Is there anything else for a woodworking fanatic worth seeing in or near Birmingham Alabama? I'm planning a day trip to the Woodcraft Store there one weekend soon. It's 178 miles north of where I am in N.W. Florida; I figure four hours. Might even make it an overnighter if there's somewhere else to spend some time.
FYI woodcraft is great but not as good as you may think. They have a lot of items to see but not everything thats on the site. I drove 80 miles to one in PA and it was worth it, the employees all seemed very knowledgeable and super friendly. It was worth it for me and I will do it again. But for 180 miles you may want to see if there's something you can add to your trip to sweeten the day. The one by me had about 10 big machines total. It appears most big stuff is direct ship and small stuff might be warehoused. Again I had a great time there I just dont want you to drive 180 miles and be let down.
Ive been trying to talk my wife into a canada trip so I can get to lee valley
I'm in Mobile. My daughter went to Montevallo so I got to make a trip to Woodcraft with every visit. She graduated so now I don't have a reason to go. Last trip was moving her home a few months ago.
The only things around there are the mall. Sure it's a big mall, but still a mall. I never really looked but I'm sure there are some hardwood stores in that area. Might be worth a look.
I've never been to a woodcraft or Rockler or HF or any dedicated woodworking store but some how lots of their products ended up filling my drawers and shelves in my shop. My nearest Woodcraft is about 80 miles away if they want something from my stock they have to come to me LOL
As for Atlanta; that will have to wait for a long weekend. And I don't know that I'm up for the Atlanta 500 (as I have heard driving around there is like).
Billthediver, yes I've been to the new store. Not near as nice as the old one. Hard to find too. Way back off the road the way it is. Is all that construction still going on where the old store was?
Hotbyte, The Varsity? Not familiar with that. Intriguing.
Rockler is a top notch company. From my experience, Rockler's employees are friendlier, more helpful and happier with their jobs than Woodcrap employees. Rockler has an extensive in house line of tools and jig making equipment that you will not find at woodcraft. They run great deals and they give fair opinions about tools, instead of just crapping on every manufacturer that is not represented on their showroom floor as Woodcraft so often does.
I would argue that Rockler is the best tool company with a retail chain in America. That said, I have not visited the one in Florida, so I can't speak to that one directly.
I have, however, dealt with the Woodcraft in AL, and I would frankly rather light myself on fire than return there and give them my money.
It claims to be the world's largest drive-in restaurant. Truly, unless you grew up going there or came to like it while attending Ga Tech (I did both), it's just greasy burgers, hot dogs and fries/onion rings. It is an unique experience and if in Atlanta and can make it for a meal is worth trying.
I don't find driving in Atlanta much different than other large cities.
I've been to both the Woodcraft and Rockler stores in Atlanta…not sure if this comparison would hold true for stores in other areas. I found they were very similar. Rockler seems to have more store brand supplies while Woodcraft has their Wood River line of tools. They both carry lumber that seems expensive compared to true wood retailers.
If you get to Atlanta, the atmosphere/environment of Highland Woodworking is wonderful. It is in an old 2 story building and wood floors, etc. I started going years ago when it was Highland Hardware and they sold general hardware items and a little woodworking stuff.
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Hotbyte, The Varsity? Not familiar with that. Intriguing.
Agreed on the exotics, but I don't know about common… I'm thankfully in a lumber rich area at the moment, but I've been paying around 4$ a BF for figured Walnut recently, 3$ a BF for Hard Maple, 2$ a BF for quarter sawn white oak and Beech…and there's just no way you can find common hardwoods at that price in a retail environment. (granted I'm buying directly from a sawyer, but with a little research so can others)
HOTBYTE, if this is your idea of normal city driving… I did decide to come to Atlanta. Sitting in my hotel now. Made it to HIGHLAND today. Very cool place. Loved it. Every salesperson in the place spoke to us and we're very friendly.
Won't make it to PEACHTREE. Close at 3 on Saturday, closed on Sunday.
Glad you enjoyed Highland. Sorry about traffic…guess I'm just used to the Atlanta traffic.
I ran up there last Friday and picked up a LN router plane and set of Narex premium chisels. Capped day off at Varsity with a naked steak, naked dog, strings and FO. I did add ketchup to my naked steak and dog
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