Old Oake Barrel

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Waterloo, MI
Old Oake Barrel

Handcrafted furniture, bars & decor made from reclaimed bourbon + whiskey barrels. Built to last, built to talk about. Made in Waterloo, MI. .Barrel

Custom work welcome.

09/04/2026

Things have been a little busy around here lately… 😅

The Old Oake Barrel shop is officially in Fort Wayne Bourbon Fest prep mode.

Barrels are getting broken down, staves are being cleaned up, the CNC has been staying busy, new pieces are being built, and somewhere in between all of that I’ve been working on a pretty major update to the Old Oake Barrel website.

Oh—and the day job hasn’t exactly slowed down either. We’ve been busy getting a brand-new gym opened up in Chelsea. So apparently I decided September needed to be interesting.

There are a LOT of projects in various stages around the shop right now, but seeing everything start to come together for Fort Wayne has me pretty excited.

September 26th will be the first time I’ve brought this much of Old Oake Barrel together in one place, and I can’t wait to see what the finished booth looks like.

Until then…

Back to making sawdust. 🥃

Built with Bourbon in its Bones.

08/31/2026

Old Oake Barrel is headed to Fort Wayne Bourbon Fest!

I’m excited to share that OOB will be making the trip to Fort Wayne on September 26th as a vendor at the inaugural Fort Wayne Bourbon Fest.

It seemed only fitting to kick things off by putting their logo where it belongs — on a reclaimed bourbon barrel head.

I’ll be bringing a selection of barrel furniture, displays, décor, and a few pieces made specifically for the bourbon crowd. I’m looking forward to getting OOB in front of a new crowd, talking bourbon and barrel work, and being part of the very first year of the event.

September 26, 2026 | Vinland Reserve Winery | Fort Wayne, IN

And yes… this head will be making the trip with me.

Built with Bourbon in its Bones.

08/13/2026

A little while back, I asked you all what you thought this barrel head should become…

Well, I finally got around to giving it an answer.

This one became an Eagle Rare Single Barrel barrel head, carved fresh on the Shapeoko.

From a freshly flattened barrel head to this — there’s something pretty satisfying about watching the design come together one pass at a time.

And yes… this was the first head through the new jig setup. I’d say it was a pretty good way to break it in.

Now it’s time for some finish and this one will be ready to find a new home.

What should I carve next? 🥃

07/25/2026

Help me decide what this barrel head becomes!

Fresh off the CNC and ready for its next chapter.

I’ve got a blank bourbon barrel head mounted up on the Shapeoko, but I haven’t decided what to carve into it yet.

What would you like to see?

🥃 Favorite bourbon or whiskey logo?
🎣 Outdoor or hunting theme?
🐟 Lake life?
🌊 Great Lakes?
🚗 Classic car?
🏈 Sports?
🇺🇸 Patriotic?
🐶 Pet memorial?
🌲 Michigan outdoors?
…or something completely different?

Drop your ideas in the comments. 👇 If enough people suggest the same design, that might just be the one I carve next.

I always enjoy seeing what everyone comes up with, and you never know—you might inspire the next Old Oake Barrel creation.

07/22/2026

From Rickhouse to Home.

There’s something special about giving an authentic bourbon barrel a second life.

This Jack Daniel’s barrel head spent years aging whiskey before finding its way into the Old Oake Barrel shop, where it was carefully resurfaced, carved, and finished into a piece that’s ready to be enjoyed for years to come.

This project also marks another milestone in the shop. Upgrading my CNC workflow has resulted in cleaner toolpaths, sharper details, and an even better finished product. It’s exciting to see how much these small improvements elevate the final piece.

I’m always grateful for the opportunity to keep learning, improving, and creating pieces that honor the history of these barrels.

Thanks for following along and supporting the journey.

07/21/2026

Some family members just happen to have four legs.

This custom wall décor piece was created to celebrate Sulley, a beloved King Charles Cavalier who means the world to his family.

Crafted from beautiful acacia hardwood, this oversized paw print was custom CNC carved with Sulley’s portrait and name, then hand sanded and finished to highlight the natural beauty of the wood. The result is a timeless piece that’s meant to be proudly displayed—not tucked away.

These are the projects I enjoy most. Taking an idea that’s meaningful to someone and turning it into a handcrafted piece they’ll see every day.

Whether it’s your dog, cabin, lake house, family name, or something completely unique, I’d love to help bring your vision to life.

Handcrafted in Waterloo, Michigan

07/19/2026

Here’s where it all happens.

Every engraving, every charcuterie board, every custom barrel head, every Michigan piece, and every project that leaves Old Oake Barrel starts right here on our Shapeoko 5 Pro CNC.

It’s more than pushing a button.

Every design begins on the computer, is programmed specifically for the project, then carefully machined, hand sanded, finished, and inspected before it ever reaches a customer.

This machine has opened the door to endless possibilities. From personalized bourbon barrel heads and charcuterie boards to our new Fresh Coast Collection and one-of-a-kind custom gifts.

The ideas keep coming… and we’re just getting started.

Thank you to everyone who’s supported Old Oake Barrel. Every order helps us continue investing in better equipment, better craftsmanship, and bringing new ideas to life.

07/18/2026

Some pieces deserve to speak for themselves.

This custom black walnut serving board started as a rough-sawn slab from a retired Michigan sawyer. After careful milling, sanding, and finishing, the grain came to life in a way that reminds me why I love working with hardwoods.

No stain.
No paint.
Just the natural beauty of black walnut, enhanced with food-safe mineral oil and board butter.

Every board has its own character, and no two will ever be the same.

This one is headed to its new home, but there are more premium hardwood projects already in the works here at Old Oake Barrel.

Which do you prefer for serving boards—classic black walnut or live-edge white oak?

07/04/2026

Happy 4th of July from Old Oake Barrel! 🇺🇸

Today, we’re taking a moment to appreciate the freedom to build, create, and do what we love.

Whether you’re spending the day with family, around the grill, out on the lake, or enjoying a good bourbon with friends, we hope you have a safe and memorable Independence Day.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this small business. Every order, every like, every share, and every recommendation helps Old Oake Barrel continue to grow, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Have a safe and happy Fourth!

— John
Old Oake Barrel

06/27/2026

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been working on something new in the shop.

I’m excited to finally share the first piece in what will become a new collection of handcrafted bourbon barrel furniture. This coffee table combines reclaimed barrel staves with a clean, functional design while preserving the character that makes every barrel unique.

One of the things I enjoy most about this work is taking materials that have already lived an incredible life and giving them a second chapter. No shortcuts, no mass production—just thoughtful craftsmanship and a respect for the story each barrel carries.

This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to share the pieces that are coming next. Thanks to everyone who’s followed along, encouraged this journey, and supported Old Oake Barrel along the way.

Every barrel tells a story—this is its next chapter.

Address

Waterloo, MI
49240

Website

http://www.oldoakebarrel.com/

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