WORKPIECE DISTRESSING SYSTEM

A system and related methods are disclosed for distressing a workpiece (W), which may be a building surfacing material. The system may include a material support (400) defining a material support plane for supporting the workpiece (W) and a distressing apparatus mounted adjacent the material support. The distressing apparatus includes a cutting blade (310) and is configured to translate the blade back-and-forth along an impact axis between: (1) an extended or projected state in which the blade edge is a first distance from the material support plane; and (2) a retracted state in which the blade edge is a second distance from the material support plane greater than the first distance. A drive subsystem (106) generates relative movement between the workpiece and distressing apparatus. A controller repetitively reciprocates the blade back- and forth to repetitively impact the workpiece, thereby forming a chatter mark on the workpiece surface comprised of substantially parallel seriatim angled grooves or cuts.