“Instant custom pricing is something that is unheard of in the custom wood turning industry because of the complexity of designs,” said Dick Johnson, President of Glacial Wood Products. He and his team have developed an online calculator to make custom estimating not only immediate, but easy.

“Our pricing structure is very simple. The same size piece in the same species is the same price, no matter what design you need,” explained Johnson. “That allows designers to be as creative as they want in customizing the look of a home”.

The straightforward pricing structure has made it simple for Glacial Wood to develop their Instant Custom Price Calculator. The formula takes into consideration the wood species, quantity, diameter, and length. The only real differences in pricing occur in optional multi-piece construction, turning options (fluted, reeded, roped), and notching options. Once selected, the system immediately calculates an estimate including shipping. “We value our customers’ time and this is a great way for them to price out options quickly and easily,” said Johnson.

To try Glacial Wood’s new instant custom price calculator, visit their website at www.glacialwood.com.

Brooten, MN (April 13, 2011) Master wood carver and wood turning manufacturer team up to create breathtaking pieces of architecture.

Konstantinos Papadakis, Minneapolis, MN, is an old world master wood carver. His woodcarvings have graced homes, offices, churches and public buildings throughout the world. Starting at the early age of 9, Papadakis has mastered several styles including Byzantine, Barocco (Baroque), Gothic and Greek folk styles and the traditional Cretan form of Kritieptamsiaco.

His latest project is to create an iconostasis (the wall of icons separating the nave from the sanctuary in a church), which will be featured in a church in Rochester, MN. When asked about what inspires these beautiful works of art, Papadakis replied, “I am guided by my faith for my carvings…it has never failed me.”

With a goal completion date set this summer, Papadakis reached out to Dick Johnson of Glacial Wood Products in Brooten, MN. The two have worked on several projects together in the past and Papadakis says it is unlikely that will ever change. He enjoys working with Dick and will continue to work with him as long as he is carving.

“[Glacial Wood Products] does what I ask them to do. You see I’m an old man with an old tradition. I like the old traditional way. I like things to be done the correct way. Glacial Wood Products communicates well with me and they do what I’m asking for. They do my job well,” said Papadakis.

“Working with Konstantinos is a privilege. It is rewarding to see the intricacy of his hand-carved pieces paired with the precision of our work. He is a very talented man and we enjoy working with him,” said Johnson.

Once the project is completed, photographs will be proudly displayed on both of their websites (www.konstantinospapadakis.com and www.glacialwood.com). For more information, please contact Dick Johnson.

Glacial Wood Products is an FSC certified wood turning manufacturer. Through the use of the latest software and machinery, they are able to accommodate custom orders, no matter the quantity or level of detail, to various industries and clients all over the world.

Prescription Glasses won’t cut it
Creating quality wood components is the primary goal at my wood shop- but we also make sure we put safety first, no matter how urgent the order is. One key element important for both the pros and hobbyists alike is safety glasses. It’s important to wear safety eyewear for every job. Wearing your everyday prescription glasses in the wood shop won’t cut it. You need safety glasses with strong frames and impact resistant lenses. Side screens on your frames are also important, you never know from which direction a piece of wood is going to fly.

Wear safety glasses with side screens

January 18, 2011

Brooten, MN –  On November 13, 2010, Minnesota-based Glacial Wood Products, the largest custom wood turning facility in the country, was featured on HOMETIME, a home improvement television show broadcast on public television and in syndication across the United States.

Glacial Wood Products was featured in the 18th episode of a 22-part series that documented the HOMETIME crew constructing a Stone Cottage. The architects have designed the home with meticulous detail and are including only the finest products to create a well designed and state of the art home.

The HOMETIME crew visited Glacial Wood Products in Brooten, MN to see where the custom balusters, spindles, newels and posts for the staircase were milled for the stone cottage.

Through the use of the latest software and machinery, Glacial Wood Products is able to accommodate custom orders, no matter the quantity or level of detail, and deliver them quickly without sacrificing craftsmanship.

Glacial Wood Products manufactures wood turnings for all types of industries. Glacial Wood Products is FSC certified and creates sustainable wood components for clients all over the world.

To learn more about custom wood turned parts, visit the Glacial Wood Products website at www.glacialwood.com. To find out more about their involvement in the HOMETIME Stone Cottage project contact Dick Johnson.

Contact:
Dick Johnson
dick@glacialwood.net
410 Railway Avenue
Brooten, MN 56316
320.346.9663

At Glacial Wood, we are always looking at the market to identify new trends. Here are a few I’ve noticed recently:

Trendspotting:
Wood never goes out of style, but the ways in which designers use it is always changing. Instead of following the latest trends, keep ahead of them and drive sales by offering your customers the latest in wood grains, stains and fixture styles.

Nothing but gray skies?: Furniture and design styles often find their spark in Europe. From Germany this year we see the emergence of gray woodgrains, both in light and dark tones. They not only were shown in panel samples, but also used by several exhibitors at recent trade shows. Gray works well with the modern design palette, working well with white and black elements, as well as bold colors – in place of lighter woods like pine and ash long favored by Scandanavian design. Grey tones highlight the grain of the wood, so turned pieces can be quite beautiful.

Everything Old is New Again: Rustic-looking woods are popular ¬– and not just for the cabin anymore. Woods featuring knots and worm holes create a warm, comforting ambiance, softening the hard lines and flat planes of super modern settings. Some of the species that offer wonderful burled patterns are Redwood, Maple, Myrtle, Madrone, Manzanita and Yew. The wood turning process enhances the already striking wood grains and knots of these species.

Extreme Finish: Look to the ends of the spectrum for finish styles. High-gloss finishes on boldly turned table and chair legs take a traditional look and give it a unique modern appeal. See the high gloss finish on this table from Eleanor Trend for a fine example.

Walk the Line: Designers continue to use woods with prominent straight grain lines, running either vertically or horizontally or even diagonally. Some lesser used woods with fine, straight grains are alder, cherry, walnut, and Douglas fir. The grain of the wood can be used to accentuate lines in a room, especially as part of a column or balustrade.

Dick
www.glacialwood.com

BROOTEN, MN-As the Wood Industry attempts to emerge from one of the worst recessions in decades, Glacial Wood Products is finding ways for clients to save money in 2010. One key way for wood professionals to save is to focus on restoration and renovation projects. Many consumers and contractors alike are exploring renewing existing cabinetry, stairways and furniture.  Whether it’s replacing damaged wood pieces or creating new elements, Glacial Wood Products supports those efforts with the ability to replicate any existing wood turning.

“Our clients trust Glacial Wood Products to support their renovation and restoration projects. The Glacial Wood Products team can copy any wood turning- All we really need is a picture and the specifications and we can do it,” says Dick Johnson, President and Founder of Glacial Wood Products.

Glacial Wood Products also supports efforts to refresh existing spaces in homes and businesses. It isn’t always necessary to pull out an entire staircase of balusters or a wall of kitchen cabinetry. Glacial Wood Products can work with companies to find new ways to incorporate newel posts, appliqués and finials to create a new look in an older design. 

“It’s not only cost effective to update a cabinet or staircase that’s already in place, it can also be good for the environment. We support “green” efforts and can help our clients use existing design elements to shape a project,” Johnson says. “We’re able to save wood but focusing on what’s already in place, before adding something new.”

Glacial Wood Products is FSC certified. Glacial is also a member of True North Woods, an organization that works to promote Minnesota produced forest-based products.
The Glacial Wood Products drafting and design team uses 20-20 CAD design software to help cabinet makers and other wood professionals place wood turnings into their plans. Glacial’s skilled team is trained to find the best use for wood turnings and assist cabinet designers and architects with their plans.

About Glacial Wood Products
Glacial Wood Products is the largest custom wood turning facility in the country. Custom balusters, newel posts, table legs, knobs, pulls, handles, bun feet, and decorative columns are all made in Glacial’s Brooten, Minnesota facility. GWP manufactures the highest quality wood turnings for all types of industries using the latest technology, insuring lasting, durable and beautifully crafted parts. Glacial Wood Products is FSC certified and creates sustainable wood components for clients all over the world.

As we head into Minnesota’s long winter, it’s already time to start planning for next summer’s projects and jobs. Most Midwesterners are trying to get the most out of these last warm weeks outdoors. We’re spending a few final days at the cabin; sitting on our porches, patios and decks. At the same time, many of us are taking stock of our surroundings, making plans for renovations and new construction projects for next year. Your clients are probably doing the same thing. So as we head into fall, I’d like to put some thoughts of wood species on the table to prepare you for next spring’s exterior work. Which species do you prefer for your outdoor projects? Do you go with Cedar or Cypress?

–Dick

Cedar vs Cypress

Both Cedar and Cypress are reliable and popular wood species for exterior use. Both are resilient to moisture and temperature. Cedar and Cypress are both used for outdoor decks, exterior furniture and building siding and shingles. At Glacial Wood Products, we use both woods to create porch posts, newels balusters, finials and corbels. Which one do you use?

Cedar

Cedar is considered lightweight and stable. It tends not to crack or wrinkle after exposure. Cedar’s actual cell structure allows it to dry faster than other wood species. Cedar is also the best for outdoor components and furniture because it is considered resistant to bacteria and fungus. Cedar is also considered naturally resistant to water and insects.

Cedar is considered a great wood for craftsmen because it is easy to use by hand or machine. Cedar is lightweight and can easily be shaped and cut.

Because of its durability, Cedar does not need to be treated. Since it is free of pitch and resin, it is considered easy to treat.

Cypress

Cypress is also considered excellent for exterior projects and furniture. The Cypress tree produces an oil that act as a natural preservative and makes it resistant to fungus, insects and weather. Cypress wood is resistant to warping, cracking and splintering.

Cypress is lightweight and is also considered easy to cut and saw. It’s been used as an outdoor construction resource in the United States for hundreds of years. It is easily recyclable, even from buildings that are well over 100 years old.

Cypress is easily painted or stained, but many craftsmen opt not to treat it because of its natural honey color. If left untreated, Cypress weathers into a light grey shade.

So which should you choose?

Cypress is often the less expensive option. But many designers and builders prefer cedar because of its appearance. Cypress is about 30 percent cheaper than clear cedar, but if you are going to paint your balusters and exterior components, knotty cedar is a about the same price as cypress. I’m curious about which you prefer and why…

Dick Johnson
President
Glacial Wood Products
Brooten, MN
800-804-6885
djohnson@glacialwood.net
www.glacialwood.com