ABOUT 420 WEST WOODWORKS

420 West Woodworks is a small woodworking shop based in Greensburg, Indiana, specializing in custom hardwood cutting boards, handcrafted boxes, and heirloom-quality wood goods built for daily use.. Pieces should feel right in the hand and hold up to daily life without apology. I’m less interested in trends and shortcuts, and more interested in work that still makes sense years from now.

Much of my work has been built outside normal hours, where restraint and intention matter. Speed was never the goal — quality was.

The goal isn’t to produce more.
It’s to produce work that’s timeless.

A bearded man wearing a knit hat and a dark t-shirt, sitting at a table with arms crossed, in a black-and-white photo.

“I build things meant to last — not just in materials, but in how they’re used, lived with, and passed along.”

JR Anderson Owner/Woodworker

THE FULL STORY

The work behind the work

Most of my work has been built outside normal hours — nights, weekends, and whatever time could be carved out in between. Not because it was romantic, but because it mattered enough to do it right, even when it took longer.

Working this way forced restraint. Materials had to be chosen carefully. Decisions had to be intentional. Speed was never the goal — quality was.

How I approach building

A lot of modern furniture isn’t built like it used to be. Materials are thinner, joinery is simplified, and longevity is often sacrificed for efficiency.

That’s not what I’m interested in making.

Every piece that leaves my shop is built with an emphasis on solid construction, clean joinery, and materials that age well. I don’t chase volume, and I don’t cut corners to meet trends. If something is worth building, it’s worth building properly.

Where things stand now

Today, 420 West Woodworks focuses on a small number of carefully built pieces — from everyday items to one-off heirloom projects. Some work is available directly, and select custom commissions are considered when the project is a good fit.

The goal isn’t to produce more.
It’s to produce work that’s timeless.