Timber Pines has always had a “Woodshop”. Home construction began here in 1982 and ended in 1997. From what we have pieced together from the archives so far, prior to 2001, the Timber Pines Woodshop, then known as the Woodworking Hobby Shop was located in the Cypress room in the Lodge Building itself. Bear in mind that the Lodge Hall as we know it in 2025 was the original gathering space. The Cypress room is just down the hall from that big, open room. That means dust from milling lumber and aromas from using glue and finishes on whatever was being constructed was likely being transferred throughout the entire building! Beginning with donated equipment brought to Timber Pines by residents moving in from “away”, the Woodshop itself changed very little and very slowly. Always cramped for space, we are told that hobbies and crafts were the center of use with actual Woodworking sharing it as needed.

The Resident Activity Center (RAC) was built and opened in 2001. It was the next Common Area building to be constructed in Timber Pines, with the idea that it would continue to serve the expanding needs of the residents. The Woodshop was moved out of the Lodge to its present location in the RAC at that time. The new area was almost double in size of the original, and many of the Hobby and Craft requirements like Pottery and Painting were designated to separate rooms in the new RAC and not considered as part of the Woodshop. Newer and more robust woodworking equipment was added and some existing equipment was upgraded.

With the addition of the larger pieces of equipment came the need to control access to just “anyone”. The Woodshop was locked to residents, and each Woodshop member had a conventional key to unlock the door.
A keypad entry system was installed in 2013. Free wood carving classes began in 2016.

A dust evacuation vacuum system was installed that year as well, and a noise reduction system in 2017. Also in that year, some consideration was given to closing the shop because of perceived lack of use. But the membership was able to document over 3,000 “sign ins” of members using the shop. The sink was installed in 2018.

A knife sharpening service using a small belt sander that has started in previous years was discontinued in 2018. The key fob security system currently being used was installed in 2021. After completing a “Safety Certification” training and signing a hold harmless document, Woodshop members purchase an electronic “Fob” which simultaneously opens the door and records the fob’s user number, identifying the user and documenting the actual uses of the controlled access Woodshop space.

The knife sharpening service was revived as “The Knife Medics” with its first sharpening day on 2-14-2022, and offering two sharpening days each month. It rapidly expanded its Sharpening capabilities and now operates as a Universal Sharpening Service, sharpening all things requiring an “edge”, including more than 2,000 knives each year since 2023. Funds from this service go to the Woodshop for additional sharpening tools and replacement of safety supples.

Several larger and more robust machines have been added to the Woodshop’s inventory. A new Planer was installed in 2023, replacing a smaller one which suffered from repeated motor burn-out. A new Table Saw was installed in 2024, replacing a Saw Stop Table Saw which suffered from repeatedly damaged blades. A new table was purchased in 2025 for the Table Mounted Router which is used as a Shaper for moldings and finishing edges of flat material. Additionally in 2025, a Computer Numerically Controlled Router, more commonly known as a CNC Machine, was purchased and is currently being “rolled out” to the entire Woodshop membership. Upcoming in 2026 will be a more robust Band Saw, replacing one which is too small for its current purposes.

You may be aware that the Woodshop itself and the equipment in it is actually an amenity belonging to the entire Timber Pines Community.  As such, any Timber Pines Member is "eligible" to use it.  For Insurance purposes, the doors to the Woodshop are locked and access is only provided to Timber Pines Members who have been "Safety Trained" by Woodshop Leaders; who themselves are trained and experienced in the safe use and operation of the machinery in the Woodshop.  The Safety Trainers do not train individuals to actually operate any of the equipment.  The assumption is that if you are not familiar with any piece of equipment, you would request further training on its proper operation.  Such training is readily available on a one-on-one basis.  The safety training is designed solely to show you how to turn on and off the equipment and the basics of what NOT to do with it.  We do not propose to turn anyone into an experienced furniture maker or woodworker during the two-or-so hour safety seminar.

Once you have gone through the safety training seminar and signed Timber Pines "Hold-Harmless Agreement", you are eligible to purchase a Key Fob from Timber Pines Administration.  When you have completed the purchase of the key fob, you are now entirely on your own and unsupervised in any way regarding how and when you use the entire Woodshop and everything in it. Your access limitations are 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday. The Woodshop is closed on Mondays for cleaning, safety training, and Knife Medics.