Laguna Tools Celebrates 25 Years of Innovation and Success!

Laguna Tools proudly celebrates 25 years of success with our most impressive line of woodworking machinery ever. And this year we are also deeply honored to have had the opportunity to reach out and make a difference in the life of a brave young man.

First, there was a dream
Our founder, Torben Helshoj, had already won the prestigious Silver Medal for outstanding woodworking awarded by the Queen of Denmark before coming to Soon after arriving in the U.S., Torben was quick to notice that American woodworking equipment wasn’t up to par with European machinery in terms of safety, functionality and basic features found abroad.

Spotting an opportunity, Torben and his partners decided to import a European 5 function combination machine, which became the cornerstone for Laguna Tools. He produced an informative video and in no time, Laguna Tools was in business.

One success soon led to another, and it wasn’t long before Laguna Tools had laid down a solid foundation built on superior performance, precise results and innovative features that enhanced safety and improved the functionality of essential woodworking machines. Along the way we always pioneered new technology, including our DriftMaster Fence system that continuously wins accolades from experts and enthusiasts alike. And today our bandsaws are known worldwide as the ultimate in bandsaws.

Laguna Tools is also uniquely different as we are a company founded and run by a passionate woodworker. Torben Helshoj, who is also president of Laguna, has a hand in every facet of the design and manufacture of every piece of equipment we offer. His background in engineering allows for the development of woodworking machinery that continues to set new benchmarks in all areas of performance, quality and precision. His innate knowledge has always set us apart and enables us to offer the equipment that woodworkers really need to take their craft up to the next level.

A Machine for Every Purpose – and Every Budget
As we enter our 25th year, we are extremely proud to offer serious professionals and dedicated hobbyists alike our most extensive line of woodworking products ever, including a completely new 5’, 5 Function Combination Machine that packs serious performance in a compact and versatile package.

At Laguna we have always been driven by the desire to offer woodworkers the best products available, and our commitment to never compromise in quality or performance reflects in the loyalty and appreciation we are fortunate to receive from woodworkers around the world.

This year, savvy woodworkers will appreciate the fact that we have not only broadened our line, we have also added choices when it comes to price. Due to changes in the world of international finance, a weaker dollar unfortunately has meant that some of our European-made machines may have become cost-prohibitive for woodworkers just starting up, or for small shops on a tight budget. So we decided to find a solution.

Culminating a process that began over two years ago, we are now offering several machines that are manufactured in Asia. Made by highly reputable manufacturers, these companies were carefully screened and required to meet and agree to a stringent set of design and manufacturing criteria before we engaged in business with them. Offering a comparable level of quality and performance that is found in our European machines, our new line of Asian-made equipment is an accessible option that will deliver the level of precision and results that have defined Laguna Tools since we first opened our doors.

Reaching Out
In addition to making the best woodworking equipment available, we’re keeping up with our mission to give back to the community by supporting outreach programs with products and the knowledge needed to become skilled woodworkers. This year, Laguna Tools was given the opportunity to help a brave individual who was severely injured during combat duty in Iraq.

Nathanael “Nate” Meadows was serving as a senior field medic in 2003 when an improvised explosive device changed his life for ever. Although his injuries were not readily visible and escaped diagnosis and he continued to serve, it was not until he went to re-enlist as a flight medic that he was diagnosed with bilateral ear perforations, hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, disequilibrium and chronic post traumatic stress disorder – in addition to bladder and kidney disease. His career effectively over, he was honorably discharged and given the Purple Heart for valor in the field of duty. But as his dream vanished and without the ability to provide for his family, Nate sunk deep into depression and often wished that the worst had happened.

It was when he was assigned to the Warrior in Transition Unit that the fog began to lift, as Nate rediscovered a hidden passion for woodworking and resolved to forge a new path for his future. As a young boy, he had worked in the shop with his father—himself a skilled craftsman—developing basic skills and a love for working with wood. This new inspiration spurred him forward and he began to try and find a way to make his new vision come true.

After having read a review about Laguna Tools’ bandsaws in a magazine, he decided that he would put his heart into a letter that he wrote to Laguna Tools in which he wasn’t just asking for charity – he was asking for the opportunity to forge a new life for himself. As fate would have it, his letter landed on the desk of Catherine Helshoj, who immediately took notice and followed though with his invitation to find out if he was truly who he said he was.

“I’m the biggest skeptic there is,” said Catherine, “when his letter came though with contact information and a request to verify his story, I did. However it didn’t take more than a couple of calls before I knew that Nate was the real deal.”

Spurred on by Nate’s honest plea for help to secure a 14” Laguna bandsaw on which to begin building his woodworking business, Catherine brought his story to the attention of everyone who works at Laguna Tools and friends. “I announced to our employees and their families that if they were willing to reach out and help contribute to this cause, the company would match their donations and provide Nate with the bandsaw he so desired.” she said.

It didn’t take long for an outpouring of support to come through, and Catherine and Torben opted to “upgrade” Nate’s request, providing him with a 16” heavy duty bandsaw. Catherine has also reached out and brought in additional industry support, introducing Nate’s cause to other manufacturers in the woodworking industry who are stepping up to help this brave young man get a leg up as he strives to make a new future for himself and his family.

“Being from Europe, we have long been grateful to the American Armed Forces, for their valor and service to the world as peace-keepers.” Catherine added. “So for us it was not a hard decision at all to reach out to Nate, who truly put his life on the line for others. And now we have developed a deep bond of friendship and are deeply honored to have been given the opportunity to help Nate move forward with his life. It’s the least we could do.”

In addition to supporting Nate, this year Laguna Tools will make a contribution to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) on behalf of every editor who comes to the Laguna Tools press launch to help others who have served so valiantly.

The Next 25 Years
In addition to our new line of equipment we are introducing at the IMF show in Atlanta, we will be launching a completely new Web site in September that will allow users to navigate more freely, with a completely new design that is intuitive and highly informative. Our new Web site will allow woodworkers to find information and dynamic content like video product demonstrations more easily, engaging visitors with a format that will help you find what they are looking for with ease.

Without a doubt, Laguna Tools would not be here today if it weren’t for our legion of loyal customers. We are also fortunate to have received numerous accolades and awards that have helped us to build our reputation as a leader and innovator in the woodworking industry. We would like to take a moment and say a sincere and heartfelt “Thank you!” for your support and friendship over the years. Our promise to you is to continue to offer the best woodworking machinery available in the world, and to always deliver innovative products to enhance productivity – and creativity.

Laguna Tools, based in Irvine, California, has been leading the industry in woodworking innovations for 25 and continues to challenge the industry with new advancements. At Laguna Tools we aim to be “globally local” as we are involved in many community outreach programs in which we offer our time, support, products and services.