Blog
Tommy Mac Interview
Tommy was recently interviewed by Ronald Sklar for an Associated Content article on the Rough Cut show and Tommy's take on the craft. There are some great nuggets to be found in the interview -- anyone who cares to dig a little deeper into what drives Tommy would do...
Too Much of a Good Thing
Guest blogger Rick Waters, who had a hand in the inception of the WoodExpo, submitted this blog recently. You can meet with Rick at this year's WoodExpo in a few weeks. I get to work pretty early. I'm usually strolling into the place at about 6:35am. So, when I was...
How to Say “I Love You” as a Woodworker
Valentine's Day is just a scant two weeks away, which gives the motivated, attached woodworker just enough time to whip off a simple gift for the loved one. Bigger projects may have to be marked for 2012. For the unimaginative, Frank over at the Woodcraft blog put...
Safe Winter Woodworking
There are some lessons in woodworking best learned through others' mistakes. Take, for instance, the case of Ronnie Helton of New Vienna, Ohio. Ronnie and his wife, Martha recently lost their garage and workshop in a fire, which was caused by a kerosene heater place...
Cast Some Shaderlight on Your Google SketchUp Design
I know that a number of 207 Forum members regularly use Google SketchUp for their woodworking design needs. It's a great, free tool that makes project planning that much easier. For those SketchUp users looking for a rendering tool, it looks like Shaderlight is one to...
In Search of the Next Generation of Woodworking Stars
Fine Woodworking and the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship are co-producing a juried exhibition entitled "Regeneration: Fine Woodworkers Under 30." The exhibition will be held September 16 - November 22, 2011, at the Messler Gallery at the Center for Furniture...
Tommy at the Baltimore Woodworking Show
Tommy certainly had his hands full last weekend at the Baltimore Woodworking Show. As our friend Frank Byers over at Woodcraft tells, Tommy demonstrated chisel sharpening and fielded questions on project building from the numerous onlookers. He also had a chance to...
Woodworking in 2011
Paul Comi, aka "paulcomi," of 207 moderator fame, sent along this reminder to all you woodworkers making their first steps in the New Year. Words to take to heart: As we look toward another year with our holiday season behind us, I know that times are tough for many....
Tommy Preps for Baltimore Woodworking Show
Here's a little pre-Baltimore Woodworking Show message from Tommy. See you all there!
Tommy to Attend Baltimore Woodworking Show
The 2011 Woodworking Shows kick off this weekend in Baltimore. For those of you who plan to attend, be sure to swing by the Woodcraft booth and say hi to Tommy, who will be hanging there with the rest of the Woodcraft gang. Tommy will be available for a meet &...
Final Table Construction Videos Posted
The final two videos in the Table Construction How To series are up. Check out Video #11, Attaching the Top, to see Tommy fix the table top to the rest of the table with some deck screws. In #12, Tommy talks about the Finishing for the table and wraps up the project....
Goodbye to 2010
Tommy says goodbye to 2010. Happy New Year!
Leg Gluing and Cleat Application Video
Episode #10 is now available in the Table Construction video series. In this chapter, Tommy talks about gluing the legs together and applying cleats. Enjoy! Are you working on your own table in the shop? Let us know. Better yet, show us your pictures. We hope everyone...
Tommy and Al Face Down the Blizzard of 2010
Tommy and Al receive an unexpected addition to their stock pile, thanks to the December Blizzard of 2010.
A Special Holiday Greeting
Happy Holidays, from everyone here at ThomasJMacDonald.com! To prove that they're taking the Season 2 preparations seriously, here's Tommy and Al with a special holiday message.
Multi-Leg Tapering Jig and Curved Leg Jig Videos
Two more videos in Tommy's Basic Table Construction Series are now up! Check out how to use a multi-leg tapering jig for mass "production" of tapered legs on the thickness planer. The other video is how to use a curved leg jig, similar to the curved jig for the rail...
Steve Brown to Host A Second Demonstration at MFA, Boston
In case you missed the first one, North Bennet Street School instructor and Rough Cut guest Steve Brown is scheduled to host another demonstration at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts tomorrow (Wednesday), from 5:30-8:00pm. Steve will be demonstrating techniques used in...
Gift Guide for Mere Mortals!
Our friend Steve Ramsey over at Woodworking for Mere Mortals put together this helpful video intended for the spouse of the family woodworker struggling for gift ideas. Steve's suggestion? Leave this window open on your computer for the spouse to "stumble upon." Then...
Two New Table Construction Videos
Be sure to check out the two new videos on the Basic Table Construction project page! In the videos, Tommy walks us through cutting a nice curve into the rail for the table and using a tapering jig to create tapered legs. Enjoy!
Steve Brown to Hold Demo at Boston MFA Sunday
Steve Brown will be holding an Artist Demonstration tomorrow (Sunday) at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, from 12-3pm. Steve is the Head of the Cabinet and Furniture-making Department at the North Bennet Street School, Tommy's alma mater. He's also a guest of Tommy's...
Tommy Featured in Fine Woodworking Magazine
Congrats to Tommy for making the cover of next month's Fine Woodworking magazine. Subscribers will be greeted by Tommy's mug in the mail around December 21st. The cover story delves into Tommy's Early American Blanket Chest project with router-carved panels. Want to...
Growing as an Amateur Woodworker: Chapter 3
Chapter 3: Researching Full Blind Mitered Dovetails The Internet has lots of information out there on cutting Full Through and Half-Blind Dovetails. Tommy’s “How To” has a nice tutorial on the subject within his videos for the Step Stool and Tool Box projects....
What Does a Chair Know?
I stumbled upon this editorial piece on the Furniture Society website that I thought worth sharing. The writer ponders the question,"What do artists know?" but the more interesting notion explored is that of the artist passing on knowledge through the object or piece...
Up From the Ashes
Like the phoenix she is rising. In an earlier Blog post I recounted my episode with oily rags and the damage the resultant flames cast upon my garage workshop. It’s been four months now and things are starting to get back to normal. After moving all of my major power...
Happy Thanksgiving!
We hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving with family, friends or both. Remember: You're carving the turkey, not milling it. And there's no need to have a #4 bench plane at the dining room table. It has no place in the setting. Keep it in the shop! If anyone out there...
Growing As An Amateur Woodworker: Chapter 2
Chapter 2: Self-Imposed Limitations Have you ever had the thought,“If I had this particular tool or this size shop, I could build this project?” I know that I have. Many times I delayed or decided to not build a project because I felt that I needed a special tool or a...
Woodworking and the Dunning-Kruger Effect
Originally I had planned this blog post to be about the Dunning-Kruger effect and how it manifests itself in woodworking forums and woodworking conversations in general. (Before you continue reading, check out the above link for a quick primer on the Dunning-Kruger...
Glass Panel Contest – Win a Trip to Italy
Want to take a paid trip for two to Italy? All you need to do is win the Woodcraft and Freud Creative Glass Panel Contest. The contest entry must be a customized glass panel rail & stile project with extended tenons. Detailed photos are to be submitted to...
Growing as an Amateur Woodworker: The Comfort Zone
Chapter 1: Stepping out of the “Comfort Zone” Are you stuck in a rut? Do you build the same thing over and over again, using the same joinery techniques, afraid to venture into uncharted territory? Are you resting in your Comfort Zone or do you try to learn and...
Happy Veterans Day
A quick note to wish everyone a Happy Veterans Day. A big Thank You to all the men and women who served, and continue to serve, in our armed forces. If you missed the latest episode of Rough Cut in which Tommy visits the USS Constitution and makes a Flag Box, you can...