The Purple Doorknob
In 1990, my itch to learn fine furniture making led me and my wife Kris, aka the Camera Lady, to pack up and move eight states away to an unfamiliar place, just for the chance to apprentice with someone proven and experienced.
An uncommon purple glass doorknob reached out from the workshop door of the revered master craftsman P.A. “Pug” Moore. Nervous and excited that first day, I could never have imagined what turning that knob would come to offer me for years to come.
Pug and I turned out to have a special connection. More than a great craftsman and mentor, he was literally a gifted grandfather figure, having never known my own. He generously invited me to work along side him for three wonderful years. There in Pug’s shop I thrived and discovered the creative life I was made for.
More than three decades later, I can think of nothing better than opening my shop doors to you…and you won’t even have to move to another state! I don’t have an unusual purple doorknob, but you’re invited to come on in and spend some time together around the bench. I know Pug would have liked that too.
The Invitation
- Interact with and learn more from Tom
- Improve your skills and be less on your own in the shop
- Believe you can do quality work with fewer mistakes
- Connect with other woodworkers, share work, be inspired
If any of this resonates, you have found your people.
Consider moving in to:
Neighborwood Perks
It’s about ACCESS
Access to Tom
Interact with Tom through a private community forum, and Coffee with Tom live events for Q&A and informal virtual hangs.
Access to ALL Courses
As a Neighbor you can watch ALL of Tom’s Online Courses anytime, as many times as you like. Just login, choose and click – it’s easy!
Access to LIVE Courses
Anytime Tom offers a LIVE Online Course, every Neighbor is immediately registered for no extra charge, Your subscription covers it!
Access to Plans at 30% off
We’ll ship you any set of plans at significant savings — 30% off the regular price — and as usual, the price even includes shipping.
Access to Other Woodworkers
Connect with woodworkers from around the world via a Member Forum, and other Neighborwood experiences.
Access to Insider News
Get behind the scenes updates and be notified first of Tom and woodworking-related news, events, and opportunities.
Click the yellow circle to view the FAQs section
FAQs about The Neighborwood experience
Who is The Neighborwood for?
Anyone and everyone who would like more access to Tom and his shop shenanigans other than just Thursday night. Other than that, the doors are open to anyone regardless of what you know about woodworking and the tools, the level of hand tool work and skills you have, the condition of your shop – if you even have one, or where you live. And it should also be said — it doesn’t matter how many woodworking projects you’ve started or finished, it’s only about going forward in your creativity and desire to explore the art of woodworking.
When I move into The Neighborwood, what happens to the Online Courses I already own?
You own those Courses for life — yours or ours. At the same time, becoming an Epic Neighbor provides you with access to the full library of Tom’s Courses – past, present and future — for as long as you choose to remain a member in good standing.
If I join, how do I purchase Plans?
There is a Circle-link in the Content Library for purchasing Plans at the Neighbor price.
If I don’t join can I still buy Courses and Plans?
You sure can! They will be available as a Bundle or separately as they are now. The difference there is you own the Courses you purchase, you always have access to the content you purchased outside of The Neighborwood. In The Neighborwood you have full access to all the Courses as long as you’re a Neighbor, plus all the other access features we’ve laid out. Choose the option that’s best for You!
How many Online Courses can I expect to experience over a year’s time?
Tom always has several ideas up his sleeve and shares them with the Neighbors behind the scenes as he’s ready to divulge them, so that’s pretty fun. No matter what, rest assured they will be worth the ride!
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes, you can cancel at any time, but we of course hope you will move in and plan to stay in The Neighborwood for a long time to come. There are no strings attached, cancelling is not complicated, but please note, if you choose to pay annually and cancel before the year is up, you will not be refunded for forfeited months.
With your subscription you get…
New Course Access
Neighbors have access to ALL our archived courses as well as NEW courses. Join now and experience the Curren LIVE Epic Workbench Course as a feature of your membership. Yes, the price of your subscription covers it! And, as a Neighbor you can purchase the Plans for 30% off!
This Live Course started in January, but it’s never too late to join in. You can easily catch up. Sessions are 60-90-min each and can be viewed live or later. More details below.
CLICK THE YELLOW CIRCLE TO VIEW EACH TOPIC BELOW
Can't watch live?
No worries, catch up later at your convenience. Even if you don’t plan to build the piece with Tom, or ever for that matter, there are always worthy tips, tricks and techniques you’ll capture along the way. And if you decide to build it later…as long as you’re in The Neighborwood, you’ll have access to the sessions!
Can I participate without being in the Neighborwood?
Yes, by purchasing it individually from the Order Page. Purchase the Course and Plans Bundle and save some money, or buy them separately.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The most important piece of equipment in your shop might just be your workbench. A workbench should be the trustworthy anchor of your workshop, strong and efficient at holding your work in all types of situations. But with so many options for vises and design, you want your bench to have the style and features best suited for the kind of work you will be doing.
As a longtime furniture maker, Tom designed this rock solid Epic Workbench from experience to optimize your advantage when tackling all kinds of furniture making situations. The versatile workbench will feature several effective options for holding work, a fast action leg vise, a fast action wagon vise, and numerous holdfast locations.
In this course, Tom will walk you, step by step, through the process for building his classic workbench, with its stout and sturdy elements, assembled primarily with traditional pegged mortise and tenon joinery. In addition to being beefy and stable, the bench top can be removed and the base can be disassembled for easier moving. This will be the last workbench you will ever need, likely lasting for generations.
NOTE: In the course Tom will use soft maple and cherry for the Epic Workbench build. Naturally you are free to choose whatever materials you prefer for making your own, and several good material options will be discussed as well.
Dimensions: 27” W x 84” L x 34” H
Course topics include:
- Design considerations and process
- Material selection and preparation
- Techniques for laying out and cutting large mortise and tenon joinery
- Methods for assembling and gluing up the workbench base
- Gluing up multiple boards and making the laminated tabletop
- Methods for cutting large half-blind dovetails
- Router jig techniques for cutting the rectangular dog holes
- Techniques for installing vise hardware
- Finishing options and techniques
Pricing
Pick the plan that works for you
Neighbor
billed monthly- ACCESS TO:
- ALL Courses
- NEW Live Courses
- 30%+ off Plans
- Tom via the Forum
- Coffee with Tom events
- Insider news/updates
Neighbor
billed annually- ACCESS TO:
- ALL Courses
- NEW Live Courses
- 30%+ off Plans
- Tom via the Forum
- Coffee with Tom events
- Insider news/updates
Visitor
per project- STOP BY TO:
- Buy a Course/Plan Bundle
- Buy the Course Only
- Buy the Plans only
- Public events/videos
Questions? Before reaching out check out these FAQs
FAQs about The Neighborwood experience
-Does skill level matter?
Anyone and everyone who would like more access to Tom and his shop shenanigans other than just Thursday night. Other than that, the doors are open to anyone regardless of what you know about woodworking and the tools, the level of hand tool work and skills you have, the condition of your shop — if you even have one, or where you live. And it should also be said — it doesn’t matter how many woodworking projects you’ve started or finished, it’s only about going forward in your creativity and desire to explore the art of woodworking.
When I move into the Neighborwood, what happens to the Epic Online Courses I already own?
You own those Courses for life — yours or ours. At the same time, becoming an Epic Neighbor provides you with access to the full library of Tom’s Courses – past, present and future — for as long as you choose to remain a member in good standing.
If I join, how do I purchase Plans?
There will be a link inside the Members area where you can easily go to purchase Plans at the Member’s discounted price. It will be easy!
If I don’t join can I still buy Courses and Plans?
You sure can! They will be available as a Bundle or separately as they are now. The difference there is you own the Courses you purchase, you always have access to the content you purchased outside of the Neighborwood. In the Neighborwood you have full access to all the Courses as long as you’re a Neighbor, plus all the other access features we’ve laid out. Choose the option that’s best for You!
Do you have any idea what the other Online Courses are upcoming?
Rest assured Tom has several ideas up his sleeve here but is not ready to divulge them yet. No matter what, they will be worth the ride!
Are you hosting any In-Shop Classes this year?
Wow that is a popular question! We tend to alternate years between our In-shop Classes, typically held in the Summer months, and the Epic Weekend events we host in the Fall. Click the names of each to visit those pages for up to date information.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes, you can cancel at any time, but we of course hope you will move in to the Neighborwood and stay for a long time to come. That said, cancelling is not complicated, but please note if you choose to pay annually and cancel before the year is up, you will not be refunded for forfeited months.
Click the “+” sign to toggle the text box open and then close it.
If we still haven’t addressed your question, ask away!
We asked our Epic Friends:
What does it mean to you to be involved with Tom through Epic Woodworking?
These are excerpts from over 100 responses
I’ve never experienced a teacher, in anything, who explains procedures as well as Tom. The teaching has such a great flow.
Frank W.
I love Tom’s attitude, easy to listen to, I’ve watched many videos, love them. I feel he’s the best teacher that I know in woodworking.
Brian R.
It has meant the difference between puttering around clumsily in my basement…and getting things done.
Michael W.
Thanks to Tom I’ve built things I never thought I could do. And I’ve learned to love hand tools!
Nick P.
I learned more from watching Tom during the online project courses than all the other YouTube and Instagram videos combined.
Joe M.
My skills have increased ten fold! Never would have been able to do the complex projects without Tom. Also, the fantastic plans he produces are first rate.
Loren S.
It has been so helpful to watch him work through a project and to hear his comments as he explains the why and how of what he does.
Jay
I’ve attended many classes trying to build my woodworking skills. But Tom is the one who has done the most to move me into a new level of woodworking capability.
Terry S.
Based upon my experiences, I had come to the conclusion that there were great craftsmen and great teachers, but those two skill sets didn’t exist in one person… that was until I found Tom on the internet.
ML B.
Tom and Kris (Camera Lady) are kind wonderful people, and it is great to be part of their woodworking community…they’re so fun and enjoyable to watch. Tom is a great teacher and inspiration to me.
Steven S.
I’ve watched all the woodworking shows over the years and learned a lot but what Tom has brought to me has advanced my skills greatly. His attitude is so friendly and mentoring.
John T.
Tom is very knowledgeable, skilled and a great communicator with a wonderful personality. I LOVE the projects that go from design to completion.
Jim R.
I feel I have a teacher dedicated to helping me learn furniture making.
Antonio R.
Tom has helped me immensely to improve my woodworking skills.
Michael W.
I really enjoy the casual approach to learning from Tom. Insanely talented and funny.
Mike D.
Tom is a great teacher and very entertaining! He’s great for a novice like me.
Scott B.
Such great videos and projects – have learned a ton. Perfect pacing and level of detail.
Ken A.
As a retired teacher of forty years experience, I do not say this lightly: I think Tom is an excellent teacher. His presence in front of the camera is extraordinary.
Jerry S.
Tom looks at furniture as art, from the design and craftsmanship it takes to create each piece. He has inspired me to a new and better place.
Robert D.
Tom has encouraged me more than ever to just get out in the shop and start building and making stuff.
Frank F.
So what are you waiting for?
Seriously….that grin…
Connect with Tom!
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