The Master of the Lathe: Dennis Hofstetter
Tucked along Hill Street, just up the way from the site of Heartland Home Furnishings you’ll hear the toot of the whistle as the steam lathe gets fired up for a day of use.
Crafting Timeless Kitchen Tools
Here’s where you’ll find lathe man, Dennis Hofstetter, as he preps raw blocks of wood called blanks of all shapes and sizes. The machine roars to life, ready to spin into a frenzy as the chips fly, turning simple wood into functional kitchen aids. Many of the items that he crafts have been around for ages...long-forgotten tools that have been replaced by kitchen doohickeys that oftentimes just don’t give the user the same result as these tried and true favorites. There’s a reason these products fly off the shelf just as soon as he creates them! From rolling pins and noodle cutters to pie crust rollers, dumpling cutters, cookie rollers and biscuit rollers, they are as beautiful as they are useful and Hofstetter is proud to turn them out.
A Lifetime of Woodworking
Dennis began learning carpentry and working with his father at a young age. You could say that woodwork comes naturally to him. In his youth he made a career building bridges for expressways, always using his keen mind, skill and hands to create something of use to make others’ lives easier. And, for as long as he can remember he’s had strong ties to Silver Dollar City, fondly remembering visiting on opening day and even recalling a time once long ago when he and his father stepped in to “help” build the general store on the Square.
Favorite Pieces to Craft
When asked what his favorite piece is to make he replies quickly, “Rolling pins stand as our top sellers, I’ve made and finished 120 this season alone already. But, I enjoy creating the noodle cutters best.” They have more detail and are more intricate to make.
A Passion for Wood
Hofstetter also crafts with multiple types of wood that give each piece its color and finish from Hedgewood to Ash, Birch and Cherrywood, the most common that he uses. Dennis likes most of all to work with Walnut and believes that its dark tones and rich grains create some of the most beautiful pieces.
A Labor of Love
From start to finish each kitchenware is a labor of love to create and Hofstetter equally enjoys showing passersby his trade and answering questions. He also loves it when a returning guest recounts how much easier one of his creations made their handiwork at home in the kitchen. Stop by to watch a simple block of wood grow into a timeless kitchen tool that will undoubtedly be passed down for generations to come!
Experience the Home of American Craftsmanship
Silver Dollar City is proud to be the Home of American Craftsmanship, where artisans like Dennis Hofstetter keep time-honored traditions alive. When you visit Silver Dollar City, be sure to explore the countless demonstrations and handcrafted treasures that make our park unique. Whether you’re watching a block of wood transform into a beautiful kitchen tool or picking up a one-of-a-kind souvenir from Hillcreek Pottery, there’s something special waiting for you. Plan your visit today and experience the craftsmanship that’s been inspiring guests for generations!