About Dale Weinke

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Hello I'm Dale Weinke born and raised in beautiful Wausau, Wisconsin. I got into woodworking, because I become a home owner, and wanted to save money on home remolding. I watch the DIY shows on TV of people building cabinets and furniture, and I told myself I can do that too. TV shows like New Yankee Workshop, This Old House was the early shows I watch to learn more about woodworking and home remolding. Then I went to YouTube and discovered more videos like Steve Ramsey over at Woodworking for Mere Mortals and by watching his videos I saw you don't need the fancy tools like Norm haves to get the job done. I do say Steve Ramsey is a big woodworking inspiration for me when it comes to wanting to make YouTube videos. Norm Abram is the inspiration when it comes to where I want to be, woodworking skills wise. Right now I'm no pro when it comes to woodworking, but along the way I learn from my mistakes, and do my best to learn from other people mistakes.
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My first project I did at Beaver Valley Woodworking was a King size head board totally made out of construction grade lumber I made and designed myself.  I was going for a rustic feel and the lights I wired up on dimmer switches that plug into a wall electrical outlet. This was build in the spring of 2009 with limited tools, and the joinery wasn't that fancy, just butt joints and screws that were hidden by wooden buttons. I still use it today and it's holding up pretty good.

Early years 2008-2010

Beaver Valley Woodworking's workshop is inside a L shape garage and during the winter of 2008, that's when I started remolding and slowly taking shape to what it is today. Electrical got upgraded, better lighting and insulating the shop for the cold Wisconsin winter days. Shop was heated by a propane heater in those days.

Beaver Valley Woodworking 2013




From 2008 to now the shop is always evolving and coming up with better ideas to keep stuff organized and getting new tools to help make doing jobs more easier to tackle and safer. Newer tools also save me time in the workshop so I can be more productive with my time.

I still remember the power tools I had when I started, a cheap $30 table saw I bought from a pawn store that had no fence, blade guard or riving knife, cheap Harbor Freight jigsaw, Craftsman nicad cordless tool set, Cheap Harbor Freight plunge router and a Ryobi miter saw, that's how I got by in those days. In those days you learn to adapt and be creative in getting the job done when you don't have the tool for the job. Sure it took more time to get the job done, but that's a experience I do miss from time to time.