InterviewsRSS

This collection of woodworking interviews and profiles of famous woodworkers like Sam Maloof, Roy Underhill, and James Krenov (and a few lesser known makers who should be famous) is chocked full of sage wisdom, valuable advice, and helpful woodworking tips that will both teach and entertain. Presented as a mix of woodworking videos, articles and blog entries these visits inside the shops and minds of woodworking masters will both guide you in your woodworking and inspire you to get back out in the shop and in front of your bench.

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Tommy Mac & ‘Rough Cut’

As ‘Rough Cut’ begins season two, we discover the host’s career path to television success.

By Glen D. Huey
Pages: 40-43

From the November issue #193
Buy this issue now

I’m a firm believer that every person has a talent; everyone is great at something. To find that something and make it your life’s work is how you stand out from others. And that leads to success – be it money, fame or happiness.

Step one of that discovery is to recognize what your life’s calling is when it passes in front of you, and to be able to see yourself in that position. With that, you need the discipline to stay on course while rising above naysayers, and you have to take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way. Of course, it also helps to have a little luck.

VIDEO: Learn about season two shows as Tommy wrestles his make-up artist.
WEB SITE: Get an up-close look at some of Tommy’s furniture.
WEB SITE: Learn all there is about “Rough Cut: Woodworking with Tommy Mac.”
TO BUY: Pick up DVDs of season one of “Rough Cut.”
IN OUR STORE: “Greene & Greene Furniture: Poems of Wood and Light.” Read more »

Life-changing inspiration. This reproduction bed, built by the author from recycled pine, was based on a piece by 19th-century Master Cabinetmaker Thomas Day.

Thomas Day

This antebellum free black man was the most successful cabinetmaker in North Carolina. Read more »

Legendary rocker. The iconic Maloof rocker has been made for presidents, celebrities and captains of industry. Maloof used templates to guide the rough work, but allowed the final form of each rocker to change in response to the wood.

Sam Maloof, 1916-2009

Sam Maloof, the son of Lebanese immigrants, was born in Chino, Calif., and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He returned to Southern California after leaving the army in 1945, and married Alfreda Ward in 1948. Maloof began out of necessity building furniture for their house from salvaged materials. After receiving some commissions, he and Freda moved to Alta Lomo, Calif., where he opened a studio and built a home that is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Three years after Freda’s death, he married Beverly Wingate and built a second home on the property; the first is now open to the public. Maloof’s iconic work is in several major museums, and in the White House. Read more »

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Interview with Ron Hock

Ron is the owner of Hock Tools, a 25-year-old cottage industry that makes acknowledged superior blades for planes and other woodworking tools. His interest and expertise regarding sharp edges comes from a blade-maker’s perspective and he imparts this knowledge in a clear and concise way in his new book, "The Perfect Edge." We got a chance to talk with Ron to hear the author’s perspective on penning this upcoming title, and now you can have a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into writing the book. Read more »