Tommy MacDonald's 207 Woodworking Community • View topic

SteveV · **Joined:** Sun Aug 10, 08 9:32 am **Posts:** 10

Hi -

Still pretty new here but have watched all the videos of the Bombe project. The latest I've heard is that it will be going to the RISD in October for display. Whats next, are you looking for a buyer or was it built for someone? I've heard you refer to it as a half million dollar, 300K, and 250K piece. What would something like this sell for?? I've never seen a project like this done in front of a camera and it was truly inspiring to say the least. I really hope you land a buyer who really knows what it takes to craft a piece like this.

You know, you see furniture like this in books or even museums but you never get to see what goes into making it so thanks for that inside look.

Steve

TOMMY MAC · **Posted:** Thu Aug 28, 08 6:27 pm

hey man...all i want to do is get mine in the museum next to the original and let the chips fall where they may....i am looking forward to the director and her staffs reaction ...i hope to get on a national stage somehow for the exposure then ultimately sell it for 300 thousand dollars...i believe it will be worth much more than that in my life time....its funny to go back and see how optimistic i was at the beginning

.....and then the look of despair after i smashed it with the hammer

...and by the time i had rasta-hair i was totally fried :shock:

...mentally physically and finically...i am proud that i kept my spirits..... and believed in myself enough to grind it out to the end....and i still believe things will all work out.....denial...it works for me :mrgreen:

adienner · **Joined:** Tue Jun 17, 08 7:31 pm **Posts:** 67

are there any more videos for the bombe?

Mopardude · **Posted:** Sat Aug 30, 08 10:12 pm

Yea will we see any vids of the finisher doing his thing?

Reinhardt · **Posted:** Sun Aug 31, 08 1:21 pm

Ditto, note above.....T what's up with the finishing video?

TOMMY MAC · **Posted:** Sun Aug 31, 08 6:28 pm

we are working on it...i am still trying to get the finish totally completed so we can shoot a podcast....

IsonTenney · **Joined:** Thu Feb 24, 11 1:33 pm **Posts:** 1

Sorry to bump such an old post, but I just found this website, and I just finished watching all 82 episodes of Tommy's Bombe journey.

My question now is, what happened to it? Did you sell it? Is it still sitting in the museum? Did you have to resort to selling your body to pay for your bills?
:?:

Eli Cleveland · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 11 9:16 am

The bombe is currently in the back room here at the shop, collecting dust. Once Tommy got the TV show, everything else was put aside. So, there it sits.

Eli

tiny · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 11 7:41 pm

It is sad that Tommy's magnum opus is sitting around just keeping the dust off a patch of floor when it should be out where the world could share the effort that went into its creation.

Paul
the disappointed little guy

Mick · **Posted:** Sat Mar 19, 11 4:31 pm

That is a tragedy.

I too watched the whole 82 episodes over a few days. It was inspiring and I learnt so much.

I really hope it sells; it needs to be loved and cherished.

Mick

MarkR · **Posted:** Sun Mar 20, 11 3:42 am

That is indeed a shame, as it is a stunning piece.I think a lot of furniture makers have the odd piece sitting around, its a fact of life that your perceived value of your work, is far different than what the market considers. It is work of the highest order as I see it, and represents a serious body of work, but there aren't that many $250,000/$300,000 clients around. See hear for your average client, it's a joke but sadly a part of our lives as furniture makers. Anyway hope it sells soon, because when I watched the videos the commitment and cost to make it was outstanding.

Ritz · **Posted:** Sun Mar 20, 11 6:49 am

Yes it is sad, I love the link, and am going to post the other link elsewhere about "So you want to be a cabinetmaker"

Have a wonderful day!

TOMMY MAC · **Posted:** Wed Mar 23, 11 6:14 am

Whats up ! The bombe still sits in the back room of my shop ...whatever

I have no idea how to sell it ..but I think the tv show will help..i could probally keep it but I need to sell it ..not just for the money but for the final act ya know.to be honest I haven't even given it any thought ..it will sell when its time ..it's sad to say but I can't stand to even look at it

..Its like a monster in the next room...we have a love hate relationship

tiny · **Posted:** Wed Mar 23, 11 8:09 pm

Hi Tommy.

While I can understand the love/hate thing, I don't think you should look at it like that. I think you feel it was time wasted because you put all that effort and money into the thing and got nothing in return, However, what would you want to bet it had a large amount of influence on the decision to hire you for the show on PBS? The item itself and the podcasts about the build gave those who make these decisions the info they needed to select the newest star on the wood horizon. It can sit there with pride for that result, even if it never brings you a penny.

That's how I see it. You're welcome to your right to be wrong. :lol:

Paul
the little guy

aussiejoe · **Posted:** Fri Apr 22, 11 12:51 am

Tommy,

if i had a spare house, i'd sell it and buy it.. but i guess for the minute you'll just have to make do with the adoring fans and tv deal :lol:

Cheers

Joe

CharlesWilson · **Joined:** Mon Oct 03, 11 9:15 am **Posts:** 1

Tommy,

You are an inspiration to many of us who are not professional craftsmen. I want to thank you for making some of the intricacies of the craft very accessible, and not intimidating to us.

I am sorry that you are not feeling pleasure when you see your creation. I certainly am.

Charles

RedEDGE2k1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 02, 11 5:38 pm **Posts:** 3

Any update on the Bombe, has it sold? If not, I can't believe it hasn't been picked up by someone. Wealthy people are always wealthy!

Justin McCurdy · **Joined:** Sun Jan 08, 12 6:42 am **Posts:** 1

Tommy,

Have you tried contacting Christie's Auction House? I would think that would be the best way to get the most cash for your work. The commission would suck, but you would probably come out ahead in the long run.

J

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