Made by Hand. Made to Last.

Every piece that leaves the GSM Woodworking workshop is made by one person — me, Glen McLean. No factory floor, no production line. Just a craftsman, some of Australia's most beautiful hardwoods, and a genuine love for the work.

The Story

GSM Woodworking grew out of a simple idea: that everyday objects — a cutting board, a serving platter, a set of coasters — deserve to be made well. Not mass-produced and forgotten, but crafted with care from materials that have their own story to tell.

I've always worked with my hands. There's something deeply satisfying about taking a rough slab of timber and coaxing it into something beautiful and functional. Over time, what started as a passion became a workshop, and the workshop became GSM Woodworking.

The Timber

I work almost exclusively with Australian hardwoods — timbers that are as tough and characterful as the country they come from.

• Ironbark — One of Australia's hardest and most durable timbers. Its deep red-brown tones and tight grain make it stunning in serving boards and feature pieces. The epoxy river boards showcase ironbark at its dramatic best.
• Red Gum — A true Australian icon. Rich in colour, full of character, and no two pieces are ever the same. Red gum's natural figuring and occasional gum pockets give each piece a personality of its own.
• Oak — A classic for good reason. Clean, warm, and versatile — oak brings a timeless quality to cutting boards and coasters that suits any kitchen or table setting.

The Process

Every piece starts with selecting the right piece of timber. I look for grain, colour, and character — the natural features that will make the finished piece special. From there, it's milling, jointing, planing, and shaping by hand, followed by careful sanding through progressively finer grits until the surface is smooth to the touch.

For the epoxy river pieces, I pour and cure the resin in stages, then sand everything back flush before finishing. It's a slow process — but the result is worth it.

Every piece is finished with food-safe oils and waxes, chosen to protect the timber and bring out its natural beauty without masking what makes it unique.

One of a Kind

Because I work with natural timber and make each piece individually, no two are ever identical. The grain pattern, the colour variation, the way the light catches the surface — these are the fingerprints of the wood itself. When you buy a GSM Woodworking piece, you're getting something that exists nowhere else in the world.

That's not a marketing line. It's just the nature of the craft.

Get in Touch

If you have a question about a piece, want to discuss a custom order, or just want to talk timber — I'd love to hear from you. Reach out via the contact page and I'll get back to you personally.