{"id":1014,"date":"2021-10-15T19:17:35","date_gmt":"2021-10-15T19:17:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost:8009\/stories\/?p=1014"},"modified":"2024-06-25T19:29:21","modified_gmt":"2024-06-25T19:29:21","slug":"returning-to-woodworkings-roots-an-interview-with-the-unplugged-woodshops-tom-fidgen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/returning-to-woodworkings-roots-an-interview-with-the-unplugged-woodshops-tom-fidgen\/","title":{"rendered":"Returning To Woodworking\u2019s Roots: An Interview With The Unplugged Woodshop\u2019s Tom Fidgen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hand tool woodworking leader Tom Fidgen shares how he became an internationally-renowned woodworking teacher\u2014and why he gave up power tools.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Human beings have used hand tools to transform wood into homes, furniture and survival tools for centuries. However, the invention of electricity in the 1800s quickly propelled powertools to the frontlines of the industrial, professional and hobbyist trades of woodworking. Yes, most builders and artisans still use some hand tools, but few would be willing to give up the convenience and thrill associated with modern power tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, as society has sped forward\u2014adopting anything and everything to make life more convenient, efficient and streamlined\u2014there have remained a minority dedicated to the \u201cold school\u201d way of hand-crafting wood. Today, in the fast-paced culture of 21st century North America, unplugged woodworking is experiencing a serious comeback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the leaders in this movement is a former musician-turned-woodworking mentor and best-selling author: Tom Fidgen. He runs \u201cThe Unplugged Woodshop,\u201d a 100% handtools-based woodworking school in the heart of downtown Toronto<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom has written two books and teaches classes online and abroad (and has some big fans here at New England Forestry!). We caught up with Tom to learn more about his journey to going unplugged and the growing trend of hand tool-based woodworking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tom
Tom Fidgen has found his calling in woodworking with hand tools. \/ All photos courtesy of Tom Fidgen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How Tom Went From Record Deals To Woodworking Unplugged<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most modern woodworkers use a combination of power and hand tools, with more emphasis on the power tools. This once was the case for Tom, who originally learned how to build from his father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI started woodworking with my dad at a very young age. He was a firefighter and did carpentry jobs in his spare time. After high school I became a professional musician, signed a record deal and did a lot of touring. Whenever I wasn\u2019t playing music or on the road, I was always building or making something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom put his woodworking skills to work in set design, carpentry shops and building wooden boats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a guitarist and singer, he was always hyper-aware of the risks of using power tools for the sake of his hands and hearing. But it wasn\u2019t until he moved from the Canadian East Coast to Toronto that he gave up power tools for good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot knowing what kind of shop space I\u2019d be able to afford in the city, I decided to leave all of my power tools behind and see if I could make a go at making furniture with only hand tools. That was around 2007 and I haven\u2019t looked back since. Hand tools made sense and have been my norm for the past 14 years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Notched
A stack of mortise and tenon joints Tom prepared for a bench he was building.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Blogging Opened The Floodgates For The Unplugged Woodshop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like many artists, Tom started a blog to document his process and display his hand-crafted furniture. Little did he know his blog would launch a new career path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSoon after I started the blog I was approached by Popular Woodworking to write a book on the subject, Made by Hand: Furniture Projects from the Unplugged Woodshop<\/a>. Two years later, I signed another publishing deal with the Taunton Press. With the release of my second book, The Unplugged Woodshop: Handcrafted Projects for the Home and Workshop<\/a>, I started to get invited to teach in woodworking schools all over the world.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom soon opened his own school, The Unplugged Woodshop in Toronto. There, he welcomes students from all over the world, in-person and online, to learn how to hand craft furniture and other works of art using hand tools exclusively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Unexpected Benefits of Going Unplugged<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When asked what types of people his classes attract, Tom replied: \u201cI get a lot of engineering students, architects and artists in my classes. But that said, I get men and women, young and old, amateur and professionals. I think we as humans enjoy the creative process and making things with our hands is critical in our behaviour.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students sign up for Tom\u2019s classes to gain experience practicing his unique form of hands-on instruction. But for many, the classes and the process become about much more than just the woodworking:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think so many people sit in front of a screen day-in and day-out with nothing to physically show at the end of their days. Woodworking, especially using only hand tools, fills the gap.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Woodworking
Students learn to use hand tools at Tom’s “Hand tools Bootcamp.”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Slowing down and working with hand tools also gives students the added benefits of stress relief, increased focus, and a feeling of accomplishment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLearning how to slow down and make things by hand is extremely important and healthy in our fast-paced society.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Tom, what he loves most is the process and the people: \u201cI love the challenge. Both in teaching as well as in my own making. I also love meeting people and watching them grow and get excited about learning a new skill. It never gets old.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom\u2019s Favorite Wood, Favorite New Project and Sources of Inspiration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When asked about his favorite wood to work with, he said, \u201cHmmmm\u2026that\u2019s a tough one\u2026.probably maple if I had to pick just one.\u201d A fitting tribute to his home country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His favorite new project blends his two passions for music and woodworking: building guitars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAfter playing since I was a kid, and being so involved in woodworking, I knew the two mediums would someday meet. Two winters ago I finally decided it was a good time to try building instruments and I absolutely love it. Mixing the two things I like most, music and wood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"handmade
Two of Fidgen’s handmade guitars hang on a wall at his house.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After talking with Tom and spending time on his website and blog, it\u2019s hard to imagine he ever lacks inspiration. However, every artist needs his muse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs far as cabinetmaking, I love the work and philosophy of James Krenov,\u201d Tom says. \u201cBut as far as inspiration, that oftentimes comes from other non-woodworking places. A painting, a fabric or texture, a photograph or a good design. Inspiration is everywhere, we just have to allow ourselves the time to find it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom\u2019s Advice For Aspiring Unplugged Woodworkers Is To Literally <\/em>Unplug<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust start. Step away from the computer and go and make something. I have a membership site on my website where people can join for $20 a month and see what I do day-in and day-out. I just posted episode 890, so there\u2019s literally years of content with lots and lots of wood working projects. In June I\u2019ll be teaching in Sewanee, Tennessee, at Shakerag Workshops. And of course I\u2019m always at my shop here in Toronto.\u201d To learn more about Tom and the Unplugged Woodshop, including membership and upcoming events, check out The Unplugged Woodshop<\/a> website and follow him on YouTube<\/a> and Instagram @theunpluggedwoodshop<\/a>.\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hand tool woodworking leader Tom Fidgen shares how he became an internationally-renowned woodworking teacher\u2014and why he gave up power tools.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1017,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[53],"tags":[51,52],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\r\nInterview with Hand Tool Woodworker Tom Fidgen | New England Forestry Stories<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Hand tool woodworking leader Tom Fidgen shares how he became an internationally-renowned woodworking teacher\u2014and why he gave up power tools.\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\r\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/returning-to-woodworkings-roots-an-interview-with-the-unplugged-woodshops-tom-fidgen\/\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Interview with Hand Tool Woodworker Tom Fidgen | New England Forestry Stories\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Hand tool woodworking leader Tom Fidgen shares how he became an internationally-renowned woodworking teacher\u2014and why he gave up power tools.\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/returning-to-woodworkings-roots-an-interview-with-the-unplugged-woodshops-tom-fidgen\/\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"New England Forestry Stories\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-10-15T19:17:35+00:00\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-06-25T19:29:21+00:00\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Tom-Fidgen-Hand-Tool-Woodworker.png\" \/>\r\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1135\" \/>\r\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"757\" \/>\r\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"neforestrydistribution.com\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"neforestrydistribution.com\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\r\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/returning-to-woodworkings-roots-an-interview-with-the-unplugged-woodshops-tom-fidgen\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/returning-to-woodworkings-roots-an-interview-with-the-unplugged-woodshops-tom-fidgen\/\",\"name\":\"Interview with Hand Tool Woodworker Tom Fidgen | New England Forestry Stories\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2021-10-15T19:17:35+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-06-25T19:29:21+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/#\/schema\/person\/74f5dbc913b44a1efdefd107e16e460c\"},\"description\":\"Hand tool woodworking leader Tom Fidgen shares how he became an internationally-renowned woodworking teacher\u2014and why he gave up power tools.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/returning-to-woodworkings-roots-an-interview-with-the-unplugged-woodshops-tom-fidgen\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/returning-to-woodworkings-roots-an-interview-with-the-unplugged-woodshops-tom-fidgen\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/returning-to-woodworkings-roots-an-interview-with-the-unplugged-woodshops-tom-fidgen\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Stories\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"In the Community\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/category\/giving-in-our-communities\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"DIY Stories\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/category\/giving-in-our-communities\/diy-stories\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Returning To Woodworking\u2019s Roo…\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/\",\"name\":\"New England Forestry Stories\",\"description\":\"Stories about Sustainable Forestry, the Role of Land Resources in Our Lives, and the People Behind New England Forestry\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/#\/schema\/person\/74f5dbc913b44a1efdefd107e16e460c\",\"name\":\"neforestrydistribution.com\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"neforestrydistribution.com\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/author\/tiffany\/\"}]}<\/script>\r\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Interview with Hand Tool Woodworker Tom Fidgen | New England Forestry Stories","description":"Hand tool woodworking leader Tom Fidgen shares how he became an internationally-renowned woodworking teacher\u2014and why he gave up power tools.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/returning-to-woodworkings-roots-an-interview-with-the-unplugged-woodshops-tom-fidgen\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Interview with Hand Tool Woodworker Tom Fidgen | New England Forestry Stories","og_description":"Hand tool woodworking leader Tom Fidgen shares how he became an internationally-renowned woodworking teacher\u2014and why he gave up power tools.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/returning-to-woodworkings-roots-an-interview-with-the-unplugged-woodshops-tom-fidgen\/","og_site_name":"New England Forestry Stories","article_published_time":"2021-10-15T19:17:35+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-06-25T19:29:21+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1135,"height":757,"url":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Tom-Fidgen-Hand-Tool-Woodworker.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"neforestrydistribution.com","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"neforestrydistribution.com","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/returning-to-woodworkings-roots-an-interview-with-the-unplugged-woodshops-tom-fidgen\/","url":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/returning-to-woodworkings-roots-an-interview-with-the-unplugged-woodshops-tom-fidgen\/","name":"Interview with Hand Tool Woodworker Tom Fidgen | New England Forestry Stories","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/#website"},"datePublished":"2021-10-15T19:17:35+00:00","dateModified":"2024-06-25T19:29:21+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/#\/schema\/person\/74f5dbc913b44a1efdefd107e16e460c"},"description":"Hand tool woodworking leader Tom Fidgen shares how he became an internationally-renowned woodworking teacher\u2014and why he gave up power tools.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/returning-to-woodworkings-roots-an-interview-with-the-unplugged-woodshops-tom-fidgen\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/returning-to-woodworkings-roots-an-interview-with-the-unplugged-woodshops-tom-fidgen\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/returning-to-woodworkings-roots-an-interview-with-the-unplugged-woodshops-tom-fidgen\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Stories","item":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"In the Community","item":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/category\/giving-in-our-communities\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"DIY Stories","item":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/category\/giving-in-our-communities\/diy-stories\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Returning To Woodworking\u2019s Roo…"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/","name":"New England Forestry Stories","description":"Stories about Sustainable Forestry, the Role of Land Resources in Our Lives, and the People Behind New England Forestry","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/#\/schema\/person\/74f5dbc913b44a1efdefd107e16e460c","name":"neforestrydistribution.com","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"neforestrydistribution.com"},"url":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/author\/tiffany\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1014"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1014"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1014\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4268,"href":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1014\/revisions\/4268"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neforestrydistribution.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}