Thomas Dunn was born in Ohio. He moved to Arkansas in his 30s and started turning wood in the early 1990s on a homemade spring pole lathe. Over the next few years, his equipment improved, as did his turning skills.

Dunn is a member of the American Association of Woodturners, Diamond State Woodturners, Central Arkansas Woodturners, and Segmented Woodturners. He also teaches beginning woodturning classes.