Forest, VA - Elk Creek Woodworking’
Elk Creek purchased a ShopBot CNC - a robotic woodworking and plastic fabrication machine - in 2006 and have been perfecting their digital design and fabrication skills ever since. Recently, they’ve put their skills to work by undertaking two major church restoration projects. The first was a rebuild of a Texas church that was almost completely destroyed by Hurricane Ike. They provided a new pulpit and communion table, flower stands and brochure tables. The second project was a stained-glass window framing job in Virginia. The three-week project required approximately 1,000 board/feet of poplar and 15 sheets of Trupan MDF. 99 separate toolpaths were required to cut all parts for the project.
“We bought our ShopBot to enhance the business we already had going,” said Deborah Twark, co-owner of Elk Creek Woodworking. “All the projects we do are custom work, and our ShopBot has allowed us to be able to handle large projects like this one in a timely manner. We’re now innovative in ways we could never have been before owning this machine, and with the current state of the economy, we’ve been able to stand apart and continue to grow our business.”
The Twarks specialize in church projects, but their shop has the capabilities to handle many types of large custom jobs. By creating their own niche in the woodworking market and readily accepting new challenges, Elk Creek Woodworking has secured its status as a leader in upscale wood products and positioned itself not only to endure the recession but to grow despite the economic uncertainty.
About Elk Creek:
Elk Creek Woodworking in Forest, VA designs and produces high-quality, custom wood projects. Their fine quality craftsmanship draws on years of engineering and drafting knowledge. From large gothic window frames to custom built-in entertainment units, complex altars for churches, and display racks for upper end retail manufacturing, their niche is diversity. For more information, visit www.elkcreekwoodworking.com.
About ShopBot Tools, Inc
ShopBot Tools, based in Durham, N.C., designs and manufactures low-cost, high-value Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) cutting machines. ShopBot was founded by CEO Ted Hall, Ph.D., a Duke University professor of neuroscience, who developed the tool while building plywood boats as a hobby. After several years of development, the company began shipping tools in 1996. With more than 6,000 ShopBots in 54 countries, ShopBot is one of the largest producers of CNC routers for woodworking and plastics in North America. The company employs 25 people in the Durham, N.C. area. For more information, visit www.shopbottools.com.
