LN event at Philadelphia Furniture Workshop (tons of pics)

[Michael Pilla]

I wanted to start a new thread and add some pics. I also want to thank Alan and Mario at PFW for hosting this fabulous event. Looked like a very good turnout both days with lots of great demos and tools to test drive. Hopefully Lie-Nielsen will see some value in these smaller, more personal events and continue them regularly. I spoke to Tom about this and he seemed optimistic.

http://www.michaelpilla.com/forumphotos/ln52.jpg
Tom Lie-Nielsen and Mario Rodriguez
(Alan, for some reason you escaped my lens all day Saturday)

http://www.michaelpilla.com/forumphotos/ln23.jpg
Deneb from LN; one of the best presenters I've had the pleasure to watch.

http://www.michaelpilla.com/forumphotos/ln34.jpg
Mike Pekovich was demonstrating backsaw skills and cutting dovetails. I picked up lots of great tips from his demos.

http://www.michaelpilla.com/forumphotos/ln94.jpg
There were lots of tools placed out so you could simply pick them up and try them out in a very informal setting. I've always strongly disliked backsaws with straight handles but this LN model followed me home. It has a super thin sawplate (.015) and kerf and cuts like a dream. I guess it pays to keep an open mind.

http://www.michaelpilla.com/forumphotos/ln77.jpg
Chris Schwarz has been a huge inspiration. I could probably listen to him all day.

http://www.michaelpilla.com/forumphotos/ln90.jpg
John Economaki of Bridge City Toolworks has some absolutely amazing tools. I found myself spending a lot of time at this booth.

http://www.michaelpilla.com/forumphotos/ln85.jpg
At some point on Saturday Adam Cherubini stopped by to join in on the fun. Adam is a great guy.

Lie-Nielsen showed some new planes which will be released soon.
http://www.michaelpilla.com/forumphotos/ln38.jpg
A tongue and groove plane based on the Stanley 48. They will also produce a #49 which has a thinner profile.

http://www.michaelpilla.com/forumphotos/ln47.jpg
A #72 1/2 chamfer plane. I understand this plane will also accept beading profiles to bead edges of boards. Very cool stuff.

Other upcoming goodies:
http://www.michaelpilla.com/forumphotos/ln57.jpg

If you're a handtool lover it's hard to imagine a more perfect event. Thanks again Alan and Mario.

Michael

[Zahid Naqvi]

thanks for posting, looks like ti was great fun. I have had the pleasure of visiting PFW, pretty cool place.

[Mark Stutz]

I wish all you guys would quit posting these pictures!:eek: You're making me sick..;) or maybe that green color is envy:o :D . Seriously, I really wish I could have been there, not only to try out the neww offerings, but to meet up and talk with fellow handtool users. Can't wait for the #49!

I used to do a lot of inlay when I was totally an electron killer, but haven't tackled any with handtools. The video and kit look very interesting. I have to admit, though, that some of those tools are foreign to me. What is sitting on top of the pile of books...a slitting guage of some sort? (the metal one that isn't the 271)

[Jim Becker]

I really would have liked to get down for this event, but just had too much work to do in support of our addition project. But I thank you for the pictures...it looks like it was a wonderful event!

[Corvin Alstot]

Great pictures.
I am glad that LN is continueing to develop and produce new tools particularly the rare or discontinued Stanley models (72, 48 and 49).

[Dan Forman]

That would have been a gas to attend!

Dan

[gary Zimmel]

Thanks for all the pics..
Did they happen to have the progressive tooth saw there? If they did were to give it a test drive.

[Michael Pilla]

Gary, they did have the progressive tooth saw there. I tried out all of the saws they had but since I wasn't in the market for a saw I wasn't paying much attention. Oddly though I ended up getting the long-handled saw because I liked the way it felt.

Michael

[Greg Crawford]

Whew! Glad I wasn't there or I'd be in bankruptcy court!

[David Marcus Brown]

Gary, I got to try the progressive pitch saw -- I was quite surprised at how well it works. You can't tell the pitch is changing but it's easy to start (as long as you start w/ the toe) and if you use a full stroke it cuts really quick (thanks to the 9tpi heel).

I met a few of the guys there, including Michael. Wish I could have spent a whole day hanging out w/ the guys in the shop! Very laid back environment and everyone was super friendly.

I really want that chamfer plane, even though I'm not sure how much I'd use it. I want the no9 too -- that would definitely see more use. Hard decisions! ;)

[Tom Sontag]

I don't know how big this event was, but it strikes me as the future of woodworking "shows". Sure it can be nice to actually SEE a big machine before you order it, but there can be nothing like actually handling hand tools to loosen the purse strings.

[Jim Dunn]

there can be nothing like actually handling hand tools to loosen the purse strings.

Or in my case handling just the wood:eek: Hand tools come after I've stocked my shop with enough wood not to have to venture out for a year or two:D

Looks like a great time by everyone that attended.

[David Marcus Brown]

Compared to most woodworking shows, the best part was not having to hear screaming power tools in the background or dodging the 95% of the people that weren't there for the power tools.
;)

[John Powers]

Its interesting that with all the enthusiasm this event created and the number of woodworkers in the area, correct me if I'm wrong but the nearest Woodcraft Store is in Allentown or Wilmington. Odd that Philly can't support a place where you can hold a tool in your hand before buying. Oops, I'm wrong there is a Harbor Frieght in Vineland.

[Tom Henry]

Its interesting that with all the enthusiasm this event created and the number of woodworkers in the area, correct me if I'm wrong but the nearest Woodcraft Store is in Allentown or Wilmington. Odd that Philly can't support a place where you can hold a tool in your hand before buying. Oops, I'm wrong there is a Harbor Frieght in Vineland.

So true...:(

[David Marcus Brown]

Its interesting that with all the enthusiasm this event created and the number of woodworkers in the area, correct me if I'm wrong but the nearest Woodcraft Store is in Allentown or Wilmington. Odd that Philly can't support a place where you can hold a tool in your hand before buying. Oops, I'm wrong there is a Harbor Frieght in Vineland.

I drove up w/ the family (wife & 3 kids) and made a vacation out of this event -- it was that important to me -- and we live near D.C.
;)

[Tom Henry]

I drove up w/ the family (wife & 3 kids) and made a vacation out of this event -- it was that important to me -- and we live near D.C.
;)

Good for you!...I hope you enjoyed the city!

[Gary McKown]

Just as a matter of interest, for those of us on the west side, there is a WoodCraft in Downingtown. Same owner, Tom Temple, as the one in Wilmington.

[Steve Clardy]

Whew! Glad I wasn't there or I'd be in bankruptcy court!



Ditto :eek: :D

[Jim Becker]

Its interesting that with all the enthusiasm this event created and the number of woodworkers in the area, correct me if I'm wrong but the nearest Woodcraft Store is in Allentown or Wilmington. Odd that Philly can't support a place where you can hold a tool in your hand before buying. Oops, I'm wrong there is a Harbor Frieght in Vineland.

There is a Woodcraft in Downingtown and my local favorite, Woodworker's Haven in Southampton. (http://www.woodworkershavenusa.com/) Frank and John are great guys! Prior to my love affair with tailed tools from Italy, all my major machines came from these folks. They do stock some hand tools, but not a large quantity of them. You might also take the choo-choo up to NYC and visit Tools For Working Wood (http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com)...definitely a hands-on experience if you want it to be!

[Harry Goodwin]

My trips to Philadelphia have included a lot of places but I visited a woodcraft in Downingtown that was a great store. Harry