New Woodsmart Digital Chisel by Andrew Davis
Andrew is always on the lookout for new tools he finds worthy of writing about and sharing with the guild. This month he brings another find. So, revel in Woodsmart's market release of this one of a kind tool revealed in New Woodsmart Digital Chisel.
Andrew welcomes your feedback.
Measure Twice, Cut Once - Wisdom From the Shop
Make A Model
by Rob Carver
As we know, the use of best practices is a golden rule in whatever field we are in. Perhaps it is the uppermost rule during design and development. Rob's essay, while having an intellectual knowledge of this lesson, was reminded by one of those practices by a podcast he listened to. Briefly, a woodworker was asked to make something unique. How to conceive the look, feel, and stability was key. The value of making a full scale model was crucial to the outcome while maintaining that step in the set of best practices. Click to read Make a Model.
You can reach Rob by clicking Rob Carver.
 Six of the eleven members of EMGW's Cape Cod subgroup met July 25 2024 at the home/workshop of Josh Shapiro in Chatham. We got a tour of Josh’s well-equipped shop which he assembled over the past 8 months, starting with an empty room. Josh buys used equipment exclusively and shared with the group his tips for buying equipment on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other venues. Contact Andrew if you are in or near the Cape Cod area. - Andrew Davis
Pictured from left to right are Steven Contin, Walter Henry, Andrew Davis, Josh Shapiro, Mike Walter, Rob Aronson.
 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.
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Featured Piece of the Month
Tiger Maple Sideboard
by James Vieira
James Vieria is a relatively new member joining in 2021. Clearly as evidenced by his Featured Piece, James brings to the guild a considerable expertise. You can see his interest in the work of James Kenov. His design is subtle and elegant, fresh and simple but requiring the know-how experience to combine his tiger maple, birdseye maple, maple plywood, and cocobolo into an assembled stunning piece.
In his writing, James outlines his motivation, process, and includes a few tips along the way. I'm sure you will find this article worthy of your time. I've read it a few times and each time I enjoy it more. Have a treat, reading Tiger Maple Sideboard.
You can contact James here.
We are always looking to fill the Featured Piece queue. Please consider submitting an article. Remember this column is not necessarily dedicated to furniture pieces. Tools, jigs, processes, and other woodworking related themes are also relevant.
The Woodworkers' Bookshelf
Book Review: Set and File, A Practical Guide to Saw Sharpening by Matt Cianci, Lost Art Press, 2024.
Book Review by Dan Sichel
April 2025
This review is much shorter than recent ones. That is intentional so as to highlight that shorter articles or notes on an interesting resource on woodworking are welcome. Please share what you are reading or seeing online that would be of interest to other Guild members. Easy to submit – just email Dan Sichel or see him at a Guild meeting!
In the meantime read Dan's April book review. As Dan describes, the book is an amusing treatise on sharpening saws and other tidbits called Set and File, A Practical Guide to Saw Sharpening by Matt Cianci, Lost Art Press, 2024.
 
Ken Zoller has received interest in ordering another allotment of EMGW hats and work shirts. Pricing will greatly depend on how many items we order so get your orders in soon. Shirts will likely cost between $35 and $50 and hats $15 - $20 depending on volume and shipping. Once the order is ready to be placed, Ken will have definite pricing. Arrangements can be made for payment and delivery.
If any of you are interested, contact Ken Zoller for details (cost, sizes, quantity, timing, etc.) and/or order placement.
Tribute to John George and the EMGW Mentor Program
Member Joe Frank lives in Somerset, MA, a short drive to southern Rhode Island. Joe joined several years ago as a novice. He needed a mentor and found one. John George stepped up.
Joe works full-time so his availability with John was limited. With a couple years lost due to Covid, John mentored Joe for almost four years, one evening a week at John's workshop in Hopkinton, MA. As Joe's craftsmanship progressed they continued their mentorship program building other pieces. Joe was elated to be mentored by John. But like all of us, Joe was surprised when John died suddenly last fall. Joe felt the need to extol his mentor and write about his experience. To learn more about their mentorship arrangement, read Joe's article A Tribute to John George and the EMGW Mentor Program. To contact Joe for more details, click Joe Frank.
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