Tech Talk Time with Bob, Sam & Kyle

It’s Tech Talk Time with Bob, Sam & Kyle from Woodcraft’s Technical Support Team!

For over 20 years, Woodcraft’s Technical Support Team has combined efforts with our Customer Service Department to provide satisfaction and resolution to all of Woodcraft’s clientele for any issues that may arise. Together they contribute product information, advice, fast ordering service and delivery, as well as the best pricing to assist with your Woodcraft orders and information. These guys provide for inbound product inspections of new items, informing Woodcraft personnel and customers of any quality issues with new or existing products. They also perform product use testing for future stock items. Using customer experiences, they pass along any concerns or suggestions, sharing the product knowledge to all who may need it.

Robert Poling-

Bob has been a team member of the Woodcraft Technical Support Department for 11 years with a background in cabinet making and trim carpentry. During his tenure at Woodcraft, Bob has attended woodworking courses in turning, hand cut dovetails, rustic twig chair making, wooden hand plane making, Windsor chair construction, and regular training updates as our Festool specialist. Bob attends annual trade shows to keep up with new woodworking product technologies and manufacturer sponsored training sessions.
Bob stated, “I have had a great time over the years experiencing all the changes in woodworking techniques and tools. Here in our office we also test new products, turn photo samples for our catalog, and assist our product development department. I am a big enthusiast of pocket hole joinery, Festool products, and WoodRiver hand plane’s, just to name a few.” Here are just a few of Bob’s woodworking projects,

Bob explained, “Recently, I had a call from a lady whose father was recovering from a  stroke who had difficulty communicating on the phone. After our conversation with him to find the best tools he needed, she called back just to thank us for taking some extra time to help him with patience. She then described an unpleasant experience they previously had with another woodworking supplier. At times we get a chance to do our most important service; bring to a customer’s attention a possible unsafe practice and suggest a safer, more efficient method of work. We don’t consider these things above the call of duty. We believe in treating customers with respect and giving them the best service that they have come to expect from Woodcraft.” 

Sam Murner-

Sam has 6 years of service in the Woodcraft Technical Support Department. A self-taught woodworker from his high school days, Sam enjoys testing new products and has a passion for woodturning. He regularly attends annual trade shows to keep up to date on new woodworking products. Sam tells us his manufacturer and training class bank of knowledge include but are not limited to:  Apollo Spray Equipment, Freud, Festool, Forrest, Porter Cable, Easy Wood Tools, Sorby, Earlex, Weber Knapp, Kelly Mehler School of Woodworking, Charles Neil Finishing and Rob Cosman’s sharpening and handplanes.

Sam tells us, “My absolute favorite projects are woodturning and testing new products for Woodcraft. However, I also enjoy all types of woodworking, while learning new techniques and getting familiar with new products. I always look for tips and useful information to share with our customers that are not in the owner’s manual.”

Sam continued, “I would say our most common questions are about pens. If a customer is having problems with a pen kit then we will work with that kit to try and figure out what the customer will need to accomplish to have the pen project be successful.”

Additional woodworking by Sam,

Sam concluded, “I like challenging questions, the ones where you need to do days of research to find the answers. The vast amounts of information that we have available are endless. The best experiences are when the customer calls back after we have supported them just to thank you and let you know that your assistance really helped. These calls are the most rewarding.”

Kyle Meyer-

Kyle said, “I was first interested in woodworking when I saw Norm Abram on The New Yankee Workshop. I took 4 years of high school woodshop and then went on to earn a 2 year degree in Fine Woodworking from the University of Rio Grande. After college I worked for a short time at a cabinet shop south of Boston. I left Boston and took a break from woodworking. I started back up again when I became a technician for Woodcaft in September of 2010.”

Kyle’s expertise lends itself to sharpening, turning, joinery and cabinet making. He enjoys antique furniture reproductions, contemporary or utilitarian type pieces and pen turning.

In this video, Kyle introduces a common customer question on staining issues with blotch prone woods and how General Finishes can help solve those issues,