Joe Eley
I’ve been a carpenter for as long as I can remember. It’s not just a job — it’s the only work I’ve ever known. Over the years, I’ve built for doctors, lawyers, neighbors, and friends. I’ve even worked on projects for brands like Tommy Bahama and Bulleit Bourbon. I’ve run my own company, and I’ve put in time with more than a few others.
I started this website because I wanted a place to share what I’ve learned along the way — the good, the bad, and the honest truth about life in the trades. I’ll be posting about tools I’ve relied on, the kind of work that still inspires me, and what it really means to make a living as a carpenter.
The name The Last Carpenter isn’t about ego. It came to me after moving from Maine to Arizona. Back in Maine, you worked with solid maple. Out here, a lot of what I’ve seen is MDF. At times it was like being the last carpenter standing — still holding on to the craft the way I first learned it.
That’s the spirit behind this site: keeping the craft alive, sharing what I know, and hopefully connecting with people who value the work as much as I do.
By Dacoucou - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21630555
I’ve been around woodworking and carpentry since I was a kid. My father worked for years at a boat-building company on the Chesapeake Bay — one of the last projects he touched was a boat for the Kennedys(the Manitou). I didn’t learn the craft directly from him, but being surrounded by that kind of work left a mark. It was in the air, and I picked it up naturally.
One of the first projects I can remember building myself was a little center console for our Carolina Skiff, the boat we used for crabbing and fishing. It was nothing fancy — just a wooden box with a steering wheel and a set of pulleys — but at the time, it felt like magic. Looking back, I’m just glad it worked and that I survived the ride.
My first job out of high school was with a local “dictator.” That’s what it felt like at the time — strict, demanding, and not much fun. I stuck it out for three years, and while I probably should have moved on sooner, I walked away with something valuable: an understanding of how to do things the right way and always to code. Early on I realized that if I was going to make a living at this trade, I couldn’t just be a carpenter — I had to be a good one. That lesson stayed with me everywhere I worked.
After that, a local builder recognized my work and offered me a job at a much better wage. I took it and worked there happily until 2008. I’ll never forget the day we were building a house for the former owner of The Weather Channel, and the boss showed up on-site to tell us the money was gone. Just like that, everything stopped. That was my first real taste of how fragile this industry can be.
When the dust settled, I landed in Roanoke, Virginia, at a custom woodshop. Funny enough, the first time I applied they turned me down. I didn’t have enough woodworking experience. So I went home, spent a year building my own furniture, put together a portfolio, and came back. This time they hired me. That shop gave me the chance to work on everything from one-of-a-kind furniture to custom campers for companies like Bullet Bourbon, Chubbies Shorts(I know), and Tommy Bahama.
A trip to Seattle for a camper build eventually inspired me to move there with my partner. I spent a year at NK Woodworking building high-end staircases and tackling projects that tested every skill I had. From there I returned east, eventually settling in Maine for nearly a decade. That’s where I really tempered my craft as a finish carpenter.
One of the turning points in my career came when a wealthy client I was working for approached me out of the blue and offered me $25,000 to start my own business — no strings attached. I’ll always be grateful for that generosity. It allowed me to launch J. Eley Woodworks and build long-term relationships with customers who trusted me with project after project.
Eventually the cold got to me, and I made my way west to Arizona. No matter where I lived, my approach stayed the same: seek out the best company, prove myself, and take on the challenges that would sharpen my skills. That drive to meet high standards is what’s carried me through this trade — and what still shapes how I see the work today.
After all that, I can say I’ve had a pretty successful career in carpentry. It’s given me the chance to raise a family, provide what we need, and even enjoy a few of the things we want along the way. The trade hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been enough — and for that I’m grateful.
At this point, what interests me most isn’t chasing the next big job or building another set of cabinets. It’s sharing what I’ve learned over the past twenty-plus years. This site is where I can do that — in plain language, without the fluff, just the way I’d explain it if you were standing in the shop with me.
Here on The Last Carpenter, you’ll find my portfolio — the work that got me here — alongside reviews of the tools and materials I trust. I’ll also be posting blog entries about the craft, the lessons I’ve learned, and the parts of the trade that still inspire me. On top of that, I’ll be opening up a space for Q&A, where people can ask about their own projects, how to work with contractors, or just get straightforward advice from someone who’s been there. Down the road, this may grow into a store or even a podcast, but the heart of it will always be the same: sharing my experiences and opinions on carpentry, one honest post at a time.
If you’ve made it this far, thanks for taking the time to hear my story. This site is my way of passing on those experiences — by sharing what I know, learning from others, and hopefully sparking conversations that matter. So whether you’re here to check out my past work, dig into a review, ask a question, or just browse, welcome. Pull up a chair, take a look around, and if something sparks an idea or helps you with a project, I’d love to hear from you.