Eastern Massachusetts Guild of Woodworkers

After seeing an exceptional furniture piece, have you ever wondered what was his/her motivation for the design, the joinery, or even the build process? John George reveals his thinking for these and other choices in a wonderfully organized and detailed description of his Bowed Apron Night Stand. It's a remarkable description and a must read from one of the Guild's outstanding woodworkers.

The EMGW Auction Nets a Tidy Sum

A vigorous auction was held at the start of the December 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

Dyes

Image result for wood dye color chart Applying dyes on wood to generate a specific appearance can be a trial and error exercise. As Andrew Davis writes, it takes considerable experimenting and several dyes before the desired color materializes. This can be a costly endeavor. Read Andrew's article Something to Dye For to read more.

With another topic in the article Andrew wonders about the ability to develop a tools library for the guild.

Perpetual Novice

Order of Work

The ability to follow steps serially is something we do quite admirably in woodworking. Except when we don't. That's because we've inadvertently left out important steps. And sometimes it's too late. This creates additional work and workarounds. The Perpetual Novice tells a humorous story of one example of a once small project gone bigger and reveals the consequences in the April 2018 submission.

Moxon Vise Advise

Bob McKee shares his Moxon Vise build.

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.

Period Furniture But What Period? Parts 1 and 2

Guild Member member and Treasurer Jim Allen has submitted a well researched, peer reviewed article on "Period" furniture. The article spans generations of furniture from the 17th century Jacobean Period to the 20th century Mid-Century Modern discussing designers and clarifying the periods for specific characteristics and issues that morphed one period to another. Special considerations are given to the woodworking reader when the article describes period-specific joinery and tools. Moreover, Jim adds economical, historical and geographical influences that introduced or phased out various periods.

The article was originally printed in the Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers' The Journal magazine as parts 1 and 2 in the fall, 2017 and spring, 2018 issues, respectively. Part 1 was presented on this website last fall. Part 2 is now ready for publication.

Click to read Period Furniture But What Period? - Part 1. (Jacobean to Federal Periods)

Click to Read Period Furniture But What Period? - Part 2. (Empire to Mid-Century Modern Periods)

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.