We make high-end, custom classic wooden game boards.

Dave Smith

dave@vancouverwoodsmith.com

360-823-3017

When I was young, my Dad used to go down into his small workshop, comprised of a workbench and a ShopSmith “to relax” after a long day at the office. At the time, I was too young to know what an architect did all day, but I was fascinated watching him work in that shop. He promised me that when I got to be “old enough” he would teach me how to use that wondrous tool. Unfortunately, he didn’t live to see me grow old enough, but I am certain he would appreciate my love of woodworking today. But I never forgot the pleasure it gave him nor the smell of his generating all that sawdust. As soon as I could – my first home with a garage, to be exact – I set up a small shop with a Craftsman radial arm saw, and began making modest creations for our home. Over the years the shop grew with my appetite for more complex and interesting projects. The idea began to form that this would be what I would do “in retirement.” Putting this website together and looking at the pictures of past projects, I realized that there were many – more than I had remembered. Some were small, like the end table that my wife asked me to build for the spot next to the sofa. Some were huge, like the cabinets and entertainment center for the new house being built by a dear friend, or the office armoire I built for our friends in Austin. When I retired in Vancouver, WA, I set up shop. Among the many various projects, I decided to combine my love for classic games with my woodworking – and started a series of custom wooden game boards that are now the vast majority of my work.
We Love what We Do!

Hello. Thank you for visiting our website. We hope you like what you see here.

We are a small custom woodworking shop founded in 2010, located in Vancouver, WA and now in Georgetown, TX.

We specialize in and have made hundreds of custom wooden game boards, including cribbage, backgammon, scrabble, monopoly, go, chess and several more. And we have clients in North America, Australia and New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, and South Africa.

All of our creations are custom – we work with you to get the design just right. Then you can decided to place your order and we’ll make it just like that design.

You can start by looking at some of our work on the Game Boards page.  Then you can  Contact Us with your ideas.

Or, you can try out one of our product configurators and get a sense of what that might cost based on the design choices you make.  These configurators can be reached at the bottom of each Game Board page.  Once you have it close to the way you want it, add a few details about yourself and send it to us.

You still haven’t committed to an order at that point and we’ll get back to you with a 3D rendering for your review and approval.  Once you’re satisfied, then you can order your custom wooden game board. If you have a question or an idea not covered by this approach that you would like to explore or develop, please feel free to Contact Us with your thoughts.

We are the Vancouver WoodSmiths:

What is Vancouver Woodsmith?

Vancouver Woodsmith is a small custom woodworking shop founded in 2010, originally located in Vancouver, WA and now here in Georgetown, TX. Vancouver Woodsmith specializes in making custom wooden game boards. We have experience creating hundreds of custom wooden game boards, including cribbage, backgammon, custom scrabble boards, monopoly, go, chess and several more.  We have worked with clients from all over the world, including North America, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, and South Africa.

I think I am interested in a custom wooden game board, how can we get started.

There are 3 ways you can accomplish that.

  1. First, if you know what you want, just send us your thoughts by using the Contact Us form. Describe what you have in mind and through a few emails, back and forth we’ll hone in on the design.  You’ll get 3D renderings showing our progress along the way.  When we get it just right, you can place an order.
  2. Perhaps you don’t know exactly what you want. You can browse through our Gallery of some of our previously crafted game boards.  If you find one you like, fill out the Contact Us form, include the ID tag of the board you found and describe changes you would like to see.  We will draw it up and send you 3D rendering to be sure we have it right.  Then you can choose to buy.
  3. Finally, you can use our Game Board Builders for cribbage, chess, scrabble and backgammon. There you make selections for the various features and a graphic shows you what your custom wood game board will look like when done.  When you have it pretty much the way you want, send it to us by completing the form at the bottom.  Be sure to tell us any other things you’d like to have on your board. Again, we’ll send you a rendering.  Then you decide.  The configurator will also give a pretty good idea about the cost of your custom wood game board.

What is the process of building a custom game board?

At Vancouver Woodsmith everything we do is custom.  Once we have an approved rendering, we’ll send you a PayPal invoice.  Payment puts your custom wood game board into our workflow.  We start with the raw material and each game board is crafted to your request.  We often get the comment, “It looks just like the rendering you sent us.”  That and your 100% satisfaction is our goal!

How do I configure my own custom wooden game board?

We have configurators for four of our most often requested game boards, cribbage, chess, scrabble and backgammon and we think they’re very easy to use.  Eventually, we’ll add configurators, but if you want one of those now, just use the Contact Us form.

  1. Design It

Using one of the Board Builders, play with the options, choose from a variety of beautiful woods, pick colors and sizes. You can change anything if you don’t see an option you want available leave a message in the “other” section and we will work with you to ensure you get the board you want. You can even upload files of your design or colors. Change anything you want and watch the estimated price and an image of your board change.

  1. Price It

Actually, you’ve already done that.  As you change options, the price shows in the box at the top-right corner of the builder.  This price is only an estimate, you don’t pay anything until we have worked with you to ensure you’re satisfied with the design.  Even after submitting your design, you are under no obligation to purchase it and we won’t bill you until you’re ready.

  1. Get a 3D Image

After submitting your design along with any questions you may have, we’ll send you a 3D rendering and a confirmed price. You are still under no obligation until you have completely approved the design. Then – if you want it – order it.  We’ll send you a PayPal invoice.  When you pay the invoice the work begins.

Our Goal: Your 100% Satisfaction!

What type of materials does Vancouver Woodsmith offer?

Vancouver Woodsmith offers a wide variety of beautiful woods, including cherry maple cambia maple, birds eye maple, red oak, cambia oak, caramelized bamboo, natural bamboo, American black walnut, Peruvian walnut, padauk, mesquite, African mahogany, bloodwood, white oak, and more. If you are unsure about what materials to choose, browse our gallery of previous work for inspiration. Or contact us we would love to help you plan your vision.

I am interested in purchasing a custom Monopoly, Go, Aggrivation or Mancala boards, how do I order?

Even though we do not currently have a product configurator for creating custom Monopoly, Go, Aggrivation or Mancala we still would be happy to make your board! Contact Us today to discuss details on the design and pricing for your dream board.