WW in America

[Tom Godley]

I was able to manipulate my Friday and get over to Valley Forge for a couple of hours to visit the marketplace. I had wanted to do do the whole weekend but my schedule did not even allow me to sign up to take the Japanese plane course that was on the top of my list :(

The opportunity to pick up and use all of the LV and LN planes at one time does not come up very often - I was particularly interested in trying the LN #3. I was also very keen on seeing "Blue Spruce" tools - to try out the chisels handle lengths.

Within a short time I was in tool overload and my credit card was melting - if you are feeling weak do yourself a favor and do not go :)

Too short but I have a lot of great tools coming!

[Richard Niemiec]

I was there for the marketplace vendors only on Friday as well; worth the trip for anyone within 1.5 hours drive time; great tool porn available and the vendors encouraged hands on. I can die happy, got to use a Sauer & Steiner infill on some figured stock, absolutely amazing.

[Tom Godley]

Richard -- they were amazing planes and the block of wood very pretty.

I just emailed him -- I need one of his small number 4s.

With the wait time he has, I figure if I skip lunch for the next eighteen months I will be good to go -- plus a little thiner.

[Dave Schwarzkopf]

I don't suppose anyone has had the opportunity to take any pics from some of the vendors? Bridge City's new CT-16, JointMaker Pro V2 or the new try squares from Blue Spruce would be pretty nice to see, (unless of course they frown upon letting the cat out of the bag too early)

[Matt Stiegler]

Just spent the day, three workshops and much tool browsing. LV offering 15% off and free shipping. Enjoyed it a lot.

[Roger Savatteri]

I don't suppose anyone has had the opportunity to take any pics from some of the vendors? Bridge City's new CT-16, JointMaker Pro V2 or the new try squares from Blue Spruce would be pretty nice to see, (unless of course they frown upon letting the cat out of the bag too early)

try these links,,,
(best for now)

http://twitter.com/BridgeCityTools (some hints here)

Popular Woodworking (http://blogs.popularwoodworking.com/editorsblog/)

**Dispatch from Valley Forge** (http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/handtools.pl?read=141142)

WoodNet Forums: Report from WIA (http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=4521118&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=)

Sandal Woods – Fine Woodworking & Cabinetry (http://sandal-woodsblog.com/)

The Renaissance Woodworker — So many projects, so little time… Welcome to Woodworking A-D-D. (http://rogersfinewoodworking.com/blog/)


.

[Dave Schwarzkopf]

You, Sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. I appreciate the heck out of that, I think I'm going to have to reserve some room on my Visa for the latest offerings from Bridge City!

[Mark Roderick]

It was a good show. In addition to browsing, I attended the seminar on western handsaws and found it very informative. Note: for those who attended, the Lee Valley show discount applies for the next week or so (I forget the exact dates). I'm thinking about the large and smal scraper planes.

[Narayan Nayar]

My pics are available in this Flickr set (http://www.flickr.com/photos/etherfarm/sets/72157622393000441/).

I tried to capture the general experience--shots of classes and presenters, the marketplace, the keynote, etc.

Definitely the best conference to date, and easily one of the highlights of my year. It was nice to meet those of you I bumped into.

[Matt Stiegler]

Note: for those who attended, the Lee Valley show discount applies for the next week or so (I forget the exact dates).

October 9 is the cut-off.

[Bob Lang]

Great pictures Narayan, thanks for sharing them and for all your help. We owe you one.

Bob Lang

[Mike Brady]

Tom, I was interested in your reaction to the L-N #3 plane. Did you find it different enough in size from a #4 to justify buying one? Would you be using it on smaller surfaces or are you wanting to work problem areas of larger boards or panel? Since L-N doesn't have a true block plane in the size of the Stanley 9-1/2, I was wondering if a #3 would do essentially the same thing.

[David Martino]

My pics are available in this Flickr set (http://www.flickr.com/photos/etherfarm/sets/72157622393000441/).

I tried to capture the general experience--shots of classes and presenters, the marketplace, the keynote, etc.

Definitely the best conference to date, and easily one of the highlights of my year. It was nice to meet those of you I bumped into.


Narayan, Very VERY nice. Thanks for taking the time. The only downside is these make me really wish I could have attended.

[Jerry Gerard]

I don't suppose anyone has had the opportunity to take any pics from some of the vendors? Bridge City's new CT-16, JointMaker Pro V2 or the new try squares from Blue Spruce would be pretty nice to see, (unless of course they frown upon letting the cat out of the bag too early)


Some pictures of the BST squares .
http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=4521892&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=

[Tom Godley]

Mike -- I liked the #3 a lot. I was able to hold it in my hand and control it and it still had some heft over a small block plane.

I have found that I like the #4.5 over the #4 when I need that size plane -- and I find the #4 is a little big when I want to work over one spot and a small block plane too small as it may dig in.

The same is true when I am looking at the #5 -- I like the #6. When I ask people why they bought the #4 or #5 - most have said that others indicated that is what they should get when they starting out. This has and is a learning curve for me!


I did not order the #3 because I think I am going to get an in-fill plane of that size.

[Dave Schwarzkopf]

and just when I think I'm nearing the bottom of the slope, (though I have purchases scheduled over the next 2 years, including some Sauer & Steiners...silly me to think this slope actually leveled off at some point in time)