about Sycamore Creek Woodworking

Sycamore Creek Woodworking produces commissioned work for clients that desire one of a kind high quality hand crafted woodworking. All wood used is hand selected from locally grown and harvested hardwoods. I do commission work, whatever my client needs are from furniture to audio cabinetry. I also make one of a kind keepsakes, with the option to engrave each design with your personal names, dates, accomplishments, patterns, or art work or whatever you want to express. 

If you would like a commissioned piece, I interview the client for all their needs from size, selected wood and budget. I use the latest technology in harmony with time tested hand work. I use the best local hardwoods, the strongest joining methods, and most durable finishes available.

Every cabinet, speaker cabinet, lamp, chair, stool, plaque, cutting board (or whatever other wooden item you can imagine)  is unique and one of a kind. For example, with the children’s stool I begin with 1" thick, up to 12" wide kiln dried hardwood. I plane the wood to final dimensions and hand sand to bring out the detail of the grain. The stools are assembled and glued by hand to insure quality and strength. The plaques have a keyhole on the back for easy hanging. To protect the keepsake we use at least 3 coats of hand applied high quality satin finish.

History...

Sycamore Creek Woodworking evolved from making engraved step stools and commemorative items for my grand nieces, nephews, family friends, and grandchildren. I have made many different types of furniture besides children’s stools and continue to make commissioned work. I have done a lot of restoration of furniture, machinery, tractors, older electronics, etc. Recently I have been restoring old audio equipment. Recently I have been designing custom stereo speakers designed to fit the clients audio equipment, the application where used and the style needed for their tastes. I use the latest software to determine what size and configuration of speakers are applicable and what cross over network is needed to accomplish a flat and responsive audio curve.

I have always enjoyed the challenges of woodworking and electronics. Throughout my career as a design engineer I also enjoyed anything to do with electronics, automation, and building things. With that background I designed and  made the CNC machines that the wooden items are engraved on. Way back in the early 80's my first jobs involved computer control, automation, robotics, CNC machining, and automated welding robots. I was a field engineer back then and before I went out in the field to install the welding robots I had to make sure they were ready to go - including helping assemble, wire, program, and trouble shoot before they left the factory.

Over the years I designed many automated machines for industry. Later in my career I studied industrial design at Ohio State earning my bachelors and masters in that discipline. Professionally I worked in research, manufacturing, and product design and have taught honors freshman and capstone engineering classes. My love of woodworking, product design, and background in automation, is the perfect marriage for producing the high quality personalized hardwood keepsakes that people keep asking me to make for them. 

Our Story