Rebuilding After the Fire: The Story of Our New Workshop

The Day Everything Changed

On a hot August day in 2014, I lost everything. A fire swept through my workshop in Oxford, Ohio, destroying not just the building and equipment, but 40 years of collected hand tools — many of them irreplaceable. Antique planes, chisels passed down from other craftsmen, specialized jigs I'd built over decades. All gone in an afternoon.

The Outpouring

What happened next is something I'll never forget. The woodworking community — friends, clients, fellow craftsmen, even people I'd never met — rallied around me. Tools arrived in the mail. Donations came from woodworking clubs. Contributions came from organizations I'd built relationships with over the years.

It reminded me why I do this work: not just for the wood, but for the people.

Rebuilding with Purpose

When I designed the new workshop, I didn't just rebuild what I'd had — I built what I'd always wanted. The new space at 6100 Stillwell Beckett Road is purpose-built for both production and teaching:

• Dedicated finishing area with proper ventilation
• Teaching space where I can work with students — both adults and kids
• Expanded wood storage for properly drying and storing lumber
• Updated dust collection for a healthier, safer workspace

Lessons Learned

1. Document everything. I now photograph and catalog every piece I build and every tool I acquire. This isn't just for insurance — it's a record of a life's work.
2. Share your knowledge. The fire taught me that skills matter more than tools. I've doubled down on teaching, offering personal training to anyone who wants to learn.
3. Community is everything. The relationships built over 60 years of woodworking were more valuable than anything that burned. Those connections helped me rebuild.

The Workshop Today

Today, the workshop is busier than ever. I'm building Blessed Resting Boxes, crafting custom furniture, teaching the next generation, and collaborating with friends on intarsia projects. The fire took my tools, but it couldn't take my hands or my knowledge.

Click for 360° Tour

---

Want to visit the workshop? Contact me to schedule a tour, or learn about personal training opportunities.