By Garrett Ruhmann, Wood-Mizer
July 11, 2025
What does a woodworker do when he needs a space to teach woodworking classes? This was the question faced by Blake Loree, who teaches how to make Windsor-style chairs using traditional hand tools and methods in his hometown of Waco, Texas. The answer for Blake was obvious - he would build the space himself.
Having taken classes in other timber frame studios and been inspired by their beauty and charm, Blake knew the exact feeling he wanted to evoke with his own space. “There is something almost magical about the large timber frame components, and the warm glow that an all-wood building gives off,” shared Blake.
First, however, Blake had to overcome another challenge - how to navigate the ever-rising cost of lumber. He quickly realized that the best way to do this was to “go to the source” by using Wood-Mizer equipment to mill logs himself.
The decision paid off immediately. Blake utilized his Wood-Mizer LT40 Portable Sawmill and EG200 Twin Blade Edger to produce over 20,000 board feet of premium, southern yellow pine. “Both of these pieces of equipment cut beautifully and saved an enormous amount of money versus buying lumber already cut,” said Blake.
Over the course of five months, and with the help of some friends along the way, Blake carefully crafted and assembled his beautiful timber frame workshop. His equipment was key to finishing the project.
“Naturally, cutting beams yields a lot of other thinner cuts and I utilized those for siding, flooring, decking, and more. Once the beams were milled, the timber frame joinery began right away,” described Blake.
When the day finally came to raise the timber frame, the calvary arrived in large numbers. “We had over 20 people come out and help put it up by hand, the old fashion way, which was a blast!” explained Blake.
With the project now completed, Blake has a main teaching area of 20’ x 36’ with an overhanging loft perfect for his Windsor-chairmaking classes. The exterior features a 10’ x 36’ porch and an additional 10’ x 36’ living space in the back.
Blake shared that he saved a staggering $30,000 on the project by milling his own lumber. While the savings were a relief to both his mind and his pocketbook, it’s the ongoing memories that will stick with him the most.
“It is truly an amazing feeling to walk into a space that you cut and joined every component for,” said Blake. “Using the large beams creates a ‘wow factor’ that everyone who walks in feels. This shop would make an amazing home or other living space!”
It’s a sensation that Blake will now get to relive over and over alongside his chair-making students and guests. He shared that since building his timber frame shop, “We have received many requests to build other similar structures and will be undertaking those soon. We will be looking to upgrade to a fully hydraulic mill in the near future, and that will help productivity.”
Check out more photos of the project below.
