Articles
Getting Started » No Business Like Show Business
No Business Like Show Business
By George Vondriska
Photos by George Vondriska
Posted: January 10, 2009
Take a Virtual Tour of a Woodworking Show
Students often ask me what to expect when attending a woodworking show. Here's your chance for a virtual tour.
The Woodworking Show recently rolled into St. Paul, MN. I joined lots of other woodworkers who flocked to the show over the weekend.
What's at the Show? Tools!
Keep in mind that each show varies a little, but you can expect to find a variety of tools at the shows. This provides an opportunity to talk to folks who know the tools inside and out. In many cases you can do side-by-side comparisons of tools before you buy. While tools from different manufacturers may be similar in features, they're often different in feel. The feel and balance of the tool in your hands may be the difference between buying and not buying. Woodworking shows provide a hands-on opportunity. We all read the 'according to the manufacturer' statements in ads and catalogues. How the tool operates in your hands is where the rubber meets the road.
|
|
| Woodworking shows often provide experts to do free demonstrations and seminars on the show floor. Grab a hot dog, have a seat, and learn while you lunch. |
Education
Woodworking shows typically bring in industry experts to do seminars and demonstrations at the show. A variety of demos are often available for free on the show floor. Frankly I feel that if you don't get your entrance fee back in education, you were sleeping while walking around the show. Topics may include finishing, basic woodworking skills, using dovetail jigs, or material preparation.The sky's the limit. There really is something for everyone.
Do you yearn to turn? The St. Paul show provided the chance to learn to turn a baseball bat or a pen. How cool is that?
|
|
| You can expect to find a variety of tools at woodworking shows. |
Should You Go?
Woodworking shows have changed a lot over the years. The advent of Internet shopping and big box stores has made 'getting the ultimate tool deal' less of a bulls eye at the shows. Don't get me wrong. There are deals to be found on tools, and who doesn't love that? Additionally, there are some tool manufacturers who only sell their wares at shows, so that's your only opportunity to see their stuff.
Plus, there's some exotic stuff. I've been wondering about the CarveWright machine, and got to see one run at the St. Paul show. Another booth had Epilog laser machines in it, running and kicking out projects. What are the differences between the DeWalt and Festool straightedge/circular saw systems? I got to see them both operate. I was able to see the quality of finish from the new Perfomax oscillating drum sander. The hows and whys of the new Omni Jig were explained to me.
|
|
|
|
| Tool manufactures are often on hand at woodworking shows to explain the ins and outs of their wares. |
And, like I said, between the industry experts and the manufacturers themselves there's tons of woodworking education to be had. All you need is an open mind and willingness to ask questions.
In my opinion it's still worth the price of admission (and in some cases, parking) to spend a day taking in the sights and sounds of a woodworking show.
If you're looking for a show in your area, check out the web pages at the end of this story. You can find out if they're coming to a city near you, and check out the list of exhibitors and demonstrators.
The Woodworking Shows
http://www.thewoodworkingshows.com
WoodWorks
