First Place South Region
Ben Atkins
Pikeville, North Carolina

Wood-Mizer Project Makes a Great Gift

Many people recognize North Carolina as a furniture Mecca. For Ben Atkins, who owns an LT40 Hydraulic, buying a bookcase from a big-time furniture manufacturer was not an option.

Knowing that his wife wanted a bookcase for their living room in Pikeville, North Carolina, Ben went to work. He had a supply of beautiful red oak wood and he says he had the time. Ben looked at many bookcases/entertainment centers and then locked in on his idea.

He started to work in his spare time. He used his Wood-Mizer sawmill to cut 19 pieces of red oak for the project. "I wanted to build the bookcase out of solid wood that would last for many years," he says. He fulfilled his plans. Everything - drawers, shelves, even the back panels - is solid wood. The finished bookcase is 6'4" high, 5'1" wide and 19" deep. It is a sizable and attractive addition to the living room.

Compared to buying the same wood at his nearest Lowe's store, Ben figures he saved exactly $771.28.

After 18 months of attentive work, he unveiled his project. "This was a Christmas present for my wife - she loves it," Ben says. Her joy is the best result of all.