Sound Foundation Woodworking Academy

09/07/2026

was a great experience. This year a few vendors took the time to make commemorative pieces and I love these because they remind me of the experience of every time I use them. If you’ve been to the school you’ve likely noticed my small obsession with using the highest quality tools and this event brings the absolute best builders and people. Thanks to the folks Benchcrafted.com for all their hard work and collaboration.

09/03/2026

Here at Handworks tool event in Amana Iowa. Not even open and I’m buying tools. But when offered a commemorative tool made in limited quantities, I mean….

09/03/2026

Have you seen the new SawStop band saw? Making our shops a safer place.

SawStop’s Professional Bandsaw is in a class by itself: the only bandsaw on the market with finger-saving technology. SawStop’s premium bandsaw combines the power, precision, and protection woodworkers need for resawing, curve cutting, ripping, and other cuts in any shop.

09/02/2026

Reminder the Handworks show is this weekend, Friday and Saturday. I’ll be there most of the day on Friday, but we won’t have a booth. I’ll just be walking around enjoying the show and people.

08/31/2026

This Friday and Saturday, one of the biggest hand tool shows in the world right in our backyard in Amana Iowa. Come see the beautiful hand tools, some of the best craftsmen in the world. My personal journey started by building a guitar, and then going to this show which inspired the school and beyond. We are an official vendor but our booth will be empty. We’re not ready with the new Not For Profit business but I’ll be there Friday. 😀

08/25/2026

We’re back to work doing private lessons. Today we’re making a walnut top for a table with wood trestle legs. Today was hand planing the joints, the slabs are a bit large and unruly to try to use a machine. So old school it is.
Mostly walnut with a hint of Wenge. More pics as we progress.

08/19/2026

Ramping up to get classes started in October!
For now here’s the table that’s second in line we’re building as a private lesson. Some beautiful figured walnut! The table will be 38”x72” with a hand made wooden trestle base with wenge accents. We’ll update once we get it started.

05/15/2026

“When you’re green you’re growing, when you’re ripe you rot”. Quote from Ray Kroc about building and learning, something I used for 30 plus years. In this case we’re improving the building lot, getting rid of the gravel and putting in nice blacktop for parking.

02/19/2026

An example of a private lesson at the school. Adam and Leslie came to us with a vision of their kitchen table. We procured the lumber focusing on unique pieces, and helped them make an heirloom quality table. We love the unique grains of this walnut table and know they’ll enjoy it for decades to come.

02/16/2026

A board we made from walnut and epoxy for the auction at the Greg Hipskind memorial jam last night. It was a great night and the fine folks at the did an amazing job! I hope someone enjoys their board!