BobVila.com

Latest PodcastThe Rough Cut Video Feed, Click to download RSS Feed

Watch Episode

Episode 142

Bombe Secretary - Massachusetts Historical Society

September 9, 2008

Length: 16:21

The Bombe Secretary has been on display for a week at the Massachusetts Historical Society, and Tommy talks to the institute's librarian about some documents from the era placed on the piece.

> Watch Episode

Ask The Masters

You watch the podcast, now talk to the man. Furniture maker Tommy MacDonald, AKA T-Chisel, host of "The Rough Cut Show," will answer your questions about his art, tools and work or about your own woodworking projects. Ask away

Previous Podcast

Watch Episode

Episode 119

Bombe Secretary: Last Drawer Fitting

August 8, 2008

Length: 07:40

Big day in the shop today - the last drawer is being fitted in the bombe secretary, Tommy shows a big mistake he made earlier and Al shows off his new svelte figure (lost 15 pounds so far!)

> Watch Episode

Watch Episode

Episode 118

Bombe Secretary - Front Case Beaded Detail

August 8, 2008

Length: 08:15

Tommy shows off the latest gizmo he will use to put the bead detail on the front of the case. After two days of work, he shows how he cleans it out and the finished result.

> Watch Episode

Watch Episode

Episode 117

Bombe Secretary - Drawer Side Shaping

August 8, 2008

Length: 11:43

Tommy shows how he will remove material so the bottom drawer will fit. He then breaks out the planer, chisels and sand paper and starts jammin', mon.

> Watch Episode

AboutThomas J. MacDonald (AKA T Chisel)

Thomas J. MacDonald studied carpentry at the Blue Hills Technical High School in Canton, Massachusetts. After graduation, he joined the Carpenters union in 1985 and began a four year apprenticeship program at the Robert D. Marshall training center in Millbury, MA.

Tommy finished the program in 1989 earning his journeyman’s certificate and then his Massachusetts supervisors license in 1991. He continued to work in construction in the carpentry field. Then, in 2000, Tommy was accepted to the North Bennet Street School in Boston’s North End.

Tommy excelled in school and, in his second year, replicated a secretary from a picture of a Chippendale style piece, originally made in Salem, Massachusetts. That spring, Bob Vila came to film the school for an episode of his seminal home improvement show, Bob Vila’s Home Again. He saw the secretary and was so impressed with it that he profiled Tommy in the segment that he was filming on the cabinetry department. He also invited Tommy to demonstrate shell carving on one of his shows (Modern Colonial - watch episode) and showcased Tommy's period-appropriate furniture in the final walk-through of that season’s Modern Colonial project.

Since his graduation in 2002, Tommy has been designing and constructing custom furniture pieces. Most recently, he has expanded his operations to a Main Street Studio located in Canton, Massachusetts.

For More information about Tommy MacDonald visit his Official Website - Click Here