Went to the Atlanta woodworking show yesterday. Very good show. Very well attended. Good, free seminars. Didn't do the pay-for seminars, although Mark Adams et.al. were there. Lots of vendors with show specials - not killer deals but discounts you might have to search and find or wait for elsewhere.
I won one of the door prizes at a free seminar. Went home with a Bosch router edge guide attachment, a Freud glue line rip blade, a bottle of Titebond II and a quart of Varithane polyurethane. Probably worth $75
Congrats on the door prize...free is the best price! Or at least you got your haul for the price of admission.
I got a decent deal on a new Unisaw that SWMBO insisted that I take home (probably to stop me from complaining about my POS contractors saw). Redmond Machinery was dealing on the X5's and threw in the Delta mortising machine with the deal. The bad thing was that all I got to take home was a really expensive piece of paper...damn the lack of immediate gratification :)
Hum..I was there on Saturday afternoon, and, it seemed to be a bit spottier than last year. I gather that Fridaw was really dead. I don't know if it was fact or not, but, it also seemed that the display area of projects was smaller than last year. Kind of mixed feelings about the contents too. On the one hand, I was really glad to see that the plastic glossiness of the items so prevalent last year had given over to a semi-gloss finish that complemented the wood more. There were a couple of fairly good looking things there, too...a plate turned from a jagged chunk of burl. A fairly elegant cross, etc. I was a bit taken aback by the nicely done chest of drawers with mirror that was backed up with a sheet of particle board, which still had the printed Georgia Pacific emblems and a barcode label on it. Just not what I would have done. While all the projects were quite well made, a number of the turned, segmented vases looked like they were kits, and, several of the small boxes seemed to be plans from old issues of American Woodworker. Not a lot of "oh wow" moments there, alas.
There is that. On the other hand, while, for example, a bag of 250 biscuits was a fairly decent $7.00. However, later on, I happened to stop by the Rockler store, newly opened in Marietta, and picked up 500 biscuits for $9.00 & change. On the other hand, a friend of mine picked up one of the smaller Delta thickness planers, and, got not only the dust collection fixture for free, but, a cordless drill with it. He was happy, to say the least.
Good deal. I scored some 5" H&L disks from the 3M booth...but that was about it. I did not stay for any seminars, though...which might have been a mistake. Unhappily, my time in Atlanta was kind of short, so it was not as leisurely as I would have liked. The cheerleader competition in the other two halls next to the woodworking show was pretty surreal, though. I am just not sure that I am comfortable with either the costumes, or, turning what is traditionally a auxillary function to a game into a competative sport for under-age girls. Several of the parents I saw seemed rather more into the competition than their daughters were.... Ah well, I suppose it is a microcosm of America there... Regards Dave Mundt
I was there Saturday morning and traffic was backied up for miles to get in there - what a zoo. Sunday was nice.
I don't know if it was fact or not, but, it also
Yep - sure seemed that way. Not as many entries. I think people wanted to see a show first at this location prior to committing themselves on bringing in a large piece of furniure. (The guild was supposed to have hours on Thursday from 5-7 pm to set up, at 6pm they were kicked out) Next year should be back to normal. Pictures will be up on the Guild's website soon.
I thought the same, but then realized that when this guy finishes high school and gets a place of his own, his dresser is going to be against a wall and nobody will ever see the back. All of the bedroom furniture was made by highschool students.
While all the projects were quite well made, a number
I guess by the time I would figure out how to compound mitre cut 10 or 12 pieces into a ring with no slop I would want to make several bowls like that. One guy teaches a class on doing just that - and the others took his class.
and,
I left most of my money at the Lie-Nielsen booth :)
Hum...I got there between noon and 12:30...and while there was quite a crowd, there was no line. I think I must have lucked out and gotten in just before the big rush. There were quite a few cars in the parking lot though...I was just not sure how many were from woodworkers, when I saw the cheerleaders and pretty much every family member they could hook into coming along swarming all over the place.
Well, it IS always a challenge when a venue changes. I do enjoy seeing the work, though. sorry to hear that there were scheduling problems. I know that it can be a real pill dealing with site staff at times. They certainly do well to stick to a schedule...whether it is taking up chairs, or turning out lights. It does not matter WHAT other folks think...
Ah...I see. That makes a difference. I did not realize that this was the work of high-school folk. In that case I am slightly more impressed (as the work WAS pretty well done), and, I certainly understand why some design and materials decisions were made.
yea...and I DO have to admit that I have not made enough segmented items (bowls, etc) to be able to cut the angles in my sleep either. They seemed to be nicely done...just the design did not grab me and make me say "wow" as has happened in years past. And that IS a subjective opinion *smile*.
Sigh...that is one of those places that I REALLY need to force myself to walk by. Not only would I tend to spend more than I can afford...but all that time they make me burn polishing off the drool....Geeze. I really like the fact that is one place where we can go on by and lay hands on the tools, though. That makes it REALLY easy to understand why they cost what they cost. It is quality and one can tell it in the way they feel and work. Regards Dave Mundt
I got there about 10:15 and traffic was backed up to I-85 - took about 15 minutes to get to the parking lot.
And done on a high school budget. Everything else was done by the folks who have been out of school for quite a while :)
I think if I tried to make one just like that, I would have a new appreciation as to how difficult it is.
What a great time to play with someone else's planes and not have to worry about sharpening them :) I've played with all of the planes before (last years show, and in Maine), but this was the first time I got to talk with the VP for an extended time. Yep - in case you missed it, the man at the booth is the VP of Lie-Nielsen toolworks - said he helped start the business as a machinist.
Well, reading the other posts here, I got the lion's share...Redmond sold me the 14inch General bandsaw and the 6inch jointer. After getting the two items back to my shop in Buford and starting to put together the bandsaw, one of the parts was missing, back to Redmonds where they confirmed the missing piece and for compensation split the difference on the powermatic 14 bandsaw's price and took it instead. I came out $150 (+, - ) to the plus...
I'll echo that sentiment. I also live in Buford, and the trip to the airport area wasn't exactly enjoyable. A couple wrecks on the connector on the way home, etc. etc. Having to deal with a bunch of overzealous cheerleading mom's wasn't exactly a bonus either...but I digress.
I bought a Unisaw from Redmond there at the show. Either they sold more then they expected or didn't expect to sell any as I'm still waiting for it to arrive. You may have had missing parts, but at least you got to take your toys home...all I have is an expensive piece of paper :) But I suppose good things come to those who wait...at least I'm hoping so.
Yep, that's me. Thanks. A rocking chair built for my son with wood that his late grandfather felled and sawn. I hope someday he will appreciate it. I should get some pics for ABPW.
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