About the Company
Founded in 1991, JFK Construction is a high-end construction and woodworking company specializing in custom architectural millwork for luxury and historic homes. Owned and operated by John Kelly, the company relies on a Williams & Hussey molder to produce one-of-a-kind interiors that require precision, durability, and respect for traditional craftsmanship.
From raised-panel walls and coffered ceilings to custom staircases and fully paneled rooms, JFK Construction routinely takes on projects where off-the-shelf molding is simply not an option. By producing molding in-house using a Williams & Hussey molder, John is able to maintain complete control over materials, profiles, and quality—ensuring each project meets the exacting standards of his clients.
The Challenge
Early in his career, John faced a limitation common to many small shops: he didn’t realize that producing professional-grade molding in-house was even possible without a large commercial millwork supplier.
Before purchasing a Williams & Hussey molder, matching historic profiles or creating custom trim required:
- Buying multiple router bits
- Gluing profiles together
- Extensive trial and error
- Inconsistent results when matching existing architectural details
This process was time-consuming and restrictive, especially when working in older homes where accuracy and continuity are critical.
The Solution: Custom Molding with a Williams & Hussey Molder
That changed when John discovered the Williams & Hussey molder.
More than 20 years ago, John acquired an older Williams & Hussey molder planer from 1965 at a garage sale. While it had been used, the machine was structurally sound. With guidance from a fellow cabinet shop owner and replacement parts supplied by Williams & Hussey, John brought the molder back into service—and it has remained a core part of his workflow ever since.
What stood out immediately was the simplicity and durability of the design. Even decades later, the machine remains fully serviceable, upgradeable, and dependable.
John eventually purchased a newer used model as well, but still prefers the older machine.
“They don’t make things like they used to. I like the fact that your design hasn’t changed over the years.”
Today, John owns more than 100 custom profile knives, enabling him to create virtually unlimited molding profiles—many of them designed specifically for individual clients and homes.
Built to Last — and Built to Be Maintained
One of the defining strengths of John’s Williams & Hussey molder is its longevity.
Over the years, he has made several molder upgrades including:
- Serviced and rebuilt the gearbox
- Replaced and upgraded feed components
- Maintained and transitioned original steel rollers
- Modified the machine with his own power-feed solution
Rather than replacing the machine, John has continually invested in maintaining and improving it—demonstrating one of the core advantages of the Williams & Hussey platform: it is built to be repaired, not discarded. Continued parts availability and a consistent mechanical design have allowed this molder to remain productive for decades.
Upgrades and Replacement Parts Used by JFK Construction
Over the years, John Kelly has maintained and upgraded his Williams & Hussey molder using factory-supported parts and accessories. Rather than replacing the machine, he focused on targeted upgrades that improved accuracy, efficiency, and reliability—allowing a 1960s-era molder to continue meeting the demands of high-end and historic projects.
These upgrades reflect real shop needs and long-term use, demonstrating how a Williams & Hussey molder can evolve over decades while retaining its original design and performance.
Maintaining Accuracy and Feed Control
- Feed Roll kits – Used to restore consistent material feed and maintain control as original rollers wore over time.
- Guide System – Added to improve alignment and repeatability when producing custom molding profiles, particularly on longer or more detailed runs.
Improving Efficiency and Day-to-Day Operation
- 11 Foot Per Minute Kit – Installed to support steady production speeds while maintaining smooth, controlled feeding during extended molding runs.
Supporting Safe and Reliable Knife Changes
- Arbor Bolt Kit – Replaced worn hardware and provided a dependable method for securing knives to the cutterhead, helping ensure consistent clamping and safe operation.
Expanding Custom Molding Capabilities
- Custom Profile Knives – With a collection of more than 100 knives, John can produce a wide range of custom molding profiles. Many profiles are designed specifically for historic restorations and one-of-a-kind residential interiors.
Long-Term Service and Repair
- Gearbox repair – Periodic servicing and repair of the gearbox has kept the original constant-speed feed system operating reliably decades after the machine was built.
By maintaining and upgrading the machine with well-supported replacement parts, John has kept his original Williams & Hussey molder in productive daily use—highlighting the long-term value of investing in serviceable, upgradeable equipment.
Many of these upgrades are still available today and continue to support both legacy and current Williams & Hussey molders.
The Results
Bringing molding production in-house fundamentally transformed JFK Construction’s capabilities.
Key results include:
- Full quality control over wood species, milling, and finish
- Ability to offer fully custom molding packages for high-end and historic clients
- Faster turnaround times on complex interior projects
- Significant cost savings and new revenue opportunities
On one of the first jobs using the molder, John priced his custom molding just $1 less per foot than a local lumberyard—and generated over $20,000 in a single week producing it himself.
Since then, the Williams & Hussey molder has been used on numerous high-profile projects, including:
- A walnut library milled entirely from rough stock
- Raised-panel ceilings and wall paneling throughout luxury residences
- Custom work for author Nelson DeMille’s home
- Raised panel production at Billy Joel’s residence on Center Island
- Ongoing restoration and interior work at historic estates on Long Island
Project highlights showcasing custom interior work produced in-house using a Williams & Hussey molder.
Conclusion
For John Kelly and JFK Construction, the Williams & Hussey molder is more than a piece of equipment—it is a long-term partner in craftsmanship.
Decades after it was built, the same machine continues to produce thousands of feet of molding, adapt to new upgrades, and support some of the most demanding custom woodworking projects imaginable. Its continued performance reflects Williams & Hussey’s commitment to thoughtful engineering, long-term support, and tools designed to grow with the craftsman—not be replaced by them.
