KUED Programs

Though the Serving Tray in this episode may look simple, it involves a complicated compound angle that defeats many woodworkers. But, Tommy has an answer for you - a trick that makes compound angles easy. In this episode, he provides detailed instruction and discusses the technique of creating compound angles. Then he joins Gerry Ward from Boston's Museum of Fine Arts at the First Church of Ipswich, Massachusetts. Later, Tommy returns to his workshop for a visit from the North Bennet Street School's Steve Brown.

The Keepsake Box is a perfect project for anyone who wants to learn simple, small box construction. The box would make a great jewelry box or even a humidor. A special feature of this box is the herringbone inlay - a dramatic embellishment featured on top. In this episode, Tommy demonstrates how to build the box and then explains how to create the magnificent herringbone veneer pattern for the top. It is a lot easier than it looks! Then, Tommy takes a trip to the John Adams House in Quincy, Massachusetts, to see one of John Adams's desks, covered in spectacular veneer and banding. Later, Tommy is joined in his shop by Neil Lamens of Furnitology.com.

The Shaker-inspired Night Stand is one of Tommy's favorite projects. This particular piece really shows off Tommy's style in using rough cut lumber and shows how Tommy can put a contemporary spin on a traditional piece. In this episode, Tommy explains techniques for mortise and tenon joinery, as well as how to taper a leg. He also heads to the North Bennet Street School in Boston, where he meets up with Steve Brown, the head of the school's Cabinet and Furniture-making department. Later, Steve lends a hand back in Tommy's shop.

Perfect for Veterans Day, or any other day, this episode of Rough Cut features the building of a Flag Box, perfect for housing the American flag. As a special feature in this episode, Tommy welcomes five retired members of the military into the shop to help him fold the flag for the box. And to add another dimension, the box itself features splines made from live oak from the USS Constitution. Throughout the episode, Tommy provides detailed instructions, highlighting the techniques for achieving successful splined miter joints. Tommy also goes on location to the USS Constitution to speak with naval historian Margherita Desy, and is paid an in-studio visit by fellow woodworker Al D'Attanasio.

The Octagonal Lazy Susan featured on Rough Cut this week has a lot of bang for the buck. Not only is the octagonal shape beautiful to look at, but the inlaid veneer of birdseye maple and beeswing mahogany really make the piece magnificent. In this episode, Tommy provides detailed instructions on how to build the initial shape, but then takes particular care with his instruction on how to do the inlay. On a very special Rough Cut Road Trip, Tommy gets a behind-the-scenes peek at Historic New England, a massive warehouse of historic artifacts and furniture that is not open to the public. Back in the shop, fellow North Bennet Street School graduate Eli Cleveland joins Tommy to build the Lazy Susan.

Boston's Old North Church may be most famous for its steeple lanterns, which once signaled the start of the American Revolution. Another standout characteristic of the building is the dentil molding. Host Tommy MacDonald travels to the historic site to gain inspiration for his newest Rough Cut project, a Wall Cabinet. Then he heads to Beverly, Massachusetts, to speak with fine furniture maker Phil Lowe about adding architectural detail to projects. After this trip, Tommy returns to the workshop to build a Wall Cabinet, which features detailed moldings such as a dentil, cove, and quarter round.

A Shaker-inspired Step Stool is Tommy's project on this episode of Rough Cut. This simple piece serves as the perfect introduction to woodworking, and throughout the episode Tommy explores the technique of making dovetails. For inspiration, he travels to Rollingsford, New Hampshire, and meets up with Allan Breed of the Breed School of Fine Woodworking. There, Allan shows Tommy his unique way of cutting dovetails, which includes holding the saw upside down. Upon returning to his shop, Tommy works with local woodworker Al D'Attanasio to explain the important and varied techniques of making dovetails.