What a Journey Since our founding in May of 1978, Highland Woodworking has been part of a craft that values patience, precision, and tradition. What began as a small tool supplier has grown - board by board - into the store and online community you know today in 2026. Looking back over nearly five decades, it's been quite a journey.

Along the way, we've had our share of milestones. We moved from our original Atlanta location across the street into our current location in 1984, giving us room to grow alongside our customers. In the early days of the internet, we took a leap and launched one of the first woodworking e-commerce sites, highland-hardware.com, in 1996—well before online shopping became the norm. Not long before that, in 1994, we expanded our physical space with an 8,000-square-foot addition, creating more room for tools, classes, and community. Each step forward was guided by a simple idea: deliver fine woodworking tools and education to our customers. Over the years, Highland Woodworking has evolved, but our purpose has remained steady. And we're not done yet.

Today, we're proud to introduce the next chapter. Over the past year, we've reimagined our online experience to better serve the way you shop, learn, and explore. Our new website offers faster, more intuitive search and a refreshed design that reflects our traditions, featuring a rock-solid, secure checkout powered by Shopify. It's everything you've trusted about Highland Woodworking—now built for the future.

In the coming weeks we will be adding additional features to the website, including offering additional ways for you to pay for purchases (including PayPal, ApplePay, GooglePay and BNPL).

As we approach 50 years, our goal remains unchanged: to bring you the finest tools, trusted advice, and woodworking knowledge so you can focus on what matters most—your craft.

Thank you for being part of our story. We're honored to be part of yours, and we're excited for what we'll next build together.

Here are a few of the ways our new website will help us to serve you better:

• Easier Navigation (better search)
• Secure cart from Shopify
• Modern interface
• Improved communications (get notified when order ships and track through Shopify)
• Future proofing - ability to add new features and payment methods as the industry evolves

Report on Woodworking Basics Class

On a recent weekend at Highland Woodworking we had Char Miller-King teaching her Woodworking Basics class. In this class, students can learn the foundations of woodworking while making a beautiful cutting board that they can take home afterwards.

Take a photo tour of this exceptional class

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Upcoming Classes at Highland

May 16 Bowl Turning with Phil Colson

May 17 Bowl Turning with Phil Colson

May 23 Sharpening Hand Tools with Jim Dillon

May 30 Handcut Dovetails with Randy Archer

June 12-14 Build a Dutch Tool Chest with Randy Archer

June 17 Hand Plane Basics with Jim Dillon

June 20-21 Woodworking Basics with Char Miller-King

July 31-August 6 Build a Maloof-Inspired Rocker with Jeff Wyatt

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The Sawmill in Brooklyn

Years ago we had the opportunity to tour RE-CO BKLYN, a sawmill and lumber yard located in Brooklyn, New York that is dedicated to sourcing locally downed trees throughout the Tri-State area and beyond.

Read about our visit to this remarkable enterprise

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Designing and Building My Last Shop

Michael Smith of Mountain Park, GA had a long career as a high school shop teacher. He knows a thing or two about woodworking shops. Here is the seventh of a 10-part series he wrote for Wood News on designing and building what he calls "My Last Shop".

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Listen to Splinters - Gary Rogowski's Podcast

Listen to Gary's latest chat from our education partner, the Northwest Woodworking Studio.

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