MapleRock WoodWorks

Ed created a beautiful desk for my daughter's room just based on a picture! His work is superb- he is an amazing craftsman!!

Ed made an elegant walnut stand for a shawl that I purchased at the American Craft Council show. He took my rough idea, refined it, and turned it into a stand that shows off the shawl beautifully. I am very pleased.

Ed is a real quality craftsman! He has valuable advice and recommendations during the design process. The large round pedestal coffee table he made for me is beautiful! Plus - Ed is super easy to work!

The Shakers were people of faith who worshiped the work ethic as a tenet of daily life. The furniture they created, renowned for its simplicity of form, were originally hand built one at time by craftsmen in the community; but were later mass produced in communal factories using the latest woodworking technology of the day. The Shakers invented the table saw along with many other powered wood working tools often mistaken for modern day inventions. Even from humble beginnings in the 19th century, Shaker furniture had a reputation for being a quality product and the Shaker catalog reflected that. Standard chairs, depending on options, were listed for between 3 and 7 dollars at a time when the average laborer earned one dollar for a 14 hour day. The process of making a Shaker chair began by cleaving a green log of hickory or sassafras with frow and topmaul into turning blanks with long parallel fibers - the secret of its strength and lightness. The turnings themselves had simple tapers to tenons on both ends and were devoid of all decoration - a hallmark of Shaker furniture. Pockets for the turnings were made using a spoon bit and brace. Small finials atop the back turnings were the only ornament and even that was an understatement of craftsmanship. The back turnings often had graceful bends toward the top that were “cooked in” by use of a steam box. It was a one shot deal. The woodworker had 45 seconds to get the steaming hot turning into the jig and the wedges in place before the wood fibers were permanently fixed in place. Ed Neu’s masterful interpretation of the 1876 New Lebanon Shaker rocker is dead on. It is a well executed faithful continuation of the traditional Shaker form. His meticulous attention to every detail and keen eye to proportion is the mark of a true craftsman - even after I threw him a curve ball. The end product speaks for itself. It’s strong, light weight, and constructed from high quality natural materials. All joints are tight, no squeaks, and the finishes have been well applied. I highly recommend Ed Neu for your consideration. M.C. Misiolek Master of Arts - Professional Writing, U-Mass., Dartmouth Author: “The Gunner’s Daughter” Kindle Books, Amazon. com