Well I can see now how all those accidents with the new Metro Train happen. For those that don't know, the train began testing in November and put into regular operation January 1 of this year. There have already been 11 accidents involving other vehicles and a fatality or two. They limited its use during Super Bowl week to keep from injuring pedestrians. Way to few crossing arms and the train is on you before you know it as it is relative quiet. Between this train and Janet Jackson, the visitors did not have much of a chance. Of course you have to cross 2 sets of tracks to get into the parking lot from the East side of the complex and when you exit from that side, you have to cross two sets of tracks and sit on the tracks while you wait for traffic to let you in. Rant over.
The show was as big as I can remember. About 8 rows of vendors and all the big hitters were there. DeWalt was offering 10% on their tools. As mentioned by another poster there were $3.00 sheets of veneer. The sheets were 6 to 12" wide and about 6' long. Mostly home grown stuff. A few samples of mahogany and coffee bean but mostly walnut, 1/4 sawn oak, maple , etc. Jet and Delta were well represented as were PC, and Bosch. Kreg is expanding as their demonstration area has doubled in size. They have introduced a new miter gauge that they 100% guarantee needs no set up except to adjust the small nylon inserts to make the miter bar fit correctly. Nothing fancy about the miter gauge except that when you tighten the handle at you setting the setting does not move off mark. It has a nice fence you can add with an excellent adjustable stop. The stop will swing up if you want to temporarily bypass it by simply pushing your wood against the front end. Also has a neat attachment for handling mitered corners at the stop. All that for $139.00. Looks like a great deal and tool from a good company if you need a miter gauge. For Miter sled companies, Jerry with his Dubby and Jointech were there. Jerry IMHO in all his real world simplicity seemed to still out shine the competition. While he fumbles around looking for a screw driver and or his sticky back band clamp, "masking tape" and you listen to his speaker snap and pop quite regularly he still lets the audience set his sled up and he pops out an 8 sided clock frame and face in a matter of minutes. Still quite impressive. He still seems to be the one that lets you see his product in actual operation vs. those that simply stand there and tell you what their product should do. Roberk, Minimax and Laguna were there as well as a small portable saw mill. Leigh was here this year, they have missed a few of the more recent years. IMHO this show beats most all that I have seen in the Houston area and I have been going to them since they were held in the Shamrock Hilton back in the late 70's. Big enough that I actually got tired before I got finished. I managed to only spend $17.21. I did have my eye on that new Kreg Miter gauge though. Small and simple when compared to the Incra models and looked about 10 lbs. lighter than the Incra models. ;~)