Eastern Massachusetts Guild of Woodworkers

The Guild entered into the service of the arts when the Guild was contacted by he Alden House Museum. A special request was made and Tom Shirley answered the call and the request.

Tom volunteered to build a replica in 1/4 scale of a rope bed to be used for docents and visitors for demonstration purposes. The scale model would be used to demonstrate how the rope bed could be adjusted for different levels of support by tightening or loosening the support rope.

Besides woodworking, Tom has a special interest in the Alden house. He has been told he is a descendant of John and Priscilla Alden. Besides that, Tom can say one of his woodworking efforts is a museum piece! Read his story here.

Message from the President

September Message

New Year, New Crew

Way back in June, at least it now seems so long ago, we had the annual meeting to close out last year’s Guild activities. We enjoyed lunch and camaraderie in the garden at Jim Tartaglia’s house, members present discussed items that they had built and brought to show, and elections were held for board positions. The newly elected board members are Steve Hoffmann (President), Tim Holiner (Vice-President), Don Cole (Treasurer) and Tom Shirley (Secretary).

On behalf of all EMGW members, I’d like to thank Jim Tartaglia for having served this past year (actually 2 years) as President, Don Michael as Vice President, Jim Allen as Treasurer and Tom Shirley as Secretary. I’d also like to thank Jim Tartaglia for once again hosting our end of the year meeting at his beautiful home.

The 2018-2019 Program

The Program Committee has been hard at work over these past few months putting together an interesting and informative program covering a broad range of woodworking topics. We’ve already lined up some top-notch presenters including Matt Wadja, Mickey Callahan, Peter Galbert, Phil Lowe, Will Neptune and Tom McLaughlin. Upcoming schedule details are available in the "Upcoming Guild Events" column on the home page. Suggestions for future program content are always welcome.

Refer to the item Upcoming Guild Meetings above for the next Guild meeting.

Toy Project

We will be starting this year’s Toy Project shortly and will be conducting workshops at multiple locations. If you would like to join in the fun and help build beautiful toys, call me or send mail to Hoffmann01@comcast.net. This year we will be donating the toys to Toys for Tots.

And Last But Not Least…Membership Dues Reminder

Membership dues are the primary source of income for the Guild and are used to pay for the monthly presentations, meeting locations and Guild sponsored projects and educational programs. Please renew your membership early and on-line. Alternatively, if you wish to pay by check you may hand it to our treasurer Don Cole at the Guild meeting or mail it to him at this address: EMGW C/o Cole, 442 Main Street, Bolton, MA 01740

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.

Bevel Cut

Is This a Screw Job?

Image result for screws images Most fine woodworkers try to keep the use of screws to a minimum. But there are times when screws will do the job, especially if you need the ability to travel with, mail, store away, or collapse the piece for other reasons. And even when you are not working in a fine woodworking situation screws are an obvious go-to item for joining pieces. How often have you been caught without THE type and size screw needed? Andrew Davis talks about this and provides his signature family tree diagram, this time for screws in the in the September issue of the Bevel Cut "Is This a Screw Job?".

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's submission.

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.