Columbus OH woodworking show..

[Dave Jackson]

Just got home from there. Nice to go AWOL for the last few hours from work on a Friday. There's only about 10,000 guys there instead of 20,000 like on Saturday. It was a pleasure to attend in a show that may as well be as close to heaven as a woodworker can get. Cold Beer and Power Tools in the same place. Absolutely wonderful. (BTW, the beer tent is cleverly disguised as a pretzel hut. When you walk in, look to your right) The only thing that keeps these shows from being the greatest day of my life is having a *really* fat wallet. However, I still managed to drop $800 on stuff..... All the bigger vendors are there, of course, but some of the smaller ones from last year are not. There was a guy selling veneer who didn't make it (I was looking forward to more of his quilted maple veneer) , I didn't see a Rockler booth, also a few others that didn't attend. Oh well. There are still a number of great vendors there that make the show worthwhile. I ended up with a Tormek, a Kreg K3, some more Bessey K bodies, and a Bosch belt sander. The Tormek was not in stock, but should be mailed here within a week. It came with some freebies from my complaining about the delay, plus no sales tax . Keep in mind, the prices in these shows are kind of like bargaining for a new car. Mostly, you can pay the asking price of the item, but get a bunch of other stuff thrown in free if you ask. I got nothing worthy of posting a separate gloat, but some good free stuff by asking nonetheless. You see something else you want? Try getting it free with your purchase! Worked on every vendor I purchased stuff from except the guy selling the Bessey's which were at a really good price already. The only thing I regret so far is not picking up the the stile and rail bit set I was looking at, but I think I 'll go back tomorrow and get it (and any other free stuff that I can talk them out of!) The only thing I'd really like to see there is a display for some of Steve Knight's planes. Although I don't own one yet, I think I could easily be pursuaded by touching one at a show like this. And Hey, there was plenty of space next to the LN booth this year! --dave

[mongo]

is this at the fairgrounds?? i forgot all about it

[Dave Jackson]

Expo center, 17th St. near I71. --dave

[TBone]

If you don't mind me asking, what is the going show price for the Tormek this year.

[Dave Jackson]

$379 for base unit, plus NO sales tax. (Probably saved around $50) The machine also comes with stone grader, maintenance kit, DVD/video, book, rouge angle gauge, truing tool and I got them to throw in a cover for free. Was looking forward to sharpening this weekend, unfortunately no machines were available to take home. Should be here on or before Friday though. --dave

[Dave]

I will be headed there on Sunday since I was out of town but I didn't expect to see a Rockler booth since Woodwerks bought out the franchise that was on Main street and moved it into thier site off of Taylor Station road in Blacklick OH.

But on the other hand, Woodwerks is having their 10% Off Super Sale. Almost everything in their store is on sale...I asked the guy last week if they were going to the wood show and he stated no because it was too expensive for a booth and they didn't make any money in the past from it so they hold their own sale on the same days the woodworking show is in town.

Which Bessey clamps did you pick up and what were they asking for them...this is one of the reasons I am headed there is to pick up some clamps.

Dave

Dave Jacks> Just got home from there. Nice to go AWOL for the last few hours from

[Dave Jackson]

Yes! I forgot about Woodwerks buying out Rockler, and I was just there a few weeks ago. (duh) My experience with their 10% off sale has been everything is 10% off EXCEPT whatever it is I'm looking to buy! For example, went in to drool over the PM66 recently and was told it was not included in the sale this weekend. Oh well, it's gonna come home with me soon enough, just a couple more hundred to save up.... At the show, I grabbed a 24" and 40" set of cabinet clamps (w/blocks) for $109. Maybe not the best deal, but the best one going in this town. Most K bodies were about $10 cheaper than in the local stores. They had 4 packs in various sizes, many for under $100. The tent was called "Just Clamps" or something. I am gonna head back there today and pick up a few more 30 inchers. Otta hold me until next year's show... --dave

[mongo]

i saw those clamps. not a bad deal. i should have bought the set of 4 blocks for the clamps. i was a little disappointed in the show. i thought there would be a lot more venders there. i wanted to buy 3 mobile bases. non to be found. woodcraft didn't bring any with them. there was probably some good deals there but nothing i need right now. still getting my shop organized. was hoping to see someone from jet there.

[Dave Jackson]

(snip) - was hoping to see someone from jet there

I was looking for them as well. They had a nice display last year, and I was really looking forward to checking out one of their cabinet saws for possible future purchase. However, Shop Fox was there this year. Woodcraft's setup was like the last few years, just a big pile of yellow power tools. Nothing out of the ordinary and nothing you can't pickup at HD or lowes for less money. I ended up going back Sunday for a router lift I was looking at Friday. New router table getting setup this week. You might try calling woodwerks about some mobile bases.

Just before christmas they had many styles for $75 each. You won't find any on their website, it just directs you to their vendors, but it has their address and phone number. Or, just go there if you've never been. I'll bet they hate when I show up, having to clean all the rust off the machines from my drooling and all! --dave

[mongo]

had to go to a doc in columbus today so after i made a trip to woodcraft. bought one mobile base for 43 bucks and bought another different style that you use plywood with it. i have been in woodwerks before to get a price on a jet 13" planer. the guy said he didn't know they made one in that size. oh well, i got a good deal on amazon when they had 50 bucks off a purchase of 250 or more w/free ship. they won't honor any rockler coupons at woodwerks. still looking for some good deals on lumber around here. i never seem to be in my truck when i go thru johnstown to check out that sawmill. man is it muddy there. not taking the car thru that.

[Dave Jackson]

Yea, I know what you mean. Our local sawmill in Marysville is usually pretty muddy as well. I don't know about the mill in Johnstown, but I'll send the info I have on local mills I use if your interested. --dave

[mongo]

that would be great. thanks there is a ton of them northeast of me run by the amish. but they don't always dry the wood.

[Lew Hodgett]

mongo wrote: > there is a ton of them northeast of me run by the amish. but they don't > always dry the wood.

Can't comment on what woods they offer, but there are a lot of Amish saw mills in SE Wayne county (Kidron) and Northern Holmes County (Holmesville area).

Probably a lot of white oak to supply the local Amish furniture builders.

You are looking at about 90 miles from downtown Columbus.

If you don't find the wood you are looking for, at least there is some great cheese in that part of the country.

Go BUCKS!

Lew

[GGGNH]

No, the Amish owned ones don't, but Yoder Lumber does. If you make to Berlin, go East on SR 39 toward Walnut Creek, after fighting the tourists. About a mile out of Berlin, at Hiland High School, turn right on Township Road 367. They are on the right, across from the gym and high school. They have a pretty good selection of KD lumber.

Their website is