While thus engaged he invented a lace-making machine that lifted the financial burdens that he had assumed and thus allowed him to take up carving full-time. Around that time he also invented a machine for carving piano legs. He switched to marble later in his career, being among the first native born Americans to do so.
While engaged in this endeavor, he developed a lace-making machine that alleviated his financial burdens, enabling him to devote himself fully to carving. Around the same time, he also invented a device for carving piano legs. He later shifted to marble during his career, becoming one of the first native-born Americans to do so.