Wooden Wonders by Steve: Crafting Custom Creations with Digital Wood Carver's CNC Routers

Nestled in the heart of Brighton, Michigan, Wooden Wonders by Steve is a thriving custom furniture and woodworking shop that has been captivating clients with its unique and meticulously crafted pieces since 2016. 

Steven, the owner and mastermind behind this creative endeavor, has seamlessly integrated Digital Wood Carver's CNC routers into his workshop, enabling him to push the boundaries of his craft and bring his artistic visions to life with unparalleled precision and efficiency.

Why a CNC Router?

Before discovering the world of CNC routers, Steve faced limitations in the complexity and intricacy of his designs. Traditional woodworking techniques, while impressive, often fell short when it came to realizing his most ambitious and intricate visions. This led him on a quest to find a solution that would elevate his creations to new heights.

Finding the Best CNC Router

In his search for the perfect CNC router, Steven came across Digital Wood Carver and was immediately drawn to their reputation for quality and customer support. The company's extensive range of hobbyist to commercial CNC routers, coupled with their commitment to user-friendly software and comprehensive training, made them an ideal choice for Steven's evolving needs.

 
 

Steven’s first DWC CNC router (DWC2440)

 

The Benefits of a Digital Wood Carver CNC Router

Steven's journey with Digital Wood Carver began in 2018 when he acquired the DWC2440 PRO CNC Router. This versatile CNC allowed him to carve intricate designs with more accuracy, enabling him to create stunning pieces like custom tables, signs, chairs, and more. 

Impressed by the capabilities of his first CNC router, Steve recently upgraded to the DWC2636 HD CNC Router, further expanding his creative horizons.

“This will allow me to do so much more!” Steve says.

With the DWC2636, Steven can tackle even larger projects with ease, thanks to its impressive 26" x 36" x 7" cutting area and a powerful 2.2KW (3HP) liquid-cooled spindle. 

“Introducing our newest employee (DWC2636) “ CPL CARVER “ - Steven

From intricate table bases crafted from vintage Remington rifle shipping crates to a breathtaking D-Day anniversary table auctioned at the National NRA meeting, Steven's creations have garnered admiration and praise from clients and fellow woodworkers alike.

CNC Customer Service Experience

Throughout his journey with Digital Wood Carver, Steven has been consistently impressed by the company's exceptional customer support. 

“I will have to say the service at Digital Wood Carver is outstanding!!! They have been incredibly helpful getting our new DWC 2636 up and running”

From the initial setup and training to troubleshooting and guidance, the team at Digital Wood Carver has been readily available to address any concerns or queries, ensuring a seamless and productive experience.

Beyond his remarkable woodworking skills, Steve's passion for honoring historical artifacts and supporting noble causes shines through in his work. His creations often incorporate repurposed materials, such as surplus WWII M1 Garand stocks, breathing new life into these relics while preserving their rich history.

Additionally, Steven has generously donated pieces like the M1 table (the first table in the gallery above) to to support the mission at Tools For Veterans.

How to get started with CNC woodworking

Steven's story with Digital Wood Carver is a testament to the power of combining creativity, craftsmanship, and advanced technology. 

Whether you're a hobbyist seeking to explore the world of CNC routing or a professional woodworker looking to take your business to new heights, Digital Wood Carver's range of CNC routers and unparalleled customer support can help you unlock your full potential. 

Explore their offerings and read reviews to discover how their beginner to commercial CNC routers can elevate your woodworking projects to new levels of excellence.

Conclusion:

As we conclude this glimpse into the world of Wooden Wonders by Steve and the transformative impact of Digital Wood Carver's CNC routers, we invite you to stay tuned for our next case study. Explore how innovative technology continues to shape and redefine the boundaries of craftsmanship, as we delve deeper into the stories of artisans like Steven who are pushing the limits of what's possible in woodworking.


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CNC Guitar Making : Passion, Precision And Creativity

What do you get when you combine the military discipline of a US Army Officer with the creative flair of a musician and the precise skill of a craftsman?


How about one of the best first time guitar builds you’re ever likely to see, meticulously designed and created with a Digital Wood Carver CNC (DWC2440).

The luthier in question is Jeston Brummet from Nokomis Illinois, and this is the story of his unique guitar build.

Sowing the Seeds: A Lifelong Woodworker

Jeston’s journey as a woodworker started from a young age, growing up as the son of a carpenter and the eldest of four boys that would often find themselves in their fathers woodworking shop. 

“I got started doing woodworking as a kid, my dad has been a carpenter for as far back as I can remember, he had a woodworking shop, so me and all my brothers used to mess around with woodworking when we were all kids” says Jeston.

“Then in high school I started working in a machine shop, where we made parts for CZ, the Czechoslovakian gun manufacturer, and OPW, who make parts for gas stations. That was my first introduction to CNC machines.”

This early exposure sowed the seeds of a lifelong passion for woodworking and engineering that would be a constant in Jestons’ life, leading him from the benches of a carpenter's workshop and the machines of a metal shop to the disciplined halls of military service.

Adding Military Discipline to the Toolbelt

Jeston served in the US Army as an Officer right up until the end of 2023 - completing four years in the Army - and while in dutiful active service Jeston also continued to develop his skills as a craftsman and his knowledge of CNC operation.

While stationed for training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, COVID hit and lockdown soon followed. Like many of us Jeston was forced into a lot of extra free time and his industrious nature meant that he wasn’t going to waste that time, so he turned his energy to learning the modeling software for his DWC2440.

DWC2440

“I had three weeks basically living in a hotel, so I'd go for a run in the morning then come back, and work on it on my laptop. I wasn't good at using the modeling software yet… so I wanted to get good at it”

“I spent pretty much those entire three weeks just modeling army designs - plagues, carvings - then I put the files up on Etsy and started selling them there.”

As Jeston finished his military service, he continued to pursue his passion for engineering and transitioned into civilian life with a job as a Manufacturing Engineer for Caterpillar (CAT).

The Showpiece CNC Guitar

Jeston’s varied experience, teamed with learning the modeling software and beginning to create and sell carving projects, were all key stepping stones on his path to realize his ultimate goal of designing and building his first guitar. 

“It all ended up helping me to be able to design the guitar, and to make changes quickly and to know what I was doing”


The project is one of dedicated craftsmanship and the result is a stunning 7-string, multi-scale guitar, made from honey locust, spalted maple, wenge, and padauk, reflecting Jeston's unique design preferences. Utilizing the precision of his DWC CNC - with an emphasis on the ease of use of the machines fourth axis - Jeston machined out each part with accuracy, from the spalted maple top to the ebony fretboard, while also using it to create precise jigs to aid the construction. 

“What I thought was really interesting about the machine was the way they do the fourth axis. I've used the fourth axis before and it always involved an indexer that you had to get into the machine somehow and bolt it down and make sure everything's lined up and what not…With the way the DWC one works you can just adjust the fourth axis easily then bring it out to the side and you're ready to use it, I just thought that was really cool”

The finished guitar really showcases Jeston’s burgeoning technical skills and artistic vision to present a unique musical instrument, and the blueprint for future creations under the Brummet Guitars name.

“I just kind of tried to do everything that I could think to do because I want to be able to make more guitars, so this one was supposed to be a bit of a showpiece”

Take a look at Jeston’s build in the video below.

 

The Burl Connection and The DWC Community

After learning about Digital Wood Carver - by seeing us at the Collinsville Illinois Woodworkers Show for a few consecutive years -  a crucial chapter in Jeston's journey unfolded when he crossed paths with Burl, the owner of Digital Wood Carver. 

A trip to Indiana to meet Burl and witness a machine in action cemented Jeston's decision. Burl's hands-on approach and insightful demonstration of the machine's software left an indelible mark, resulting in the DWC2440 being Jeston's machine of choice.

“Of any company I've dealt with for anything, DWC’s customer service has been top notch. From that first interaction with Burl to the technical support that they give.”

What sets Digital Wood Carver apart in Jeston's eyes is not just the machines but also the thriving DWC Facebook group - led by knowledgeable users like DWC’s resident expert Laney Shannausy - as a valuable resource for troubleshooting and sharing experiences.

“Anytime I've had any issue with it I've reached out to them, and they've got Laney Shannausy, he knows this thing inside and out. If I don't know what’s wrong with it then I can hit him up and he'll guide me through figuring it out and give me the solution.”

You can see and learn more about Jeston’s guitars and future builds here. Or even get in contact with Jeston here to talk to him about getting one made yourself!


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With a combination of a high-quality CNC plus versatile design software, the sky’s the limit when it comes to sign designing. 

To continue from where we left off in Sign Designing Tips Part 1, we’ll go over some other software tools that beginners and intermediate-level carvers can use for their next CNC masterpiece. This includes distortion, welding, node editing, and so on!