Woodworking Operation Jumps into CNC Era After Landing Historic Campus Chapel Assignment

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Wonders of Wood's Owner Dean Lutes

Irvine, California (PRWEB) July 27, 2012

When a highly specialized job calling for intricate, historically correct craftsmanship came through the doors at Wonders of Wood in Tracy City, Tennessee, owner Dean Lutes new the timing was perfect to acquire a new Swift CNC Machine from Laguna Tools.
“I have been following the evolution of CNC technology since its inception,” said Dean, who enjoyed a successful career as a heavy-equipment operator for 18 years before opening his woodworking shop in 1990. “Having worked with design software since 2003, making the jump into CNC machinery with this project seemed like the natural step to take for my business.”
Dean’s assignment was to create an Oak electronics control booth hiding sophisticated audio equipment. Sounds simple enough, expect when you consider that the control box is going to be installed into the famous All Saints’ Chapel, a beautiful landmark at the University of the South (commonly known as “Sewanee”), which broke ground in 1905.
The regal-looking Chapel is known for its ornate, Victorian Gothic-style architecture, patterned after the “Church of England” in Oxford England, a movement that began in the late 1740s in England. “What makes this job so challenging and fun is that the control both, which we’re making out of Red Oak, cannot look out of place in the chapel. On the contrary, it must look as though it’s been part of the chapel’s historic interior for over a century.”
Dean, who’s business has grown steadily over the years thanks to word of mouth adverting, estimated it would take approximately 286 man hours to create the 11 carved panels needed to cover the 8’ x 6’ control booth using his existing tools, and about half that with a CNC machine. Not to mention the carved columns and Door. He was ready to jump into the CNC era.
“I decided to go with the Swift 48 X 96 model from Laguna Tools for a number of reasons,” said Dean, who’s 48 x 88 shop handles everything from simple woodworking jobs to ornate reproductions of antique furniture, porch columns, windows and doors, and Custom Cabinets. “I had been going to the Atlanta Woodworking Show for years, and it was obvious that Laguna Tools really understood the needs of small to medium-sized operations in today’s economy. After spending some time at their booth, the Swift CNC option became the clear choice for me.”
Dean said he appreciated the fact that the CNC Swift was extremely versatile, and could be easily outfitted with a vacuum table, so he could use it for all phases of his business. “I also took note of its solid, one-piece, tubular welded frame construction. Going to various shows over the years, I could see that other CNC machines on the market were made from cheaper aluminum with bolted-together frames requiring assembling by the customer – that meant me! Who needs that hassle for an inferior machine that won’t last as long!”
“Of course, the fact that the Swift CNC Machine was also very affordable didn’t hurt, either,” he said. “I also appreciated the tremendous customer service I’ve been getting from ‘Router’ Bob Alsup and other folks at Laguna Tools,” he said. “If I have a question, I get fast follow up service. Bob, and everybody at Laguna Tools, takes the time to make sure my questions or requests are handled quickly and effectively. That’s the kind of ‘Old School’ customer service you just can’t find these days.”
While Dean comes by his woodworking talents naturally enough – his father was an accomplished carpenter – it wasn’t until he grew tired of the high-rise construction business did he return to his woodworking roots.
“I just got tired of doing heavy, high rise construction and decided to find another job,” he said. “I answered an ‘Help Wanted Ad’ for a Trim Carpenter position to help with building Blockbuster Video Stores. That contracting assignment took me all over the country and led to a number of other jobs as well.”
Dean eventually settled in Tracy, where he began building his Wonders of Wood woodworking business and married. “I’ve been very blessed to be making a living doing what I truly love, and being able to work for people who have become some of my best friends. And that’s exactly the way I feel about Laguna Tools… they treat me like a partner and friend.”
For more information on the Laguna Tools quality lineup of affordable products, please call
1-800-234-1976 or go to http://www.lagunatools.com.

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