Eastern Massachusetts Guild of Woodworkers

News came to us recently that former Guild member Joe Aiello passed away on December 15, 2019. We, as a Guild, send our collective condolences to the Aiello extended family. Joe's obituary can be read here.

From past President Jim Tartaglia:

I only knew Joe Aiello from his attendance at various guild meetings and functions over the years. He was a long time member of the EMGW. Joe was an “old school” woodworker with an affinity for heavy duty power tools shared by many of his woodworking brethren. But unlike some old timers he had an interest in new tools, techniques and other wrinkles of modern woodworking. He appreciated the varied topics of our meetings and was supportive of others. I will miss him.

Featured Piece of the Month

Huntboard Design

This is Dave McCormick's second submission for Featured Piece. You will see that Dave has taken on new challenges and has made a gorgeous piece in the Huntboard design. Sleek and functional, this piece is a sight to behold.

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.

Toy Making Project

Here we are deep into summer, but as we approach the end of July, I know you are all wondering “What does the coming year for the Guild involve”. Well, behind the scenes, folks have been hard at work putting together the events for the coming year.

Members have heard about the toy making project over the past few months. With considerable planning effort by EMGW President Steve Hoffmann and his group leaders Jeff Clunie and Don Michael, the project started a several weeks ago. Steve and group leaders organized the work project, toys, and materials. Jigs were made for safety and productivity. Since then, guild volunteers have been busy building and finishing the wooden sedans, sports cars, trucks, and SUVs.

But before any work began, it was discovered that, unlike the past two toy making seasons, this season needed to be more formal in the design and building stages. Certification was required for these gifts to children. Steve investigated the issue further and found a guild doing similar work. Valley Woodworkers of West Virginia, after discussions with Steve (and lawyers), offered their certified plans at no cost to EMGW. Certification plans included designs, build process, wood type, finishing, and other documents necessary to follow the recipe for certification.

With teams meeting weekly at Jeff Clunie's shop, Don Michael's shop and Steve Hoffmann’s, volunteers have produced over 140 toy vehicles this year. Besides the group leaders, the following guild members volunteered their time to produce this record number of toys - Dick Belanger, Brian Chandley, Jim Thompson, Richard Silva, Don Cole, Len Nyren, Ken Zoller, John George, Andrew Davis, and Vincent Valvo.

On December 4th at 10:00 AM, Steve will be handing over the toys to the Toys for Tots program at the Mass State Police Museum, 308 Providence Rd South Grafton 01560. All members are welcome to attend. Consult with Steve if you wish to attend.

Many thanks go to Valley Woodworkers of West Virginia for the incredible support they provided to us including the documentation package and regulatory assistance. We would not have been able to make toys this year without their help. In addition, the guild members mentioned above are recognized for their time and a job well done and appreciated, no doubt, by the 140 kids in receipt of their new toy.

Bevel Cut

Drill Bits

Clearly, not all drill bits are the same but Andrew Davis makes it perfectly clear with a drill bit family tree. This obviously took a lot of time to develop. Check out the family tree in the January, 2018 Bevel Cut article.

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.