Eastern Massachusetts Guild of Woodworkers

Jim describes his piece influenced by Thomas Moser influenced by Asian design. In this table, Jim included some tricky joinery and bowed cross pieces. Some of this is mindful of a piece that Jim helped me with. That was a cabinet that is suspended from a table that uses a similar cross-frame structure and "inverted" legs.

I remember Jim and me visiting a Thomas Moser showroom in Boston and marveling over his designs and workmanship. While my piece was designed from the Mission style, Jim has taken his piece to the Far East with airy, delicate, and aesthetic features. For a description of the piece by Jim, follow the link Asian Influence Table.

The EMGW Auction Nets a Tidy Sum

A vigorous auction was held at the start of the December, 2018 Guild meeting. Two tables full of tools, jigs, books, and materials were offered by several members for auction. Scroll saws, dado blades, miter gauge, workshop old-time style radio, hand planer, hand jointer planer, even a CD of Christmas instrumental songs played with woodworking tools, and much more was sold. The guild netted just under $700, which was one of the highest fundraisers for the guild.

Jim Tartaglia acted as auctioneer and set a good tone. Competitive bidding ensued for several items. Many items were sold at a discount but the guild was the big winner thanks to all those who offered items and those who bid on them.

Bevel Cut

Slab Mania by Andrew Davis

Working with wood slabs is a subset of fine woodworking. It requires an attractive and strong support for the slab, joinery, and finishing. No slab based tables are alike and they can be very attractive as is one of Andrew's creations in ambrosia pictured here.

Andrew writes about his experience with slab based tables and benches with respect to procuring and working with slabs. It's a quick read and provides his woodworker's viewpoints in Slab Mania.

Moxon Vise Advise

Bob McKee shares his Moxon Vise build.

Mentoring in the EMGW

Mentoring in the Guild takes many forms. Everything from a brief conversation or email on a particular technique to a full-blown cooperative effort to build an entire piece. Most mentoring occurs informally among members. However, the Mentor Program provides an easy way, especially for new members, to get involved in mentoring. Members listed on the Mentor Program page of this website have expressed a willingness to help other members in a variety of ways.

To read more about the Mentor Program, click here or navigate to About Us then Mentor Program. To see the list of Mentor members with their interests and contact information, click here or navigate to Members then Mentors.

Furniture Interest Group Meetings

Meetings of the Guild's Furniture Interest Group (FIG) are held every third Monday of the month. All members are welcome. Members meet at a different member's house every month where they attend to discuss all things furniture building, including designs, jigs, wood species, joinery, tools, etc. Members have a chance to seek advice from a varied, friendly, and experienced assembly of woodworkers or add to this body of collective knowledge. Keep an eye on FIG meetings for time and place in the Upcoming Guild Events at the top of the page.