the years in the United States, I added Mechanical Engineering and a Masters Degree in Biblical Teaching. But woodworking has been my passion since the age of 12.

Nick plans the work...

Nick plans the work…

...then he works the plan.

…then he works the plan.

I learned woodworking after World War II from master woodworkers in a shop down the street from me. They did everything by hand and with machines driven by waterpower. The men there were true professional craftsmen and worked very hard. I learned a lot from them and from my father who was a machinist and a hands-on guy.

In 1976, I moved to America where there is lots of opportunity. If you work hard, you will make it. No other country is like that.

On your Woodmaster blog, I saw the article about the woman woodworker who’s starting a business. My hat is off to that woman. I respect people like that.

Three years ago, I bought a vacant house. The structure was good but everything else was run down. The kitchen was 100 years old! I ripped out everything. I had a Ryobi® 12” planer but using it was like pulling hair. I looked at the Woodmaster website and saw all its attachments and 4-in-1 capabilities. I got a mid-size Woodmaster Molder/Planer. It keeps my hands safe.

“I only wish I’d gotten a bigger Woodmaster”

Nick added Woodmaster's 3-Side Molding System, shown here with one of its two routers in place

Nick added Woodmaster’s 3-Side Molding System, shown here with one of its two routers in place.

Besides the Molder/Planer, I bought Woodmaster’s 3-Side Molding System, the system with two inline routers. It’s unbelievable what you can do with it. I saw it online and the light went on. I said, ‘I’m going to get it!’

Today, I’m making interior and exterior doors. I’m making each one in one-quarter the time it takes with a router and by hand. I only wish I’d gotten the bigger 25” Woodmaster.

Like a kid at Christmas

Here's a closeup of a router from Woodmaster's 3-Side Molding System. It's set up with bits that cut perfect mullions.

Here’s a closeup of a router from Woodmaster’s 3-Side Molding System. It’s set up with bits that cut perfect mullions.

I’m expecting another shipment of parts from Woodmaster, I am waiting for it like a little kid on Christmas! I also bought a Freud router bit set to make interior and exterior doors. That is what I am building now, wooden windows and doors. I can do it with the Woodmaster, and with a lot less effort and more precision than with a hand router.

Here in Washington State, buying finished lumber is very expensive, but not for me thanks to having a Woodmaster.

Next, a retirement woodworking business

I’ve made my house livable and I’ve done it all myself, nobody else. I’m taking it room by room. When I’m finished, this will look like a log home. I’m making log cabin siding with my Woodmaster and Log Cabin Siding knives. My intention is to eventually go into a retirement woodworking business and make money with my woodworking.

The Woodmaster is extremely functional, an extremely good machine. You can make any kind of trim, even custom profiles with knives and patterns not shown on their knife website.

No other machine out there can do what the Woodmaster does. I looked at many online and narrowed it down to Woodmaster. I work with a lot of fir and that’s a hard wood to plane without creating tear out. Joe in Sales at Woodmaster suggested their Spiral Cutterhead. I ordered one and even wood that’s moist comes out unbelievably smooth. It looks like you’d just sanded it. The grain is gorgeous.

Wood emerges from the Woodmaster Molder/Planer...

Wood emerges from the Woodmaster Molder/Planer…

...planed smooth, with a handsome grain, and ready to go!

…planed smooth, with a handsome grain, and ready to go!

I also got the Super Pro Pack. It has everything I need. I used to use a palm sander; now I set up the Molder/Planer as a Drum Sander. I’ve been running it for days on the same paper.

“I give Woodmaster a 10. That’s my strong opinion!”

I give Woodmaster a 10 out of 10. As soon as I got it, I started using it seven days a week and I can build what I want to. If you’re a woodworker, you’ll begin to realize what I did: there’s nothing better out there than Woodmaster. That’s my strong opinion and I put my name on it!”

— Werner “Nick” Schwickerath, Woodmaster Molder/Planer Owner, Humptulips, Washington

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Traditional Woodworker says, “I DON’T USE DETAILED PLANS.”

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David with his WoodmasterWoodmaster owners come in all shapes and sizes, all ages, all skill levels, and with every imaginable form of training. We recently spoke with David Huneycutt, woodworker from North Carolina. He learned his craft and honed his impressive skills with traditional, “old school” training. Now that he’s retired, he’s keeping his skills sharp making hand made furniture with his Woodmaster Molder/Planer.

Huneycutt Letter

“I’ve always been a woodworker — never a job, always a passion. I had an ‘old school’ woodworking teacher who taught me to build things as they were done in the 19th Century, things like hand-cut dovetails. My grandfather was a cabinetmaker and I have his old machines and tools, like his old Delta radial arm saw from the 1920’s.

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David, Doctor, DeskNow that I’m retired (for the second time!), I make furniture for my family and friends. Tables, desks, clocks, entertainment centers, and more. I do it because I enjoy it, not for money. And I enjoy keeping up the skills I learned as a young man.

Old school woodworker & traditional craftsman

I think of myself as a traditional style craftsman. I build furniture by hand and it’s always an interesting challenge. I don’t use detailed plans. I do sketches and get basic measurements of height and width, the size of the drawers, how tall sections should be. It’s always a work in progress. Sometimes there are design changes. It’s an ongoing process when you’re building from scratch!

The desk in the photo has no screws. It’s all wood joinery except for some staples in the back. There are sliding dovetails in the door partitions and hand-cut dovetails on the door front and desktop. I built in hidden drawers, too.

CLICK and watch 4 woodworking machines in 1

I have a 12” Model 712 Woodmaster Molder/Planer with a Pro Pack. That gives me four functions in one machine. The Pro Pack lets me set it up as planer, a molding cutter, a ripsaw, and a drum sander. The Drum Sander head is very helpful on small parts because I can sand them down to 1/64 of an inch.

PastedGraphic-2I saw a demonstration of the Woodmaster on YouTube and it looked like something I’d like to have. I do a lot of picture framing and I thought it would make picture frame material easily. I started investigating and found Woodmaster is economically feasible. It’s something a person doing the kind of work I do can afford. Some machines are $10,000 and much more. My Woodmaster was far less expensive.

“When I need a custom molding knife, Woodmaster makes it”

The other thing that attracted me was Woodmaster’s custom profile knife service. I need molding from time to time to match old trim. If I need a custom profile, Woodmaster makes a knife to match it.

“Buy 1 machine instead of 4”PastedGraphic-1

If anyone’s thinking of getting a Woodmaster, here’s my advice to getting the right tool for the job. Look at the cost of your investment. Pair that with your need and the flexibility of the machine. Woodmaster does a variety of jobs. You have the flexibility to change functions so you can buy one machine instead of three or four.

I’m totally satisfied. I’ve used a lot of equipment and I’ve never seen one that can cut molding in one pass like my Woodmaster can. I don’t even have to sand the molding the Woodmaster makes because the Variable Feed Rate feature lets me run molding with thousands of cuts per inch. The Variable Feed Rate is a huge advantage — the only sanding I do is ‘breaking’ the corners of picture frames with 220 grit sandpaper.

Customer Service? Excellent

David and DeskWoodmaster Customer Service is great, excellent. They even know which profiles I’ve ordered. When I first got the machine, I called and the first person talked to knew exactly what I was talking about and exactly what I needed to understand.

I don’t have to call them – the machine is of such quality I don’t have breakdowns. The way I operate, I have no need for maintenance. The Woodmaster is excellent quality, easy to operate and understand. It’s very powerful, and it’s designed with woodworker in mind.

People like myself, doing the kind of woodworking I do, can use a machine like this to make their lives easier, produce better work, gain flexibility and versatility, and at a reasonable price. It’s a great machine to have.”

— David Huneycutt, Woodmaster Molder/Planer Owner, North Carolina

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(Editor’s Note: After we posted David’s story, he corrected one point we reported inaccurately: he hand-cut dovetails on the drawer partitions and drawers sides, not on the door partitions. Sorry for the error!)

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5 years and a Woodmaster — FAMILY BUILDS THEIR OWN EXTRAORDINARY OFF-THE-GRID HOME

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Eric Esiason purchased the plans and logs. Then he and his family started a 5-year project to build this beautiful home with their own hands. They cut their own trees and made all the flooring and trim with Eric's Woodmaster Molder/Planer.

Eric Esiason purchased the plans and logs. Then he and his family started a 5-year project to build this beautiful home with their own hands. They cut their own trees and made all the joists, flooring, and trim — plus log cabin siding for their garage — with Eric’s Woodmaster Molder/Planer.

Eric Esiason ran thousands of board feet through his Woodmaster Molder/Planer. Here he's planing oak trim for the new home he and his family built.

Eric Esiason ran thousands of board feet through his Woodmaster Molder/Planer. Here he’s planing oak trim for the new home he and his family built.

Here’s the story of what may be the ultimate D-I-Y project. Woodmaster owner, Eric Esaison, his wife, Linda, and their two teenage sons took on the massive task of building their own off-the-grid home from scratch on 60 undeveloped acres in Massachusetts.

Central to this gigantic project was Eric’s Woodmaster Molder/Planer. He and his family cut their own trees, sawed them into lumber, and created THOUSANDS of board feet of flooring, siding, and trim.

Eric and his two sons, Justin and Jordan, install decking on the home they built from scratch.

Eric and his two sons, Justin and Jordan, install decking on the home they built from scratch.

“I’m an IT guy (information technology) and a serious do-it-yourselfer. I’ve always wanted to build a log home and in 2007 my wife and I bought 60 wooded acres near Sturbridge, Massachusetts. We decided to build our log home ourselves. With five years of hard work and a Model 725 Woodmaster Molder/Planer, we built our own very private 4,500 square foot log home at the end of a ¾ of a mile driveway. We call it the coolest home nobody will ever see!

“Woodmaster can handle big volume, big projects”

I got the planer specifically to make finished lumber for our home. Finished boards are expensive; we had 60 acres of woodland and I knew we could make our own lumber and trim with the right equipment. We saved hundreds of dollars on red oak trim. Besides saving money, you just can’t buy the custom materials we made ourselves. We ran my Woodmaster pretty much continuously during the building process.

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It paid for itself in no time and cost us nothing beyond the initial purchase price. It’s one of the few woodworking machines that could take the volume of wood I put through it. Woodmaster’s how-to videos are great, a real big help. This machine doesn’t have a big price tag and it does great work. I chose Woodmaster because it has a really good reputation. I did a lot of Googling and read a lot of product reviews. I never saw even one negative comment. I totally concur with everything I read online. This machine is absolutely stellar.

I ran a ton of wood through it! It’s done everything I wanted it to do. We built the road, a bridge, the house, a big garage, and more. We cleared the land, cut trees, sawed them into boards, surfaced them on my 725 Woodmaster Molder/Planer, and used the finished lumber and trim to build our new home.

“Here’s what we did with my Model 725 Woodmaster…”

wood comes outWe made the 5/4” x 14” fascia trim around the roof line from our white pine trees. We manufactured 2” x 6” tongue and groove floor boards for the loft from our hemlock trees. We made roughly 1,000 1” x 8” x 14” T & G white pine boards for the ceilings, cut from white pines that were knocked down in a tornado that went through the Sturbridge area in June of 2011. We created all the interior window and door trim from a couple of 200 year old red oaks that were removed from the house site. We made the mantle over the fireplace. It’s a 4” x 12” hunk of the same red oak. We sided our new 24’ x 32’ garage with log cabin siding we made on the Woodmaster. And our next project will be sawing wide oak planks for the main floor. And we’ll surface them, of course, on my Woodmaster!

Solar panels help make the Esiason's new home self sufficient. They're totally off the grid.

Solar panels help make the Esiason’s new home self sufficient. They’re totally off the grid.

Totally Off The Grid

We’re totally off the grid. The only wire connecting us to the outside world is 3,200’ of armored fiber optic cable we use to access the internet. We have a wood furnace, a 12,000 watt solar array, a 2,000 watt windmill, and a big bank of storage batteries. We generate our own electricity, heat, and hot water. Since we moved into our new home in 2012 we’ve paid $0 for utilities.

Ordinary folks, extraordinary undertaking

We are homeowners and do-it-yourselfers, not professional builders. I was the general contractor. My wife Linda and I, with our two sons, Justin and Jordan, were the building crew. Logs came from a company in Maine. I hired local companies to put in the foundation; plumbing, and septic; and assemble the log building shell. We did everything else!

There’s a big benefit to doing a big building project like this: it’s a great opportunity to buy big boy toys. I bought a sawmill, a bulldozer, tractor, an all-terrain forklift, and a Woodmaster Molder/Planer!

Our home’s joists are all 3 x 12 hemlock. There are 2,000 individual 14’ 1” x 8” white pine boards. A tornado came through here and we salvaged downed trees. The decking in the loft is 1” x 6” tongue and groove hemlock; the loft floor forms the ceiling of the kitchen and bathroom on the first floor. All the fascia boards are 5/4 x 12” white pine. All the interior trim is cut from 200 year old red oaks.

“I got the biggest Woodmaster — price difference between models is not that much”

I got the biggest Woodmaster Molder/Planer, the 725, for its capability. I wanted to be sure the model I chose would do everything I wanted. The price difference between the big 725 Woodmaster I bought and a smaller Woodmaster is not that much money. I also got the 3-Side Molding System and used it for all the tongue and groove work. The Woodmaster saved me tens of thousands of dollars.

Eric's whole story

Trouble free
Woodmaster’s a great tool, I have nothing but good things to say about it. It’s important to me that it’s made in the USA — that influenced my decision to buy one. Foreign-made machines don’t hold up, and I like to keep my dollars in America. The only thing I’ve bought for my Woodmaster is a new set of knives.
My advice for others? Building your own home is doable and worth it if you’re willing to invest time and sweat. With the power of today’s internet, there’s really nothing you can’t figure out how to do if you really want to. If you want to build your own home, fear nothing and plan on it taking a long time!”
— Eric Esiason, Woodmaster Owner & one serious D-I-Y’er, Massachusetts

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He turned his passion for surfing into a UNIQUE & PROFITABLE WOODWORKING BUSINESS

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Dana's wife, Lisa, (front) and her friend, Emily, strike lovely poses for promotional photos on Dana's beautiful hand crafted wooden surfboards.

Dana’s wife, Lisa, (left) and her friend, Emily, strike lovely poses on Dana’s beautiful hand crafted wooden surfboards.

Dana's Koa surfboard is a prime example of the excellent craftsmanship that can be achieved with Woodmaster Molder/Planers and Drum Sanders.

Dana’s surfed half his life. When career opportunities led him to a crossroad, he started manufacturing surfboards. Dude!

Five years ago Californian, Dana Blocksage, got laid off from his job as a territorial sales manager and wondered, “What’s next?” He wanted to do something that was both enjoyable and meaningful. Having been a California surfer half his life, Dana did what came naturally: he started building surfboards under his own brand name – Dana Surfboards.

“My wife, Lisa, and I started manufacturing surfboards out of a garage. Today, business is great and we have a 2,000 square foot shop. We make two kinds of surfboards: solid wood, decorative boards and hollow, functional ones you can surf with. We own a 25″ Woodmaster Molder Planer, and a 38″ Woodmaster Drum Sander.

Dana's koa wood surfboard is a prime example of the aesthetic beauty that can be achieved with the Woodmaster Molder/Planer and Drum Sander.

Dana’s koa wood surfboard is a prime example of the aesthetic beauty that can be achieved with the Woodmaster Molder/Planer and Drum Sander.

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2 surfboard lines – decorative and functional

"Please be sure to sign our...surfboard!" Guest books are so yesterday. Guests at weddings and affairs sign one of Dana's surfboards.

“Please be sure to sign our…surfboard!” Guest books are so yesterday. Guests at weddings and affairs sign Dana’s surfboards.

Our decorative surfboards are beautiful to hang on the wall. Many are used at weddings — guests sign the surfboard like a guest book. We also make surfboard furniture: surfboard shelves, bookcases, coffee tables, and more. Our clients are surfers and non-surfers. We’ve done work for big corporations, foundations, Fortune 500 companies, and more. Anything surfboard-related, we’ve made it and people are buying it. Business is great. We’re getting orders every day and shipping around the world. We’re constantly adding products to our lines. We’ve been very blessed.

We also make functional, hollow wooden surfboards you can surf with. These are very time consuming and very expensive. They have a rib structure inside with a quarter-inch thick wood skin top and bottom. We run the skins through our Woodmaster Molder/Planer and Woodmaster Drum Sander. We glue them to the top and bottom of the surfboards, add rails, hand-shape them, and fiberglass them.

Only 5% of the boards we build are hollow, functional surfboards. Most are solid Redwood decorative surfboards. An eight-foot hollow, fiberglassed wooden surfboard is around $1,500. An eight-foot, solid wood decorative surfboards goes for $429.

Renewable Redwood from managed forests

This is one guest book that will never get tucked in the back of a drawer!

This is one guest book that will never get tucked in the back of a drawer!

Wooden surfboards go back to the 1800’s in Hawaii. They were often made of Koa, a wood that’s native to Hawaii. We use Redwood that’s native to California. All the Redwood we use is grown in managed forests and is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. We start by hand-selecting all our lumber. We accept only about 20% of the wood we look at. We laminate our solid wood surfboards from Redwood boards with narrow, lighter colored wood ‘stringers’ in between.

Then we run the laminated wood through our Woodmaster Molder/Planer, cut the profile, and add the rails — the sidepieces. Then we add the nose and tail details — nose and tail ‘blocks’ made from a variety of exotic hardwoods fromaround the world. Next, we run the surfboard through our Woodmaster Drum Sander. We do a final palm sanding and put on a water based polyurethane finish. Finally we add the fin and ship it out.

Early hassles ‘til he got his 26” Molder/Planer

A southern California bar wouldn't complete without Dana's stand-up surfboard bar tables.

A southern California bar wouldn’t complete without Dana’s stand-up surfboard bar tables.

We started with a narrow benchtop planer and I had to make surfboards in two halves, lengthwise, then join the halves together. That was too time consuming. Then I found a woodworker about 75 miles away who would plane whole laminated surfboard blanks for me. I’d take 20 or so up to him every couple of weeks and he’d plane them.

I got to the point where we had some money and it made sense to get a planer of our own. I chose Woodmaster because I liked the price, the customer reviews, and that it’s made in the United States. I called Woodmaster and the reps were friendly, they had good financing, and I liked the five-year warranty. I thought about getting a used planer off craigslist but I figured a new one fit my needs better because of the 5-year warranty.

Paid for itself in gas money saved

Ever see a memorial plaque like this one? Dana's boards are popular among businesses and organizations to commemorate events and accomplishments.

Ever see a memorial plaque like this one? Dana’s boards are popular among businesses and organizations — they use them to commemorate events and accomplishments.

The 725 Woodmaster Molder/Planer paid for itself as we used it. When we considered we’d no longer have to pay for gas to drive 75 miles each way to have our boards planed, we figured our planer paid for itself. But even more than that, it was great to be able to plane on our schedule, not when another guy was ready for us. I chose the 725 because most of our surfboards are 24” wide so this was the right size. For my purpose, it’s very good. I have two sets of planer knives. I send in my dull ones to be sharpened and mount my sharp ones.

Multi-tasking with his Woodmaster Drum Sander

I have a 38” Woodmaster Drum Sander, too. Sanding is the last step before the boards are finished. I got it with the Reversing Switch. I love it; I couldn’t imagine sanding without being able to send the wood through the machine, then flip the switch and bring it back. I sit in a chair beside the planer and run the wood back and forth while I’m on my smartphone checking orders, updating our Facebook page, emailing customers, and so on. I have a mask on, my ear protection, and do some multi-tasking.

We used to use a disk sander. It created a huge amount of dust and didn’t give a uniform finish. The Woodmaster is a lot less work and it creates a better finish. I can change the feed rate to match the wood I’m running. Both the planer and sander are very powerful machines.

Thousands less than others

Woodworkers talk about "putting their mark" on their work. Dana does exactly that. His remarkable wooden surfboards bear his logo -- Dana Surfboards.

Woodworkers talk about “putting their mark” on their work. Dana does exactly that. His remarkable wooden surfboards bear his mark, his logo — Dana Surfboards.

I don’t see how other woodworking equipment companies can justify their prices. Some are several thousand dollars more than Woodmaster. Even so, buying two Woodmasters was quite an investment. But now that we have them, my wife and I ask ourselves all the time, ‘Why didn’t we do this sooner?” These machines let me do more than surfboards. I’ve made big conference tables and I’ve run work for others. A local hardwood supplier just asked us if we would do milling work. People call us for small jobs. These things aren’t our core business but I’m happy to help others and make a few dollars.

If someone’s thinking about getting a Woodmaster, I’d say it depends on where you are in your business or your hobby. Me, I’m the kind of guy who’d start
small with Harbor Freight equipment, then maybe buy a bigger, better, used machine. But looking back, I wish I’d bought Woodmaster equipment from the start. Woodmaster machines are not inexpensive, but they’re a lot less than others. Customer service has been good. If somebody wants to buy a planer or sander and are looking for something in this size, I would feel comfortable recommending Woodmaster based on my own experience.”

— Dana Blocksage, Dana Surfboards, Woodmaster Molder/Planer & Woodmaster Drum Sander Owner

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WOODMASTER HALL OF FAME — Top OWNER SUCCESS STORIES from the Woodmaster Molder/Planer Blog

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Mike W. had never run a molder/planer before. How'd he get the crazy idea he could manufacture his new home's flooring and trim himself and save thousands in the process? By reading Woodmaster Owner Stories. He read...he learned...he ran his own flooring. And, yes, he saved thousands of dollars doing it.

Mike W. had never run a molder/planer before. How’d he get the crazy idea he could manufacture his new home’s flooring and trim himself and save thousands in the process? By reading Woodmaster Owner Stories. He read…he learned…he ran his own flooring. And, yes, he saved thousands of dollars doing it. Read full story

You may be visiting our Woodmaster Molder/Planer blog for the very first time, or you may have read every one of the 40+ stories we’ve ever posted on our molder/planer blog. Either way, we want to share our TOP STORIES with you. These are not just our our most popular, most read stories. They also represent the breadth and diversity of our Owners.

Some woodworkers in our Woodmaster Hall of Fame bought their Woodmasters to speed production and increase quality. Many bought them so they could increase their woodworking incomes. Some are in it to save money by making flooring and trim for themselves. Some have a lifetime of woodworking experience under their belts. Others are relatively new to woodworking. Some bought a Woodmaster because it’s made in America; others found it was a practical and affordable alternative to industrial molders and planers.

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But all these good folks have at least three things  in common. First, each one is a dedicated, hands-on woodworker who is deeply involved in this age-old craft. Second, each of these woodworkers is ingenious and highly talented in his or her own way. And third, every one of them shopped around, considered all kinds of equipment options, and ended up choosing Woodmaster. Below, you’ll find excerpts from their stories. Simply click on the “READ FULL STORY”  link at the end of each story and you’ll go immediately to the full stories on our blog. Enjoy reading!

Bill & Andy McQuatters — EVEN IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

Bill McQuatters, right, started a woodworking business with his son, for the benefit of his autistic son's long range future. Andy handles the work well and "he works all day long," says Bill.

Bill McQuatters, right, started a woodworking business with his son, for the benefit of his autistic son’s long range future. Andy handles the work well and “he works all day long,” says Bill.

Bill McQuatters and his son, Andy, have started a busy and profitable business with help from their Woodmaster Molder/Planer. Bill tells his story. “Andy is autistic, but I describe him as special. While I was employed, Andy went to sheltered workshops but when I retired, I kept him home with me. Keeping him busy, with a purpose, presented quite a challenge. I worried about what would happen to Andy after my wife and I die. Today, we’re building a business and a future for my son with God’s help. Andy and I are making a living with two Woodmaster Molder/Planers set up as gang ripsaws. We make stakes for construction, surveying, and nurseries. Even in today’s economy, business  has just exploded.” READ FULL STORY…

Larry & Chris Perkins — SELF-EMPLOYED FATHER & SON MAKING GOOD MONEY — UP TO $100 AN  HOUR

The Perkins family took a couple hard hits recently. But they've bounced back: father and son run a woodworking shop together now and knock down some good money.

The Perkins family took a couple hard hits recently. But they’ve bounced back: father and son run a woodworking shop together now and knock down some good money.

Adversity hit the Perkins family of New Philadelphia, Ohio pretty hard over the past few years. First, Mrs. Perkins passed away. Then, the local steel mill closed down. There went Larry Perkins job — the one he’d held for over 30 years. The Perkins are a close family and son, Chris, had a bright idea. “I had a Woodmaster Molder/Planer I’d bought a few years earlier,” Chris told us. “Dad was looking for other work and I started thinking we could put the Woodmaster to work.” Now they work together and are making good money. “Being a small operation – just me and my dad – we can afford to have low prices. We have a nice niche.” 3 Star Molding is two men and two Woodmasters — Chris’s original midsize and a smaller 712. “When we started, we saw we were going to need another Woodmaster. Dad will run wood through one Woodmaster and I’ll flip it and run the other side through our other Woodmaster. Then we put it on the forklift, wrap it up, and load it on the trailer.” READ FULL STORY…

Elizabeth Floyd — SHE’S PLANNING HER RETIREMENT INCOME WITH A WOODMASTER 

Elizabeth Floyd has plans to develop her burgeoning woodworking business into an income-generator for her retirement. She does beautiful work!

Elizabeth Floyd has plans to develop her burgeoning woodworking business into an income-generator for her retirement. She does beautiful work!

Elizabeth Floyd is planning ahead for her retirement income. “I work full time but do woodworking on weekends. When I retire, I want some income and if things go well with woodworking, I might retire earlier than planned. I’m the kind of person who sticks their toe in the water before jumping in. I want to see if there’s a market for my style of woodworking, and see if it would support me.If someone’s thinking of getting a Woodmaster, I’d tell them I have no complaints. It’s a quality piece of equipment that’s well built. The company is good. READ FULL STORY…

IT’S TIME TO BUY AMERICAN

Earl Bryam asked Mrs. B to step in for the photo he took. "It's hard to find equipment that's not made in China," he says.

Earl Bryam asked Mrs. B to step in for the photo he took. “It’s hard to find equipment that’s not made in China,” he says.

We trust you know it already, but just in case you’ve missed this fact: a great deal of the woodworking equipment you’ll find in discount catalogs and on the shelves at big box stores is made in the Far East. Overwhelmingly, manufacturers in this part of the world build equipment to lower quality standards and with lesser materials than you’ll find in premium USA-made equipment. Read several short stories by Woodmaster Owners who say, “I want to keep my money in America.” READ FULL STORY…

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HIS BUSINESS SUCCESS SECRET? Thrift and 2 Woodmaster Molder/Planers

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Gene Vickers’ Woodmaster equipment is a key part of his success strategy. “I’m frugal and make my own molding with my Woodmaster. In the recent past, other shops bought molding and are out of business. It’s just simple economics.” 

Gene Vickers & his Woodmasters

Gene Vickers’ success strategy is simple: work hard, do quality work, and control costs. His two Woodmasters play a big part in helping him succeeed. When he needs molding, he makes it himself with his Woodmaster Molder/Planers.

 Thrift…frugality…good decision-making…and hard work: that’s what has helped business-savvy woodworkers like Gene Vickers make a success of his cabinetry business.

His Woodmaster Molder/Planers are an important part of Gene’s success plan. His two machines have helped him control costs and increase profit margins. Gene spent money to make money, and his wise investments in quality equipment paid for themselves fast and earned him thousands of dollars more.

“I started as an interior trim carpenter and moved into building and installing cabinets. Today, I own a small cabinet company in south Georgia. I build commercial, industrial, and residential cabinetry. Before I got my Woodmasters, I had to outsource all my moldings. I’d buy from a lumberyard and end up short a piece, or there’d be a knot, and I’d have to wait for another shipment to get more.

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I bought a Woodmaster 12” Woodmaster Molder/Planer and used it as a planer and to make face frames. Then I got the 25” Woodmaster and I put a molding head on it. With a 25” head, I can have four or five sets of pattern knives, different patterns, side by side. I can make up to five molding patterns with one setup — I can make crown moldings or chair rail and so on without having to change knives.

4 profiles with 1 setup

Gene’s 25″ Woodmaster 725 Molder/Planer can actually accommodate four or five different setups at the same time. He runs the molding he needs, as he needs it, with no changeovers. Big time saver!

Woodmaster has really benefited my business. Now, when I need a piece of molding, I can just make it on the spot. It saves me time and energy. And it lets me get the job done so I can get paid. And that’s what I’m in business for, to make a dollar. I order my pattern knives from Woodmaster. I use a lot of stock pattern knives but it’s nice that Woodmaster can make custom knives, too. I call and order them and I have them within two or three days.

Managing expenses increases profitability

My business weathered the storm of the bad economy by managing our expenses. There were once a lot of cabinet shops in my neighborhood; many are no longer in business. I was frugal and made my own molding — others bought molding and are out of business. It’s just simple economics.

I paid for my Woodmaster equipment when I bought it. I got a Woodmaster Spiral Cutterhead. It’s not cheap; you’re talking about $1,200. But I’ve earned many thousands of dollars with it. It’s a very worthwhile investment. Plus, it’s quieter and does a better job than planer knives.

I do think the economy is getting better. We had a tough winter but it’s picking up this spring and summer. We’re going to have a very productive fall season. Of course, nobody can tell the future but if you do good quality work, with good molding, and do what you say you’re going to do, you have a good advantage in the marketplace. As the economy continues to get better, and we stay busy, I’ll probably get another Woodmaster Molder/Planer.

2 motors – separate power to cutterhead and feed rate

I had a Williams & Hussey planer. It had just one speed controlling both the cutterhead and the feed rate. It worked fine on poplar but not on hickory. To run hardwoods, I’d have to slow the feed rate down. When I did that, it slowed down the cutterhead, too. The Woodmaster is set up differently to get the best possible results in any wood: you have two motors, one powering the cutterhead and the other powering the feed rate. Cutterhead speed is constant; you can dial the feed rate from 0 to 16 feet per minute.  This allows you to feed all woods at the speed you need to get best results.

Gene's shop

Gene says he builds and installs a set of cabinets every week. That’s a lot of cabinets. His Woodmasters help make this possible by helping him work at maximum efficiency.

“Proven design, affordable, best thing for a small shop like mine.”

The reason I chose Woodmaster was its proven design. I had friends who showed me what it could do and the machine really sold itself. I think I’ve sold two machines by showing mine to others. It sells itself; it’s a good design.

Woodmaster advertises, manufactures, sells, and services a good product. I pick up the phone and they always have good follow through. I like that it’s affordable. It’s the best thing for a small shop like mine. My shop is about 8,000 square feet and we build and install a set of cabinets every week. I have to make payroll, have to pay bills. We’re two hours from a lumberyard! I must be able to make my own materials when I need them. When I need molding, for example, I need it right now.

Which Woodmaster model’s best? Gene compares all 3

If you run a small shop and are thinking about getting a Woodmaster, you may be satisfied with the 12” machine. The mid-size model gives you bigger capacity. But if you can afford the 25” Woodmaster, get it. You can have multiple setups at the same time. You can put a planer, molder, rip saw, or drum sander head in it.

Our Woodmasters paid for themselves in the first year, probably in the first six months. You can buy cheaper machines but you get what you pay for. If you want to make good products, get good machinery. Woodmaster competes with the best equipment. We use some of the best woodworking equipment on the market; put them side by side with the Woodmaster and Woodmaster’s every bit as good quality.

I do very little advertising; it’s mostly by word of mouth. I’ve got no website, no Facebook page, and I have all the work I can stand. I appreciate the opportunities to tell others about Woodmaster.”

— Gene Vickers, Alma, Georgia — Woodmaster Molder/Planer Owner

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Watch Video — LEARN HOW TO MAKE CURVED MOLDING

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Click here to watch Gary's video on how to use the Woodmaster Molder/Planer to make pro-quality curved molding.

Click the video to watch Gary demonstrate how to use the Woodmaster Molder/Planer to make pro-quality curved molding.

Gary Striegler is a heavy-hitter. He's an expert woodworker who gladly shares his techniques with others. He's a contributor to Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking magazines, and has a series of videos on our Woodmaster Tools website. Watch and learn!

Gary Striegler is a heavy-hitter. He’s an expert woodworker who gladly shares his techniques with others. He’s a contributor to Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking magazines, and has a series of videos at WoodmasterTools.com.  Watch and learn!

Gary Striegler, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, is a highly-regarded woodworker, teacher, and author; a frequent contributor to Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding magazines. Gary’s also a proud owner of a Woodmaster Molder/Planer.

Gary demonstrates using a simple jig to run his laminated, curved blank through the Woodmaster.

Gary demonstrates using a simple jig to run his laminated, curved blank through the Woodmaster.

“Woodmaster really changed the way I do woodworking,” he told us. “It set my career in the right direction. Making curved molding with the Woodmaster really separates me from my competition – it’s like a PhD in woodworking.”

Gary went on to say, “Thanks to my Woodmaster. What started as a hobby skyrocketed into a millwork business worth six figures a year!”

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Gary’s gaining national fame as the “Guru of Curved Molding” that he makes with his Woodmaster. Read his article in the Jan. 04 issue of Fine Homebuilding Magazine where he reveals his secrets – “Laminating curved stain-grade casing.”

Gary's curved molding emerges from the Woodmaster ready for finishing.

Gary’s curved molding emerges from the Woodmaster ready for finishing.

“My carpenter’s heart did  backflips” over curved stain-grade casing.

“When I saw my first piece of curved stain-grade casing, my carpenter’s heart did backflips. Many years of trial and error (OK, lots of error) have led me to the method I still use today. I use a Woodmaster Molder/Planer that retails for $1,500.” (Reprinted by permission of Fine Homebuilding.)

Watch Gary’s videos – learn how to make curved molding

Gary’s mastered the art of making high-quality, high-dollar curved molding using the Woodmaster Molder/Planer. And he’s been kind enough to let us shoot several videos of how he does it. Watch and learn: you could become a curved molding guru, too!

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“MAN SYNDROME” PAYS OFF FOR GEORGIA WOODWORKER — With 2 Woodmaster Molder/Planers, and a TimberKing Sawmill, he’s building a family business.

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Woodworker, Scott Saylors, turns out miles of molding in his home workshop thanks to his Woodmaster 725 and 712 Molder/Planers.

Woodworker, Scott Saylors, turns out miles of molding in his home workshop thanks to his Woodmaster 725 and 712 Molder/Planers.

Georgian, Scott Saylors, told us recently how his “Man Syndrome” kicks in when he wants more and better woodworking equipment. But it’s paying off for Scott and his family: their family business is growing.

“I had a shaper and a friend who had a hardwood flooring business. I started making thresholds for him. I work on the road for the local utility company, four days on and four days off and I decided to take my woodworking business to the next level. I figured woodworking would pay really well my four days off and would make a nice second income.

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I didn’t have 3-phase power in my shop so I couldn’t get a big planer without phase converters and so on. I got looking at the Woodmaster Molder/Planer. One thing that impressed me about the Woodmaster was the versatility. You have four machines in one in a very small footprint.

“Man Syndrome” kicks in

I looked at the 12” Woodmaster 712 but the “Man Syndrome” kicked in: I had to have the biggest and best. I figured I didn’t want the 712 because it’s too small. And I didn’t want the mid-sized modelbecause it’s the middle of the road model. So I ended up ordering the biggest, 25” Woodmaster 725. And I got the ProPack, too.

Turns out I got this first Woodmaster right before the housing market crashed. But due to circumstances and the Grace of God, things started turning around and I started getting big orders. When the economy went down, I had been ready to sell the 725. But as orders came in, instead of selling it, I decided to expand and I got a second Woodmaster, the 12” 712 model.

A FAMILY AFFAIR! Scott and Angel Saylors work together in their home business. They're aided by 12-year old son, Garret. "We do this as a family," says Scott. "Me, my wife, and our 12-year old son. What part time job can you do that in?"

A FAMILY AFFAIR! Scott and Angel Saylors work together in their home business. They’re aided by their son, Garret. “We do this as a family,” says Scott. “Me, my wife, and our 12-year old son. What part time job can you do that in?”

Family business

I’ve set up a production line. I have the 712 set up as a standalone molder, and the 725 is set up as a gang ripsaw. Lumber comes in the door and I rip it into blanks on the 725. Then I stack it and feed the blanks into the 712 to make them into molding. Then I move the molding into what I call the warehouse area and bundle it and stack it up. When it’s time to deliver larger orders, I take them out through a rollup door and load it onto my one-ton flatbed. We do this as a family: me, my wife, and our 12-year old son. What part time job can you do that in?

Small machine handles deep cuts

My hat’s off to Woodmaster. Even though these are smaller machines, they’re still able to handle the larger, deeper profiles. I’ve had special orders for 3” quarter round and 3” half round. I put the wood on the Woodmaster and it handles cutting 1-1/2” deep. It’s impressive. I’ve started making shoe molding using setups to cut four blanks at a time. I modified the Super-Slick Bedboard that came in the ProPack with some spacers and longer bolts and tweaked it into a setup I use for shoe molding.

I run a lot of really deep casings and profiles. You can slow the machine down, run it at a slow pace, and cut deep profiles in one pass. The molding comes out really smooth. I wasn’t sure it would be smooth because, with the shaper I was used to, you’d get chatter marks. It’s impressive that small machines will do such a big job. I can give my customers the same quality work as someone with a big machine.

“Wood & More” business – flooring, molding, service, and more

I’m making flooring and molding out of heart pine, red oak, poplar, hickory, walnut, and maple. I made some Brazilian cherry molding, plus MDF molding. I’ve made flooring 5” and 8” wide, some of it with a 1-3/4” face. Older houses have narrow flooring like that.

Garrett gets into woodworking with one of the family's two Woodmasters...under Dad's close supervision, of course.

Garrett gets into woodworking with one of the family’s two Woodmasters…under Dad’s close supervision, of course.

I call my business “Wood & More” because I work with other materials like MDF. I was skeptical about molding MDF because the machine’s RPMs have to be slower than when you’re molding wood. The guys at Woodmaster told me it would do a good job and gave me the parameters I’d need to work within to turn out a good product, like using carbide blades for MDF. I didn’t have to go in blind and make a costly mistake. I’ve cut probably 65,000 linear feet of MDF molding.

Commercial & residential customers — very little advertising

My customers are a mix of commercial and residential. I sell to one flooring company and a hardwood supply that sells to the public. They send me a lot of odd and end jobs – 50 sq. ft. of flooring up to 10,000 – 15,000 linear foot jobs. I advertise every now and then on craigslist.com and sell to someone who’s looking to do something in their home as cheap as they can. A lot of it is word of mouth.

Custom pattern knives

If a job calls for a custom knife, I often have a customer pay for the knife and material, and I keep the knife. That gives me sets of knives I can use in the future and builds up my variety and help others at the same time. A lot of molding companies charge you a custom knife fee, charge you per cut, charge you running and materials, and before long it’s beyond the reach of where your normal, hardworking American.

Whenever I need something for my Woodmaster, or I’m at a loss on how to do something, I pick up the phone and call Woodmaster. The guys there have a plethora of knowledge about the machines and they always have an answer for me.

Scott and his son, Garrett, mill their own lumber on their TimberKing 1220 Sawmill. Many woodworkers find sawing is a great way to slash their lumber costs. And when they process their own wood further in their Woodmasters, they add value at every step.

Scott and his son, Garrett, mill their own lumber on their TimberKing 1220 Sawmill. Many woodworkers find sawing is a great way to slash their lumber costs. And when they process their own wood further in their Woodmasters, they add value at every step.

I always wanted to get a sawmill. That “Man Syndrome” set in again and I got a TimberKing Sawmill. I knew Woodmaster and TimberKing are sister companies. I got great customer service from Woodmaster and I knew I’d get it from TimberKing, too. New sawmills were out of my price range but I put it in the Good Lord’s hands. I came across a man who wanted to sell his TimberKing 1220 and I bought it. It was 14 years old and had sat out in the weather but with a little TLC it cuts straight and purrs like a kitten now.

My future plans? As in any business, I want to see it grow. I hope to build a small dry kiln and take trees from people’s trees from their yard and turn it into lumber. I hope one day this business is big enough to have a standalone shop and retail to the public. Nothing fancy of big, maybe give people a way to get away from big box stores without feeling like they have to be a contractor to get a good price. My father was in business for many years and I want to follow in his footsteps: serving the public and helping others.

Talk to Scott

I’d be willing to talk to people about my Woodmaster and TimberKing story. I’d explain to them the pros and the cons.

The biggest thing I support to the day I die is Woodmaster and TimberKing are made in America by American workers. That’s something that as a country we’re losing sight of. The craftsmanship Woodmaster puts in its machine is 100%. They put their heart and soul into it. I wouldn’t have any problem recommending anybody to purchase the machine. If you were to tell me you’re looking at buying a Woodmaster, and you’ve got the need for it, it’s money well spent.”

Editor’s Note: Many of our owners have volunteered to speak with folks who’d like to know their candid, hands-on experience with their Woodmasters. If you’d like to speak with Scott or another of our owners, please call us at 1-800-821-6651.

— Scott Saylors, Georgia, Woodmaster Molder/Planer & TimberKing Owner

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