Welcome to my woodworking page. I’ve been making stuff from wood for more than 40 years. I started the journey in 9th-grade intro to woodworking class at Saxton Avenue Middle School in Patchogue, NY. I was hooked—I’ve been a woodworker ever since.

In a very fortunate twist of fate, my hobby intersected my professional career in publishing when I joined the editorial staff of Fine Woodworking magazine in 1998. I spent 25 years there, working my way up from Associate Editor to Editor to Editorial Director.

As a woodworker and writer, I could not have asked for a better job. I honed my woodworking chops and photography skills while traveling the country to document the work of top-end craftspeople. Along the way I absorbed lessons from the best woodworkers in the country and met hundreds of readers who shared my passion and who were proud to talk about the project they’d built or were building. As a bonus, I also had access to a well-equipped industrial woodshop, so I was able to practice techniques and build projects during off hours. Such a joy!

I’ve moved on from my corporate media career and am now working independently—for me! My first step was to build McKennaWoodworks.com. Here’s where I’ll showcase some of the pieces I’m most proud of. I’ll post content from my basement shop—successes and failures—in the hopes that I inspire others to do their best work, no matter where it happens. Regardless of what woodworking magazines and websites will show and tell you, it’s quite possible to do good work in a shop space that is far from perfect.

I’m also selling some pieces I’ve made in my store. Each one is individually made in my basement shop; there are no CNCs or lasers firing in my space (yet). If you don’t see what you’re looking for, I’m happy to discuss custom builds as well. Just reach out to me via the contact page and let me know what you’re thinking. Finally, I do have other skills, such as writing, editing, video, and photography, with lots of experience in on-line learning. If you are looking for help in any of those areas, let’s talk.

This site is certainly a work in progress, and I’ll be updating the content accordingly.

Thanks for visiting. Remember, keep the fun in woodworking.

Tom