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. 

  • June 03, 2022 11:34 PM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)

    Bow Front Table Package Extraordinaire

    by Jeff Clunie, Jim Russell, and Ken Zoller

    Last month the guild presented a 100+ page guidebook for beginners called Novices.  This month brings another unusual but instructional Featured Piece of the Month.  Jim Russell, Jeff Clunie, and Ken Zoller teamed up to build and provide comprehensive documentation of their self-chosen project - a Bow Front Table.

    Each author built their own table using an earlier version the plans presented here.  The documentation consists of three parts.  One part is a description of their build process materials, tools, bricking, veneering, marquetry, knife hinges, magnetic push latches, and more.  The second part is a detailed set of the plans with templates of the piece.  If that wasn't enough the third part is a SketchUp file provided for your 3D visualization pleasure and interactive resource.  If you don't use SketchUp but would like a copy (complimentary or higher model) read below.

    You will be amazed by the craftsmanship, clarity of writing, supporting pictures, plans, and insights from this package.  For those always wanting to delve into building or just learning about the construction of a bow front table you have three big reasons to start now.

    Click Overall Description - This will display the overall descriptive document of the Bow Front Table.

    Click Plan - This will display a set of detailed plans and templates.

    Click SketchUp File - This will download a copy of the SketchUp file to your download folder.  You might want to  move the file to a friendlier folder.  To use the file log into your SketchUp app and click the Open from device tab at the near the center top.  To obtain a SketchUp model go to sketchup.com in your web browser on your Windows or Mac computer. Click the Products link at the top left of the page and select your desired product type.  (The free model may no longer be supported.)

  • June 03, 2022 11:31 PM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)

    Sweep the Floor

    Rob Carver

    When someone takes on the responsibility to write monthly articles for the website, it takes a very thoughtful, observant person to continue to select a worthy topic.  (Just ask Andrew Davis.)  For example, how many of us who visited last month's wonderful tour of Old Sturbridge Village came away with something inspirational?

    Rob noticed that in the OSV woodshop there were wood shavings on the floor and various other remnants of woodworking that were not cleared.  One could chalk that up to the working nature of the woodshop and viewing it as theatrical scenery.  Perhaps so did Rob but he took it a few steps beyond that.  Rob saw the Zen in this common woodworking scene and writes another thoughtful, inspirational article that takes a subtlety and gives it meaning in the June MTCO article Sweep the Floor.

    This will be the last article before we resume formal activities in September.  All articles this year will be made accessible via the archive later this summer.  Thanks go to Rob for his continuous supply of creative, thoughtful, insightful lessons learned that provoke consideration.

  • May 16, 2022 10:01 PM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)

    Tom Shirley and his wife traveled to Iceland last June 2021 where they visited a traditional sod home museum in Glaumbær.  In the museum, Tom took photos of much of the old handmade furniture.  He even found an old woodworking bench and some tools including a lathe.  See the slideshow of Tom's pictures on the Home page.

  • May 15, 2022 6:05 PM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)

    EMGW members gathered at the Visitor’s Center of the Old Sturbridge Village where  Chris Nassise, owner of the Green Woodshop in Easton and is the Cabinetmaker in Residence at the Village, led a tour of the Cabinetmaking Shop, OSV replica houses, and the sawmilll.  OSV is replica of a rural village at the turn of the 19th century to mid-19th century.

  • May 03, 2022 9:55 AM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)

    The Customer is King, or Maybe Not

    by Andrew Davis

    When you’re considering a new tool or service, where do you go to assist your decision making?  There are no shortages of website locations and YouTube videos to move you from ignorant to aware, or negative to positive, or unsure to whatever.  But by now we all know that everything one reads on the Internet does not carry the authoritative information one seeks.

    In the May issue, Andrew writes about customer reviews and their locations where potential buyers go for acquiring accurate, trustworthy woodworking information from actual users.  After loads of experience and research, Andrew feels very comfortable with the location of his primary choice.  Click “The Customer is King, or Maybe Not” to find his go-to resource.  Personally speaking, I'd give his article.

    Andrew welcomes your feedback.


  • May 01, 2022 8:10 AM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)

    Work Slow; It's Faster

    Rob Carver

    Bigger is Better.  Really?  Well, sometimes.  Cheaper?  Not always favorable in the cost/benefit analysis.  Faster?  The temptation to skip a step or dare I say not measure twice, is sometimes is a difficult option to avoid despite echoes of Ben Franklin's warning that "haste makes waste".  In this May issue of Work Slower; It's Faster, Rob brings to us thoughtful support to consider our woodworking process with respect to our desire to be more productive.  In fact, being more thoughtful while working is a good first step to being more productive.  We like to use machines; why should we try to be one?

    You can reach Rob for comments and additional information, click Rob Carver.


  • May 01, 2022 8:08 AM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)

    Getting Started in Woodworking

    A Guidebook for the Novice

    By The EMGW Guidebook Team

    Various members of EMGW led by Andrew Davis have been involved with planning, designing, writing, reviewing, formatting, and writing more a guidebook for beginners in woodworking.  The mission of this project has been to supply a document that would provide insight and a morale boost to someone who has an interest in woodworking but not sure how to answer the questions, how do I get started, and what do I need to know.  This all-volunteer, multi-month project attempts to provide answers to that person with a compendium of instructional and informative articles to build awareness and confidence.  That being said, I'm guessing that even experienced woodworkers will get something out of reading the guidebook.

    The guidebook is by far a worthy addition to this Featured Piece column.  It can be viewed and downloaded for your reading pleasure.  We hope that reading the guidebook will engender interest in woodworking and membership in our guild.  Click here for a priceless copy.

    Click here to send a comment to Andrew Davis.


  • April 11, 2022 3:49 PM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)

    To access, click Member -> Member Map

  • April 10, 2022 2:01 PM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)

    Meeting was held at Tim Holiner's workshop.

  • April 01, 2022 10:55 AM | Vincent Valvo (Administrator)



    You Can't Have Too Many Clamps

    Rob Carver

    Sometimes it's a guessing game with Rob's articles.  I read the title and wonder what will be the meaning of the article.  This one should not have been a surprise.  But then there it was.  How could I have missed it at the outset?  Then continuing the read it evolved into the warmth and feeling that emerges from Rob's writing.  So take a guess before clicking.  What do you think the message is in this article called You Can't Have Too Many Clamps?


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