My name is Rod Molina and my company is called Mountain Makers. You can follow me on Instagram @themountainmakers. I’m 57 years old and live in Townsend, TN with my wife, Dawn and our two dogs, Lolo & Luna. I’ve been a tinkerer and maker ever since I was a curious kid growing up in Florida. My creative journey started when my parents gave me access to a collection of basic tools. At first I was more curious about how things worked, taking them apart, exploring the parts, and putting them back together. Sometimes they worked again and many times they didn’t, but I learned a lot and my creative interests quickly grew. When I got power tools in my hands, I used them for opportunities to construct things around the family homestead like barns, decks, sheds, all sorts of ambitious projects. Around that time, home computers were just becoming a thing and I was fortunate that my parents set me up with my own. From that point, I was hooked on technology and adopted a career that integrated computers with creative media: CAD, 3D & graphic design, video editing and software development. Along the way, I used my skills to become a founding partner of a successful digital marketing agency, which I still manage today. My skills as a maker and woodworker progressively increased over the last few decades, as a homeowner and hobbyist. It was only in the last 6 years or so that my casual hobby quickly accelerated to create a new chapter in my life by starting up Mountain Makers here in Townsend, Tennessee.
We make things in our little green barn, which we originally built for our small herd of goats. Back then, my wife, Dawn bred and sold goats. In the process, we would benefit from the dairy by-products that she would make: things like cheese, caramel and soap. When we got out of the goat business, the barn was transformed into a well-equipped maker lab and workshop as I started adding tools and became more serious about my hobby. Originally, I focused on making things for our home but quickly realized that a business could be made with all of the resources we had available to us: an abundance of local hardwoods and an apparent local demand for handcrafted things. As my skills and tool collection grew larger and I started showcasing our work on social media, we found ourselves making things for others. We even opened a local store space at a place called the Dogwood Mall for our own products.
When it comes to woodworking, I am self-taught. Over the years, I’ve learned from DIY projects, woodworking magazines and lately, Youtube videos. However, my limitless curiosity about all things creative and the need to keep both my mind & hands occupied, has kept me on this path of being a maker.
I got started with construction projects as a teenager, building a variety of things on the family homestead. It wasn’t until I was married and we bought our first home, that I got really motivated to get into making things. I realized that I could save money and develop useful new skills by making things myself.
I opt for a hybrid approach to making things, blending traditional processes and conventional tools with new technology and modern ideas. I prefer being a generalist rather than a specialist. Being able to choose hand tools for one project, then switching to computer driven machinery for others. I find it’s very liberating to be able to combine whatever tools I have available to do the job. As I see it, modern artisans have so many options, materials and methods available to them.
I’m fortunate to have been around a diverse variety of artists, creatives and technicians throughout my life. My experiences have helped add a wide perspective to the way I approach things creatively. Recently, I’ve had the privilege of doing extensive collaboration with a local artist that opened a studio & gallery for her photography, paint and unique basketry works. She commissioned several wood-related furniture and fixture projects for her gallery and home. She would provide the basic idea of what she wanted and I would design around that. It was crucial to make sure I communicate my ideas clearly. In most cases, I would provide 3D rendered sketches and models of what I was thinking so that she could review and approve. It was much easier to make changes at this stage. Then I could confidently follow through with each project and accurately deliver what she wanted.
For the artist collaboration I described, one of the most memorable and enjoyable projects was a modern-styled table. It was a very inspiring project because the rough sawn maple wood came from the artist’s property, taken down and milled during construction of her building. She described what she wanted and like most custom designed projects, I created a 3D model of what I wanted to build for her. The inspiration came from the wood itself. Its origin story was special. So, I wanted the design to focus on showcasing the character of this beautiful wood. The table top and base were made from the same maple lumber. When finished, it had some of the most beautifully figured maple wood I had ever seen. The base has an interlocking design that helped to showcase the wood as much as possible, while providing very sturdy support. What adds to this story is that it’s placed at the center of the artist’s gallery, like a wooden sculpture, and only a short distance from where the original maple tree stood.
When given the choice, I have a preference for simple, minimalistic design. I prefer clear coat finishes over paint or stain to let the character of the wood speak for itself. I’m a self-taught student of traditional joinery like dovetails, mortises & tenons, and any other techniques that showcase the natural beauty and strength of wood. Most of all I enjoy all of the steps & processes involved to transform a tree into something else, making timber into an enduring and useful new form. One of my favorite quotes from the famous woodworker and architect, GEORGE NAKASHIMA, goes like this: "When trees mature, it is fair and moral that they are cut for man's use, as they would soon decay and return to the earth. Trees have a yearning to live again, perhaps to provide the beauty, strength and utility to serve man, even to become an object of great artistic worth."
Just about all of our shop creations are custom projects, for ourselves or commissioned by others. Clients will usually come to us with some inspiration in mind. We’ll learn about their preferences for wood species, design requirements to match their style and aesthetic details, and of course, technical specifications. I’ll use CAD software throughout the design and approval process. This ensures clear communication of ideas and accurate plans for the build process.
So far, projects come to us through word-of-mouth referrals. One project leads to another as people learn about our capabilities or see our work. Our social media channels like Instagram play a large role in attracting clients. Originally, I started posting on social media as a place for showcasing all of the footage I have a habit of collecting — As a former computer programmer, I have an unshakable habit of documenting my work! Posts are primarily video reels that showcase many of the processes that take place in various projects, up to the finished product. I think this has helped convey the services we offer in a unique way. Instead of simply showing finished projects, potential clients get to see the amount of effort and attention to detail that we give each project, no matter the size or scope. I’ve discovered that our social media approach has done a great job in helping us tell our story.
Our posts also demonstrate the variety of skills and capabilities we can provide, from traditional woodworking to high tech CNC (router, laser & plasma) techniques, with conventional, and unconventional, approaches to solving problems along the way. I believe this gives us a uniquely competitive edge by demonstrating that our shop philosophy is all about being creative and innovative, regardless of the tools or the materials we end up using.
The biggest challenge as a DIY maker or woodworker is the ongoing learning process, staying up-to-date with a relevant set of skills. With no formal training in place, I often have to rely on learning tools and techniques as I go. Fortunately, we live in a time where helpful information is readily available in the form of YouTube videos and through social media. I don’t think there’s any limits for learning how to do most things a maker wants or needs to know. The information is out there and you just have to find and use it!
Having the right tools is another challenge. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been able to acquire the tools and skills I’ve needed over time and at my own pace, helping to make the journey an enjoyable and affordable one. As my hobby progressively became more serious, projects and clients helped fund growth of the shop.
As a software developer and later as a manager of a technology team, I learned the valuable lesson of proper tools and training. Keeping in mind that it doesn’t necessarily mean having the latest and greatest, or most expensive tools. The key is having tools that are effective enough to achieve your objectives and possessing skills to use those tools to their best potential. With the proper tools, the focus is on developing skills to adapt to each unique situation rather than feeling limited by the tools you have. The other important life skill I’ve learned is that you don’t have to already know all the answers, just how to find the information you need and apply it effectively.
I’m a self-proclaimed technology nerd. I have an affinity for smart tools like CNCs, in all their forms: printers, routers, laser, plasma, etc. I enjoy the challenge of finding ways to integrate them into traditional workflows and processes. On the other end of the spectrum, I really enjoy using hand tools like chisels, saws, gouges and planes, as well as turning things on a lathe. I find it’s a great way to switch from using the noisy tools to some quieter, creative time shaping with my hands and sharp instruments.
Keeping the shop clean is a huge challenge. Dust is ever present even with good dust collection and habitual sweeping. As for tool maintenance and care, my general rule is to keep things sharp, calibrated, clean & lubricated as necessary.
Besides woodworking machinery, nurturing a creative attitude & open thought process is essential in artistic woodworking. Don’t be afraid to be inspired by others’ work but don’t just mimic. Improvise when possible because it leads to developing your own style and identity in your work. Personal protective equipment like eye and lung protection are often overlooked but extremely important. If you don’t protect the vital parts of yourself, your ability to do your best work or work at all can end up becoming compromised.
I often admire & study the works of artisans like GEORGE NAKASHIMA, Sam Maloof and Wharton Escherick, and the helpful community of makers on Instagram & YouTube. Another quick and easy source for visual ideas, research and inspiration is browsing sites like Pinterest.
From my previous technology career, I’ve taken along with me a penchant for a process oriented workflow. It often consists of a series of easy-to-remember steps that begin with the letter “D”. For instance, most projects begin with DISCOVERY, to understand the deliverables and the client’s needs. This is followed by the DESIGN process to plan the build. At this stage, prototypes and drawings are often used to get approval before starting the intensive work. Then it’s off to DEVELOPMENT, AKA making the thing. The final step is of course, DELIVERY!
I’ve learned that attention to details and consistently using best practices are key to achieving successful results. I’ve learned to pay attention to things like proper application and clamping when glue is involved, keeping tools sharp and well calibrated, optimal feeds & speeds when cutting or routing and disciplined steps during the sanding & finishing stage. I also like to adopt an idea used by military professionals, realizing that “Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast”. This emphasizes the importance of accuracy, consistency, and a controlled pace when executing tasks. The fastest route to success isn’t always about rushing into tasks but instead, maintaining a rhythm, a smoothness in operation that naturally leads to increased speed and efficiency.
It’s an exciting time to be a maker. There are so many innovations in tools, materials and new methods and techniques being discovered for getting things done. Nowadays, I think that calling someone a maker is becoming more accurate since modern woodworkers often do more than just work with wood. There’s plenty of resources available to learn and stay informed with whatever industry you’re focused on and with whatever new techniques you want to develop.
My long term business plans include expansion of our shop. It would be wonderful to have an available dust-free space for doing clean finish work. With expansion, I plan on adding equipment to scale our capabilities for larger projects. Enabling an online sales presence through our web site is also in the works.
My advice to young woodworkers is that you can focus on developing fundamental skills with even a basic set of tools. It may be easier for me to say from where I sit now, but you don’t need to have all the latest and greatest gear to do quality work. Sure it may take longer, but looking back at when I started out, I was able to accomplish a lot with just a handful of key tools: a circular saw, jigsaw, drill and a few hand tools. I’ve found that sometimes it can be very fulfilling to do more with less. As skills improve and reputation develops, the opportunities to fund growth will follow. I think that progressing this way can even make you more appreciative of higher-end, quality tools when you do get them. Plus, limitations like this can often lead to more imaginative approaches to getting things done. It’s important to realize that skills aren’t defined by the tools but how well you use what you have available.
Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. They’re an unshakable part of the learning process. Everyone makes them at the beginning, along the way, and even after years of practice. Experience provides the perspective to learn from mistakes, create solutions and avoid problems going forward. I think the trait of a well-seasoned woodworker is having the ability to recover from the mistakes that can and will happen.
Thanks Rod Molina for the contribution. Be sure to visit his website and follow him on Instagram.
