When Dave Benway first picked up woodturning as a therapeutic outlet after leaving the military, he didn’t expect it would evolve into a full-time business. Based in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Dave now runs Berserker Woodwork, a veteran-owned and operated brand specializing in custom tables, wall art, plaques, carved flags, and unique epoxy pieces. Over the years, he’s grown a community across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, where he shares his passion for woodworking and epoxy art under the name “Berserker Woodwork.”

Dave’s journey into woodworking and epoxy art started with a simple turn on the lathe. Originally a therapeutic activity, it quickly became a source of inspiration and creativity. Woodturning led to larger projects—tables, flags, and intricate wall art—all of which Dave soon began integrating with epoxy resin. However, his early attempts with resin were less than ideal.

“In the beginning, I actually bought fiberglass resin, thinking it was the same thing as epoxy. I mixed it up, poured it over some scrap wood, and left it overnight. Let’s just say it didn’t turn out how I thought it would!”

Driven by a desire to create the same stunning effects he admired in other makers' work, Dave dove into researching epoxy. After experimenting with different brands and struggling to find the right fit, he finally discovered Promise Epoxy. “I couldn’t be happier with their products,” he shares. “Promise Epoxy gave me the results I was looking for.”

"The community as a whole is amazing. Some communities like to “ gate keep” the knowledge to themselves. But here it’s not like that if you have a question and put it out there, you’re guaranteed to get a good response."

With over four years of experience, Dave has developed a signature style, blending curiosity with craftsmanship. For him, epoxy resin is more than just a tool; it’s a medium that allows him to push the boundaries of what’s possible. “Most of what I make comes from ‘I wonder if this would work’ or ‘I wonder what this would look like,’” Dave says. “It’s really about taking that idea and seeing if I can bring it to life.” Epoxy resin’s versatility is one of its biggest draws for Dave. From deep pours for tables to thin layers for intricate plaques, he’s continually experimenting and evolving with each project. He’s especially fond of Promise Epoxy’s new Fast Cure line. Quite the game changer for a small business owner.

For Dave, the epoxy community is as much of an asset as the product itself. Their openness has helped him grow not only as a creator but also as a mentor within the epoxy world. Through Berserker Woodwork, he shares his journey and encourages others to experiment with resin and wood. For Dave, each piece is a new opportunity to test ideas and challenge his skills—a philosophy that resonates with his followers and fellow makers.

Check out his work on TikTok!