Website Changes

This blog is used by the Web Administrator to list updates to the website. This blog is summarized on the front page to make it easy for the members it locate new material without having to go  through the entire site. 

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  • March 14, 2024 8:47 AM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)

    Posted the "Design Inspiration and Process" slide presentation from the March 2024 guild meeting.

  • March 13, 2024 9:53 PM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)

    Mike Roughan, Linda Smith, Mike Bosin, and Marc Holland Presents

    "Design Inspiration and Process" at MassArt, Boston

    March, 2024

  • February 29, 2024 2:55 PM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)

    Sharp as a Tack

    by Rob Carver


    Some similes make sense.  Many don't.  Similes are used for comparisons and attempt to emphasize the comparison.  Consider "light as a feather".  Depending on the feather, if you want emphasis you could find things lighter than a feather like a crumb, a ladybug, or the obvious, air.  How about "clean as a whistle".  Some whistles are not clean at all.  In fact, they can be pretty messy.  Maybe it's the clean sound because whistles have few overtones.  Consider "fast as the wind".  Too bad the simile predates 1970 when U.S. National Hurricane Center developed the Hurricane scale with Categories 1 through 5.  It could have been "fast as Cat 5".


    Once a phrase catches on, similes are forever like "sharp as a tack".  Who uses tacks anymore and what's the meaning of sharp?  Read Sharp as a Tack.


    You can reach Rob by clicking Rob Carver.

  • February 29, 2024 2:47 PM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)

    New or Improved: An Age-old Dilemma

    by Andrew Davis

    It always seems to come to this.  Another decision to be made.  If it's not an issue about the dimension of the piece, it's about the joinery, or perhaps, salvaging a part that's not exactly intended.  I won't even go into the various possible finishes.  There are a gazillion decisions to be made.  Think of a piece or style you've never made before.  What if it's about the price of a tool, whether it's worth the value?  If it's a go then there's a decision where to locate it in the workshop.  And that's where this intro meets Andrew's March Bevel Cut article.

    The issue he poses is one that we all have encountered.  What if a woodworker, after laboring over the research and deciding on the cost/benefit to purchase the tool finds that a newer and improved version appears in the ads?  Hold off acting out.  Instead read New or Improved? An Age-old Dilemma as Analytical Andrew reveals his decision options.   

    Andrew welcomes your feedback.


  • February 29, 2024 2:46 PM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)

    Shaker Style Cherry Coffee Table

    by Tom Shirley


    Curly Cherry is such a dynamic species that it can be a centerpiece in any room.  When Tom was asked by a relative to build a coffee table he had an opportunity to use his curly cherry stock.  The design was his and a Shaker style was agreed upon.  Knowing the functional use of drawers in a coffee table he decided to add a couple.  Or did he?  Take a look at the coffee table picture.  The view is showing where the drawers should be.  Did he forget to add the drawers?  Did he decide that the curly cherry pattern was stunning enough?  As you've experienced, woodworkers sometimes change the design based of unforeseen events but not necessarily in this case.


    Tom writes about his process, pitfalls, joinery, and more.  Given the number of mortise/tenon pairs the table couldn't be more sturdy. This is a very considered design and a terrific model to consider how to join legs, aprons, and drawer rails.  Drawers rails?  Check out Tom's Shaker Style Cherry Coffee Table. He does a wonderful job of drawing you into building his piece as though you are watching it happen in person. 


    Further information can be requested from Tom Shirley.

  • February 28, 2024 1:48 PM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)

    Posted March 2024 Woodworking Tip - March 2024 Tip Make Clamps Easier to Turn

  • February 24, 2024 2:38 AM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)

    The policy statement can be found und About Us tab with links found in the footer of each website page.

  • February 17, 2024 5:48 PM | James Russell (Administrator)

    Using Hand Tools to Finesse Power Tool Work - Mickey Callahan - January 24, 2024

  • February 11, 2024 8:54 PM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)

    Handouts are PDFs that can be downloaded.

  • February 11, 2024 6:15 PM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)

    Topic of presentation was "Japanese Hand Tools".

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