Lie Nielsen Tool Event

sounds like a great day! amazing how much more you can pick up when it’s ‘live’ huh?

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

I’ve visited the LN showroom and factory in Maine a couple of times – very much a class act. The quality of the tools speak for themselves, and I never got a sense that they ever push their products. They know their products, market, customers, and competitors, and seem content to rely on the intelligence of the people they sell to. Unfortunately, for the most part, I can’t afford them; certainly to the extent that I would if I was willing to create a personal financial crisis. I do have the adjustable mouth block plane, and use it constantly. Good, solid classic products, supported by knowledgeable employees.

-- ShopCat

It does sound like you had a lot of fun and you certainly are a stronger person than I would have been. If I had been there I can guarantee you that my credit card bill would have given me sticker shock!

-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine

It took all I had not to go crazy. It’s one thing to look on the web but when you have thses great tools in you hand it is almost impossible not to take them all home. I had the money out for a #2 and low angle jack but figured I would sleep on it. Also, I would of had to justify the purchases to wife, boy that would of went over like a ton of bricks.

-- Marc

I learned to cope with LN lust by learning how to re-furb old tools. My old Stanley planes are not as pretty as the LN’s, but they seem to do the job, at a bare fraction of the price of new. For less than the price of one new LN #5 jack, I ebayed old Stanley’s and now have a #4, #5, #6, and #7. I soaked them for days in a rust desolver, hand lapped/flattened the soles and blades, and they are now better tools than I am woodworker. Plus, there is a nice feeling that comes for restoring one of those old tools. Properly done and maintained, they will last another 100 years.

-- ShopCat

It sounds like a great day another reason to have eastern states envy

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

I have taken classes at Jeff Miller’s Shop. Well worth the price, paced for everyone with lots of tricks and information on other things thrown in just for the asking. Hope to get in on one of his inlay classes soon. Jeff has a catalog of classes he offers. Small size classes so you get lots of one on one hands on help. Went to last years Lie Nielsen Tool Event @ Jeff Miller’s Handcrafted Furniture Shop and I agree about how it seems like just a bunch of really talented guys willing to share their knowledge on anything.