PARKERSBURG, WV - The effervescent personality of woodworker Tommy Mac will continue to find its way into the homes and hearts of American audiences. Woodcraft announced it will fund for the sixth season the public television show, "Rough Cut – Woodworking with Tommy Mac."

The new season begins Saturday, Oct. 3, with one of four episodes in a new Master Showcase Series. Find show times, check local listings or visit http://www.thomasjmacdonald.com/stationfinder/.

This season the show goes on the road, visiting woodworkers at their workshops.

"We will also share some of the fascinating backstories of what led these talented individuals into the world of woodworking in the first place."executive producer Laurie Donnelly said.

• Tommy will join fine furnituremaker, woodturner, sculptor, and former TV host ("WoodWorks") David Marks in his Santa Rosa, California, shop and watch as he turns spectacular hollow wooden vessels accented with gold leaf in the first episode of the Master Showcase Series.
• Two episodes later Tommy will join Paul Schurch, marquetry expert, at Schurch Woodwork in Santa Barbara, California, for a joint project – a maple and mahogany table with an amazing marquetry inlaid top inspired by the local California blue belly lizard.
• Closer to home, Tommy will travel to Beverly, Massachusetts, to visit Phil Lowe, master furnituremaker and owner/director of the Furniture Institute of Massachusetts, to build a chair that will reflect Tommy's spin on the design, while he learns new techniques from Phil.
• For the final Showcase episode, Tommy will join Tom McLaughlin at Epic Woodworking in Canterbury, New Hampshire, to build a porch swing.

In other episodes, Tommy and Tom McLaughlin will build a complicated Kitchen Leaf Table, then work together to update Tommy's Dad's Library Chair as a family heirloom. Inspired by late 18th century spice boxes, Tommy and Glen Huey of "360 Woodworking" craft a black walnut Spice Box with an inlaid door design. Jesse Shaw makes his first appearance on the show, and he and Tommy build a contemporary version of the 1950s TV Tray.

A bretstuhl courtesy Peter Follansbee, Joiner's Notes

Master furnituremaker Steve Brown from the North Bennet Street School will build a project for beginners – a Child's Chair, inspired by the traditional "bretstuhl" from Germany. In another episode, Steve helps Tommy update a traditional bench using a more contemporary design. In a third episode Steve and Tommy work together to build a Fall Front Desk that is as compact as the original design but with a more contemporary look.
•Regular Al D'Attanasio helps Tommy build a Dog House fit for any dog, even Tommy's dog Murphy. Inspiration for the project came from Tommy's visit to the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department K-9 unit. Al and Tommy also team up in another episode to build a computer table tailored to their own needs.

"I'm excited to share the new Master Showcase Series with our fans, as well as stepping back into the shop to work with our ‘Rough Cut Regulars,' Al D'Attanasio and Steve Brown," Tommy said. "And as always, this season's projects will also carry on the ‘Rough Cut' tradition of challenging yourself to try new things in the shop."

Watch a Season 6 preview at https://wgbh-2.wistia.com/medias/kgdbf7zgcc.

About "Rough Cut"
"Rough Cut" is produced by WGBH Boston and distributed by American Public Television. Tommy MacDonald is host. Executive producers are Tommy MacDonald, and Laurie Donnelly for WGBH Lifestyle Productions. Additional funding is provided by DMT, Franklin/Titebond, MICROJIG, Pony Tools, and Starrett.

During its first five seasons, "Rough Cut's" accolades include 2015 New York Film Festival Finalist for Best Host; Emmy® Award nominations for outstanding lifestyles, outstanding cinematography and best director; and at least one Telly Award for each of its years on the air.

"Woodcraft's investment in ‘Rough Cut' provides woodworkers across the US with access to expert woodworking information and innovative projects that will instruct and inspire them," Woodcraft president Jody Garrett said. "The show is perfect fit for Woodcraft's mission to help woodworkers improve their skills, as well as encourage more people to discover the joy of working with wood."

When he isn't busy with "Rough Cut" episodes, Tommy works with Pony Tools, Inc., to develop and perfect woodworking tools and serves as celebrity spokesperson for the Hardwood Forest Foundation that provides science-based programs to educate elementary children in North America about sustainable forestry. Tommy also writes "Tips from Tommy Mac" for "Woodcraft Magazine."

Fans can keep track of Tommy on the "Rough Cut" website http://www.tommymac.us/ that features episodes from past seasons and exclusive behind-the-scenes clips and tips from woodworking masters. Website visitors can join community forums for in-depth project discussions or read weekly updates about Tommy's activities and work on his blog. On social media, audiences can continue the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

WGBH Boston is America's preeminent public broadcaster and the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the Web, including "Masterpiece," "Antiques Roadshow," "Frontline," "Nova," "American Experience," and more than a dozen other prime-time, lifestyle and children's series. Learn more at http://www.wgbh.org. WGBH's television channels include WGBH 2, WGBH 44, and the digital channels World and Create.

Woodcraft Supply, LLC, is the industry leader in providing a wide variety of top quality products, educational opportunities and one-on-one guidance to woodworkers of all skill levels