Check out http://www.ultimateworkbench.com, which is slated to open on
Monday, Nov. 29, in Hamilton, NJ, in Mercer County.

(That's near Trenton, for those of you keeping track. We actually
have four Hamiltons in the state. Don't ask.)

I stopped in today, Saturday, and met Ethan and Glen Garr, who were
busy setting up the operation. They seem very nice and likable guys
who are looking for ways to bring in more people to woodworking, and
make a dollar or two while they are at it.

I personally do not have a commercial interest in the success or
failure of their venture .. Yet, anyway. I wouldn't mind trading PR
for shop time, though they don't have a need for my services at the
moment.

It is a spacious place in an old warehouse, of which we have plenty in
the area. They have a dealer relationship with Delta, so there is
plenty of big, gray power tools in the shop, including at least five
or six lathes, couple of cabinet saws, bandsaw, two planers, and
worktables, etc.

I have to admit I am sort of torn about it. I have a basement full of
cast iron and it would seem to be redundant to join a place with
tools. ...

However, it has space, lots and lots of space. Just the idea of having
a place to work where I didn't have to tiptoe, sidestep, slide and
contort myself to walk around makes my mouth water. In addition, they
intended to have classes on lots of subjects.

There is no way I would ever buy a lathe, simply because I don't have
the room to play with it, but that wouldn't be an issue working there.
Also, I am notoriuously weak on finishing, so getting more knowledge
on that would be good.

And I think my furnace is about to choke to death on the dust.

Then again, SWMBO will have to approve, although she has expressed
interest in learning how to use a lathe ... Hmmmmmm....

Anyway, I wish them all the success in the world and they'll probably
see me hanging around there in some capacity.


If I had a really good sig file statement, this is where it would be.

Larry Levinson wrote:

If I had a really good sig file statement, this is where it would be.

Try mine :-).

--
Homo sapiens is a goal, not a description.

Check out http://www.ultimateworkbench.com, which is slated to open on
Monday, Nov. 29, in Hamilton, NJ, in Mercer County.

Great news! I've been looking for something like this to open locally
for a long time now (the closest one that I'm aware of is the Woodcraft
Woodworkers Club in Rockville MD, too far away to be worth it for me).

I rent my house and simply cannot set up anything close to a proper
shop, and have been itching to work on some projects for some time now
(without the need to inconvenience anyone else by "borrowing" their
garage or basement for my stuff).

They (Ultimate Workbench) should put some pics of the shop on their
website, though... but at least they took the time to put together a
nice, professional-looking site. (Too many people don't bother with
that -- I'm an artist by trade, so I'm always turned off by
crappy-looking websites.)

I think I'll be taking a ride to Hamilton one night this week to check
it out, and maybe sign up for a class or two. Besides, I've been
looking for an excuse to go to Triumph Brewery!
8^)

Brian

I visited the Ultimate Workbench last Monday while in Hamilton on my way to
Willard Bros. for some lumber. It was their opening day and while they
were still stocking their shelves, the two brothers that own the shop,
stopped what they were doing and gave me a tour. They have a very large
work area with several of each type of machine and work benches.

Even though I would not be joining because of distance and because I have
the equipment, they spent about a half hour just talking to me about their
plans and the work they put into the old building. They have some
instructors lined up to give classes. Members are free to use all of the
equipment almost any time and non members can use equipment for a fee.

This is great for those that don't have equipment or space but have the time
to get there. Might also be a good excuse for getting away from the house.
Also a good opportunity for someone wanting to try out some aspect of wood
working for which he/she doesn't have the equipment i.e. turning, scroll
sawing etc. or maybe just prepping some lumber.

Though not a new idea, it is a great one and something that has been missing
in the area. Wish them a lot of luck and success.

"Brian" wrote in message
...
Check out http://www.ultimateworkbench.com, which is slated to open on
Monday, Nov. 29, in Hamilton, NJ, in Mercer County.

Great news! I've been looking for something like this to open locally
for a long time now (the closest one that I'm aware of is the Woodcraft
Woodworkers Club in Rockville MD, too far away to be worth it for me).

I rent my house and simply cannot set up anything close to a proper
shop, and have been itching to work on some projects for some time now
(without the need to inconvenience anyone else by "borrowing" their
garage or basement for my stuff).

They (Ultimate Workbench) should put some pics of the shop on their
website, though... but at least they took the time to put together a
nice, professional-looking site. (Too many people don't bother with
that -- I'm an artist by trade, so I'm always turned off by
crappy-looking websites.)

I think I'll be taking a ride to Hamilton one night this week to check
it out, and maybe sign up for a class or two. Besides, I've been
looking for an excuse to go to Triumph Brewery!
8^)

Brian

Check out http://www.ultimateworkbench.com, which is slated to open
on Monday, Nov. 29, in Hamilton, NJ, in Mercer County.

I think I'll be taking a ride to Hamilton one night this week to check
it out, and maybe sign up for a class or two. Besides, I've been
looking for an excuse to go to Triumph Brewery!

I finally made it up there (too busy with the holidays to get there
sooner!), and I came away quite impressed. Ethan was a really friendly
guy, gave me the tour of the facilities and and overview of what
they're looking to provide for their members and hourly users. Lots of
great tools (plenty of Delta and Porter-Cable) and a desire to help
both the newbie and experienced woodworker alike.

I signed up for one of their classes, to begin 1/15, and I can't wait.
I've been hoping for something like this to open locally for a long
time, and I'll post back with my impressions afterwards!

Brian

PS. The oatmeal stout and the fish-n-chips @ Triumph were excellent as
usual.
8^)

Hello everyone, Things, thankfully have been going very well for the
Ultimate Workbench. We actually filled our Intro class that started
this week, and we only have three spots left for the one starting this
Saturday (1/15/05). We have signed up many members, and we have many
woodworkers using the shop for their projects.

I wanted to post an invitation to our Grand Opening celebration next
Thursday , January 20th, 2005 at 1:00pm. The mayor of Hamilton Township
will be cutting our ribbon, and we will have an open house through
closing at 9:00pm.

If you plan to attend, please let us know by calling 609-587-3618 so we
can make sure we have enough refreshments.

Need directions? Visit our website at www.ultimateworkbench.com

I hope to see you there.

Ethan Garr
Managing Director
The Ultimate Workbench

On 13 Jan 2005 11:20:08 -0800, "
wrote:

Hello everyone, Things, thankfully have been going very well for the
Ultimate Workbench. We actually filled our Intro class that started
this week, and we only have three spots left for the one starting this
Saturday (1/15/05). We have signed up many members, and we have many
woodworkers using the shop for their projects.

I wanted to post an invitation to our Grand Opening celebration next
Thursday , January 20th, 2005 at 1:00pm. The mayor of Hamilton Township
will be cutting our ribbon, and we will have an open house through
closing at 9:00pm.

If you plan to attend, please let us know by calling 609-587-3618 so we
can make sure we have enough refreshments.

Need directions? Visit our website at www.ultimateworkbench.com

I hope to see you there.

Ethan Garr
Managing Director
The Ultimate Workbench




hey, cool! sounds like a fun place. glad to hear it's doing well.

how about some shop and projects in progress pictures on your website?

Hello everyone, Things, thankfully have been going very well for the
Ultimate Workbench. We actually filled our Intro class that started
this week, and we only have three spots left for the one starting this
Saturday (1/15/05).

Which I can't wait for! See you then, Ethan.

Thanks, it is turning into a really fun place, and I am thrilled that
there has been so much enthusiasm. We are trying to get photos on the
website as soon as possible.

Thanks,
Ethan

Thanks Brian, look forward to seeing you.

Ethan