It is happening, folks. And it all started on July 20, 2008.

The Rough Cut Show, featuring T-Chisel, a.k.a Tommy MacDonald, is getting into some interesting stuff. From defining the term Design (with Neil Lamens as the discussion and topic leader), to “Is Design Dead?”, the Furniture Design Forum will address design issues, and how best to critique the furniture we build.

In other words, “…nice piece…”, “…great cabinet…”, are not sufficient to let the craftsman know he/she is becoming a better woodworker. By understanding the parts that as whole make up Design, and by getting proper input and feedback from others about the furniture we make, should ultimately help US become better in our craft. The foundation to do all this is a good working vocabulary to do an evaluation of someone’s work properly.

I will be watching and reading carefully, and learning from the entire exercise. Who knows, I hope I have something to contribute, too, some day. But it IS a first on the Internet – and it should be very exciting to see it develop into a completed project. It will work, because Neil Lamens is working hard to make it happen, with Tommy MacDonald’s full backup and encouragement.

Kudos to the T-Chisel team, and to the leader of the critique effort, Furnitologist Neil Lamens, the man behind Furnitology Productions.

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Now, some images to put this whole thing in context:

Here is Tommy, jamming it up in Episode 117, a recent video on The Bombe Secretary – Drawer Side Shaping:	Tommy jams it up, mon!
And what kind of woodworking does Tommy MacDonald do? On the right is his Federal Breakfront – HOW would YOU evaluate this piece? In my opinion, this is one terrific piece!	His Federal Breakfront.
This is Tommy with his Salem Secretary – All I can say is WOW!	The Salem Secretary.

You see, Neil? I need some educatin’… seriously.

Click here to go to Tommy MacDonald’s Gallery.

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Relevant links:
All videos produced by The Rough Cut Show, in one page
Furnitology Productions, Neil Lamens’ personal blog

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