Crafting to Perfection
Set down a winding driveway
through towering trees, with only
the sound of the stream flowing
and birds calling- you’ll find a
small woodworking shed where
Pete Dinkelacker is creating
masterpieces.
Dinkelacker Furniture is a hidden
gem amongst the mass-produced
furniture in today’s market.
Custom-made hallway tables and
bar stools are also available at
Helena Bay Gallery, and a recent
Facebook page has gathered a
fan-base before it has even been
promoted.
With sleek, elegant designs and
an attention to detail like no other,
it’s clear to see why Pete’s pieces
are so popular.
There is no effort spared when
it comes to creating the pieces,
even the joints are created by
hand- using traditional joinery
such as Dove-tails and Mortise
and Tenon.
“I know there’s probably easier
ways to do it, but I believe the
method behind making a piece is
as important as the piece itself,”
says Pete. “So I chisel each one
out individually.”
The whole process from the initial
design to the hand-rubbed Danish
oil finish is entirely done by Pete in
his studio workshop.
It was a background in mechanical
engineering that led to Pete’s
perfectionism, he says.
“I was trained in mechanical
engineering, initially as a machinist
at a Swiss company which then
led to many years of mechanical
draughting and machine design.”
But woodworking has always
been a passion.
“I used to sit in my dad’s workshop
for hours,” he says. “He was also
passionate about cabinetmaking,
as was my grandfather- who
was actually a German Master
Cabinetmaker.”
One of Pete’s main objectives
is to promote sustainability
with everything he does. Land
surrounding the factory boasts
recently planted exotic hard wood
trees.
“I won’t see any outcomes in my
lifetime, but this will provide wood
for my craft to continue in years
to come.”
Pete Dinkelacker and his wife,
Sue live in their workshop in
Kauri. Together they spend hours
whittling away at both native and
exotic timbers. While Pete creates
one-off pieces of furniture, Sue is
an accomplished woodcarver and
sculptor. You can find them online
on www.dinkel.co.nz or search
for Dinkelacker Woodworking
on Facebook. They encourage
visitors to come out to their home
to see Pete in action, but ask that
you make an appointment first.