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Last week, I had an opportunity to sit in on the first “In shop” taping of the second season of Rough Cut Woodworking with Tommy Mac. I was in Boston to write a piece about Tommy and the show for an upcoming issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine (PWM). In fact, PWM contributor, Chuck Bender was also there – he is a guest on the show during the new season. It was a great chance to see just how WGBH films part of its television shows and how Tommy MacDonald is behind the scenes and off camera during his down time.
Dinner the night before taping was at Tommy’s home where his new bride treated us to a fantastic meal. Conversation was mostly woodworking, as it would be given three woodworkers sitting around the dining table. As with an interview, a lot of the conversation was about Tommy – with a few juicy details added by Mrs. MacDonald. We talked about how he got to where he is. The chance encounters 
Tommy had on the road to becoming a woodworking television host is amazing. I discovered who helped him along the way and how he took advantage of opportunities. His story will be a very interesting read presented with a new angle on the host of the newest Public Broadcasting woodworking show to hit the airwaves.
These are just a couple photos taken during the day and a couple make-up photos of Tommy and Chuck (sorry guys, but these have to be shown). I cannot tell you about the upcoming season’s projects just yet – it’s best to let WGBH make that call. However, you can get you a sneak peak at the new season in the video below. In it, Tommy provides a small sample of what’s to come.
The next meeting for Tommy and Chuck may be at WIA. Chuck is a presenter at the show and with Woodcraft being a major sponsor, I think I heard that Tommy will be in the Marketplace again this year. Click here to get registered today.
Want more Rough Cut Woodworking with Tommy Mac? Projects from season one of the show have been assembled into a book that is available for pre-order at this time. Click here for a complete description of what you’ll find in the book and to get your copy when it’s ready to ship.
Stock your video shelf with Chuck Bender’s DVDs, “Cabriole Legs Simplified” and “Carve a Ball & Claw Foot.” In two hours, you’ll take your woodworking skills up a notch, maybe two.
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