Handcrafted is a term that defines how each piece is created at CZ Woodworking. Helping customer’s craft those perfect elements for their home or business with every bit of attention to detail is what sets us apart. Whether the project is large or small, we want our customers to know that they are getting a handcrafted piece that is built to last.

Why our work is handcrafted?
While a machine can mass-produce an infinite number of identical items with minimal variations, we take pride in the fact that we never produce the same thing twice. It is the nature of our work that everything is “perfectly imperfect” (a term we use often), creating subtle difference in one piece to the next that assure that everything we build is literally a “one of a kind”.

Handcrafted Woodworking Techniques

The various handcrafted methods and techniques used in our shop are essential to the woodworking process. By utilizing the proper techniques that apply to each piece we are able to create not only form, but also functionality in our work.

Please enjoy the examples listed below in order to get a better understanding of exactly what it is that we do, and why we do it. These are just a few common examples, as custom woodworking calls for a vast amount of skill and technique beyond what is listed.

Mortise and Tenon Joinery

This is one of the oldest and most trustworthy ways of properly joining two pieces of wood together to create a durable joint. By using this type of joinery, pieces will be sure to last for many years. It’s strong, stable and slightly affected by the expansion or contraction of the wood as a result of temperature and humidity changes. Mortise and tenon joints can even be decorative elements in the finished appearance of a piece (as pictured above) that creates both form and functionality in that piece. We utilize mortise and tenon joinery in many aspects of our woodworking, and especially in projects that endure daily use, such as dining tables. The skilled process of creating this type of joinery can be rather timely, but the results are absolutely beautiful and will assure that the finished piece will be strong and secure.

Biscuit Joinery

Biscuit joinery is a method that is used quite often in our shop, especially when creating rather wide tabletops. The biscuits not only assure that the adjacent boards being joined together line up properly, but also create a solid and seamless bond. A biscuit is inserted into slots that are cut into adjacent boards, and then glued into place. Once the joint has set, it creates a permanent bond between the adjoining boards. This is a great choice for many woodworking projects.

Hand-Planing and Hand-Chiseling

The process by which a rough-sawn wood slab is further shaped and refined can be done by hand-planing and hand-chiseling. This technique has been the traditional practice used by woodworkers for centuries, but with the advancements in modern woodworking technology this practice has become more and more uncommon in todays shops. This handcrafted technique creates a unique finish that could not be attained through the use of machinery. And although it is a more laborious and time-consuming process, we feel as though this is the only way to achieve that traditional look that certain projects call for.

Box Joints

The box joint, sometimes called a finger joint, interlocks two boards at a corner. The result is a beautiful finish that creates a very strong joint without the use of screws or additional fasteners. We recommend the use of box joints in various aspects of woodworking, but they are particularly important for creating drawers that will continue to maintain their structural integrity.

Hand-Carving

We have the artistic ability to hand-carve and etch a variety of custom designs into our work. We can either create the design ourselves, or we will work off of the customer’s design. Either way we would be happy to bring your vision to life. This is a great way to customize any project, as it creates a unique look that brings a little personalization to your piece.