Eastern Massachussetts Guild of Woodworkers

Upcoming Guild Events

May 11, 2024 9:00 AM • Lowell Makes, 130 Western Ave, Lowell, MA 01851 and virtual on Zoom
June 08, 2024 10:00 AM • Ken's house in Sharon

Guild Gear

We all have our favorite organizations, teams, and groups.  Now here is another opportunity to show your EMGW pride when you attend a class, woodworking show, demonstration etc.

We are again collecting orders for EMGW work shirts and hats.  Corporate Casuals in Concord, MA is our source.  The pictures below are from a mock-up of our shirt and hat. Available shirt sizes range from “XS” to “6XL” and hats are one size fits all.  Pricing will depend on how many items we order but likely between $32 and $38 per shirt and $13 to $15 per hat including taxes, and shipping. I wear a "S" shirt.

If you're interested, please send an email with your name and how many shirts, what sizes, and how many hats you want by April 25.  Once the order is placed, I'll have definite pricing and arrange for payment and delivery.

Upcoming Non-Guild Events



Woodworking Tip

for April 2024



Click here

EMGW Auction

April 2024

Credits Vincent Valvo


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

"Design Inspiration and Process" at MassArt, Boston

March, 2024

Credits Vincent Valvo


Slide Presentation of Design Inspiration and Process

Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston

March 2024

Mike Roughan, Linda Smith, Mike Bossin, Marc Holland

For those who have asked to view the slides from the guild March 2024 meeting, the file is provided as a PDF.  Click Design Inspiration and Process to view or download it.

Bevel Cut

Stop Wasting Valuable Shop Space

by Andrew Davis


Workshop space is a premium.  Who wouldn't like to have more space.  You can fill it with more tools, left over wood shorts, or just spread out your too tight workshop and look even further for that pencil or mini measurement square that you misplaced.  Knowing the market need for workshop space, Andrew, our intrepid purveyor and digital researcher, has uncovered a net space savings in the workshop located in or near the house while increasing considerable time efficiency at the same time.  This novel approach bridges woodworking and cooking.

As seen in the picture to the left, Andrew reports that a combo table saw and heating element was developed by the Cuisinought company.  It's called the CuisinSaw and has two models.  Think about it.  The heating element can be used to maintain your hot hide glue with perfect viscosity, allow for the perfect sand shading temperature, steam water for bending wood and, get this, cooking on a full-functioning cooktop. No longer will you delay eating a meal in order to finish a particular woodworking task.  Dinner can be cooked and ready within steps. And no longer will your partner be upset with you  arriving well after your meal has turned cold just to finish that last dovetail.  With the CuisinSaw your dovetail and lobster tail would be finished at the same time.  The applications are limited only by your imagination. 

Check CuisinSaw's two models and other key information in Andrew's Stop Wasting Valuable Shop Space, the motto of Cuisinought's business.

Andrew welcomes your feedback.

Measure Twice, Cut Once - Wisdom From the Shop

Sharp as a Tack

by Rob Carver




Rob presents a mental exercise on the simplest tool for a woodworker.  Think about your tool set.  Consider those that are inexpensive.  Measuring tape or ruler?  Now consider those that are utterly simple to use.  A pencil?  We all know how to use it but it requires sharpening and if you use it like me, the eraser gets used up quickly.  Sanding block?  Just wrap your sandpaper around it and work it.  I think we are getting warmer but it does require physical intervention.  Is there anything cheap, without need of sharpening, electrification, or work but offers tremendous functionality without much of a rival?  In other words, what is the simplest tool that is the best.  Think about it before you treat yourself to Rob's favorite in The Simplest Tool is the Best?  I think he's got something.there.


You can reach Rob by clicking Rob Carver.

Map of Member Locations


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 February, 2024 that displays members' locations on a Google map.  This is private information, so to access the map ou 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.

Featured Piece of the Month

Harvey Ellis Cabinet

by Dave McCormick


This is the second Featured Piece presented by the prolific Dave McCormick this year.  Dave's Demilune Table was featured in September.  No matter the complexity of the piece Dave decides to make, he has mastered the art and quality of his craftsmanship.


This exquisite Harvey Ellis cabinet was made from a design he made after viewing a picture of it in a Stickley catalog.  That design grew to a full-scale drawing of most of the cabinet.  Attention to the finest detail is something that Dave has come to behold and master.  Beyond that Dave adds some detail of his own like the vertical inlay found in the cabinet doors.


Dave's straightforward description of his build process is clearly articulated amidst copious pictures that demonstrate step by step the workmanship one can marvel at.  The cabinet is made from walnut and holly.  If you are turned on by simply elegant work with various integrated features, you must read Dave's article on making a Harvey Ellis Cabinet.


Further information can be requested from Dave McCormick.


Remember this column is not necessarily dedicated to furniture pieces.  Tools, jigs, processes, and other woodworking related themes are also relevant.


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.

Andrew Hunter's Portfolio From His Guild Presentation

February 2024

Due to a strong request to know more about Andrew Hunter's work, Marc Holland has provided pictures of Andrew's furniture, work space, and other related pictures as seen below.  Scroll to the right or left for more pages. You can also click a picture for an enlarged view and then move to the next or previous picture.

In addition there were requests for a list of Andrew's presentation handouts click Japanese Tool Resources and Books and Japanese Tool Dealers and More Tool Resources for PDFs that can be downloaded or printed.

Starting out in Woodworking? EMGW Members Compiled a Guidebook for You

Considering getting into woodworking?  A team of members of EMGW has written a guidebook targeted for new woodworkers and a refresher for other woodworkers.

The guidebook is complimentary.  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.

Considerable work has already gone into renewing older and securing new discounts from various sources.  To review the list on the website you must first login then click Members and then Special Membership Discounts.