| # |
|
Title |
Description |
Date |
Length |
| 85 |
 |
Ask the Masters 14
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy and Al use the whiteboard to review how the table drawer was constructed. The drawer looks as if it was built using three separate pieces of wood but it's one banding with three miters on it. They then move to the table saw to demonstrate.
|
4/26/08 |
15:02 |
| 84 |
 |
Ask the Masters 13
> Watch Podcast
|
With the banding now cut, it's time to put on the cuff. Tommy outlines how to construct the table foot and cuff then reviews some user submissions. |
4/17/08 |
6:35 |
| 83 |
 |
Ask the Masters 12
> Watch Podcast
|
Moving to the table saw, Tommy demonstrates how to create the bandings he reviewed in the previous video. Using a zero tolerance wood insert, he attaches a fence and shows how to cut the block. After cutting a few boards, he shows how the bandings enhance the completed table's look.
|
4/14/08 |
17:40 |
| 82 |
 |
Ask the Masters 11
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy takes a moment to talk about the Federal style table's bandings. Moving to the whiteboard, he outlines how he created the look. It might all be a little confusing but it will make sense when he moves to the table saw in the next video.
|
4/11/08 |
11:20 |
| 81 |
 |
Ask the Masters 11
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy and Al dive into discussing bellflowers with special guests Eli and Brian. Tommy demonstrates how he made the lines on the table leg. He then reviews how to make the bellflowers and Eli cuts them. Afterwards Tommy and Brian discuss his work so far. |
4/11/08 |
20:40 |
| 81 |
|
Ask the Masters 10
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy and Al dive into discussing bellflowers with special guests Eli and Brian. Tommy demonstrates how he made the lines on the table leg. He then reviews how to make the bellflowers and Eli cuts them. Afterwards Tommy and Brian discuss his work so far.
|
4/11/08 |
20:40 |
| 80 |
 |
Bombe Secretary - Prospect Door III
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy takes some de-natured alcohol and wipes it on the completed carving to demonstrate how the grain texture will look. On close inspection, viewers can see that each of the sweep carvings is a little different. Tommy then shows how to remove the material along the perimeter of the shell. After the door is completed, he discusses the work he needs to do on the drawers.
|
4/9/08 |
12:08 |
| 79 |
 |
Bombe Secretary - Prospect Door II
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy demonstrates how he is cutting the shell. Using a chisel, he shows how working with the grain poses a unique set of challenges. He then utilizes the V-tool on the design and laments his lack of carving skills.
|
4/9/08 |
6:24 |
| 78 |
 |
Bombe Secretary - Prospect Door
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy demonstrates how the prospect door will fit into the piece. He then shows how he copied the design from a photo to paper and then to the wood block. He makes multiple attempts at cutting the block and laughs about how many mistakes he's made so far. It's going to be a long road.
|
4/9/08 |
14:48 |
| 77 |
 |
Ask the Masters – Episode 09
> Watch Podcast
|
Quad Tapering and Al Babble--Tommy and Al sit down to talk about the spade foot of the Federal table. Tommy outlines how he used the drill press to create the spade foot on the marker board and then reviews how he created the tapered table leg. Al concludes with discussing the Red Sox season opener.
|
4/4/08 |
10:03 |
| 76 |
 |
Ask the Masters – Episode 08
> Watch Podcast
|
Al expounds on the Federal period, particularly the furniture of its time, while Tommy demonstrates the Federal-style table he is making, showing off its embellishment and foot. The conversation turns to how to best begin a project. Al recounts the steps he takes when he first gets a piece of wood, and Tommy hits the marker board to show how he diagrams a piece of work. |
4/3/08 |
18:18 |
| 75 |
 |
Bombe Secretary - Upper Pediment III
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy discusses how he tackled the most difficult part of secretary so far, the compound return angles at the top of the pediment. The moldings in the front and the side look the same but are completely different. He moves to the bench to illustrate the problem and how he cut the moldings to fit. As viewers can see from the disastrous state of his shop, this problem was a tough one.
|
3/28/08 |
12:52 |
| 74 |
 |
Bombe Secretary - Upper Pediment II
> Watch Podcast
|
AWith his new hi-def camera, Tommy reviews how he worked with the rake. He shows how the application of the molding makes the outside corner and the top of the rake more pronounced. Tommy then wonders how he will work with the compound angle at the top, which is going to be difficult.
|
3/28/08 |
11:01 |
| 73 |
 |
Bombe Secretary - Upper Pediment Box Completion
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy reviews how he will create boards to cover up the gaping space in the front, back and upper boards. After they have been shaped into a curve to match the pattern, the blocks are put inside the opening and Tommy shows how they are attached. He then uses a scrub plane and French curve scraper to smooth the surface, being careful not to bash his finger as he did earlier.
|
3/25/08 |
13:12 |
| 72 |
 |
Bombe Secretary - Upper Pediment Box Construction
> Watch Podcast
|
Heeding the advice of a viewer, Tommy starts wearing a dust mask when milling wood and hopes the damage he's already done to his lungs is not permanent. Tommy cuts the upper pediment box with a band saw and router and mounts it to the top of the desk. Then, he shows how he attached the front, back and upper boards to the box frame.
|
3/25/08 |
10:21 |
| 71 |
 |
Bombe Secretary - Lower Pediment Completion
> Watch Podcast |
Tommy reviews the completed dentil molding and scrapes out the excess glue. He then puts the first section of the pediment on top and reviews his work. Just as he's wrapping up, Al arrives with two cigars to celebrate the achievement. |
3/21/08 |
9:18 |
| 70 |
 |
Bombe Secretary - Quarter Round & Soffit Molding
> Watch Podcast
|
All the dentil molding is on and now it's time to add another layer. Tommy shows how the applied dentil molding looks and how the soffit and quarter round fit over it. He then attaches them to the case. Tommy cleans up the dentil molding with a chisel so it is flush with the quarter round. After gluing the final corner in place, the first part of the crown is done and Tommy can enjoy a victory cigar.
|
3/21/08 |
13:20 |
| 69 |
 |
Bombe Secretary - Cove & Dentil Detail
> Watch Podcast
|
With the fretwork completed, it's time to start the next layer of molding: the cove. Tommy reviews the miters and suggests using a lot of stock when doing this type of work. Tommy then shows how to cut dentil molding and demonstrates its placement on the secretary. Finally, he makes an inside miter for the dentil molding using a ramp block and chisel. |
3/21/08 |
14:14 |
| 68 |
 |
Ask the Masters - Episode 07
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy and Al sit down to talk shop and discuss plans for a small project building a table. The project will be simple and take under 60 hours to complete. Tommy and Al first review the general design of the table and then discuss the power and hand tools that will be needed. Tommy stresses that it will be a low budget project that will produce a beautiful table.
|
3/17/08 |
15:36 |
| 67 |
 |
Bombe Secretary - Upper Case Base Molding
> Watch Podcast
|
Now that the frame is even with the face of the case, Tommy can attach the crown molding. Wax is placed on the frame, the ends of the molding have been cut to fit, a little glue is applied and Tommy crosses his fingers hoping everything will work out. When the molding is put in place and the glue dries, Tommy reviews how it connects the upper case to the lower case. The upper case slides in from the back and is held by the crown molding. It's difficult to tell it's two separate pieces.
|
3/14/08 |
12:44 |
| 66 |
 |
Bombe Secretary - Pediment Fret Waist
> Watch Podcast
|
The astragal is now attached to the box and it's time to clean it up. First, using a chisel and a scraper, Tommy takes off as much glue as possible. Then he uses sandpaper to clean up the remainder. After that's done, he shows how it looks when mounted. Tommy then adds a detail to the front of the pediment that is so delicate it makes him nervous (as usual). |
3/08/08 |
10:33 |
| 65 |
 |
Bombe Secretary - Pediment Astragal
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy has finished the box frame with front work and blocking attached. Now it's time to make the astragal for the pediment. An astragal can be an architectural element used at the top or base of a column, and it is also used as a framing device on furniture. He drank extra coffee so his hands are nice and steady for the astragal work.
|
2/29/08 |
9:07 |
| 64 |
 |
Bombe Secretary - "Mashin' the Wood"
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy has the front work done and now needs to "dimple" or "mash the wood," a process that "mangles the wood" on the inside of the carving so that the carved parts really pop. He uses a triangle tile to make the surface of an old pin into a star to add a pattern to the front work. He's looking forward to seeing it on the upper pediment--as well as finishing the piece and finding a buyer.
|
2/21/08 |
7:49 |
| 63 |
 |
Bombe Secretary - Removing Fret Pattern Material
Watch Podcast
|
After Tommy got the pattern drawn on the fret pieces, the next step is to start removing material. He starts out with a small router and
takes the bulk material out. Then, with sharp chisels in hand, Tommy
shows how to clean up the edges. |
2/15/08 |
12:31 |
| 62 |
 |
Bombe Series – Upper Pediment Fret Work
> Watch Podcast
|
With divider and bevel in hand, Tommy walks viewers through the layout and design of the fret work trim pieces for the upper pediment. A little prep work on the pattern layout makes it a fairly simple process. Slow and steady wins the race--or finishes the Bombe Secretary, in this case.
|
2/12/08 |
6:34
|
| 61 |
 |
Bombe Series – Start of Upper Pediment |
Tommy’s ready to start the upper pediment of the secretary and shows the drawing for the upper case as well as what’s left of his wood to make it. He now has to figure out how to make the frame. He’s hoping that he’s found his stride and he’ll “get this thing done” because the bombe is “way more complicated” than he ever expected.
|
2/6/08 |
11:22 |
| 60 |
 |
Bombe Series – Upper Case Final Discussion
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy discusses how his upper case differs from the Bombe in RISD. He shows Steve’s drawing that allowed them to work out all the information they needed so that Tommy could work out the details of construction. He also gives viewers a preview of the cool embellishment that will be on the top of the case that is not part of the RISD original. Next step: Tommy’s ready to start the upper pediment.
|
2/1/08 |
15:57 |
| 59 |
 |
Bombe Series – Upper Case Candle Pulls
> Watch Podcast
|
The upper case is done and the drawers are built. Below the drawers, the candle pulls will be installed. After another trip to the RSID Museum, Tommy and Steve get the specifics about how to make the candle pulls. In an interesting aside, Tommy recalls how 20 years ago this weekend he was in a horrific car crash and spent a month in the hospital.
|
1/28/08 |
21:07 |
| 58 |
 |
Tommy Sings the Blues
> Watch Podcast
|
On a field trip away from the sawdust of his studio, Tommy visits his old “vocal” coach, Jackson, to get some tips to audition for “American Idol.” Tommy’s voice is in rare form when he sings a duet with Jackson. Check it out.
|
1/24/08 |
4:59 |
| 57 |
 |
Bombe Series – Pigeonhole Reconstruction
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy discusses his work ethic and concern for his own workmanship after his big mistake on the pigeonhole assembly in which he had to trash three of them to ensure that they lined up on the plane correctly. He’d “rather have it right than not right.” Now that they’re nearly finished again, “it’s like it never happened.”
|
1/20/08 |
11:37 |
| 56 |
 |
Bombe Series – Pigeonhole Deconstruction
> Watch Podcast
|
Although the upper case pigeonhole assembly looks “sweet” and is all on an even plane, Tommy realizes that the lower case assembly isn’t even. He “doesn’t know what to say” and he “totally messed up.” He needs to destroy it and redo. He believes if he had taken the time to lay out everything before he started, he wouldn’t have had this problem. “I’m having this thing critiqued at the museum and I hope to have some big, heavy-hitters there,” he says, “I want it to be the best it could possibly be.” Destroying it and doing it over is, “a lot less stressful than having to live with it” wrong.
|
1/17/08 |
25:41 |
| 55 |
 |
Bombe Series – Upper Case Shelf Beading
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy discusses his progress on the upper shelf, which leads him to expound on the huge job of the secretary itself and how he’s managing to get it done. Tommy’s words of advice: “Sometimes the challenge is just getting the mountain of work done, just like any other job….You can’t let it get to you. Have little goals and keep pushing.”
|
01/15/08 |
13:17 |
| 54 |
 |
Bombe Series – Stop Dados
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy is “pumped” to be starting the upper case. In this episode, he gives a quick demonstration on how to cut the “stop dados,” stressing that setting the blade on the saw at the right height is critical. Once he’s done with the saw, Tommy shows how he uses hand tools, such as the router plane, to clean up the dados.
|
01/08/08 |
11:32 |
| 53 |
 |
Bombe Series – The Upper Case
> Watch Podcast
|
Finishing the bottom of the desk has “really motivated” Tommy to get started on the top. He has laid out the upper case and shows viewers the illustration from which he is going to duplicate the beautiful carving detail. Tommy reiterates how important it is save discard wood. Pieces that he had rejected for the bottom of the bombe are now perfect for the upper case.
|
01/03/08 |
9:43 |
| 52 |
 |
Ask the Masters - Show 06
> Watch Podcast
Talk to Tommy and Al on The Rough Cut Show message board. |
Tommy and Al, wearing festive holiday hats, answer the most recent posts on the forum and discuss one viewer’s toolbox photo that he posted. They discuss one post in which a viewer says he inherited his grandfather’s tools, which leads Tommy to give a thorough overview on sharpening tools.
|
12/21/07 |
17:52 |
| 51 |
 |
Bombe Series – Hidden Box Construction, Part IV
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy finally gets to glue this “bad boy together.” After putting glue in the front only, he assembles the drawer dividers, the back and the partition and puts them in the desk to show the viewers. Watch this episode to find out why Tommy calls himself a “colorful guy, just not too bright.”
|
12/20/07 |
10:05 |
| 50 |
 |
Bombe Series – Hidden Box Construction, Part III
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy works on the interior of the hidden box. He’s added document drawers and a false back. He says, “It’s a pretty cool little thing, and I’m having fun making it.”
|
12/18/07 |
13:09 |
| 49 |
 |
Bombe Series – Hidden Box Construction, Part II
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy finishes construction on the hidden box for the secretary. Between segments, he takes time to show the viewers his personal memorabilia hanging on the walls, including family photos and accolades for his work. Tommy says he’s having fun making the box because it doesn’t have to be precise. He’s especially happy when the box is finished because he’s moving into his final phase of the desk assembly.
|
12/18/07 |
12:37 |
| 48 |
|
Ask the Masters - Show 05
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy and Al dedicate this podcast to answering the question of the week: What is the best way to attach legs to a column? With explicit instructions, they demonstrate how to use dovetails to get the legs and columns to fit together “nice and tight.”
|
12/14/07 |
22:50 |
| 47 |
 |
Ask the Masters - Show 04
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy and Al discuss the photos that two viewers sent in of their projects: Rick, who made a desk, and Keith, who made an armoire. Check out their photos on the forum. Next, Tommy and Al talk about the question of the week: What is the best way to attach legs to a column? Tommy had actually shown Al how to do this for a mahogany drum table Al made for his wife, which they show off proudly. Check out BobVila.com/AsktheMasters for full instructions.
|
12/11/07 |
6:14 |
| 46 |
 |
Bombe Series – Hidden Box Construction
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy had debated on whether he was going to show the viewers the hidden drawer in the Bombe, which is typical of a period piece. Considering how the early podcast at the museum showed how it was taken apart, he figured why not. Using scrap wood he has saved while working on the project, Tommy begins construction on his first hidden drawer. He’ll need to mill the pine, cut the sides and glue the bottoms. While waiting for the glue to dry, he demonstrates how to cut dovetails again.
|
12/6/07 |
14:57 |
| 45 |
 |
Bombe Series – Drawer Stops
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy needs to put stops in the back of the drawers, gluing one to each side of the drawer. The finishing touch is adding a screw to the back. Tommy is pleased with the drawer, particularly the grain texture that complements the entire piece. But when he looks back at this video, he probably won’t stay so pleased. Check out his singing and, shall we say, disheveled attire.
|
12/6/07 |
11:32 |
| 44 |
 |
Ask the Masters -
Episode 03
> Watch Podcast
|
With Al unavailable for the third installment of “Ask the Masters,” Tommy takes the opportunity to demonstrate how to sharpen and tune up a saw. First, he inserts the saw into his vise and puts joiner knives over the cut of the saw’s teeth, straightening the teeth so they’re flat. Then he puts the saw in a saw vise with the teeth protruding just a little. Slowly and painstakingly, he inserts a regular mill file between each of the teeth. Tommy finishes with some tips on how to use a saw properly.
|
12/5/07 |
9:41 |
| 43 |
 |
Ask the Masters -
Episode 02
> Watch Podcast
|
In the second installment of “Ask the Masters,” Tommy and Al discuss photos that PeteMichelinie from the North Bennet Street School posted on the forum of his beautiful replica Newport Kneehole Block-Front Bureau. They also respond to viewers’ questions about Tommy’s choice of dovetail saw as well as his bench, which he built himself.
|
11/30/07 |
7:03 |
| 42 |
 |
Bombe Series – Final Drawer Shaping
> Watch Podcast
|
While listening to a little Chubb Rock, Tommy puts the finishing touches on shaping the drawers. To prevent tearing with the planer, he relieves some of the edge of the drawer. After being a little too aggressive with the planer, a small tear forms and Tommy checks to make sure both ends are still level with a square. Tommy then puts them in place to make sure the completed drawers fit. He then reviews the construction and design of the fitted drawers and discusses future plans for completing the project.
|
11/26/07 |
7:34 |
| 41 |
 |
Episode 01
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy sits down with Al to respond to questions and comments posted in his newly-launched message board and send out a big thank you to all his fans (and especially Chicago Ron for the cigars!). After being asked by a viewer, Al gives a "quick" biography of himself. He also fields a question from another viewer about a matchstick holder he made.
|
11/19/07 |
5:28 |
| 40 |
 |
Bombe Series – Veneering the Drawer
> Watch Podcast
|
With the drawers fully assembled, Tommy shares a insider's tip on protecting the finish of the exposed inside surface of the case where the drawers have a tendency to rub as they slide in and out. To offset the outside drawers ever so slightly, Tommy glues a thin strip of veneer to the outside wall of the drawer cubby interior. Once applied, the veneer provides just enough breathing room for the drawer to glide smoothly without touching the case wall thus preserving the finish.
|
11/19/07 |
6:03 |
| 39 |
 |
Bombe Series – Drawers Bottoms
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy takes a break from shaping the drawer fronts to construct the drawer bottoms and finish the drawers. He's using wood scraps saved along the way for the job. He first bevels the back edge then cleans up the side edges with a plane so the bottoms will fit snugly in the grooves along the drawer sides. Next he cuts the profile on the front edge and then bevels it. Once the profile is set and the bottom slides in smoothly and tucks in nicely on the front profile, he uses his bandsaw to cut the back edge to fit and cleans it up with the plane. Finally he makes a little notch where he'll put a screw that should hold the drawers together for the next 200 years. Before signing off, Tommy tosses out a little nugget of advice: you'll save aggravation when you plane, if you take five minutes to build a benchdog (or bench hook) to hold the piece you're planing securely in place.
|
11/16/07 |
9:07 |
| 38 |
 |
Bombe Series – Gluing the Drawers
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy hits a “pretty big milestone” when he glues the first drawer together. Knowing how crucial setting the glue is after many long, labor-intensive hours getting the wood ready, he tries not to “freak out.” When he attaches all four pieces together and clamps them, he’s pleased because the drawer looks square and totally flat. Here’s hoping the rest go as well.
|
11/15/07 |
8:55 |
| 37 |
 |
Fine Furnishings & Fine Craft Show. Part 3
Providence, RI --- 10/26-10/28
> Watch Episode 37 - Part 3
|
Tag along with Tommy as he takes The Rough Cut Show to the 12th Annual Fine Furnishings & Fine Craft Show. Held in Providence, R.I., October 26-28, 2007, this three-day exhibit and marketplace showcases original handcrafted furniture, fine crafts, accessories, art, jewelry, sculpture and more by the artists themselves. In this three-part podcast, Tommy talks with Best in Show winners as well as other fine craftsmen showing their amazing work. Read about the artists Tommy met and get more information from their web sites here. Also, visit the Fine Furnishings and Fine Craft Shows web site for more information about this exciting event.
|
11/15/07 |
20:12 |
| 36 |
 |
Bombe Series – Drawer Front Dados
> Watch Podcast
|
Al visits to check out Tommy’s progress, admiring the valances and drawer fronts. Tommy shows him how he uses the shaper to add groves to the bottoms of the drawers. After running one through the cutter, he reflects that it was a little risky. With his second drawer front, he makes a little block of wood for the drawer front to sit it, which makes cutting safer and ensures against him accidentally destroying the grove.
|
11/05/07 |
7:15 |
| 35 |
 |
Bombe Series – Bombe Series – Pigeonhole Valances
> Watch Podcast
|
Tommy gets a second wind now that he can see noticeable progress on the Bombe. He draws and cuts the dividers for the pigeonhole assembly and inserts them from the back. Using scrap wood from previous cuttings because it has the same colors, tones and textures, he designs a pattern for the valances. Now the top row is almost complete, and Tommy is “feeling energized again.” |
11/02/07 |
7:57 |
| 34 |
 |
Fine Furnishings & Fine Craft Show. Parts 2
> Watch Episode 34 - Part 2
|
Day two of the show finds Tommy talking with more interesting craftsmen—and women—including: Randy Crossman who does hand-cut wooden jigsaw puzzles up to 4,000 pieces; Robert Reiss of Window Views puts photographs behind window panes; Gary Keener who makes beautiful furniture and won Best in Show 2007 for Furniture—Traditional Body of Work; Harold Shapiro and Michele Sommer-Shapiro who make furniture and do metalwork using a lot of recycled materials; Joe, a stone carver, creates fountains as well as lamps that burn oil; John Rundlett, a woodworker, specializes in toys; Holly Alderman uses photographs to create tapestries and “all kinds of things” inspired by sculpture; and Jacquelyn Rice, a self-described “artist and maker,” who makes whatever she dreams up.
|
11/02/07 |
15:42 |
| 33 |
 |
Bombe Series – Tommy & Al Think Things Out
> Watch Podcast |
Al says he “doesn’t get in the zone until 9:30” and since it’s only 9:00, he and Tommy sit around talking about…well, not much of anything.
|
11/01/07 |
8:33 |
| 32 |
|
Fine Furnishings & Fine Craft Show. Parts 1
> Watch Episode 32 - Part 1
|
Tommy and Al visit the show that Tommy won last year. There, John Landis of John Landis Cabinet Works shows them a beautiful, handmade table that seats up to 14. David Bazis of Bazis Studios shows off his furnishings, which incorporate his wife’s glassmaking. Paul of Cathedral Woodworking describes how he works with a customer to design a custom piece. And Tommy talks with Karla Little, the founder of the Fine Furnishings Shows, about the exhibit’s 12-year-history and expansion into other types of work.
|
10/31/07 |
12:49 |
| 31 |
 |
Bombe Series – Fitting Drawer Backings
> Watch Podcast |
With the sides and fronts cut, Tommy enjoys “smashing” the pins and tails together. The pine is so soft, working with these dovetails is easy. But before he can glue it all together, he has to clean up the drawer then make a groove in the back of the drawer front. With the drawers taking shape, Tommy is finally starting to feel like he’s making progress. |
10/29/07 |
8:00 |
| 30 |
 |
Bombe Series – Drawer Shaping
> Watch Podcast |
Satisfied with his selection of wood, Tommy delves into the beginning stages of creating the drawer fronts - laying out the dovetails. After cutting the blank into a shape, he takes his shoulder plane to smooth rough ends and "sights" to make sure they're level.
|
10/26/07 |
5:10 |
| 29 |
 |
Bombe Series – Drawer Front Doves
> Watch Podcast |
Tommy works on the “really tough” drawer fronts, eight in all. He’s trying to “elevate his game,” but the project is “starting to get” to him, especially because of all the tiny pieces of wood. But Tommy is satisfied with the finished pieces and determined to keep moving forward.
|
10/24/07 |
7:24 |
| 28 |
 |
Bombe Series - Pigeon Hole Drawers: Part One
> Watch Podcast |
Tommy cuts the wood for the drawers and finds some “sweet” colors and swooping patterns. After putting the pieces in place, he says they look too “blasé” and “lame” compared to the beautiful wood of the writing surface and opts for a do-over. Stay tuned to see if the new wood meets Tommy’s expectations.
|
10/16/07 |
14:08 |
| 27 |
 |
Tuning a Plane
> Watch Podcast |
Taking a break from building the Bombe, Tommy tunes his hand plane by taking it apart and sharpening it. He demonstrates the power of the plane, showing how to flattening an uneven piece of wood. Using paraffin wax to glide the plane, he gets the piece of gnarly wood in perfect shape.
|
10/5/07 |
11:06 |
| 26 |
 |
Bombe Series - Gluing the Dividers
> Watch Podcast |
The stress is showing as Tommy glues the first set of dividers into the pigeonhole assembly. A last minute save rescues days of work, but in the end Tommy's spirits soar as the painstakingly shaped dividers glide right in.
|
9/30/07 |
4:55 |
| 25 |
 |
Bombe Series - Shaping the Dividers
> Watch Podcast |
Tommy is building up steam on the Bombe Secretary now and the next step is to shape the dividers of the pigeonhole assembly. rounding over 3/16" stock isn't a job for a router so Tommy makes a scratch stock out of an old scrapper. With 3 different radiuses in the scrapper he starts with a larger opening and rounds over the edge and then works his way down to the final size needed.
|
9/25/07 |
14:27 |
| 24 |
 |
Bombe Series - Planing the Dividers
> Watch Podcast |
Preparing the stock for the pigeonhole dividers isn't as easy as it looks. The stock needs to be milled to a 3/16" thickness, but in making it that thin it's way more likely to crack or split. The solution: support the wood as it runs through the planer. Tommy does this with a piece of MFD clamped down to the planer which provides the support the stock needs to stay in one piece as it passes through. Once Tommy has the stock milled to the correct thickness and the sides of the cabinet routed at the precise height, the dividers slide in "like butter."
|
9/21/07 |
5:58 |
| 23 |
 |
Bombe Series - Pigeonhole Dados
> Watch Podcast |
Back on track after the doubler do-over, Tommy routes out the dados for the main piegeonhole assembly using MDF as a fence. Setting the two center partitions is the key getting the assembly process started. Once the dados are run, Tommy inserts the main partitions with a nice simple bead detail.
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9/8/07 |
4:48 |
| 22 |
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Bombe Series - Repairing the Doubler
> Watch Podcast |
These are the Days of Our Bombe... Last time out, Tommy was heartbroken over the bombe secretary's mis-sized doubler. Just a hair off, but for Tommy that was a hair too much. With a tissue in one hand and a chisel in the other Tommy makes it right - chipping out the old doubler piece by piece and then starting from scratch to work the new.
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9/8/07 |
4:48 |
| 21 |
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Bombe Series - Measure Once Cut Twice
> Watch Podcast |
Kleenex box alert! Even an ace make mistakes, and for Tommy, a slight miscalculation early on means a heavy load of heartache today. The hours spent hand carving the doubler are down the tubes as Tommy takes a router to his mis-sized masterpiece. Could he have fudged it a little and made it fit? Sure, but that's is simply not the way he works. So Tommy sucks it up, rips it out and starts all over again. Didn't a famous home improvement guy once say, measure twice, cut once? He hopes he won't make that mistake again.
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8/30/07 |
6:25 |
| 20 |
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Bombe Series - Gluing the Doubler
> Watch Podcast |
The doubler's been cut and shaped...now, with Al on pins and needles, it's time to glue it up. Tommy starts by applying a coating of prophylactic paraffin to the doubler's finely worked front edge. Next he pours and then rolls glue on the top side of the writing surface - careful to stay within the guideline he had drawn to delineate the placement of the doubler's forwardmost edge. Next up, it's more glue on the doubler's underside with particular attention paid to the "squeeze-O factor" along the edges. At last Tommy sets the doubler in place, sets the clamps, and phew...Tommy and Al breathe a sigh of relief.
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8/24/07 |
12:26 |
| 19 |
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Bombe Series - Carving the Doubler
> Watch Podcast |
In this podcast Tommy curves it up! The Bombe Secretary's writing surface should have crisp corners at the end of each elegant radius. To achieve this, Tommy curves the transition points on the rounded edges, taking a machined edge and working it into a truly hand crafted piece of art.
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8/22/07 |
12:54 |
| 18 |
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Bombe Series - Shaping the Pigeonhole Doubler
> Watch Podcast |
Tommy's next step on the Bombe Secretary project is creating the profile on the front edge of the writing surface doubler. He has already cut the Bombe Secretary writing surface doubler out on the bandsaw, run a flush cut router bit, and lastly cleaned it up with hand tools. In this podcast we see Tommy complete the shaping of the doubler's front profile.
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8/17/07 |
5:15 |
| 17 |
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Bombe Series - Teaser
> Watch Podcast |
Tommy and Al provide a sneak peek at the progress of the Bombe Secretary --memorializing the moment with a little song and dance. Enjoy! |
8/14/07
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9:26 |
| 16 |
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Bombe Series - Pigeonhole Assembly Planning
> Watch Podcast |
Before Tommy can get started cutting and shaping the pigeonhole assembly he needs to select the style and get a 1:1 scale plan together. Tommy walks us through his thought process on selecting the style and how he preps to cut.
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8/14/07
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6:39 |
| 15 |
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Bombe Series - Gluing Writing Surface to Case
> Watch Podcast |
Tommy and Albert do a critical phase in the bombe lower case—gluing the writing surface into the case. Neat little tip on gluing long pieces together without over loading with glue. Albert even gets a little jiggy with it at the end. Go Albert Go. |
8/07/07
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9:26 |
| 14 |
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Bombe Series - Fitting Writing Surface to Case
> Watch Podcast |
Tommy transfers the lines of the writing surface dovetail onto the bombe sides of the case. Slow and easily he chisels out the dovetail to receive the pin. A very nerve-racking job to clean out a dovetail on a priceless side of a case.
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7/30/07
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6:35 |
| 13 |
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Bombe Series - Writing Surface Dovetail Layout
> Watch Podcast |
Tommy marks up the dove tail on the writing surface and then using a ramp block chisels out the 45 degree and 1:6 dovetail. Just ease into these dovetails and tap, tap, tap it in. Finally scoring the case for the final work to complete the dovetail. |
7/27/07
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6:33 |
| 12 |
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Bombe Series - Cleaning a dado with a router plane
> Watch Podcast |
What's the best way to ensure a perfect dado? With a router plane. Tommy demonstrates why and how to use the router plane, a simple but valuable tool in a woodworker's arsenal.
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7/25/07
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5:35 |
| 11 |
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Bombe Series - Assembling the lower case
> Watch Podcast |
It's time to assemble the lower case. In preparation, Tommy must get the dove tails on the lower assembly of the bombe 100%. To do this he uses a router on a quarter million dollar piece of furniture...insane or genius? You be the judge. Roughing in the pins and paring it with a chisel, Tommy makes quick work of the job.
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7/22/07
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11:35 |
| 10 |
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Bombe Series - Tuning-up a Scraper
> Watch Podcast |
Tommy fine tunes a cabinet scraper which he uses to clean the undulating plane of the bombe cabinet's sides. Watch him rock and roll (get it, roll...) the scraper's edge with a file, then a "wata" stone and lastly a burnisher. Al sings the praises of the scraper manufacturer's line in hopes of scoring a complete set of tools for himself.
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7/6/07
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8:36 |
| 9 |
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Bombe Series - Shaping the Lower Cabinet Sides - Part 2
> Watch Podcast |
Rock star T-Mac shows off a compass plane on the curves of the bombe cabinet. Also, he demonstrates a shoulder plane with a few tricks to keep the edge clean. Lastly, he cleans the side of the cabinet with a cabinet scraper.
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6/27/07
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8:58 |
| 8 |
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Bombe Series - Tommy Planes a Plane
> Watch Podcast |
Tommy builds a custom scrub plane to work the side shapes of the bombe lower cabinet. He transposes the curve to the bottom edge of the plane and the blade and then shapes the tool. Once the plane is shaped, he shows off the new plane working the sides. PLANE, PLANE, PLANE...Nothing like making a tool before you start the job.
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6/22/07
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8:44 |
| 7 |
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Bombe Series - Shaping the Lower Cabinet Sides -
Part 1
> Watch Podcast |
Tommy surfs the long board in the shop and then tackles the first cuts of the bombe secretary cabinet sides. This is a critical part of the secretary since it determines the real look and feel of the piece of furniture.
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6/15/07
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7:27 |
| 6 |
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Tommy Demos Saw Stop
> Watch Podcast |
Watch Al, Bobby, and Tommy discuss (with big words) some table saw safety tips and demo the Saw Stop table saw. Tommy breaks down the process of setting the saw up, engaging the safety systems, firing the blade break and resetting the saw.
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6/14/07
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14:08 |
| 5 |
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Completing the BIG dining room table - Part 2
> Watch Podcast |
After a nightmare of Al, Tommy pulls himself together to finish up the BIG dining room table. Watch as he looks up glib, fixes a mistake on the edge, puts on a killer triple bead, attaches hardware and tests out the table for the all important 35lb turkey dinner.
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5/30/07
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10:17 |
| 4 |
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Tommy builds a BIG dining room table - Part 1
> Watch Podcast |
Tommy starts a BIG dining room table (approximately 14' long) and walks you through the wood selection, milling, stickering, and routering the top. As Tommy goes through this process he explains the "science" behind the wood. And don't adjust your computer screen, Tommy isn't turning into the red hulk, just blowing off some steam glib style.
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5/16/07
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8:40 |
| 3 |
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Bombe Series - Tommy visits RISD Museum
> Watch Podcast |
Tommy and his furniture team (Steven Brown and Lance Patterson from North Bennet Street School) visit RISD Museum at the Rhode School of Design. Tommy meets with Museum Director, Hope Alswang, and Curatorial Assistant, Melissa Buchanan to discuss a priceless piece of historical furniture.
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5/2/07
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8:01 |
| 2 |
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Shop Safety.
Making a Push Stick
> Watch Podcast
> Print Push Stick Pattern |
Tommy and Al talk workshop safety and make a table saw push stick to ensure all your digits stay intact.
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5/2/07
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12:45
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| 1 |
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The "Beav" cuts dovetails
with his teeth
> Watch Podcast |
Tommy (with Al asking the tough questions) walks you through the process of making simple dovetails and some classic "George Washington wooden teeth".
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5/2/07
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27:18
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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 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 - 
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.