Highland Woodworking can trace its origin to King Hardware, an old Atlanta company that opened in 1882 and remained in business for almost a hundred years. After college at GA Tech, Sharon Bagby and I worked at a King Hardware store for a few years, and while there learned how to sell the Shopsmith, a multipurpose woodworking machine. After becoming fascinated by woodworking, we left King in 1978 and opened our own store, Highland Hardware. We started out selling the usual hardware store fare, but we also began specializing in woodworking tools. Now after 47 years, we are still here selling tools, hoping to be able to continue serving you.

In this issue of Wood News, Chris Schwarz raises some flack regarding the survival of venerable North American toolmakers like Lie-Nielsen and Veritas in the face of competition from lower-priced Chinese knock-offs. Joining the chorus, David Wilcox sings about wanting an old NC hardware store to stay in business.

We also feature a story about a beloved grandfather, news about a wooden satellite that was launched into space, and information about Gary Rogowski’s upcoming superb online woodworking course, Setting Up Shop.

Please enjoy these stories and more while you continue making sawdust!

Chris Bagby, co-founder
Highland Woodworking