Woodworking has been a craft practiced by skilled workers since the dawn of human kind. According to archaeologists, some of the first flint tools developed by the Neanderthals were created to work wood into weapons or other tools. The ancient Egyptians & Chinese mastered the craft and built furniture, buildings, and even toys from wood. Over the years, tool technology has evolved significantly and people have found amazing new ways to create incredible work from the same source material as our ancient ancestors.
Tool Hero, Jordan Vaughn, is a master of combining modern technology with established woodworking techniques to create custom cabinetry, furniture, and art.
Jordan's shop, located just South of Denver, Colorado, looks a lot like most woodworking shops. There's table saws, compressors, drills, sanders, and every other tool you might expect in a well-equipped work shop. What make's Jordan different from most conventional woodworkers is his integration of computer technology in many aspects of his work.
The son of residential architect David Vaughn, Jordan first began learning how to use CAD software (Computer Aided Design) when he was only twelve years old. With a seemingly natural ability with tools, Jordan excelled at woodworking in his high school shop classes. Soon, woodworking developed into his primary hobby and eventualy led to his decision to pursue a degree in enviromental design.
Fate smiled upon Jordan during his sophomore year at college when a retiring woodworker offered him all of his shop equipment at an irresistible price. From this, he aquired all the woodworking tool he could ask for in one shot. Obtaining these tools allowed Jordan to refine and perfect his techniques in his own shop at his own pace.
An internship at renowned Fentress Bradburn Architects allowed Jordan to learn about computer-controlled laser cutters. This high-tech machine is designed to precisely cut complex designs to quickly produce architectural models from a CAD drawing out of thin materials like acrylic. As he was already well-versed with CAD, Jordan realized the immense artistic posibilites the machine offered and began experimenting with laser technology, utilizing it to cut designs in wood veneers.
As time went on, he soon figured out how to utilize the laser as an additional design tool. Soon, he began to incorporate exotic veneers such as zebra wood, teak, curly eucalyptus, tiger maple, bubinga, rosewood, anigre and walnut burl. These thin pieces could then be assembled like a puzzle, pressed together and integrated into wood furniture such as cabinets, tables, bars or even wall art.
Jordan specializes in organic "Zen"-like designs that give an almost spiritual quality to his work. Some of his pieces feature Koi fish, Bonsai trees, mountains or waves.
The finished work is stunning, detailed and beautiful. Take a look at some of his work below:
Today, Jordan's company, Vaughn Designs, specializes in custom residential and commercial wood cabinetry and furniture. Recently while working on a few commercial projects, Jordan learned the benefit of outsourcing the construction of repetitive parts to local companys with CNC abilities. Their precise computer-controlled cutting and routing equipment let's Jordan still design his work in CAD, but they handle the production of each part to exact tolerances. In his own shop, Jordan then assembles all of the cut parts into the final product. By utilizing CNC technology to produce common parts for a project, Jordan is able to keep consistency between pieces high while allowing him more time to focus on the creative side of his work.
By fusing modern computer technology with one of mankind's oldest crafts, Jordan has truly created his own amazing artform. Jordan Vaughn, we salute you!
A few of his pieces are for sale at galleries around the country or directly from his website.
Woodworking has been a craft practiced by skilled workers since the dawn of human kind. According to archaeologists, some of the first flint tools developed by the Neanderthals were created to work wood into weapons or other tools. The ancient Egyptians & Chinese mastered the craft and built furniture, buildings, and even toys from wood. Over the years, tool technology has evolved significantly and people have found amazing new ways to create incredible work from the same source material as our ancient ancestors. 
Jordan's shop, located just South of Denver, Colorado, looks a lot like most woodworking shops. There's table saws, compressors, drills, sanders, and every other tool you might expect in a well-equipped work shop. What make's Jordan different from most conventional woodworkers is his integration of computer technology in many aspects of his work. 
