A note from Brad & Sandy
Thank you for visiting our little corner of the world.
We started Bradford Woodworking in 1980 to create furniture and home goods that didn't follow trends or part of any style or school of craftsmanship. We wanted to create something authentic to where live, our farm where Brad built our home and workshop. Our pieces are honest and familiar, crafted from sometimes unordinary items like farm implements and ax-handle lathes. For 45 years, Brad has been doing what he loves -- creating custom furniture for people all over the country.
In January 2025, the workshop Brad built and worked in for decades was destroyed in a fire that burned for over five hours. Despite the effort of over 100 firefighters, it was almost a complete loss. The devastation we felt was tempered by the immense support of our community of family, friends and customers that came together to help us clean up and rebuild the workshop, which is -- amazingly -- almost completely up and running again.
We are profusely grateful to everyone who has supported us through this last year so we can continue what we love, and build a new future for Bradford Woodworking.
With love, Brad & Sandy
We believe that well-considered, well-crafted design improves our lives.
Our furniture is hand-built with integrity using the highest level of fine woodworking techniques, timeless proportions, and a respect for tradition.
Farm tools and everyday parts are reimagined in unexpected ways. Our 'farm fresh furniture' is prized for turning utilitarian tools and materials into functional art.
Drawing inspiration from our home's surrounding landscape, each piece carries the humble, hard-working spirit of beautiful rural Pennsylvania.
About Brad
As a boy, Brad was always working to fix and build things around the farm. This led to his interest in woodworking that he developed in high school. For four years after graduation, he worked in several different woodworking shops in the area. Although he learned the basics of woodworking and developed a strong work ethic, he wanted a more formal. In 1976 Brad attended the Rochester Institute of Technology’s School for American Craftsmen and graduated with a BFA in woodworking and furniture design in 1980.
Our Ax Handle Lathe
In 1986, we expanded the business by developing a line of distinctive furniture. The first piece in the line was the Ax Handle Stool™, which continues to be the workhorse of the BW Collection. Ax handles seemed to be the perfect chair leg with their gentle S-curve and knobby foot. Pitchforks make ideal supports for chair backs and they even have some spring when you lean back. Disc blades, used on farm equipment, are equally good as bases for coat trees, lamps, and dining tables. These “parts” have become significant elements in Brad's design vocabulary and give the furniture its distinctive Bradford “look.”
The Workshop & Farm
Brad built the original main workshop on our farm from 2004-2005. In early 2025, a devastating fire burnt the original shop to the ground. It was a complete loss, save for the ax handle lathe and a few very charred pieces of lumber. The workshop, however, is just one of the many buildings and structures Brad has built over the years that define where Bradford Woodworking produces our furniture and home goods.
Across from our 3,000 SF workshop is our finishing barn and metal shop, where we put all the final touches on the pieces and host our open studio.
While not building furniture, Brad's hobby is building small structures, like the 'toaster' shed and the 'wedge' shed. We also share our property with pigs, chickens, goats, and our daughter, her husband, and three grandchildren.
The Fire
On January 29, 2025, our original shop was destroyed by a fire that burned for over five hours. Despite the heroic efforts of over 100 firefighters from ten companies, the high winds and metal roof made it impossible to contain. We believe the fire started due to a failed metal flue due to high winds from the wood burning stove. It was heartbreaking to see everything gone so quickly, especially after spending over 45 years collecting rare and irreplaceable materials and tools. However, the outpouring of hands-on help with the cleanup, recovery, and rebuild was astounding and humbling. The kindness of our community is why we are still making furniture today.
What's Old is New Again
As of March 2026, we are again producing furniture for our clients. Thanks to the help of our community, our workshop has been completely rebuilt, and our ax handle lathe has been restored, hopefully lasting another 100 years.
With our fresh start, we have also decided to relaunch the products that started Bradford Woodworking, our kitchen line. We will be producing our classic cheese slicers, utensil sets, trivets, and more in the coming months.
