All Replies on The Woodworking Shows- Baltimore

I’m undecided – this is the only show close to me, this year – typically, the Chantilly show ihas more companies and a much larger turnout; last year, Frederick VA was the closest non-Baltimore show.

I notice that Felder and Legacy will be the only stationary equipment exhibitors, at least they are the only ones shown on the TWS website for Baltimore. Each year, the show gets smaller. I have an interest in Felder; though, I’ve spent my 2013 money already – on the Felder/Hammer N4400 Bandsaw. Festool is will be there; however, they don’t discount at the shows. Bosch will be there, also.

Still, it’s probably worth the drive for me. I will get back to you.
MJCD

-- Lead By Example; Make a Difference

Sounds good MJCD, let me know. I will agree that the Chantilly show was larger, though last year it did not happen and the Fredericksburg show was not all that impressive. It looks like they have completely axed VA for this year, shame. I liked the Chantilly show especially considering how close it was. But they actually knocked down the large expo center building and put in a Wally World..

CtL

-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."

I have put it on my calendar, and hope to go. Always need more DC parts and the various small stuff that generally have good prices at the event. Will drop a note as the day gets closer.

cheers.

-- Trying, but lots to learn.....

CtL & John:

Oddly, I haven’t spent that much time looking at the ‘small’ stuff – and that’s my mistake. I need DC parts, some Kreg fixtures, a Veritas low-angle block plane, a really good double-square, and a Bosch Digital Angle Finder. Maybe this year, I’ll focus on these things …

MJCD

-- Lead By Example; Make a Difference

As like last year. We are having our Family Christmas that weekend so I’m not going to be able to make it.

Tell Greg3G Sorry if you meet him.

-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Hi

Paul Sellers the woodworking instructor and furniture maker has a stand at the show. I have done a couple of his courses in the UK and he is excellent and well worth talking to. If you do meet him please give him my regards.

Chris Hyde (Pentre Halkyn)

-- chris, north wales http://salemchapelfurniture.co.uk/

MJ- That is a good place to focus on the smaller things. Lee Valley sets up a real nice display and lets you handle everything. They generally only offer free shipping as a show deal but it is nice to get the stuff in your hand.

Karson- Sorry to hear we will miss you again. Do have a wonderful time with your family.

Inchanga- If I meet with him I will try to do as such.

CtL

-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."

Great point on Veritas – hands-on. I’ve been at their displays in previous years, though, never as a buyer.

I’ve sent a note to Felder, asking if they’ll be open on Friday; if so, I’ll go then. Otherwise, Saturday.

I usually spend about 2 hours there, which fits Friday.

-- Lead By Example; Make a Difference

Saturday. I’ll be there for the 10am opening.

MJCD

-- Lead By Example; Make a Difference

MJCD, Sounds good Hopefully we can catch up at some point. I should be there for a good portion of the day. I will PM you with my cell if you are interested. Or just stop by Chuck Benders booth Acanthus and he will have seen me.

CtL

-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."

CtL:

Please do.

MJCD

-- Lead By Example; Make a Difference

I asked my son and he wants to attend, so Saturday is the day for me. I think he wants to try pen turning if they have a demo booth set up like last time.

What exactly is PM and does it hurt?

-- Trying, but lots to learn.....

Hey guys, the show has been sold and the new owner is trying build it back up to being bigger and better than it has been lately but the only way for that to happen is with your attendence. I will be there for Earlex at all the shows this season and if all goes well I will be back next season for even more shows. Stop by and introduce yourself as an LJ.

-- Sam Hamory - The project is never finished until its "finished"!

I am supposed to be going, not sure the days

Sam, I will look forward to stopping by. I am hoping they can build it back up over the next couple of years and maybe get another venue in Virginia as well.

CtL

-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."

I drove from NoVa to this show for the first time last year, primarily to see Tommy MacDonald and see/pick up a few smaller items. I used to attend the Chantilly show every year.
I felt the vendors were as expected and some like Lee Valley and Peach Tree were excellent. I enjoyed meeting and listening to Tommy Mac.
The venue, however, leaves A LOT to be desired. It is a fair grounds so you get everything that comes along with that.
1. Parking was horrible. There was also a Bridal show going on but there was no visible signage to direct you to correct building. I and several others I saw had to get info from other attendees and try to find parking twice. The parking lot attendants were rude and treated us like we did something wrong. We then had the pleasure of parking beside a stable and walking through a fair amount of droppings.
2. The only men’s room had a plumbing issue with several urinals and stalls blocked off and a literal several inches of standing water/waste.
3. The lighting in the main hall was terrible and the building was not suitable for the noise level. It was very hard to hear presenters.
4. The food concession area was filthy and the employees were again rude and seemed disinterested in serving anyone

The trend in a lack of big machines continued and it seems that there are more and more small items, gadgets, and HF type of discounters.

There is some benefit to these shows and if there is a new owner, hopefully they can restore the show to what it was 10 years ago. I would say if you live close by and think you will enjoy the show, then go. But I would recommend against anyone driving very far to attend.

Hope I don’t sound too bitter, but that’s just my opinion.

Sunday for me.

-- Crashn - the only thing I make more of than sawdust is mistakes

Crashn- Sorry I will miss you. Be sure to stop by to see Chuck Bender at Acanthus booth.

Scott- I hear ya. I am going mainly for some of the seminars this year and to get a few nuggets of information. The show has not been going all that well for the past few years and the loss of the Chantilly Expo Center has not helped I believe. I do hope as well that the new owners can turn some things around and get some new vendors in as well.

CtL

-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."

Chris, Sounds good. Hope you enjoy.

Looking forward to the shows returning to their past glory!

John:

The Pen Turning is a huge draw for the kids – I remember last year, the line was hours-long. My recommendation is to get there early, and get in-line asap.

Earlextech – I’ll stop by to say hello. I know zero (if someone can know … nothing (a contradiction in terms) about spraying, and the related equipment – so no intelligent questions from me.

The Fair Grounds has to be doing this cheaply; as it is a terrible venue, overall. I know that many companies don’t see a positive return for the cost. I knew some of the details on the Javitz Center, in NYC, and the costs to rent, setup, and run a stall was too much for progressively more exhibitors. I’ve spoken to the Incra folks, and they’ve stopped exhibiting, due to the costs: great products, and Mark Mueller was very helpful at the shows.

The primary benefit for me is the hands-on time with the tools. The Incra system (from years ago), Festool Domino; the big Bosch routers … all were purchased (a decision point toward them vs. an alternate product) because I could feel the weight and size (large hands).

For the Show to improve, the vendors have to draw the crowd.
MJCD

-- Lead By Example; Make a Difference

Hey Chris,

I’ll be taking Friday off and will probably go on Friday. I will definitely be out on Saturday and will be bring along a fellow woodworker and his grandson. He and I are the new Pres and Vice Pres of the Artist Co-op this year. Not sure about Sunday yet, depends upon how much money I have left and who else I want to see.

I’ll text you when I get there.
Greg

-- Greg - Charles Town, WV

Sounds good Greg. I should be there around opening on Friday and more then likely Saturday as long as I get going and get breakfast and such.

CtL

-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."

MJCD – Will try and arrive early on Saturday, I looked at the map and there seems to be a pen turning area in the corner. Son on-board with the attempt!

May head over with a larger crowd than I thought, Father In Law arriving, and a friend interested in attending also, so am doing my part for the organizers!

Newbe question – how does one find names on the various personal home pages? Feel funny starting a converstation; “you must be Mike Juliet Charlie Delta (MJCD)!”

cheers and hope to meet several of you all, johnl

-- Trying, but lots to learn.....

I will be attending either Sat or Sun. Have not missed a Baltimore show in 15 years. Was saddened to see Chantilly close down but happy that they moved to Fredericksburg…where I live…for one year, and then again last year. Sadly, the turnout was horrible. Can’t blame them for not coming back. Its a great venue for the show. Halfway between DC and Richmond with tons to do in the area for non-woodworkers.

Just joined LJ and looking forward to participating. Maybe we need a LumberJocks ‘badge’ to wear around.

Allen

I bought my tickets online…I always go. Glad to hear that new ownership will be trying to bread new life into the show…last year was noticeably “slim”.

-- Wag more, bark less.

it’s a great show. There’s usually a booth near the front that has AMAZING prices on norton sandpaper. I stock up every year. And one of the lumber dealers (I forget the name but from VA I think) has really nice bowl blanks in these big pallet bins for good prices. I go every year and pick up some good stuff along with some random stuff that I haven’t even used in my shop yet, haha.

I would like to go this friday. It would be my first time going to a woodworking show. If the show opens at 10am why are all the seminars waiting until the afternoon to start? seems like everything i want to watch starts at or very near the same time too.

-- In the end, when your life flashes before your eyes, will you like what you see?

clieb91. Thanks. I asked my wife if she wanted to go, and much to my surprise, she said yes. So with wife and baby in tow, we will go!!!

-- Crashn - the only thing I make more of than sawdust is mistakes

I think she wants to make sure you dont spend too much Crashn. lol

-- In the end, when your life flashes before your eyes, will you like what you see?

@Crashn- Glad to hear you are all going. My wife and daughter went with me when it was here in Chantilly, both were able to turn their own pens. Just loved that part.

Matt the show does not open until noon on Friday 10 on Saturday. The strange seminar schedule is the reason I am going to go both days as I do want to hear a few of them that are at the same time.

Hope to catch up to some of you there.

CtL

-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."

Allen, Welcome to LumberJocks! Unfortunately we don’t have badges but hope t catch up to you to say HI. I am in NoVa and agree that the Fredericksburg show did have a very nice venue, nicer then Chantilly even and a good area. Hopefully maybe they can work something out down there again in the coming years.

CtL

-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."

I’m going this Saturday I believe strictly to see Paul sellers again. I enjoyed it so much last year. Also I want to check out maybe a sawstop and or a new bandsaw. I get in stages where I’ll work with mostly power tools and then back to hand tools. Depends on the expediency of which I’d need a project done, but I truly enjoy hand tools more and have even debated selling the table saw and going have tools only but I just can’t do it! Haha

-- Greg, Owner, Quality Carpet One, www.qualitycarpetonecrofton.com

That’s mostly why I’m going Greg, to see Paul Sellers. I go hybrid most of the time. some power some hand but i do go through those stages too. Sometimes i just don’t want to spend most of the precious little time i have ripping down stock to do a project though so the table saw will stay.

-- In the end, when your life flashes before your eyes, will you like what you see?

Thanks for the correction Chris. I would have been waiting 2 hours to get in on friday. Don’t know how i missed that one. Probably would have gotten a killer parking spot though. lol

-- In the end, when your life flashes before your eyes, will you like what you see?

OnlyJustME, yeah, i kinda get that feeling too!

-- Crashn - the only thing I make more of than sawdust is mistakes

See you all there.

CtL

-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."

Was Bosch offering a show discount for items purchased or does it just make better sense to purchase the items via the Internet? Every time I go they have one or more show items that have very good discounts. I will be going to the show in Indianapolis next weekend. Thanks.

-- Thanks, Rich

Rich, I am not sure as I did not stop by their booth. Perhaps one of the other guys did though.

CtL

-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."

sorry, it wasn’t on my list to see either.

-- In the end, when your life flashes before your eyes, will you like what you see?