Wheeler's Ridge Woodworking

10/24/2023

Until now, I hadn't been asked to make a round anything. The tables, benches, cabinets and various commissions haven't needed it.
So when I was asked to make a small round table top to match the benches I recently delivered, I had to think on my feet.
You can buy jigs that'll do the job, but even the small ones aren't cheap. So I employed my go-to thinking, WWMD (What Would MacGyver Do).
Unscrewing the base from my router, I used it as a template to mark the screw holes and the hole for the router bit onto a scrap piece of 1/4 inch plywood. Once attached to the router, and with the router it in place, I marked several points to give me up to a 34 inch diameter cut. The jig will be attached using a simple dowel.
It worked for this project, and I'll make a more durable one if people want round tops, but this is the kind of out-of- the- box thinking that happens here at Wheeler's Ridge and I thought I'd share it with you.

10/13/2023

So I know we've not been all that active on the socials lately, so I thought I would give you a quick update on what's been keeping me busy. Firstly, we lost access to the account, and it was a convoluted thing getting back.

And, as you may know, I've had a pretty big backlog of orders hanging over me since last winter when I stubbornly thought working outside was a good idea (it wasn't). So, to everyone that has waited, and to the few that continue to wait, I really appreciate your patience and understanding and I'm working on it.

Here are some of the things I've been working on:
*Pair of night stands
*Matching bench and porch swing (I'll be making a small tabletop to match)
*An engraved bench (happy belated anniversary Audrey and Jared!)
*Refurbishing a fireplace surround and adding cabinets

No fancy pictures of the items in their new spaces yet, but if I get them I'll share them. For now, here's some not so pretty ones.

10/09/2023

Both as individuals and as a small business we acknowledge Indigenous Peoples Day.
We acknowledge the original occupants and custodians of the land we live on, work on and call home: Sioux, Algonkian (mainly Powhatan), Iroquois, Susquehannock and Piscataway (and all the long-forgotten tribes).
We commit to fight and oppose the systemic racism that continues to blight all indigenous peoples of the land we call home.
We commit to unlearning and relearning history accurately.
We commit to being more than an ally.

08/09/2023

It seems fitting that National Book Lover’s Day is today, as it is also my wife’s first day back in the classroom!

For those of you that don’t know, my wife is a high school English teacher. We are both voracious readers, and have been known to spend many a Saturday reading in bed.

What are you currently reading? Tell us in the comments!

08/02/2023

Yesterday saw the delivery of this beauty: a custom 9ft maple dining table and matching bench. I’m also building 6 matching chairs that will be finished and delivered in the next few weeks.

This order took far longer to complete than expected - working outdoors under a tent can cause all all kinds of problems - but it’s all worth it when projects come out as gorgeous as this one did.

Shout out to Alexander Brothers for supplying the maple. They are my favorite lumber supplier and have been nothing but kind and helpful. I’m proud to support them, and ask that you do as well! They’re currently featuring this table in ther Reels/Stories so please go give that a like as well as their page. They’re a great, family run business who do quality work.

If you’re looking for custom furniture - including dining tables and chairs - shoot me a message! I’m currently booking into 2024, so don’t wait to get on my books.

07/19/2023

Sanding is tedious at the best of times, but necessary.
Hand planing and sanding in this heat and humidity makes for a pretty unpleasant experience.

07/08/2023

Welcome and thank you to all of our new followers this week! I promise we’re not always so controversial 🌈

We’ve been super busy this summer so we haven’t posted as much, but here’s a porch swing I built for a client last summer. She loves it and we think it looks pretty sweet on her porch!

07/04/2023

Happy Independence Day!

Politics are something we’ve tried to not discuss as a business but when policies and laws are passed that hurt your loved ones, you have a duty to be loud.

In response to the recent SCOTUS rulings that have rolled back Affirmative Action and have opened the door for members of the LGBTQIA community to be even more discriminated against, as well as actions across the country that have resulted in the voices of minorities being silenced, we are offering a discount.

If you are a minority or member of the LGBTQIA community, we are giving you 20% off ANY ORDER, now through August 2023. That’s 20% off custom furniture as well as stove top covers, cutting boards, co****le boards, etc.

Please note that I am extremely booked so larger orders will have a delivery date of 2024. Smaller orders (co****le boards, stove top covers, etc.) could possibly be delivered sooner. Just send me a message with what you would like, and we will make it happen.

This discount does not extend to anyone not currently facing discrimination.

Local (Northern VA) craftsman creating custom outdoor and indoor furniture. Specializing in farmhouse style pieces that are sure to be treasured for generations.

05/31/2023

Just had the owner of this old butcher block come by and pick it up.
Fun, but very time consuming project to work on. The first picture was how it turned up.
Built a new base for it, ground and sanded the whole thing down, and spent a lot of time pre-conditioning it, followed by 3-4 coats of conditioner mixed with beeswax applied by hand.

04/20/2023

We are a proud sponsor of Liberty Well and the car show they are hosting at Liberty High School Bealeton on Sunday, April 30th. General admission is free and gates open at 8:30! All proceeds benefit the Liberty Well Project, a student-led fundraiser that is raising funds to build a well in South Sudan. If you'd like to show a car, you can pre-register using the QR code on the attached flier or at the gate the day of the show!

It's going to be a great day with raffle baskets, a 50/50 CASH raffle, food trucks, and more! Our very own Jamie Wheeler is serving as a judge for the car show. Bring the whole family for a day of sun, fun, and classic cars!

04/15/2023

Need to make cross cuts, but cross cut sleds are either way too expensive or too small? Just build one. The little block on the back prevents the blade from catching my fingers (again).

04/09/2023

Wishing a very happy Easter to all who celebrate!