Stan Tetrault

Stan Tetrault

Bench Dog Woodworks

Tolland, CT
Member since: 2014
4.9
46 Maker Reviews
  • Long-time member

    A Maker who has been a valued part of this community for several years.

  • Fast shipper

    Customers say that this Maker ships promptly after completing a project.

  • Great service

    This Maker has consistently demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship and customer service.

I have been designing and building furniture for over 40 years. With retirement, came an opportunity to attend woodworking classes, providing an appreciation for the use of machine tools, hand tool skills and learning from instructors who are the best in their given areas of expertise. Bench Dog Woodworks became a reality.

Favorite pieces in the last couple of years have spanned many styles from the Arts and Crafts period (the designs of Stickley, Limbert, Greene & Greene) to Shaker, mid-century modern, live edge and the use of reclaimed wood. As I learn more about 17th and 18th century woodworking techniques, carving, veneer and inlay are finding their way into my work.

Customization is a specialty. Provide an idea in the form of a photo or a rough sketch and I will work with you to refine the design and turn it into a functional piece.

Traditional joinery techniques (such as mortise and tenon and dovetails) are employed resulting in a more lasting, quality piece. The extra labor involved is often reflected in my pricing.

If you buy something and are not satisfied with the result, I will work with you to make adjustments.

If you need an item by a specific date or for a specific event, please let me know prior to accepting a proposal.

More from this maker

134 products

Credenza With Asian Influences

Credenza With Asian Influences

Bath Tub Caddy

Bath Tub Caddy

Band Saw Box

Band Saw Box

Propagation Stations

Propagation Stations

Contemporary Floating Top Table

Contemporary Floating Top Table

Sewing Spool Chest

Sewing Spool Chest

Arts And Crafts Tabouret Tables

Arts And Crafts Tabouret Tables

What people are saying

4.9
(46)
  • JS

    John Sanford

    For Credenza
    5.0

    I am beyond thrilled with my final product, but also with Stan's willingness to work with me. He kept me updated with emails and photos, he was willing to meet with me at a lumber yard to choose a live edge slab for the top, more than reasonably priced in my opinion.. I can't thank Stan enough.

  • EP

    Edward Pantalena

    For Edward's Dining Table
    4.8

    My wife and I are very happy with our table base. This was our first custom made piece and Stan at Bench Dog made it a pleasurable experience. Stan was patient and quick to respond to my many questions and completed the project on time. He was also willing to apply a finish he had yet to work with, and it came out perfect to match the chairs we have on order. A slight imperfection on a leg is the only reason not a 5 star rating. We recommend Bench Dog as Stan will be our first call on any future projects.

  • LH

    Lee Howell

    For Arts And Crafts Coffee Table
    4.7

    We are very happy with the table and size/dimension fits perfectly. Stan was great to work with and consistently communicated his progress along the way.

  • JK

    Jennifer Klee

    For Table
    5.0

    I am thrilled with my nightstands! Stan was great to work with and the finished product is exactly, beautifully made to my specs.

  • SL

    Stephen Lichtenstein

    For Shaker Hall Table
    5.0

    My wife and I are delighted with the table and it was an added bonus to have it delivered by Stan and his wife. We are very pleased and we'll continue to do business with CustomMade and the talented artisans.

  • CW

    Cheryl Whetstone

    For Cheryl's Coffee Table
    5.0

    Stan is extremely talented. We love our coffee table. The entire process was better than any furniture store with whom I’ve dealt. Stan kept me informed of the process from shaping the wood through final product; with descriptions and photos. He originally estimated delivery for the first week in January. However was able to complete the project before Christmas. The work and stain are professionally finished. I have full confidence in his work and hope to work with him again.

  • DO

    Dennis O'Brien

    For Shaker-Style Meetinghouse Bench
    5.0

    Excellent value; custom made and it won't break your bank!

  • kathy lottyKL

    kathy lotty

    For Shaker-Style Hancock Bench
    5.0

    Very happy with the final project. Great working with Stan!

  • CO

    Carly Olczak

    For Walnut Desk
    4.8

    Very happy with our finished product, the desk is beautiful. Stan was great to work with from start to finish. We hope to do business again!

  • MM

    Mike McFarland

    For Arts And Crafts Style Clocks
    5.0

    This is a wonderful little Craftsman clock. Just what I was looking for. Excellent craftsmanship. I love it!

  • JR

    Jan Rayl

    For Black Walnut Console Table
    5.0

    Stan was a joy to work with, keeping us informed every step of the way. The sofa table he made for us arrived in perfect condition and ahead of schedule. It is absolutely beautiful and met our every expectation. I believe the box Stan constructed for shipping would have survived even if it had fallen off the truck. Thanks for everything!

  • MV

    Mathieu Vallier

    For Modifying an Entertainment Center
    5.0

    Stan assisted in modifying an existing entertainment center. He did so without ever seeing the entertainment center in person. I had asked him to create some spacers so I could make the entertainment center wider. The spacers came out exactly as I requested. Stan even hand carved the molding to match the existing molding. Excellent job and I'm super satisfied with the service.

  • RD

    Robert Dunne

    For Custom Cutting Board
    5.0

    Outstanding experience all-around! Very friendly, very professional.... I know where to go if we need any woodworking down the road. Thanks, Stan!

  • MO

    Michael Ochs

    For maple coffee table with ties
    4.8

    The final table is wonderful. Stan worked with us every step of the way from finding the right slab to getting the perfect legs for the finished piece. If we can manage to add a few more similar items to the house in the future, we will talk to Stan again.

  • MV

    Michele Vivian

    For Personalized Cutting Boards With Custom Inlay
    5.0

  • PG

    Paula Geyh

    For Paula's Coffee Table
    5.0

    Stan built a gorgeous coffee table base of black walnut for me. The workmanship was first rate, and Stan responded quickly to all my queries. He was great to work with, and he even schlepped the base all the way to Manhattan for me to make sure it arrived safely. Highly recommend!

  • JH

    Jesse Horn

    For Greene & Greene Jewelry Box
    4.7

    It was great working with Stan on this jewelery box project. He was very responsive and turned the job around quickly. Craftsmanship was good. We may consider using him again in the future.

  • MF

    Mike Farrell

    For Library Browsing Stool
    5.0

    My wife and I are very pleased with the oak mission foot stool that Stan made for us. Our project was a little unique; we needed a base to support an antique library card catalog. Stan requested photos and created a drawing of the finished product. His attention to detail resulted in a perfect match in stain color and a piece that complemented the card catalog. We will enjoy it for many years to come.

  • Helen HaaseHH

    Helen Haase

    For Bungalow Ottoman
    5.0

    We are very happy with the custom-made oak Bungalow ottoman. We needed a piece a specific size to fit at the entrance to our studio to sit and remove shoes and could not find anything ready made commercially that was well made. But Stan made us a beautiful piece that fits exactly the space that is sturdy and fits into the room so nicely. Wd will definitely consider using his services again. Thank you!

  • MM

    Mike Muscato

    For Shaker Hall Table
    5.0

    Flawless. Table was better than we expected and all expectations exceeded!!

  • MM

    Marla McFadin

    For arts & crafts oval or round coffee table
    2.3

    It's August 16th, 2017. We've just unpacked the replacement table that Mr. Tetrault sent after the original table that he made for us arrived damaged due to an inadequate packaging job for shipping such an item. The original table was gouged and scraped in shipping and a piece of the wood was split. Mr. Tetrault demonstrated integrity and professionalism during the negotiation for a remedy to this situation. We developed an understanding of a few changes and a price change for a second table that would be shipped professionally by a furniture shipment professional. We paid him the difference. The second table has been both hastily constructed as well as damaged in delivery. It's like a loose tooth. every joint is wobbly and off of true. The table feet are chipped and paired by movement in the shipping box. The shipment packaging was clearly not done by a furniture shipping professional. Mr. Tetrault has used extensive shimming and untrue joints in this piece for some reason. The original table did not have this kind of shoddy construction. The one thing I can say about the second (replacement) table is that we like the stain color better as it is closer to the stain color I had been originally trying to communicate we desired. It's tragic that neither table is truly an excellent expression of Mr. Tetrault's craftsmanship. I've learned my lesson about commissioning small craftsman construction over the web. Too many things can go wrong and it is challenging to conduct clear specification conversations regarding stain colors and shipment agreements, etc.. I'm so sorry for both Mr. Tetrault, for whom this must have been a frustrating job, and for ourselves, who have paid a fair full price for a custom made table but we have no table that is not damaged or made poorly. Had the original table been shipped professionally by a furniture shipping professional this whole sad fiasco could have been avoided. That (original) table was constructed far more skillfully than the replacement table was and is a better example of the potential of Mr. Tetrault's crafting skill.

  • LD

    Lisa Diamond

    For Toy Chest
    5.0

    I highly recommend Stan for any project you are considering. He kept me informed throughout, and delivered right on time. The toy chest that I ordered is beautiful, and is exactly what I was hoping for. Thank you again, Stan!

  • SR

    Susan Root

    For Distressed To Impress! Modern Rustic Oversized Ottoman Tray Table Top Serving Breakfast Tray
    5.0

    Stan is the best! He was a pleasure to work with, very professional communicating with me throughout the project, He is a true expert in his field. He made me a beautiful oversized distressed wooden ottoman tray - exactly what I wanted! Shipping and delivery were totally on time. It was wonderful to work with him and I highly recommend him!

  • JT

    Justin Taster

    For Justin's console table
    5.0

    Stan was a pleasure to work with. He understood the requirements. He asked very insightful questions. Provided excellent communication throughout the project. When we weren't sure on a stain color - he provided actual samples of the species of wood we wanted and several stain options. The final product was delivered on-time and in mint condition. Stan is truly a craftsman and cares about his work and his customer. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a quality piece of furniture!

  • D

    Dave

    For Bird's-Eye Maple Mirror
    5.0

    Stan was great to work with. He sent his design to me before starting, and I received photos of the project all along the way. The project was a handmade hallway mirror, and due to Stan's careful packaging, it arrived in perfect condition. It was exactly as I envisioned.......the workmanship was flawless. We are proud to have in hang in our home!

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