Hudson River Woodworks – Our Process
Hudson River Woodworks starts with the finest quality materials hand-selected from specialty hardwood lumber yards and veneer suppliers. We choose our wood based on color, grain, design requirements and your personal preference.
The wood is milled from a rough-sawn state to a smooth surface and then allowed to acclimate to the indoor environment. It is during this time that the wood can twist and bend while tension is released. After the wood has acclimated, we then remill it to its final dimension.
Joinery is an important part of the design process and is carefully planned and executed after milling. At Hudson River Woodworks, we choose our joinery based on the unique design requirements of your piece. Old-world techniques such as dovetails and mortise-and-tenon construction are our specialties.
The furniture is then hand-shaped to meet the design specification. Just like the artisans at the turn of the 19th century, we use hand-tools to complete this part of the process.
The piece is then assembled, glued and clamped and left to set overnight.
Finishing at Hudson River Woodworks is an art in itself. We use top-of-the-line equipment the best quality finishes available on the market today. Several layers of finish are applied with a light sanding between each coat. We can also “finish the finish” with a custom hand-rubbed process. The result is a beautiful and durable piece of furniture that will last for generations.