Review video of Tommy McDonald Woodworking
Hey everyone, it’s Sarah and today I want to tell you about Tommy McDonald Woodworking. I recently had the pleasure of working with Tommy and his team on a custom furniture project for me and my family. We could not be more pleased with the outcome!
Not only was Tommy knowledgeable about the best type of wood to use for our project, he also offered us helpful tips along the way. His prices were incredibly reasonable and they worked quickly to produce beautiful pieces of furniture that matches perfectly in my home.
I’m so thankful to have found Tommy and his incredible staff – they made this project an absolute breeze! Highly recommend if you’re looking for great quality work done in a timely manner. Thanks guys!
Interview with Tommy McDonald
Q: How did you get into woodworking?
A: I’ve been involved in some type of carpentry and woodwork for most of my life. My grandfather was a woodworker, so it’s something I grew up with and was around from an early age. After graduating from high school, I decided to pursue my passion and hone my skills, which eventually led me to starting my own business.
Q: What services do you provide through your business?
A: My main focus is on custom-made furniture pieces, but I also offer other home décor items like shelves, benches, bookcases and coffee tables.
Q: What advantages does having your own shop give you over working for someone else?
A: Working for myself means having the freedom to develop my own unique style and techniques that can’t be found anywhere else. It also allows me to choose what projects to take on based on what interests me, instead of being limited by someone else’s ideas or preferences.
Q: What steps did you take when first starting out as a woodworker?
A: Before getting started professionally, I spent a lot of time practicing different techniques and getting comfortable with the tools available at the time. Once I had obtained enough experience and felt confident in my skillset, I launched a website to showcase the work I could do and began networking within the local community to drum up potential customers. Finally, after doing some market research and setting prices accordingly I was ready to start accepting jobs officially.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather your materials. Make sure to research the type of wood you want to use and make sure to get enough material for your project. Make sure the wood is properly dried and stored if necessary.
Step 2: Plan out your design. Measure and draw out what you are going to build, making sure all measurements are exact. If necessary, create a template of your design to use as further reference
Step 3: Cut the wood and associated materials according to the plan you have created. Use safety equipment such as goggles or a face mask when cutting as needed.
Step 4: Begin construction and assembly of the project. Start by installing stronger supports first before beginning smaller components that can be later added on. Ensure that all pieces fit perfectly together with minimal gaps or visible seams.
Step 5: Smooth out any rough edges with sandpaper or an electric sander if necessary, then finish off the wood with oil or varnish as desired in order to bring out its natural beauty and protect it from humidity or office elements.
Step 6: Install any hardware required for either personal use or aesthetic purposes, such as doors, handles, slides etc., making sure they match the natural hue of your finished product.
Step 7: Enjoy your finished product!
Gallery
Tommy McDonald Woodworking is a woodwork shop located in Portland, Oregon. They are dedicated to making beautiful pieces of furniture and home decor items crafted by hand with the utmost care.
The gallery of Tommy McDonald Woodworking showcases his finished products. It includes images of hand-crafted dining tables, chairs, shelves, cabinets, desks, rocking chairs, beds and more. Each piece includes a unique description describing the materials and techniques used to create it as well as any personalization options available for clients. Additionally, detailed photographs of the finished product help set Thompson’s style apart from other woodworkers in person and online. The gallery also features smaller items such as clocks, cutting boards, jewelry boxes and kitchen accessories created with attention to detail that cannot be found elsewhere. There are also pictures of custom projects completed with client specifications such as carved inscriptions or biographical profiles that guarantee a lasting impact on anyone who views the work they own.
Upcoming Projects
1. Reclaimed Wood Furniture: Tommy McDonald will be creating unique pieces for the home using salvaged wood that is locally sourced.
2. Live Edge Tables: These one-of-a-kind pieces feature natural wood slabs typically from local trees and are finished with steel or cast iron legs to create a truly special piece of furniture.
3. Modern Woodworking Pieces with Geometric Shapes: Tommy will be creating stylish furniture featuring modern geometric shapes and patterns that can be used as accent pieces in the home or office.
4. Custom Handcrafted Cabinets: Made from high-quality materials, these cabinets will make any kitchen stand out with their stylish designs, impressive craftsmanship, and unique touches like stained glass details and intricate carvings.
5. Upcycled Furniture: Tommy will be repurposing old wood into beautiful custom pieces of furniture that are perfect for any room in the house or office spaces.
Behind the Scenes
Tommy McDonald’s woodworking process is a story in itself. To begin with, he selects the finest quality wood for each of his projects. After combing lumberyards and millworks for just the right kind of material, Tommy inspects the wood to ensure the grain is up to standard and that there are no flaws. He then meticulously sands each piece by hand, achieving smooth surfaces and distinct edges.
Next, he cuts out the components using precision tools such as table saws, band saws, jigsaws, and jointers. Depending on the type of project he is working on, he might use mortise and tenon joints or other joints for joining pieces together. Once cut to shape he will drill holes for hardware when necessary then add finishing touches like rake-filled grooves before adding a finishing stain or paint coat.
Finally comes assembly—gluing all components into place one at a time with precision and care so that everything fits together perfectly before sending off to its new home! Tommy goes above and beyond to make sure his customers get exactly what they asked for!
Influences
Tommy McDonald’s woodworking is heavily influenced by his admiration of the skill of other traditional craftsmen. He seeks to replicate their same level of quality with his own craftsmanship. Growing up surrounded by a rural farming and woodworking community in Northern Ireland, Tommy developed an appreciation for the timeless beauty found in traditional woodwork. As a result, he focuses on creating works that echo that same sense of classic craftsmanship with clean lines and strong construction.
The environment where he lives and works also greatly influences his style. He is inspired by nature and its constant changes, which are reflected in his detailed attention to texture and colouring when working with wood. He loves creating individual pieces that tell stories, inspired both from the wood itself as well as from the environment around him.
Woodworking Tips & Tricks
1. Start with the basics. Get comfortable with the tools and materials and how they are used in woodworking before trying more intricate projects.
2. Utilize a sharp tool on your materials. Dull tools can lead to sloppy work, uneven cuts, and cause accidents due to slipping blades or chippings
3. Be patient when taking measurements. Even small errors can have large impacts on finished works so take time to ensure accuracy of measurements needed for cutting, sawing and routing pieces; this will save rework later.
4. Working at a comfortable height is key! Having an ergonomic setup will help reduce fatigue throughout the day as you create your projects.
5. Continuous practice leads to mastery of woodworking skills so don’t give up when you experience failures or are stuck in a rut; be persistent in practicing until the difficult parts become second nature and much easier.
6. Safety should be top priority while working with power tools; make sure all safety guards are always securely in place as even small errors can cause damage due to kickbacks or debris, especially present during cutting operations like cross-cutting or mitering of pieces of wood
7. Experimentation is encouraged while working but risks should be minimized by using scrap boards and inexpensive materials first, then scaling up once technique has been mastered
Hi everyone! I’m a woodworker and blogger, and this is my woodworking blog. In my blog, I share tips and tricks for woodworkers of all skill levels, as well as project ideas that you can try yourself.
