May 10 EMGW Auction

The annual EMGW auction hit an historic level at the May10 meeting.  The camaraderie and entertaining aspect were just as enjoyable as in the past, but the gross amount, as per our stand-in account manager Don Cole, collected from about 30 bidders reached a new all-time high.  The fundraiser reaped a gross amount of $2022, which included $27 in donations.  Along with Don, thanks go to the folks who set up the event and Tom Shirley, Dan Sichel, Don Frye, Ken Zoller, and auctioneer Jim Tartaglia.

The June 5, 2025 guided tour at Reader’s Hardwood Supply, 250 Cape Hwy Unit 9, East Taunton, MA 02718 has been completed.  Navigate to or hover over the ABOUT US tab, where you will find the dropdown list item Tours & Field Trips.  It's a new feature to document the guild's recent tours and field trips.

(Photo by Gaelen Morse of Harry Mairson in his Brookline, MA workshop)

In the Summer 2025 edition of the Brandeis University Magazine, an article written by David Levin came to my attention.  The article is about a Computer Science professor by the name of Harry Mairson, who in his spare time makes various musical interests, such as violins, celli, clavichord, and others.  The article begins with historical references of the violin in Italy but then covers some modern day woodworking, including a self-developed software program for design. Here's the article called A Digital Renaissance.

For in-person meetings, the possibility to carpool to monthly and FIG meetings, and other group gatherings may be of use to you.  Tom Shirley has updated the Member Map as of December, 2024 that displays members' locations on a Google map.  This is private information, so to access the map you must be logged in.  To interact with the map, simply click the map above.  You can also click Member Map from the Member Map dropdown list.  Once there you can pan, zoom in and out, and click a pin to see the member's name and location.

Maintain Your Equipment

by 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.

Book Review: Early American Furniture Makers, a Social and Biographical Study by Thomas Ormsbee, 1936 

Book Review by Dan Sichel

June 2025

Before discussing a short review this month, Dan raises a challenge to members. No one has yet sent in a short review of a woodworking resource they found useful in print or online. The hope is that this space in the newsletter becomes a place where we can share cool woodworking resources we find that would be useful for other Guild members. Short—as in a paragraph—contributions would be welcome. So, a dare is extended to Guild member to be the first to submit a brief review or comment on something interesting you’ve seen!  It's easy to submit – just email Dan Sichel.

Take a look at Dan's brief review of Early American Furniture Makers, a Social and Biographical Study by Thomas Ormsbee.  This may interest you to download a free copy of the book, which covers America's early furniture and clock makers, You will find a stockpile of amusing revelations and curious facts about the makers, some you will be surprised to find, and their woodworking times.