Mike Korsak

Mike Korsak makes custom furniture in an outbuilding he renovated beside the house in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he lives with his wife, Jen, an assistant professor of microbiology. Largely self-taught as a furniture maker, he traces his interest in woodworking to his grandfather, an avid hobbyist. Korsak studied wood products at Penn State and later worked as a timber framer and carpenter and as a designer of timber-frame structures. After taking informal classes with Garrett Hack, he shifted his focus to building fine furniture.

Webinar: How to Build Stronger Furniture with Mike Korsak

July 1, 2020

Replay Join Mike Korsak, for a webinar on how to think about structure and how to add strength to your own designs.
Benchmarks: Mike Korsak’s journey as a designer

May 1, 2020

I recently started doing yoga to improve my strength and flexibility. Making furniture is a fairly physical undertaking, which is one of the reasons that I enjoy it so much.…
Gem of a Drawer Pull

December 11, 2019

Mike Korsak uses a series of jigs to produce faceted drawer pulls that are made almost exclusively with machines.
Add a Bead to a Curved Apron

September 27, 2019

Mike Korsak demonstrates his technique using a two-part bending form and shopmade bead stock from six layers of rosewood veneer
Create Perfect Double Tenons with a Router

June 17, 2019

Simple template offers accuracy and repeatability
Strategies For Building Stronger Furniture

May 30, 2018

Strategies drawn from structural engineering solidify your furniture
Fine Shop in a Renovated Garage

November 1, 2017

Thoughtful renovation and a savvy layout make this shop exceptional
Machine layout in a midsize shop

October 26, 2017

Mike choose to put most of his machines in one corner of his shop to keep his dust collection needs centralized
Dream Machines: Mike Korsak’s 1943 Oliver 12-in. jointer

October 20, 2017

With its direct-drive three-phase motor, the Oliver isn't something that you can just plug into any old 220-volt outlet. In order to feed the beast, Mike outfitted his shop with a three-phase rotary converter, something he doesn't regret for a minute
Elegant Bookcase, Top to Bottom

September 27, 2017

A profiled top and splayed base add style to this piece, and the aprons and feet pack a lot of curves into a small space.

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