Rough Cut Woodworking with Tommy Mac

Episode Two: Rough Cut Woodworking with Tommy Mac

Gina Eide, Contributor

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Did you see episode two of Rough Cut Woodworking with Tommy Mac? In the latest episode, he visits noted furniture maker Allan Breed of Maine. Catch a preview here.

Courtesy of WGBH: http://www.wgbh.org/programs/programDetail.cfm?programid=1123

In the show, Breed demonstrates an unorthodox way to cut dovetails.

Courtesy of WGBH: http://www.wgbh.org/programs/programDetail.cfm?programid=1123

Did you see episode two of Rough Cut Woodworking with Tommy Mac? In the latest episode, he visits noted furniture maker Allan Breed of Maine. Catch a preview here.

Photo: Courtesy of WGBH: http://www.wgbh.org/programs/programDetail.cfm?programid=1123

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Hello folks,

Anyone catch episode two of Rough Cut Woodworking with Tommy Mac. I don't think it's playing yet in my area though I've set my DVR for next week. If you saw the latest episode, please post a review below.

According to the preview they get into the nitty gritty of dovetails by making a Shaker-inspired step stool. For a similar project, check out MacDonald’s the step stool from the Jan/Feb issue of Fine Woodworking (FWW #203).

MacDonald also takes a trip to meet noted period furniture maker Allan Breed of South Berwick, Maine.

For more reviews of the show, check out the blog post about episode one or catch up on the virtual water cooler conversations in our Woodworking TV blog. 

More on Allan Breed • Breed’s FW Back Cover Feature  • Pro Portfolio: The Past Recaptured • How Breed Created a Molded Tea Table Top From A Single Board  • A Goddard-Townsend-style Secretary by Breed • Breed on Showing Nine Amateurs How to Build Newport Secretaries  • Carving Knees on a Turned Post

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Have you seen Tommy Mac's new woodworking show? Let us know what you think.

Comments (11)

woodrowwoodsman writes: Yes, Tommy tends to sound like a cleaned-up hyper urban thug.
Posted: 5:15 pm on March 27th

cajunjimbo writes: Tommy Macdonald really does a good job of explaining the project, how to simplify the lay out of the wood, and uses both traditioal and mechanical tools for the completion of the piece. He is likeable, informative and accomplished in his presentation of the subject matter, and he projects an air of confidence and ability in his work. I also like the way that he takes a little side trip and allows the viewer to get a preview of the project. Tommy is young, as I was some 40 years ago, and he has a lot more energy and knowledge when it comes to woodworking than a lot of us did 40 years ago. Reason why? He is the beneficiary of 40 years of technology and innovation as well as pioneers like Norm Abrams and Russell Morash bringing woodworking to the masses. Give the guy a chance. He may not have the show down pat yet, but somehow I seem to remember a previous show in its first few episodes as being a little rough and scratchy as well. With a few more episodes, I think Tommy can pull it off. Everyone is comparing him to Norm, and thats not fair. He is not Norm, only Norm is Norm. Tommy will develope his brand in time and I personally think that he will have almost as much if not more success as Norm did in building his audience and his approval rating will increase over time. The comments about the editing and the camera shots are good for the producers and editors as well. If Tommy and the producers get together and decide how to present the show, I'm sure that they can produce a product that will be just as informative, just as educational, and just as entertaining as previous woodworking shows. Time will tell.
Posted: 4:00 pm on January 30th

dcrews77 writes: as a profesional carpenter i think this show is good. i like the content and the speed. of course i also enjoy norm and the model of his other shows. admit that style is different but a welcome addition to the lineup
Posted: 7:32 pm on January 21st

ChadDK writes: I have to say that if you are expecting a top notch 1/32 inch cut by 1/32 inch cut wood working show you are not going to find it. The point of these shows are to get the viewer some ideas and and basic procedures. And since its on tv, yes be entertaining. I am fairly new to wood working and I am getting sick of always seeing guys that have great grandkids being the only demigraphic put on tv to do wood working projects. If you guys want this hobby to move forward as I do you had better open your minds to letting a new generation get there start on tv, Norm started his New Yankee Workshop show in 1988. After 22 years of being on tv, ya a new face is good.
Posted: 8:43 pm on November 7th

Wisconsin55 writes: I have to agree with the previous comments. I watch shows like because I am really interested in the content and in learning how to do something for myself. The format and speed - quick shots and fast talking - does not lend itself to my objectives. I might watch other shows but won't make a point of it like with Norm or other shows of that caliber. I only have time for a few shows that are really informative and useful that have learning I can take away and use. This show has a long way to go.
Posted: 1:09 pm on October 29th

kerfking writes: bring back norm
Posted: 7:31 pm on October 27th

genethehat writes: Watched for the first time today. Have to agree with all of the above. Thought about switching channels more than one time, but did watch to the end. May watch one more show next week & then again may not. Over all did not think much of it.
Posted: 1:31 pm on October 23rd

rebarnes writes: I am trying to like the new woodworing show but it is difficult to understand the fast talking of the host. There is not enough attention paid to the details. The editing of the show is very poor, fast shots of the work is not very good.
Posted: 7:41 pm on October 20th

Rhysling writes: I have to agree with the comments above. The approach seems to reflect more of the current DIY channel trend to make "entertainment" out of something informative. Quick cuts to keep our interest, nothing too deep for us so we don't lose interest and change the channel. The producers seem to be out of touch with this particular audience.

Mike has it right about Allen's segment. Also, I noticed that things are so fast and furious that it leaves actual gaps in logic - I felt as if I missed something a couple of times. I have just enough experience to fill in some of the gaps, but new woodworkers or woodworkers-to-be who are watching a woodworking show for the first time might be lost.

Bottom line for me is that this show should be informative first - Tommy is charismatic and interesting enough that the entertainment value is there. He also does good work, which I am interested in. I'm less interested in being entertained in a completely artificial way.

Would somebody please have a conversation with Russ Morash...
Posted: 9:12 am on October 16th

whiteplanes writes: Some one has to wake up and realize the quick cut style that is everywhere these days doesn't fit certain formats...and this is one of them. Time spent in the details is both educational and informative. Whoever is producing this show needs to - a.slow down Tommy, b. appreciate the exposition of the shot rather than racing to the next shot, C. know the audience, and d.try to do less in each episode and do it well. Oh, yeah. I think Tommy said 'guys' a few times too often. Just a few. All that said, there is potential here.
Posted: 4:33 pm on October 15th

mvflaim writes: They spent far too little time with Allen on the show. As a viewer I would have rather seen the step by step instruction process from Allen than Tommy. Also the editing was done so quickly it was hard to keep up with what Allen was doing.
Posted: 10:18 pm on October 11th

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