Blog
Tommy Preps for Baltimore Woodworking Show
Here's a little pre-Baltimore Woodworking Show message from Tommy. See you all there!
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Tommy at the St Louis Woodworking Show
All you St. Louis area woodworkers should head over to the Woodworking Show taking place there this weekend at the Gateway Center in Collinsville, IL, to meet Tommy and hear his presentation on Building Better Furniture. The show runs from Friday - Sunday, and...
Winning Projects Announced for Lumberjocks “Art of Joinery” Contest
If you haven't already, pop on over to the Lumberjocks site to take a look at the winners of their latest "Art of Joinery" contest. The top 3 winners were selected out of 93 submissions, with the 1st place going to user "GaryK" for his fantastic picture frame that...
Win a Day with Tommy Mac
Want to meet Tommy and hang out on the set of Rough Cut? Woodcraft just announced the "Win a Day with Tommy Mac" contest, where the winner gets to travel to Canton, Massachusetts, this July to meet Tommy and watch a day of filming. Details on entering the contest can...
Two Tommy Interviews
Andrea Galvin of Canton Community TV popped into Tommy's shop in Canton, Massachusetts to chat with Tommy, Al and Mark Libby about Rough Cut and his beginnings as a woodworker. Prior to heading into the St. Louis Woodworking Show last week Tommy sat down with KTRS...
Tommy on the Nate Berkus Show
Tune in to the Nate Berkus Show today and see Tommy address some common furniture repair dilemmas! Check your local listings at: http://www.thenateshow.com/station-finder. This should be a great episode. Nate does some amazing work with interior design so it will be...
Watch Tommy’s Segment on the Nate Berkus Show
Did you miss Tommy's appearance on the Nate Berkus show yesterday? Fret not, the segment is viewable below and on the show's website. Tommy addresses a common furniture repair issue that plagues households near and far, using a solution accessible to everyone. No...
Fun in the Shop
Al demonstrates that it's not all work and no play in Tommy's shop.
The Woodworking Shows Come to Virginia
All you Virginia-based woodworkers should plan to head over this weekend's Woodworking Show in Chantilly, VA. The show will be held in the North Hall of the Dulles Expo Center from Friday, March 11 to Sunday, March 13. Hours are: Friday 12-6 Saturday 10-6 Sunday 10-4...
WoodExpo 2011 Gallery is Up!
The photo gallery for WoodExpo 2011 is now live! Be sure to drop in and check out all the shots of work on display, priceless presenter moments and behind the scenes stills of Tommy and the crew.
Meet Tommy at the Western Mass Home & Garden Show
Tommy will be appearing at the Western Mass Home & Garden Show next Saturday, March 26th. The Show will take place at the Eastern States Exposition Grounds in West Springfield, MA. Tommy will be hanging out at the WGBY booth in the late morning, so swing by...
Meet the North Bennet Street School Students
Want to know what life was like for Tommy when he attended the North Bennet Street School? Check out this great interview by Frank Byers (of Woodcraft blog fame) of six NBSS students who had pieces featured at WoodExpo 2011. This is a great mini-education for anyone...
Framing a Garage Workshop
When choosing the framing and construction materials for your garage, consider how it will be used, what fire and safety requirements you may have, and what additions you may need later on. Today’s garage holds cars, big toys, and serves as a central home workshop or...
Laminated Veneer Lumber
The laminated veneer lumber (LVL) manufacturing process creates a strong and stable product that can reliably support large areas. Wide open spaces are great for country music singers, but can be a real headache for builders. To create large, open rooms, builders and...
Insulating Concrete Slabs, Foundations and Basements
Most residential concrete-foundation systems will come into contact with the ground and face moisture-management and heat-loss issues. Protecting the foundation of the home starts with the right barrier. Concrete slabs, basement foundation systems, and crawl-spaces...
Green Homes Series: Foundations
A solid foundation is essential for any home. But today’s emphasis on “green” suggests that other factors be considered as well. A good foundation is important. It helps a house withstand vertical and horizontal loads and protects from frost heaves. Foundation Basics...
Vapor Diffusion Retarders and Air Barriers
Vapor diffusion retarders, air retarders, and air/vapor retarders all relate to the interaction of temperature and moisture in and around the building envelope. A vapor barrier or vapor diffusion retarder (VDR) is a material that reduces the rate at which water vapor...
Load-bearing Walls
Before you grab a hammer, saw or crowbar to remove an unwanted wall, make sure you understand its role in holding up your house. Today's typical floor plan often includes bright and open spaces with high ceilings. Before the advent of today's modern building...
Expanding a One-Story House: Build a Second Story or a First-Floor Addition?
You’re expanding your home, but should you build up or out? Enlarge the footprint of your single-story residence or add a second floor? Before you call in the architect, here’s what you need to consider. Julie Languille and her husband, Larry, love everything about...
Stairbuilding Basics
Take the quick way to the top with a simple lesson in basic stair construction. Building nice staircases takes patience and skill. But it's worth the effort: beautiful stairs help make a home special. But, before you break out the tape measure and circular saw,...
The Carpenter’s Square
The carpenter's square is a deceptive tool. It looks simple, it's a ruler with an elbow, a straightedge that turns a corner. Yet it is a great deal more, because it can function as a sophisticated arithmetical guide to many of the complexities of laying out a...
Roofing Materials
Cost, ease of installation and appearance are all factors when choosing a roofing material. While asphalt shingles account for close to 90 percent of all residential roofing jobs, they certainly aren't the end of the story when it comes to roofing. Sheet metal, cement...