Woodworking Show in Springfield, Mass. FIELD REPORT

[Andy Hoyt]

Just heard about this event and have never been to one of these "big time deals".

So what is the deal? Are they worth it? What might I expect to find? Any one else going?

Is it just one big candy store?

Be about a six hour drive for me, but then pretty much everything else is too.

[Todd Davidson]

Hi Andy~

Check out www.woodworksevents.com (http://www.woodworksevents.com) for some info on the event. Haven't been able to make it the last couple years, but this year I've decided I'm going to shut down the job (me, Kim[loml], and 2 buddies are currently renovating 199 kitchens) early on Friday and take everyone on a fieldtrip to the show. Depending on my impression will dictate whether I go back up on Saturday or not.

In peace, Todd

[David Fried]

I was thinking about it too as I have never been to one either. Still haven't made up my mind.

Dave Fried

[fred woltersdorf]

i'm going up on fri afternoon.worth the price of admission just to watch frank klauz hand cut dovetails.

[Walt Pater]

Probably make it on Sunday

[Rick Lizek]

Depends. If you've never been to one it's interesting. They aren't necessarily the best place for cheap prices necessarily. Definitely geared for the hobbyist. Every two years they have the pro show in Hartford Ct. It's no Atlanta but it's pretty good. Incidentally the pro shows are free admission and the hobby ones are $10. But it is a chance to see a lot of things in one place. I wouldn't drive 6 hours to go to the West Springfield show but I don't live in Maine. It's only 20 minutes for me but I'm not planning on going.

[Nate Rogers]

I think that I might check it out, I will be the guy drooling on every display..

Nate

[john mclane]

I got the brochure for the Springfield MA show but have a commitment that weekend. I'm just starting to set up my shop a little more formal (ie getting better stuff for making furniture then what is needed for renovating my house) and really wanted to go. I have never been to a WW show either.

[Bob Johnson2]

If you've never been to one it may be worth the drive if you've nothing else to do. The last few years it's gotten fairly small. No way is it worth more then an hour or so's drive though, IMHO.

[CPeter James]

But not by much. I have been to this show twice and it is ok, no better. There used to be another show that came to Manchester,NH, but they stopped. This is the only show for New England and if you are from northern new England this is what you get, take it or leave it. I plan on going again. It is a chance for a buddy and I to get out and and on the way check out the wood working stores, too. No real big bargains last couple of years, although I did find a few. Do your homework if you plan on spending big bucks at the show. Things are often cheaper on line.

CPeter

[Andy Hoyt]

Thanks, guys. And thanks Todd for the link. I've emailed the promoter asking for an updated vendor list, although I don't really expect a reply.

My main purpose in going - if i do - is to satisfy the touchy feely aspect of tool research. And to have many manufacturers in one setting would certainly simplify that process.

The OIM didn't raise her usual objection when I suggested the trip, which surprised me. I wonder what SHE wants?!

Please keep posting as I'd like to hear more thoughts. Thanks.

[Philip Glover]

I have gone the last two years. In 2004 it was okay, but last year it was a waste of time.
For folks in or near New England the New England Industrial Woodworking Expo is far better. Most of the good machine builders will be represented there.
It is April 7 & 8 in Hartford, CT.
http://www.newenglandwoodexpo.com/ct/index.cfm

Hope to see you there,

Phil Glover

[CPeter James]

Stop at Brentwood Machine in Brentwood, NH on the way. They have a good display of big tools and a selection of used stuff, too. NO SALES TAX IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, EITHER!!!

CPeter

[Bob Johnson2]

I have gone the last two years. In 2004 it was okay, but last year it was a waste of time.
For folks in or near New England the New England Industrial Woodworking Expo is far better. Most of the good machine builders will be represented there.
It is April 7 & 8 in Hartford, CT.
http://www.newenglandwoodexpo.com/ct/index.cfm

Hope to see you there,

Phil Glover

Thanks Phil, aAfter seeing the list of exhibitors, this is the one I'll go to.

[Dave Anderson NH]

The only day I can go is Sunday. I have a Period Furniture Group meeting on Saturday.

[Murray Hensch]

I'm planning to go on Sunday as well...

Anyone set-up a possible meeting time & location?

[Richard Mullin]

I'm not saying I won't go.... Don't for get that in addition to the $8 - $10 entrance fee, they charge $5 for parking!
http://www.thebige.com/detpages/info10754.html

[Murray Hensch]

Hello Richard,

Thanks for the parking info...after a 2 hour drive I would certainly be angry with that last minute information.

Anyone know whether I will have to pay admission for my 3yr old?

[Andy Hoyt]

.... I've emailed the promoter asking for an updated vendor list, although I don't really expect a reply.
Just got a response from "Judy". She promised to send me an updated vendor list on Wednesday.

So my hunch was right - these things are in a state of flux.

I'll post the list here as soon as I get it.

Looks like - if I go - it'll be on Friday.

[Bob Johnson2]

If you want to save the $5 parking drive past the big E, take a rt after going over the bridge and then the next left. Park in the big lot on the right as the stores there are in a state of flux and closed up. About a 200 yd walk.

[Andy Hoyt]

Okay. Here's the current list of vendors that had been promised.

Adjust-A-Bench
www.adjustabench.com (http://www.adjustabench.com)

All Out Industries
www.alloutind.com (http://www.alloutind.com)

Antique Toolwear
P: 732-786-1756

Apollo Sprayers Int’l, Inc.
www.hvlp.com (http://www.hvlp.com)

Bad Dog Tools
www.baddogtools.com (http://www.baddogtools.com)
Booth #109

Bush Products
P: 518-843-3773

Central Connecticut Woodturners
http://centralctwoodturners.homestead.com/

Central New England Woodturrners
www.cnew.org (http://www.cnew.org)

Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking
www.schoolofwoodworking.com (http://www.schoolofwoodworking.com)

Connecticut Wood Group
www.cwghardwoodoutlet.com (http://www.cwghardwoodoutlet.com)

The Craftsman Gallery
www.chipsfly.com (http://www.chipsfly.com)

Cut-n-Crown
www.cutncrown.com (http://www.cutncrown.com)

Eureka Zone
www.eurekazone.com (http://www.eurekazone.com)

Exocet Tools
New Zealand

Ezee-Feed Mfg.
www.ezee-feed.com (http://www.ezee-feed.com)

FeatherBow
P: 860-209-5786

Fisch Precision Tools
www.fisch-woodworking.com (http://www.fisch-woodworking.com)

Fusion Adhesive
P: 413-789-9343

Hankle Lumber Inc.
www.hanklelumber.com (http://www.hanklelumber.com)

Hegner Advanced Machinery Imports
www.advmachinery.com (http://www.advmachinery.com)

Inline Industries
www.in-lineindustries.com (http://www.in-lineindustries.com)

Japanesetools.com
www.japanesetools.com (http://www.japanesetools.com)

Jet & Powermatic
www.whmtoolgroup.com (http://www.whmtoolgroup.com)

Jevons Tool Company
www.jevonstoolco.com (http://www.jevonstoolco.com)

Jointech, Inc.
www.jointech.com (http://www.jointech.com)

Keller & Co
www.kellerdovetail.com (http://www.kellerdovetail.com)

Kreg Tool Company
www.kregtool.com (http://www.kregtool.com)

Laguna Tools, Inc.
www.lagunatools.com (http://www.lagunatools.com)

Lee Valley & Veritas Tools
www.leevalley.com (http://www.leevalley.com)

Legacy Woodworking Machinery
www.legacywoodworking.com (http://www.legacywoodworking.com)

Mesa Vista Design
www.grip-tite.com (http://www.grip-tite.com)

Micro Fence
www.microfence.com (http://www.microfence.com)

Mini Max USA
www.minimax-usa.com (http://www.minimax-usa.com)

New Edge Cutting Tools
P: 860-625-4642

OFS Corporation
www.OFSCorp.com (http://www.OFSCorp.com)

Plano Vertical Glue Press
www.advmachinery.com (http://www.advmachinery.com)

Popular Woodworking
www.popularwoodworking.com (http://www.popularwoodworking.com)

PS Wood Machines
www.pswood.com (http://www.pswood.com)

Quality VAKuum Products, Inc.
www.qualityvak.com (http://www.qualityvak.com)

Ridge Carbide Tools
www.ridgecarbidetool.com (http://www.ridgecarbidetool.com)

REG, Inc.
www.routereaseguide.com (http://www.routereaseguide.com)

RJR Studios, LLC
www.rjrstudios.com (http://www.rjrstudios.com)

Sharpening Central
P: 781-237-4876

Steebar.com
www.steebar.com (http://www.steebar.com)

Swing Paints / Circa 1850
www.swingpaints.com (http://www.swingpaints.com)

Tool Factory Outlet
www.toolfactoryoutlet.com (http://www.toolfactoryoutlet.com)

Tool Time Liquidators
P: 718-968-9550

Triton Woodworking Systems
www.tritonwoodworking.com (http://www.tritonwoodworking.com)

Western Tool Supply
www.westerntool.com (http://www.westerntool.com)

Williams & Hussey Machine Co.
www.williamsnhussey.com (http://www.williamsnhussey.com)

Woodcraft Store #559
413-827-0244

Woodline USA
www.woodline.com (http://www.woodline.com)

Wood*Mizer Products, Inc.
www.woodmizer.com (http://www.woodmizer.com)

Woodturning Design
www.woodturningdesign.com (http://www.woodturningdesign.com)

Zinsser Co.
www.zinsser.com (http://www.zinsser.com)

[fred woltersdorf]

if that is the complete vendor list this will be my last year and i wouldn't be surprised if it's the show's last year.

[CPeter James]

I see that InLine Industries is on the list. They were not there last year as I remember it, but maybe I am wrong. Forrest is among the missig again.

CPeter

[Andy Hoyt]

I need a day off anyway; so I guess I'm going. If I can leave early enough I think I'll swing Brentwood Machine too - had never heard of them.

If you see this guy - feel free to buy him a cup of coffee or a new Unisaw

[CPeter James]

Brentwood Machine will be worth the stop. Be sure to go downstairs to check out the used stuff.

CPeter

[Andy Hoyt]

Well, after spending 5 1/2 hours on the road I pulled in and watched a woodmizer demo. Nice. But it went mostly downhill from there.

Having never been to one of these things, my expectations ran the gamut. Here's my findings.
There were far too many people hawking garbage heaped on tables in flea market fashion.
Every other booth was schlepping their version of the latest and greatest (and still useless) router whizmo gizmo.
The only decent line of iron was at the local Woodcraft store's booth and it was 90% General International and 10% General. Yup, that 10% looked really nice.
The balance of the tool lines were entry level stuff and unimpressive.There were, however, three high spots.
A member from my turning club up here in the top right corner had assimilated himself into the Connecticut turning club and I caught him turning on a Jet Mini.
I met Harry Memmelink (a turner from New Zealand) who has a very nice hollowing tool and he let my try it out on a PM 3520. Would have bought it on the spot but I intentionally left my industrial strength plastic at home and my consumer grade plastic was not up to the challenge.
And I met Geoff Noden and his Adjust a Bench. This was very nice. I really really want one, and now have to conjur some reasons why I need one.Should have waited until April and gone to the one in Hartford.

[Bob Winkler]

Hey Andy,

Some of that flea market stuff was good garbage:D . Found some very nice new Bosch Sawzall blades for cheap.

I couldn't believe all the router and saw guides. I was disappointed that Dino wasn't there with his EZ System, even though Eurekazone was on the list. Festool sure had a nice gathering.;)

Bob

[Andy Hoyt]

Not being much of a guided tool type, I zoomed past The F Booth pretty quick; and failed to note that Dino was indeed conspicuous by his absence.

And... Intentionally didn't saying anything about bandsaws 'cause I read your gloat thread first and didn't want to steal the thunder. Congrats BTW. That MM16 sure is a nice looking machine.

[Dick Aubochon]

Andy, sounds as if the show was OK but not great. I'm in Mass for the weekend and need to spend some time with my grandson so we will be going this morning. I'm attempting to teach him the Zen of woodwork, and the enjoyment gained when you hold a finished product in your hands.

[Bob Winkler]

Dick, if you're looking for Zen, spend lots of time in the Lee Valley and Japanese Tools booths. Lots of handtool porn to drool over.

Bob

[Jim Becker]

Anyone know whether I will have to pay admission for my 3yr old?

Most of the shows have a minimum age 16 rule...

[Dick Aubochon]

Dick, if you're looking for Zen, spend lots of time in the Lee Valley and Japanese Tools booths. Lots of handtool porn to drool over.

Bob

Thanks Bob, I did just that. I made only one impluse purchase, the Keller Dovetail set up. Not certain why, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.