Replies

1. 
   GEide | Feb 05, 2009 12:09am | #1

   Winemane,

   Contributing editor Roland Johnson will be there too (more info here: http://finewoodworking.taunton.com/item/5448/contributing-editor-to-give-seminar-at-stlouis-illinois-woodworking-show)

   If you haven't already, Rollie's a great person to meet!

   Gina

2. 
   heartwould | Feb 06, 2009 02:43am | #2

   The show was in Indianapolis last weekend, and you are right--a much smaller show than in previous years.  Delta was there, but without their new table saw.  Porter Cable had a nice array of stuff, but at inflated prices.  Shop Fox was fairly well represented, but no Steel City.  You get the idea.

   What was worthwhile was running into several old friends, one of whom was demonstrating his bowl turning.  There were a couple of young ladies who had somehow evidently forgotten to button several of their shirt buttons hawking goods.  All in all, not an afternoon wasted . . . just maybe misspent a little.

3. 
   Cincinnati | Feb 06, 2009 03:57am | #3

   It's getting too costly to attend for many vendors. I spoke with INCRA. They opted out of the shows for that reason and instead are going with an internet marketing campaign. They added demo videos to their site for nearly each piece of equipment they sell. Several thousand for the booth, another several thousand for travel, lodging and food AND it rapidly became an undesirable business decision.

   The larger stores are called to lay out even more. I can see a trend where the shows will eventually be comprised of large machinery vendors and new innovations.

   Greg

   •••••••

   Exo 35:30-35

1. 
   stantheman | Feb 07, 2009 12:54am | #5

   I've been to three of these.  Won't go out of my way again.  Seems like most of the attendees were going with the expectation that they were going to find great bargains, or see something not already available down the road.  Most walked away empty handed and disappointed.  Maybe the web-based vendors and wide availabilty of video-demos has made the shows obsolete.

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Feb 07, 2009 06:57am | #6

   The last US wood show I was at (Costa Mesa), the admission rates were ridiculous. I think parking was $15 and admission was another $7 or 8. That's upwards of $20 to get in the door. Lunch was $8 or so. And some people came multiple days!Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com(soon to be http://www.flairwoodworks.com)

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

1. 
   acornw | Feb 07, 2009 07:03pm | #7

   One reason these shows have a declining vendor participation is that this is viewed as hell on earth for 99% of the various store employees that are forced to work long hours at these things, with no personal gain other than the normal retail wage. The store owners, or gadget inventors all get jazzed up about this entree` into the American Dream for them, but they are the only ones that get very excited. As one vendor person put it "It is a large collection of old fa*ts that clog the aisles and intensively argue for hours on end about the relative price differences in what are essentially disposable router bits. Then they all leave and buy the bits on the internet for $.40 less than at the show." He was obviously scarred by his participation, but I know what he is saying. The shows have always been the best place for serious non-professional and light professional woodworker/buyers to compare equipment, but as the marketing all swings to the level of the 'Ginzu Knife'or the 'Sham-Wow', all participants will suffer as well as the serious buyers.

4. 
   bones | Feb 06, 2009 05:23am | #4

   I moved there in 05 and went to every one.  It seems like every year it got smaller.  Last year was the smallest.   I moved in Aug so I will not get to go, but I would love to go meet Norm.  I still had fun.  (always managed to leave with less doe that when I walked in. 

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   
5. 
   woodbum | Feb 08, 2009 07:17pm | #8

   They cancelled the Dallas show this year, so I am coming to KC from OKC. I'm really torn about making the trip. What other outlet besides Woodcart is having a special program going on? That might add some interest to my decision making process.

6. 
   woodbum | Feb 08, 2009 07:25pm | #9

   Would you tell us how the show was after you attend? It might help some of us decide to attend or not upcoming shows.

1. 
   Domer | Feb 08, 2009 08:03pm | #10

   In addition to Woodcraft, Overland Tool is having a sale. Overland Tool normally has quite a few company reps there to tell you about the tools and have show specials.Both Woodcraft and Overland Tool used to have booths at the Woodworking Show but now do it on their own in conjunction with the show.It is a little bit of a nuisance to go to three places but you get to see a lot.I will let you know how it was this year after the showDomer

1. 
   woodbum | Feb 08, 2009 11:22pm | #11

   I have been to woodcraft, but what is the address for Overland tool. I might attend the show, and it it's too bad, I'll take in the other two stores.

1. 
   stantheman | Feb 09, 2009 02:55am | #12

   woodbum

   Overland Tools is at 7905 Nieman Rd in Lenexa KS.  If you are looking for power tools and larger equipment, you will definitely see more there than at the WWing show.  Parking is tight however.  The WWing show, Woodcraft, and Overland are all within a reasonable distance from each other.

1. 
   woodbum | Feb 09, 2009 04:30pm | #13

   Thanks! Maybe I'll see you there

7. 
   Domer | Feb 15, 2009 11:07pm | #14

   I thought some of you might like feedback about the Kansas City Woodworkers Show.

   There were fewer vendors as many of you mentioned about the show in other cities.

   Delta had a prototype of their new Unisaw there. They were offering a show discount of $300 but you won't get delivery for a month or so and in addition who knows how much different the production model might be from the prototype. It looked pretty nice but I don't think they had a lot of people wanting to spend the money without really looking at what they would get.

   A new company called the Router Boss had their product there. It is a do it all router jig that looked pretty good but pricey starting at $700 before add ons.

   Over all it was OK to disappointing. Definitely not as good as previous years.

   The good news was that SawStop sent a rep from the company that was very knowledgeable and answered a lot of questions and nicked up a few hot dogs.

   In addition, Overland Tool, a fairly large local woodworking supply house, had their own show and had several reps from the manufacturers. Unfortunately, the Powermatic rep spent the whole time I was there on his cell phone and ignoring the 4 deep customers wanting information.

   Our local Woodcraft store had a sale in conjunction with the wood show.

   So overall, it was OK. I probably will go back again next year. Hopefully it will be better.

   Domer

1. 
   woodbum | Feb 16, 2009 02:25am | #15

   I attended the KC show for the first time. I usually go to Dallas but the owners of the WWS liked Detroit better. It was better than Dallas last year, which was pitiful after driving 3 hrs from OKC. I opted for a five hr drive this year, more cabin fever than anything, but I was still like you, rating it just OK. I took a short detour and got to see my old college roomate that I hadn't seen in 18 yrs. so I can't bitch too much about the trip. I saw the items you talked about, and attended Roland Johnson's hand tool presentation. I was impressed with the new Woodpeckers router lift and coping sled too. I was not impressed with the tool liquidators area of junk or the Sham-Wow booth, even though both were doing a land office business. All in all, this was probably my last TWWS unless they can beef up the vendors and the educational seminars. Roland was very interesting, and Jim Heavey was great as usual, but the rest were easily forgotten. I guess 10 years is enough for me.

1. 
   Domer | Feb 16, 2009 04:17am | #16

   I don't know if it is the economy or just the show is running out of steam.Our local Woodworkers Guild is trying to have more classes to help us learn. You can't have classes without talking about tools. Woodworkers are worse gear heads than golfers and that is going a long way.We are having people within our group and are having nationally known folks come in as well.Domer