Long-time cabinetmaker, Ronald Frey, is 82 years young and loves his two Woodmasters. When he sent us some great photos of his outstanding work, we asked him to tell us his whole woodworking story. Here’s what Ronald told us…

Woodworker, Ronald Frey, says he’ll never hand-scrape another tabletop by hand. That’s why he got his Woodmaster Drum/Sander: wide tabletops come out perfectly flat, smooth, and ready to finish.

“You’re obsessed!”

“I’m 82 years young and I don’t do as much as I used to but I’m in my shop every day and I use my Woodmaster Molder/Planer and my Woodmaster Drum Sander a few hours every day. My wife says, ‘You’re obsessed!’

Here’s a handsome walnut jewelry cabinet Ronald Frey made with help from his Woodmasters.

I do general cabinetry work. I design 90% of the furniture I make. I build anything people want. Let’s see: dry sinks, stereo cabinets, nightstands, footstools, chests of drawers, headboards, drawing desks, file cabinets, computer desks, cabinet doors, half-doors, drawers, printer stands, anything!

I used to do cabinetry as a business but it’s just a hobby now. I make a lot of things for my church, for friends, and for my kids. Right now, I’m doing a lot of experimental wood turning. I get cherry and walnut, put it on my lathe, and turn goblets. I give them to friends.

A lifelong cabinetmaker & carpenter

When I was in high school, I spent every study period in the shop. Then I went to a trade school and took three years of cabinetry and carpentry. That’s where I learned to do this work. I was an educator for 33 years and taught cabinetmaking at the high school and college levels. But even when I was teaching, I’d be swinging a hammer building houses in the summer.

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SAVE BIG NOW on Woodmaster Molder/Planers! – sale prices, online specials

“My Woodmasters don’t owe me a dime.”

I built my own home in 1993 and my shop’s in the basement, about 1,800 sq. ft. I have a lot of equipment including both the Woodmaster Molder/Planer and the Woodmaster Drum Sander. Those Woodmasters don’t owe me a dime.

I got the Woodmaster Molder/Planer first. I make a lot of tabletops and I can plane wide boards on that thing. At 82 years old, I refuse to hand-pane and scrape! I buy 95% of my lumber rough. I dress one side, square the edge, and glue up tabletops.

I got the Woodmaster Drum Sander to make tabletops. I’ve made bathroom vanities with my Woodmaster Drum Sander. Kitchen counters, some plastic laminate work, too. It’ll snow in Cuba before I’ll dress a 34” or 36” tabletop by hand!

Here’s a handsome bench Ronald made of cherry. He says his design was inspired by those of master craftsman, George Nakashima.

I make a lot of projects using both my Woodmaster machines. I made a prayer stand recently. It’s about 17” x 34”. I planed one side, glued it up, put it through my sander, and it’s good to go. Not long ago, I made a 35” wide Shaker table in two sections, each 17-1/2” wide. I ran each through the Woodmaster and glued them together. The joint was absolutely even.

Woodmaster’s simple design is unique

What’s nice about Woodmaster design is it’s simple. Both machines are engineered to be simple and I don’t mean that as a negative. To replace rollers or knives on the Molder/Planer is simple. I can do that in 40 minutes to an hour, max. I just wax the bed of the Woodmaster and it runs well. It’s a beautiful machine.

The Woodmaster Drum Sander’s the same way, that’s what makes it  unique. The drum doesn’t go 90 miles an hour. You can slow it down and it doesn’t burn paper. I can take 10 passes if I need to. I can take off thousandths of an inch at a time. Woodmaster has both single and double-drum sanders. I prefer the 50″ double drum. I can put 80-grit paper on one drum and 100, 120, or 150-grit on the second.

Ronald Frey has a Woodmaster Molder/Planer, too. He’s owned and used it extensively — we switched from black paint to beige many years ago!

American machines, American motors

I love my Woodmasters. If the company made other machines, I’d absolutely buy them in a minute. If they made a Woodmaster table saw of the same quality, I’d buy it. Woodmaster’s been around a long time and they’re made in the USA. They use American motors. If you take care of your Woodmaster, it’ll last forever. You can’t eliminate wear on wearing parts, but if you do your maintenance, it’ll last you a long time. A lot of equipment is made in China and Taiwan — it’s junk. Woodmaster is USA-made and the people there really help you. They take their time with you and they know their stuff. If you have the space for a workshop, consider getting a Woodmaster. Woodmaster, keep up the good work!

Thinking about a Woodmaster? Call Ronald

If anyone’s thinking of getting a Woodmaster, call me. I’d be happy to talk with you about it. I have two Woodmasters and they work beautifully. If something’s wrong, I’ll tell you about it.”

— Ronald Frey, Woodmaster Drum Sander & Molder/Planer Owner, Syracuse NY

(Editor’s Note: Like many Woodmaster owners, Ronald is happy to talk to others about his Woodmasters and promises he’ll “tell it like it is.” If you’d like to talk with Ronald or another of our 100,000+ owners, please call us 1-800-821-6651or email us!)

SAVE BIG NOW on Woodmaster Drum Sanders! – sale prices, online specials

SAVE BIG NOW on Woodmaster Molder/Planers! – sale prices, online specials

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