Our Story
The history of Rockler Woodworking and 蜜柚直播 goes back to 1954, when Norton Rockler started the Minnesota Woodworkers Supply Company in north Minneapolis. It was a small mail-order business with a big aspiration 鈥� to become woodworkers' go-to resource for everything they need to complete their projects.
Since then, we've grown into an industry-leading woodworking and hardware source with a nationwide chain of stores and international reach through our catalogs and website. In many ways, a lot has changed. We've continuously added to our offerings as woodworking technologies have advanced, and we're constantly working to bring the industry's most innovative products, thinking and education to our stores and website.
But in other important ways, much has remained the same. Throughout our history, Rockler has been a family-owned business 鈥� and in business, as with family, relationships are important. We still work with many of the same vendors whose products appeared in our catalogs decades ago. And we still strive to establish connections with you, our customers, that extend well beyond mere financial transactions. We want you to know that we're invested in your success. You can count on us for the products, advice and encouragement you need to finish your projects, and you can count on us to stand behind the things we sell. As our founder wrote in the introduction to a 1988 catalog, "Our commitment to you doesn't end when the package arrives."
We're also committed to the future of woodworking, DIY, and the natural resources that make woodworking possible. That's why we strive to provide "green" products, to emphasize recycling and to support sustainable forest growth through the Hardwood Forestry Fund. We're particularly gratified that Rockler has been named the 2014 recipient of the Forestry Fund's Gifford Pinchot Award in recognition of the company's "significant effort to plant hardwood trees in America."
So as we celebrate our rich history, we look forward to many more years in the shop with you. Our goal still is to be your go-to DIY resource 鈥� for everything you need to build both your projects and your confidence.
More Than Just Products
Anyone can just sell products, but it takes a much deeper commitment to back them up with quality education, advice and support. That鈥檚 what you get with Rockler. We want you to enjoy your woodworking experience and produce successful projects you can be proud of. That鈥檚 why we are proud to offer the following resources to help you Create With Confidence!
Expert Advice
We staff our stores and support center with experienced woodworkers who share your passion for woodworking!
Expert Education
We produce hundreds of how-to videos, articles, classes and guides each year 鈥� including an award-winning woodworking magazine!
Expert Community
We connect customers to the broader woodworking community through quality partnerships and social tools!
Community Resources
Company History
2022
Rockler is awarded Pro Tools Innovation Awards for two new products: Rockler Deluxe Panel Clamp and Dust Right Clamping Hose Holders.
Dust Right Click-Connect Upgrade Kit for FlexiPort Hose Kit and Rockler Specialty Glue Brushes win a WOOD Magazine award.
New Rockler retail stores open in San Antonio, TX, Charlotte, NC, Jacksonville, FL, Fairfax, VA , Moorestown, NJ and Brandon, FL .
2021
Rockler is awarded Pro Tools Innovation Awards for three new products: Beadlock, Bench Cookie Connect,and Perfect Miter Setup Blocks.
New Rockler retail stores open in Olathe, Kansas and Round Rock, Texas .
Rockler Spring-Loaded One-Handed Bar Clamps wins a WOOD Magazine award.
2020
Nordy Rockler, founder of the company, passes away at the age of 98 years old. Read more about our founder here
Rockler is awarded Pro Tools Innovation Award for four new products: Rockler Router Bit Center/Depth Gauge, Rockler Portable Drill Guide with Vise, Rockler Precision Miter Gauge and Rockler Miter Gauge Fence.
650 CFM Dust Right Wall-Mount Dust Collector and 1250 CFM Dust Right Wall-Mount Dust Collector win Fine Woodworking Magazine鈥檚 Best Overall award for dust collection.
Rockler Indexing Dado Jig wins a WOOD Magazine award.
2019
蜜柚直播 Inc. marks its 65th Anniversary as a family-owned business promoting the craft of woodworking.
Rockler is awarded Pro Tools Innovation Award for three new products: Rockler Clamp-It Clips, Convertible Benchtop Router Table Baseplate For Triton Oscillating Spindle Sander, and Dust Right Wall-Mount Dust Collector, 1250 CFM.
2018
Steven Singer hired as CEO.
Rockler is awarded Pro Tools Innovation Award for three new products: Pro Lift Router Lift, Convertible Benchtop Router Table, and Lock-Align Drawer Organizers.
2017
Rockler opens second Atlanta retail store in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Rockler continues expanding its retail division in Chicago with the opening of a third area store in Orland Park, Illinois.
Rockler opens second store in Houston area in Spring, Texas.
Rockler introduces several more innovations including Miter Fold Dado Set & Material Mate Panel Cart
2016
Rockler expands exclusive product offering with the introduction of the Drawer Front Installation Clamps, Dust Right Cord and Hose Hook and Pipe Clamp Mounting Brackets.
Drawer Front Installation Clamps win a Pro Tool Innovation Award for Achievement in the hand tools category.
Retail division continues expansion with the opening and relocation of five stores. New stores open in Frisco and Garland, Texas, to serve the Dallas metro and in Bolingbrook, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Our Royal Oak, Michigan retail store relocates to Novi, Michigan and the Torrance, California store reopens in a new location. All five stores feature a new design and dedicated learning and hands-on demonstration space.
Rockler continues support of the Hardwood Forestry Fund to help plant over 11,000 seedlings of five different oak species in northeast Texas.
2015
Rockler introduces a roster of exclusive new products, including the Bandy Clamp鈩�,the Dust Right庐 Universal Small Port Hose Kit and a comprehensive line of drawer slide installation jigs
The Dust Right庐 kit receives an Innov8 award from Wood magazine as one of the top innovative products for 2015, and both it and the Bandy Clamp win 2015 Pro Tool Innovation Awards.
Ann Rockler Jackson becomes Executive Chairman.
Retail division expands with the opening of two new stores, Rocklin, California and Altamonte Springs, Florida, Rockler's first store in Florida.
2014
A special Rockler contribution in honor of Earth Day allows the Hardwood Forestry Fund to plant 7,000 hardwood trees in The Wilds, a private nonprofit conservation center located on reclaimed mining land in southeastern Ohio.
Rockler receives the Hardwood Forestry Fund's 2014 Gifford Pinchot Award, which recognizes significant corporate achievements in promoting sustainable forestry.
蜜柚直播 Inc. marks its 60th Anniversary as a family-owned business promoting the craft of woodworking.
2013
Rockler continues its Earth Day partnership with the Hardwood Forestry Fund to plant 10,000 trees in the Riverside School Forest in southwest Wisconsin and 6,600 trees in the Raystown Lake recreation area in central Pennsylvania.
Redesign of Rockler.com is launched, incorporating "responsive design" to provide an enhanced shopping experience across multiple digital platforms.
Maplewood, MN, store moves to a larger location and reopens with the new superstore format, which features a new design, more product offerings and dedicated spaces for demonstrations and hands-on woodworking classes.
Seattle, WA, moves location and reopens with new superstore format.
Woodworker's Journal adds to "The Way to Woodwork" DVD series with the production of "Step-by-Step to a Perfect Finish" with renowned finishing expert Michael Dresdner.
2012
Again working with the Hardwood Forestry Fund to celebrate Earth Day, Rockler makes a donation from every online, catalog and retail sale 鈥� enough to plant 20,000 hardwood trees.
The I-Semble鈩� line of DIY furniture components, DIY Shutter System, Mixing Mate庐 Paint Lid and Rockler's nonstick Silicone Glue Brush are introduced.
The Mixing Mate庐 Paint Lid receives an Innov8 Award from Wood magazine and a Handy Magazine Innovation Award and is named to the This Old House Top 100. The Rockler Silicone Glue Brush also makes the TOH Top 100, and the 3-Piece Glue Application Kit receives a Handy Innovation Award.
2011
To mark Earth Day, Rockler donates a portion of proceeds from online sales to the Hardwood Forestry Fund to pay for the planting of 10,000 trees.
The Rockler Rolling Library Ladder System is named to the This Old House Top 100 list of innovative products.
Woodworker's Journal produces "The Way to Woodwork," a three-disc DVD series featuring Ian Kirby, a master woodworker/designer with more than 50 years' experience, and LiLi Rockler Jackson, a woodworker who grew up in the Rockler family business and has studied at many of the top woodworking schools.
2009
The Bench Cookie庐 Work Gripper is introduced and quickly becomes a hit with woodworkers and reviewers alike. It wins a 2009 Handy Magazine Innovation Award and later is named one of Wood magazine's Top New Tools for 2010.
2007
Rockler acquires Bench Dog Tools.
2004
Rockler.com is named a Top 50 website by Internet Retailer magazine.
The company celebrates its 50th Anniversary.
30th retail store opens.
2002
The Clamp-It庐 Assembly Square is introduced, giving woodworkers an extra hand (or two) when gluing or nailing workpieces at a 90掳 angle. Writes one satisfied customer: "Once in a rare while you come across a new woodworking tool that you can't imagine working without ever again. This is one of those tools."
25th retail store opens.
The Sure-Foot庐 Bar Clamp, a Rockler innovation featuring a taller, wider and more stable base than other pipe clamps, is introduced. It is rated "Best Overall" in a comparative review of pipe clamps in the October 2004 issue of Fine Woodworking magazine.
Woodworker's Journal and Woodworker's Journal E-Zine are named Best Internet Site at the Minnesota Magazine & Publications Association's 2002 Publishing Excellence Awards.
2004
When Norm Abram needs specialty hardware for a project planned for the 2002 season of "The New Yankee Workshop" TV show, he turns to Rockler. The project, an outdoor lounge chair like the ones on old-time luxury ocean liners, requires brass hardware that can withstand the elements. Rockler locates a source and adds the hardware to its offerings, and Abram and his deck chair are featured on the cover of the spring 2002 Rockler catalog.
2000
Women in Woodworking and Woodworking.com websites launch.
1999
FreePlans.com website is launched.
1998
Reflecting its commitment to offering hard-to-find hardware (in addition to woodworking tools, kits and supplies), the company changes its name from The Woodworker's Store to Rockler Woodworking and 蜜柚直播. A new logo is introduced.
The company purchases Woodworker's Journal magazine and changes the name of Today's Woodworker to Woodworker's Journal. The combined publication has a circulation of more than 200,000 subscribers.
20th retail location opens.
The first Rockler Router Table package is introduced.
1997
Dave LaPorte becomes president and chief operating officer of the company.
The company introduces its own proprietary line of high-quality router bits.
The company launches a full e-commerce site and online catalog.
1996
The catalog goes out to a mailing list of over 6 million in full color, containing more than 4,000 products, including 400 new products.
The company launches its first websites, allowing customers to request a catalog and sign up for a free trial subscription to Today's Woodworker. The sites also features several product specials.
15th retail store opens.
1995
The company moves its offices and warehouse operations to Medina, MN.
Today's Woodworker magazine has a paid circulation of 100,000.
1994
The company celebrates its 40th Anniversary.
The popular Rolling Library Ladder 蜜柚直播 is introduced.
With the resurgence of interest in mission-style furniture, the company enters into an agreement with L. & J.G. Stickley to become the exclusive retailer of authentic Stickley hardware. To this day, Rockler is the only retail source for genuine Stickley hardware.
1992
The T-Slot System of jigs and fixtures is introduced, featuring hold-downs, stop blocks and featherboards that secure into a special metal track or a groove routed into a wood base.
The JIG IT庐 Template System is launched with the introduction of the Shelf Pin Drilling Jig. More JIG IT庐 guides follow, making it quicker and easier to accurately install a range of hinges, slides and handles.
Wunderfil鈩� dual-purpose wood filler is introduced.
1990
Historically accurate "Windsor Green" paint is introduced as part of the Rockler Wood Finishing line. The formula is developed by an in-house chemist working from a paint chip provided by the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. The Society subsequently authenticates the new paint.
1989
The first issue of our new magazine, Today's Woodworker, is published.
10th retail store opens.
The Rockler Wood Finishing line of products is released. It eventually includes tung oil, furniture cleaner, salad bowl finish, wood preservative, rubbing oil, furniture polish, lemon oil polish, beeswax and carnauba wax.
The company begins donating a portion of the proceeds from lumber sales to the National Arbor Day Foundation to help renew the woodworker's most important resource.
1988
Two finishes developed and used by the legendary woodworker Sam Maloof are introduced in an exclusive arrangement with the company. Maloof's Poly/Oil Finish and Oil/Wax Finish remain a Rockler exclusive.
1987
We lose Gary Rockler (1953-1987) to illness.
Keeping pace with technological innovations in the tool industry, the company for the first time offers cordless electric tools: two 7.2-volt drills and a power screwdriver.
1986
The Rogers, MN, facility is expanded again.
The Woodworkers' Store Blum Hinge Jig is introduced, a forerunner of the JIG IT庐 Template System.
1985
Ann Rockler Jackson becomes CEO.
1984
Fifth retail store opens.
1980
The company becomes the first in the industry to carry square-drive screws and European-style cabinet hinges.
1979
The Rogers, MN, facility is expanded.
1978
The company changes its name to The Woodworker's Store.
The first retail store opens, in Minneapolis.
1974
Ann Rockler Jackson becomes president of the company.
1973
The Rogers, MN, facility is purchased.
1972
Gary Rockler joins the company, and he and Ann create a prospective catalog called 鈥淟et's Get Acquainted Catalog.鈥�
1969
Ann Rockler Jackson joins the company.
1972
The company, with eight employees, moves to a new 8,000-square-foot facility in Golden Valley, MN.
1955
Heralding an enduring emphasis on innovative product development and commitment to offering hard-to-find hardware, the company introduces its first proprietary product, Plyedge庐 banding for covering exposed plywood edges, and becomes the first in the industry to carry lamp parts and porcelain casters.
1954
Nordy Rockler starts the mail-order Minnesota Woodworkers Supply Company at 1713 Olson Memorial Highway in Minneapolis. The first catalog features specialty wood veneers and hardware items such as knobs, pulls and table slides.