RailWoods
American Made, family run, passionate about wood
Small Beginnings
Railwoods was started not long after I bought my first AR-15. The amount of customization was really something I loved about the rails. I’ve found other wood accessories available but I never found anything that I was really looking for so, I set out to make my own. I’ve been into woodworking for quite some time as a hobby and my dad had cut down a walnut tree from his back yard that needed removed, but then he had it milled and dried for me. After a few trials I had a solid rail cover designed that I liked and, I figured I’d see if other people did too. Threw a listing up on ebay and to my surprise, they started selling. I’ve continued to develop them ever since.
I’m just growing this side project as much as I can because I’ve never done anything like this and it’s turning out to be really fun. Talking and selling to people all over the country and even out of the country to France, seeing the pictures they send me, has made this really enjoyable. I’m excited to see how far this will go because right now, the sky is the limit.
Thank you for visiting and reading. Lets see how far this adventure goes.
-Dustin Cavins
Handmade, everything
Everything here is hand made. From start to end, there is no computer code guiding any kind of cutting tool. Every step of the process is inspected and anything that fails is thrown aside. I have a pile of “mistakes” that grew quickly early on but have since developed better technique to ensure less waste. The checkering pattern was a huge obstacle but I needed to do it well to stand out and I believe that they do.
From the flat top checkering, to the lightly sanded corners, everything was done with purpose to make the best looking and most comfortable hardwood rail covers money can buy. The best things about a nice piece of furniture is how it looks but especially how it feels when you slide your fingertips across the surface. I wanted this for my covers. This is why I go well past a commonly used 220grit sand paper. Unfortunately, you can’t experience this through a computer, you have to touch them to feel the difference.
7/15/2022- Not everything is handmade anymore. I’ve employed a small CNC to help save time and develop more products. The checkering is now done on a CNC but the quality will always be held to the same standards. I developed another pile of rejected panels while getting the carving done to the quality that I expect. With the CNC though, there will be more options available, like custom imaging or text. Everything is still finished by hand and will always meet the high standards that my customers have come to expect.
OVER A YEAR IN
It’s now 3/30/2023. I made the first rail cover August 27th, 2021. I started the business and this website in February of last year, 2022 so we’re well over a year in. Sales have moved from other platforms to mainly this website, and it’s always good to cut out the middle man to reduce costs and ultimately pricing. I’ve put everything this business has earned right back into it and it’s just starting to free up time for creative projects.
I have some exciting things in store for the future but in the next few months I’ll be working on a stock, finally! Also.. after a lot of requests, a grip for an AK and HK.
Lots to do and I cannot thank my customers enough. I’m always grateful because without each sale, no matter how big or small, I wouldn’t be able to continue and enjoy these projects. My 7 year old daughter has also been inspired to start taking orders and selling bracelets she’s made(to her friends), and that’s just priceless to me.
It’s 2024
May 17th, 2024
I decided that this will be my year. I’m pouring myself into this business so much now, I really want to do this full time. Time is a killer. If I had more time, I would have some really amazing products ready for production, including some leather items, grips for new platforms, stocks.. Instead, it’s more of a catch 22. I’m either filling orders, trying to get the name out there or working on new projects. It’s hard to balance everything; full time job, family, and RailWoods. Something always gets put to the wayside and it’s insanely hard to keep everything level. I’m happy, but tired.
I’m not certain on how to increase sales but I’ve been doing as much as I can on instagram to seemingly no effect. Maybe it’s google’s last core update, the economy, etc.. It’s either feast of famine and it’s been more famine lately. I’m not much of a salesman, but I believe my product speaks for itself. Finding the right people or avenues to create more opportunities has been difficult, especially when I’ve never really been involved much into the firearm community. I am surprised by how friendly and helpful everyone I’ve talked to has been, it’s been very welcoming.
As for projects, I’m taking a step back from the butt stock. I’m not happy with my CAD software and I’ve found other software that’ll be using but it’s a large investment that I need to wait for. The lack of sales are putting that off even further. However, I do have a great opportunity in front of me right now that I am really looking forward to releasing. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while now and it kinda just fell in my lap. I’m really looking forward to releasing that product and collaboration.
Also, if you find a bracelet in your order, it’s from my oldest daughter. I only have some say on the colors, she does the rest. Oh, and I have to pay her, haha! I figure it’s a good way for her to earn some money while learning a tiny bit about business.