I just attended the Woodworking Show in Detroit (Novi, MI) and it was also a total waste of time let alone money. Two long tables of junk and small selection of actual name brand companies. Only one vendor with machines. And the folks from 'Woodpecker' just taking orders, you could not walk away with anything. We left there and drove down the road to the Rockler Store and saw more tools and they did not charge us a thing to walk in!

John Geddie
Michigan




On Saturday, February 24, 2001 at 2:51:04 PM UTC-5, Gary Oxner wrote:
Is there a difference in the traveling woodworking shows? I just attended
the one here in San Antonio this morning, - a total waste of time - unless I
consider the price of admission ($8 with coupon) as nothing more than
entertainment for 30 minutes.

One thing I will give them: a lot of stuff under one roof -- but nothing I
couldn't buy elswhere, or on line. Not to mention, the $8 to get by the
door and another $10 for a zero clearance TS insert (I hated to leave empty
handed!) The price for that was ok -- but it does come out to $18. (If
you're from Rio Linda and missed the math there -- email me.)

And those show prices are a joke! I keep up with such things, and some of
their stuff was higher than I've seen the same at HD, etc. Other things were
exactly the same. And show deals? I'd rather get the compound miter saw I
looked at $60 cheaper than to get the $60 worth of goodies.

Actually, I get more value not to mention pure entertainment at times just
by visiting you folks. As for buying tools, I can pay top dollar any day of
the week.

Got my hand stamped before leaving -- thinking, this is Saturay morning -- I
might come back Sunday afteroon (get more bang for my $8 admission). Not..
That stamp is good only for the Saturday I got it.

Don't know what I was thinking when I got excited about going -- but that
was my last Woodworking Show.

No one asked, but that's my 2 cents.

Gary Oxner
San Antonio, Texas

On Monday, March 6, 2017 at 3:11:21 PM UTC-5, John Geddie wrote:
I just attended the Woodworking Show in Detroit (Novi, MI) and it was also a total waste of time let alone money. Two long tables of junk and small selection of actual name brand companies. Only one vendor with machines. And the folks from 'Woodpecker' just taking orders, you could not walk away with anything. We left there and drove down the road to the Rockler Store and saw more tools and they did not charge us a thing to walk in!

John Geddie
Michigan




On Saturday, February 24, 2001 at 2:51:04 PM UTC-5, Gary Oxner wrote:
Is there a difference in the traveling woodworking shows? I just attended
the one here in San Antonio this morning, - a total waste of time - unless I
consider the price of admission ($8 with coupon) as nothing more than
entertainment for 30 minutes.

One thing I will give them: a lot of stuff under one roof -- but nothing I
couldn't buy elswhere, or on line. Not to mention, the $8 to get by the
door and another $10 for a zero clearance TS insert (I hated to leave empty
handed!) The price for that was ok -- but it does come out to $18. (If
you're from Rio Linda and missed the math there -- email me.)

And those show prices are a joke! I keep up with such things, and some of
their stuff was higher than I've seen the same at HD, etc. Other things were
exactly the same. And show deals? I'd rather get the compound miter saw I
looked at $60 cheaper than to get the $60 worth of goodies.

Actually, I get more value not to mention pure entertainment at times just
by visiting you folks. As for buying tools, I can pay top dollar any day of
the week.

Got my hand stamped before leaving -- thinking, this is Saturay morning -- I
might come back Sunday afteroon (get more bang for my $8 admission). Not.
That stamp is good only for the Saturday I got it.

Don't know what I was thinking when I got excited about going -- but that
was my last Woodworking Show.

No one asked, but that's my 2 cents.

Gary Oxner
San Antonio, Texas

This thread started 16 years ago and folks were complaining about lousy
shows all over the country. In a very recent thread folks were saying
the same thing about the more modern shows.

If they've sucked for over a decade, how can they still make sense to put
on? Obviously people are going to them, so is just those in the business
and serious hobbyists that are complaining or is that even if they suck
we keep going, on the hope that they will be worth it? Read: addiction.

On 3/7/2017 6:51 AM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Monday, March 6, 2017 at 3:11:21 PM UTC-5, John Geddie wrote:
I just attended the Woodworking Show in Detroit (Novi, MI) and it was also a total waste of time let alone money. Two long tables of junk and small selection of actual name brand companies. Only one vendor with machines. And the folks from 'Woodpecker' just taking orders, you could not walk away with anything. We left there and drove down the road to the Rockler Store and saw more tools and they did not charge us a thing to walk in!

John Geddie
Michigan




On Saturday, February 24, 2001 at 2:51:04 PM UTC-5, Gary Oxner wrote:
Is there a difference in the traveling woodworking shows? I just attended
the one here in San Antonio this morning, - a total waste of time - unless I
consider the price of admission ($8 with coupon) as nothing more than
entertainment for 30 minutes.

One thing I will give them: a lot of stuff under one roof -- but nothing I
couldn't buy elswhere, or on line. Not to mention, the $8 to get by the
door and another $10 for a zero clearance TS insert (I hated to leave empty
handed!) The price for that was ok -- but it does come out to $18. (If
you're from Rio Linda and missed the math there -- email me.)

And those show prices are a joke! I keep up with such things, and some of
their stuff was higher than I've seen the same at HD, etc. Other things were
exactly the same. And show deals? I'd rather get the compound miter saw I
looked at $60 cheaper than to get the $60 worth of goodies.

Actually, I get more value not to mention pure entertainment at times just
by visiting you folks. As for buying tools, I can pay top dollar any day of
the week.

Got my hand stamped before leaving -- thinking, this is Saturay morning -- I
might come back Sunday afteroon (get more bang for my $8 admission). Not.
That stamp is good only for the Saturday I got it.

Don't know what I was thinking when I got excited about going -- but that
was my last Woodworking Show.

No one asked, but that's my 2 cents.

Gary Oxner
San Antonio, Texas

This thread started 16 years ago and folks were complaining about lousy
shows all over the country. In a very recent thread folks were saying
the same thing about the more modern shows.

If they've sucked for over a decade, how can they still make sense to put
on? Obviously people are going to them, so is just those in the business
and serious hobbyists that are complaining or is that even if they suck
we keep going, on the hope that they will be worth it? Read: addiction.


I do not recall the shows being bad 8~10 years ago, in Houston they were
still pretty good.

On Tue, 7 Mar 2017 08:53:03 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:
If they've sucked for over a decade, how can they still make sense to put
on? Obviously people are going to them, so is just those in the business
and serious hobbyists that are complaining or is that even if they suck
we keep going, on the hope that they will be worth it? Read: addiction.


I do not recall the shows being bad 8~10 years ago, in Houston they were
still pretty good.

The difference now is that you can find out all the information and
cheaper prices online ~ at least for the most part. So, why go in
person somewhere if you don't have to?

But, I did like going to a show and touching somewhere. I'll always
miss doing that.

On 3/7/2017 10:33 AM, wrote:
On Tue, 7 Mar 2017 08:53:03 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:
If they've sucked for over a decade, how can they still make sense to put
on? Obviously people are going to them, so is just those in the business
and serious hobbyists that are complaining or is that even if they suck
we keep going, on the hope that they will be worth it? Read: addiction.


I do not recall the shows being bad 8~10 years ago, in Houston they were
still pretty good.

The difference now is that you can find out all the information and
cheaper prices online ~ at least for the most part. So, why go in
person somewhere if you don't have to?

But, I did like going to a show and touching somewhere. I'll always
miss doing that.



The reason to actually go is to see NEW products "all in one place" and
to speak to the factory reps.

On 3/7/17 11:43 AM, Leon wrote:
On 3/7/2017 10:33 AM, wrote:
On Tue, 7 Mar 2017 08:53:03 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:
If they've sucked for over a decade, how can they still make sense
to put
on? Obviously people are going to them, so is just those in the
business
and serious hobbyists that are complaining or is that even if they suck
we keep going, on the hope that they will be worth it? Read: addiction.


I do not recall the shows being bad 8~10 years ago, in Houston they were
still pretty good.

The difference now is that you can find out all the information and
cheaper prices online ~ at least for the most part. So, why go in
person somewhere if you don't have to?

But, I did like going to a show and touching somewhere. I'll always
miss doing that.



The reason to actually go is to see NEW products "all in one place" and
to speak to the factory reps.

I think you're both right.
I was one of the guys who complained about the show probably 15 years ago.
The problem with it, now, from what I hear, is you have basically two
vendors taking up 85% of the show and it's essentially a live version of
their website.
You used to be able to find cool new things you never saw before AND you
used to be able to get some really killers "show deals" on stuff at
prices you'd never see on-line or mail order.
Unless Festool shows up and starts offering insane deals, I don't see
the attraction anymore.


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com

---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

I go to two shows a year (besides my own club's show on Long Island). My shows are the one in Somerset, NJ and the Northeast Woodworkers show in Saratoga Springs. Both represent a significant trip and both are very worth my while.

In Somerset, besides seeing new tools, there were a significant number of old hand tools for sale. Good tools, not junk. There were also local clubs to chat with which I appreciate that since I don't normally get to chat with other marquetarians. I also listened to a free talk on setting up your bandsaw for resawing. Good info. I'm a bit slow so I listened to this two years in a row. Worth the price of admission alone.

In Saratoga, besides the vendors, the is a wealth of actual projects on display. Very high quality stuff.

All that aside, what makes the trips worthwhile for me are the seminars. This year I listened to two talks by Ron Hermann. That, by itself, was worth the trip. I've you've never experienced Ron, let me say you won't be disappointed. And, I listened to other talks as well.

In both these shows, there are several seminars going on concurrently so that I have started going to Saratoga for two days to maximize the number of seminars I can attend.

And the seminars are really first rate. Not only do I learn new techniques, but I come away from these shows with a renewed enthusiasm to build, to push my limits and to create works of beauty from the medium we love.

I can imagine that comparing the current shows to past ones might show that the shows have suffered the whims of the marketplace, but, when I go, I am still a kid in a candy store. Still very much worth my time, travel and $s.

Bill Leonhardt



On Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 10:51:28 AM UTC-5, -MIKE- wrote:
On 3/7/17 11:43 AM, Leon wrote:
On 3/7/2017 10:33 AM, wrote:
On Tue, 7 Mar 2017 08:53:03 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:
If they've sucked for over a decade, how can they still make sense
to put
on? Obviously people are going to them, so is just those in the
business
and serious hobbyists that are complaining or is that even if they suck
we keep going, on the hope that they will be worth it? Read: addiction.


I do not recall the shows being bad 8~10 years ago, in Houston they were
still pretty good.

The difference now is that you can find out all the information and
cheaper prices online ~ at least for the most part. So, why go in
person somewhere if you don't have to?

But, I did like going to a show and touching somewhere. I'll always
miss doing that.



The reason to actually go is to see NEW products "all in one place" and
to speak to the factory reps.

I think you're both right.
I was one of the guys who complained about the show probably 15 years ago..
The problem with it, now, from what I hear, is you have basically two
vendors taking up 85% of the show and it's essentially a live version of
their website.
You used to be able to find cool new things you never saw before AND you
used to be able to get some really killers "show deals" on stuff at
prices you'd never see on-line or mail order.
Unless Festool shows up and starts offering insane deals, I don't see
the attraction anymore.


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com

---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

"Bill Leonhardt" wrote in message
...

I go to two shows a year (besides my own club's show on Long Island). My
shows are the one in Somerset, NJ and the Northeast Woodworkers show in
Saratoga Springs. Both represent a significant trip and both are very
worth my while.

In Somerset, besides seeing new tools, there were a significant number of
old hand tools for sale. Good tools, not junk. There were also local
clubs to chat with which I appreciate that since I don't normally get to
chat with other marquetarians. I also listened to a free talk on setting
up your bandsaw for resawing. Good info. I'm a bit slow so I listened to
this two years in a row. Worth the price of admission alone.

In Saratoga, besides the vendors, the is a wealth of actual projects on
display. Very high quality stuff.

All that aside, what makes the trips worthwhile for me are the seminars.
This year I listened to two talks by Ron Hermann. That, by itself, was
worth the trip. I've you've never experienced Ron, let me say you won't
be disappointed. And, I listened to other talks as well.

In both these shows, there are several seminars going on concurrently so
that I have started going to Saratoga for two days to maximize the number
of seminars I can attend.

And the seminars are really first rate. Not only do I learn new
techniques, but I come away from these shows with a renewed enthusiasm to
build, to push my limits and to create works of beauty from the medium we
love.

I can imagine that comparing the current shows to past ones might show that
the shows have suffered the whims of the marketplace, but, when I go, I am
still a kid in a candy store. Still very much worth my time, travel and
$s.

Bill Leonhardt

Bill,

On behalf of NWA, thank you for the kind words about our show!

Speaking of which, it is coming up the first weekend of April.

http://www.nwawoodworkingshow.org/

The Lecture schedule can be found at

http://www.nwawoodworkingshow.org/schedule.htm

Our professional presenters this year include Doug Stowe, Bob Van Dyke, and
Ernie and Susan Conover.

Look me up... I shouldn't be too difficult to find!

John

On 03/08/2017 12:46 PM, John Grossbohlin wrote:
....

On behalf of NWA, thank you for the kind words about our show!

Speaking of which, it is coming up the first weekend of April.

http://www.nwawoodworkingshow.org/
....

Now if you'd make it just a _little_ nearer than 1664.6 miles!

--

On Tue, 7 Mar 2017 11:43:43 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:
The reason to actually go is to see NEW products "all in one place" and
to speak to the factory reps.

You're right of course. Nevertheless, the easy availability of online
information has gone a long way in contributing to the demise of trade
shows.

"dpb" wrote in message news
On 03/08/2017 12:46 PM, John Grossbohlin wrote:
....

On behalf of NWA, thank you for the kind words about our show!

Speaking of which, it is coming up the first weekend of April.

http://www.nwawoodworkingshow.org/
....

Now if you'd make it just a _little_ nearer than 1664.6 miles!

--

Albany International Airport is close by! ;~)

On 3/8/2017 2:05 PM, wrote:
On Tue, 7 Mar 2017 11:43:43 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:
The reason to actually go is to see NEW products "all in one place" and
to speak to the factory reps.

You're right of course. Nevertheless, the easy availability of online
information has gone a long way in contributing to the demise of trade
shows.


You do have a point, the internet has changed almost everything.

On 3/8/2017 5:07 PM, Leon wrote:
On 3/8/2017 2:05 PM, wrote:
On Tue, 7 Mar 2017 11:43:43 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:
The reason to actually go is to see NEW products "all in one place" and
to speak to the factory reps.

You're right of course. Nevertheless, the easy availability of online
information has gone a long way in contributing to the demise of trade
shows.


You do have a point, the internet has changed almost everything.

Certainly has. No matter what you want to buy, a lot of information is
available so you can check out features, compare products, check prices.
It also makes you aware of brands and products your local dealer may
not carry.

Some of the best information though, comes from newsgroups such as this.
You get unbiased opinions and real life use ideas. When the big
internet providers dropped newsgroups though, traffic dropped
considerably. Most people using the internet have no idea we exist
here.

On Wed, 8 Mar 2017 09:51:24 -0600, -MIKE-
wrote:

On 3/7/17 11:43 AM, Leon wrote:
On 3/7/2017 10:33 AM, wrote:
On Tue, 7 Mar 2017 08:53:03 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:
If they've sucked for over a decade, how can they still make sense
to put
on? Obviously people are going to them, so is just those in the
business
and serious hobbyists that are complaining or is that even if they suck
we keep going, on the hope that they will be worth it? Read: addiction.


I do not recall the shows being bad 8~10 years ago, in Houston they were
still pretty good.

The difference now is that you can find out all the information and
cheaper prices online ~ at least for the most part. So, why go in
person somewhere if you don't have to?

But, I did like going to a show and touching somewhere. I'll always
miss doing that.



The reason to actually go is to see NEW products "all in one place" and
to speak to the factory reps.

I think you're both right.
I was one of the guys who complained about the show probably 15 years ago.
The problem with it, now, from what I hear, is you have basically two
vendors taking up 85% of the show and it's essentially a live version of
their website.

The local show is about 1/3 Peachtree and pretty much a poorly laid ou
version of their store, about 5mi away. I don't recall buying
anything from them at the show.

You used to be able to find cool new things you never saw before AND you
used to be able to get some really killers "show deals" on stuff at
prices you'd never see on-line or mail order.

I did get a really good deal on a JessEm router fence, about five
years ago. I don't often buy much but it's still a decent day (and I
stop by all the stores in the area (Peachtree, Woodcraft, Rockler, and
Highland).

Unless Festool shows up and starts offering insane deals, I don't see
the attraction anymore.

IOW, you don't expect to see any attraction in this lifetime. ;-)

On Wed, 8 Mar 2017 16:07:35 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:

On 3/8/2017 2:05 PM, wrote:
On Tue, 7 Mar 2017 11:43:43 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:
The reason to actually go is to see NEW products "all in one place" and
to speak to the factory reps.

You're right of course. Nevertheless, the easy availability of online
information has gone a long way in contributing to the demise of trade
shows.


You do have a point, the internet has changed almost everything.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

wrote:
On Wed, 8 Mar 2017 16:07:35 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:

On 3/8/2017 2:05 PM, wrote:
On Tue, 7 Mar 2017 11:43:43 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:
The reason to actually go is to see NEW products "all in one place" and
to speak to the factory reps.

You're right of course. Nevertheless, the easy availability of online
information has gone a long way in contributing to the demise of trade
shows.


You do have a point, the internet has changed almost everything.

You say that like it's a bad thing.


Well number one the WW shows suck now. :-)

On 03/08/2017 2:07 PM, John Grossbohlin wrote:
"dpb" wrote in message news
....

Now if you'd make it just a _little_ nearer than 1664.6 miles!

Albany International Airport is close by! ;~)

If there were also an airport with connections that direction within 200
mi from here, that'd help...

--

On 3/9/2017 9:07 AM, dpb wrote:
On 03/08/2017 2:07 PM, John Grossbohlin wrote:
"dpb" wrote in message news
...

Now if you'd make it just a _little_ nearer than 1664.6 miles!

Albany International Airport is close by! ;~)

If there were also an airport with connections that direction within 200
mi from here, that'd help...

--


You are your own WW show~ ;~)

On Thu, 9 Mar 2017 07:45:36 -0600, Leon wrote:

wrote:
On Wed, 8 Mar 2017 16:07:35 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:

On 3/8/2017 2:05 PM, wrote:
On Tue, 7 Mar 2017 11:43:43 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:
The reason to actually go is to see NEW products "all in one place" and
to speak to the factory reps.

You're right of course. Nevertheless, the easy availability of online
information has gone a long way in contributing to the demise of trade
shows.


You do have a point, the internet has changed almost everything.

You say that like it's a bad thing.


Well number one the WW shows suck now. :-)

That's a pretty low cost for everything else Algore's invention
brings.

On 3/9/2017 12:22 PM, wrote:
On Thu, 9 Mar 2017 07:45:36 -0600, Leon wrote:

wrote:
On Wed, 8 Mar 2017 16:07:35 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:

On 3/8/2017 2:05 PM, wrote:
On Tue, 7 Mar 2017 11:43:43 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:
The reason to actually go is to see NEW products "all in one place" and
to speak to the factory reps.

You're right of course. Nevertheless, the easy availability of online
information has gone a long way in contributing to the demise of trade
shows.


You do have a point, the internet has changed almost everything.

You say that like it's a bad thing.


Well number one the WW shows suck now. :-)

That's a pretty low cost for everything else Algore's invention
brings.


LOL

On Thu, 9 Mar 2017 12:32:41 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:

On 3/9/2017 12:22 PM, wrote:
On Thu, 9 Mar 2017 07:45:36 -0600, Leon wrote:

wrote:
On Wed, 8 Mar 2017 16:07:35 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:

On 3/8/2017 2:05 PM, wrote:
On Tue, 7 Mar 2017 11:43:43 -0600, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet wrote:
The reason to actually go is to see NEW products "all in one place" and
to speak to the factory reps.

You're right of course. Nevertheless, the easy availability of online
information has gone a long way in contributing to the demise of trade
shows.


You do have a point, the internet has changed almost everything.

You say that like it's a bad thing.


Well number one the WW shows suck now. :-)

That's a pretty low cost for everything else Algore's invention
brings.


LOL

Beware unintended consequences, we just might become Solarians.