Find a Woodworker

ERIC SMITH - Custom Pieces & 3-D Design

Eric Smith is a seasoned technology professional with 35 years of experience as a developer and UX designer, known for crafting intuitive digital experiences. Alongside his career, he discovered a passion for woodworking, finding solace in the timeless craft. As a veteran, he brings discipline and resilience to both his professional and artistic pursuits, standing at the intersection of technology and craftsmanship, weaving together expertise and dedication. Eric graduated from the Wood Design: Furniture Making program on June 1, 2024 with a 4.0 gpa and specializes in custom furniture, 3-D design and CNC woodworking. Visit his website: www.smithfurnituredesign.com to learn more. Located in Lenawee County, Michigan.

Steven Neundorf - Custom Pieces with Traditional Joinery

I have been called many things (and some of them have been complimentary), but the one thing I would want to be known as is a woodworker. Sometimes it was a hobby. Always it was an obsession. Over the years I have explored many different vocations, such as lawn mowing, white water rafting guide, insurance salesman (yeah…yikes), fiberglass boat repair technician, stock clerk, shipping and receiving manager, factory line worker…but I almost always returned to construction because there I could work with wood on a regular basis and create with it. My last job involved building custom designed sheds and cabins, and it led to the discovery that not only did I really like the challenge of custom work, but I also really enjoyed the finer detail aspects of it. However, only occasionally getting to work on those finer and more challenging projects wasn’t enough. I wanted to take my woodworking to the next level…but how?

We decided to make the leap of faith. My wife and I sold our house, moved into a 34 foot travel trailer with our four young kids, and moved to Adrian, Michigan, where I could attend Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute.

I know that even though this was a bold move and oftentimes stressful, it was the right move for me and my family. The skill and confidence I received through my time at SBWI has been a monumental step towards fulfilling my childhood dream of having a woodshop where I could create full-time, support my family, and be available for my kids to hang out with me in the shop. (In many ways, woodworking is like parenting kids. Both can be extremely frustrating, humbling, very entertaining, and at times, downright confusing. And you can’t help but love them all the same.)

This craft and this shop is my passion. I crave the challenge every day of creating something unique, with all the function of Ikea furniture but the beauty of the outdoors with all her soft angles and curves. Where we live in the Appalachian Mountains, there are many varieties of wood, and I source the majority of my materials from local arborists and small-town sawmills. Each piece I create uses traditional joinery and techniques. Woodworking is a timeless craft, and one that deserves to be remembered and preserved. To that end, all my creations have features that cannot by easily replicated by machines, only crafted by skilled hands. America was built off the backs of its forests, and to the Creator of those long gone virgin forests I pay homage, with the skill of my hands and to the best of my ability.

Visit his website at stevenkarl.com to learn more. Steven works in the Somerset, Pennsylvania area, but can ship products as well.

AMERICAN FLAGS & INTARSIA - TOM BECKER

Specializations: Intarsia, Power Carving, Woodturning, Shou Sugi Ban

Mr. Becker is an avid woodworking with 47 years of experience. He is a Marine Veteran and is also a graduate of the Woodworking for Warriors Program. His specializations include Intarsia, Carving, Woodturning, and the ancient Japanese preservation technique Shou Sugi Ban .

Intarsia is a woodworking technique that uses varied shapes, sizes, and species of wood fitted together to create a mosaic-like picture with an illusion of depth. Shou sugi ban is a particularly striking method of preserving wood by charring it with fire. Traditionally, this practice is used with Japanese cedar in order to weatherproof it. The wood is burned until the surface is charred, and then coated with natural oil.

If you are interested in a piece from Tom, contact him at Intarsiagod1@yahoo.com

MCCARROLL CUSTOM CUTTING BOARDS - STEVEN MCCARROLL

Specializations: End Grain Butcher Block style cutting boards, CNC creations, Laser Engraving, Chili 

Steve is a woodworking hobbyist, who has always had an interest in woodworking. It wasn't until about three years ago that he truly decided to jump into the craft after serving in the US Army for the previous 24 years. Since then, he has created McCarroll Custom Cutting Boards where he enjoys designing unique patterns with a mix of domestic and exotic wood species. 

He is an avid sports fan who vigorously roots for all Detroit teams and the University of Michigan. He's a glutton for punishment! He also enjoys hunting, fishing, and outings with his fellow veterans.

Steve is a member of Woodworking for Warriors and his proudest moment in the woodshop is when his WW’s peers voted him as both the Best Teacher and Most Helpful in 2021.

You can view his cutting boards at https://www.facebook.com/mccarrollcustomcuttingboards/

RANDY’S CNC CREATIONS - RANDY LIGHTHALL

Specializations: CNC Systems

Randy is a woodworking hobbyist. He has had a love of woodworking since he was first introduced to it while repairing liberty boats in the US Navy. He is kind of a jack of all trades dabbling in many types of projects.

Randy first took a CNC class at The WoodWorking Warriors program and fell in love with it. He loves the possibilities the CNC can offer. He shares his excitement and joy the CNC machine has given him by teaching others in both public CNC classes and during the Woodworking Warriors program. Randy's number 1 course objective is to excite others to explore what they can do using a CNC machine.

If you are interested in a CNC sign, please contact Randy at rdlighthall67@gmail.com

STEVEN SKORNICKA - WHAT KNOTS

Specializations: Band Saw Boxes, Jewelry Boxes, Curio Boxes, Small Furniture, Coffee Tables

Steven J Skornicka, 67, married for 48 years to his wife. He has two children Nick age 35 and Anne age 27.

Steve has worked mostly in the automotive industry for the majority of his career. He worked heavily in engineering and project/operations management. He has extensive experience with the Lean Manufacturing principle and is excited to bring those processes and ideas to the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute to help us create an orderly, organized, and well-sustained management program for shop functionality. Steve retired recently and joined the SBWI Team as our new Facilities Manager.

Steve started out as a volunteer at the shop then proceeded to take multiple classes such as the knife making course, bandsaw box class, hand plane restoration, and more!

In his free time, he loves to do woodworking at home and use the knowledge he’s gained from his career and classes at SBWI to work on his own creations. He also enjoys spending lots of time with his wife, friends, and family. If you are interested in a unique wooden box or small furniture piece like coffee table or side table, contact Steve at steve.skornicka@gmail.com.