Hi, I’m Tim.
I've been working with wood for over forty years. What started as time in the shop — learning, building, figuring things out — turned into a craft I've stuck with ever since. Through Highwheel Woodworks, I've built everything from heirloom furniture to one-off pieces in walnut, cherry, maple, and whatever else catches my eye.
Here's the thing about me, though: I don't do boring. I'm a contemporary artisan working in wood and mixed media, and the work I love tends to be a little abstract, a little whimsical. Distinctive. Atypical. Just plain different. I've always been drawn to the character in the wood itself — the grain, the imperfections, the way each piece wants to be shaped. Most of the time I'm not trying to force it into something. I'm working with what's already there and bringing it out.
In the Shop
I work mostly with hand tools, plus a mix of modern equipment when it makes sense. I've got a soft spot for old tools — restoring them and putting them back to work. They were built to last, and most of them still have plenty of life left in them.
My approach is simple: take your time, pay attention, and use the right tool for the job. Not everything comes out perfect, and that's part of it. The goal is to understand the process, make your adjustments, and keep getting better.
Teaching & Community
Somewhere along the way, the shop became more than just a place to work.
I've got a habit of opening the door — helping someone learn a new tool, walking through a project, or just answering a question. What started as one-on-one time in the shop grew into videos, teaching my buddies and my grandkids, and a place where more people can pick up the craft.
I was also part of starting The Workshop in Fredericksburg, a now-retired community space built around a simple idea: woodworking — and making things in general — is better when it's shared.
What This Site Is
This site is just an extension of the shop. It's a place where you can watch and learn through videos, ask questions and follow along, pick up a few things from the shop, or reach out if you've got something you'd like built. And if what you've got in mind is a little unusual — the challenging piece nobody else wants to tackle — that's exactly the kind of thing I want to hear about.
At the End of the Day
There's no big secret to woodworking.
Take your time.
Pay attention to what you're doing.
Use the right tool for the job.
You'll get there.
— Tim