Replies

1. 
   boilerbay | Aug 11, 2008 05:04pm | #1

   Dennis,

   I used to go when I lived there. For me, kind of a snore.
   Stopped going. You might find it fantastic. Since your in Atlanta, what do you have to loose? Usually an oportunity to see some of the better European style equipment and see what the big boys are doing with CAD and glue machines and lasery stuff.
   You might get a free hat, some tips and certainly a plastic bag to carry show dross in :)

   BB

2. 
   birdtoy | Aug 11, 2008 06:30pm | #2

   I live in Roswell and went to two IWF's.  The show is primarily for large professional shops with very expensive ($40,000+) machines.  There still are many interesting things for the smaller hobbyist/professional to see like meeting people like Norm Abraham and seeing new emerging products like SawStop.  The difficulty is it is a very large show and you cannot see it all, so if you do not plan your day, you may not see the booths for your particular interest.

   Do not expect to buy tools and accessories like at the annual traveling Woodworking shows. 

   I would recommend you experience it at least once.

   DaleF

1. 
   dennisd | Aug 11, 2008 10:04pm | #3

   Thanks, Dale..I appreciate the information.

   Dennis

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Aug 11, 2008 11:30pm | #4

   I believe that if you are considering a major machine purchase as a hobbyist Dennis... it would be more than worthwhile to compare side by side as they will be there.

   If you love machines and just want to see the one's you've read about but can't see locally (Grizzly.. Mini-max.. Laguna.. Felder.. etc.) then it would be worthwhile.

   If you have any interest in seeing how large industrial machines get big jobs done.. it would be worthwhile.

   If you don't fall into any of those categories.. it may not unless just to satisfy your curiosity.

   BTW.. if the first scenario is applicable... go direct to Bldg. B as most of the offerings we recognize as hobbyist machines will be in that building. It would save much time as to see A..B..C is not really possible in one day.

   Hope to see ya if you decide to go...

   Sarge..

1. 
   dennisd | Aug 12, 2008 02:06pm | #5

   Thanks, Sarge for the insight.  Will you be working in building B?

   Dennis

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Aug 12, 2008 05:10pm | #6

   Yes... Building B booth 6429.. Steel City Toolworks.. That booth's corner is next to Laguna on the rigth side of Bldging. B. Grizzly.. Delta.. Jet-PM.. etc. etc. are in the same building as I mentioned in my last post. So... you can see what you probably want to see in that building alone.

   The building is huge.. when you break it down into aisle with booths side by side... it becomes a marathon walk in just one building alone. That is why if you stopped just a few minutes or so in every booth at the show.. it would take at least 3 days if not four. You have to kind of pick your spots with what you want to visit if you go for one day.

   Hope to see ya...

   Sarge..

2. 
   dennisd | Aug 12, 2008 11:32pm | #7

   Thanks for the tips, Sarge.

   Dennis