Replies

1. 
   9619 | Nov 09, 2006 05:15am | #1

   CPR,
   It is hard to know how to answer your question. If a three hour trip and the associated time and expense is not too much for you and your budget, how can you lose by going? These things are like three ring circuses. There is a lot of stuff going on. There are classes that you have to sign up for ahead of time. Have you looked into that? There will be lots of equipment and demonstrations.

   Going to these things is like going to the Smithsonian Museums. You can bet overwhelmed. There is far too much for a newbie to absorb. On the other hand, it is exhilarating!

   If you are fairly new to woodworking, my suggestion is that the most important thing you can do for learning is to join a woodworking club. The pace is better, and lots of people are anxious to help. They will let you know where all of the local resources are. While the PA thing is intensive for a short time, joining a woodworking club is longlasting at a good pace.

   If you can do both, go for it. I am not trying to talk you out of going. If you got the time and the money, dont miss it.

   I hope that helps.
   Mel

   Measure your output in smiles per board foot. 

2. 
   Glaucon | Nov 09, 2006 05:21am | #2

   I was at the their show last year in Fort Washington and was disappointed. If there is a particular tool or demo you are anxious to see, make sure the vendor will be there and it might be worthwhile. If you are just going to browse, I think you'll be underwhelmed. Good luck either way,

   Glaucon

   If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...

3. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Nov 09, 2006 05:52am | #3

   CPR, I also attended the less than wonderful show in Ft. Wash last year as my daughter lives in Ambler Pa, about a half mile away and I was bunking up there on my way thru to East Tn.

   While the show was light, it did have three premium demonstrators -Boggs, Klaus and a Japanese fellow. They were magnificent, as were their seminars. Worth the trip just for the demos.

   As for the vendors you have to look at who is there and what do you need to see and touch before laying down the cash.  You want hand power tools, make sure that the Manufacturer is there not just a local distributor-they offer no deals at a show as they have shallow pockets- the MFG. has deeper pockets. Lee Valley was at my show, had good prices and free shipping but LN was not, so you must check the listings and decide. Pat

4. 
   tinkerer2 | Nov 09, 2006 06:03am | #4

   Where in PA is this show?  If it is close enough, perhaps a friend and I  would go.
1. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Nov 09, 2006 08:12am | #5

   T2, I think it's in York Pa. but check it out. Pat

5. 
   MattInPA | Nov 10, 2006 12:27am | #6

   I went to the show in ft. washington last year and was extremely disappointed too. This show was part of 'The WoodWorks Show' tour. There were only a few booths in the category of high end hand tools. If you are going for something specific and they definitely will be represented there (to compare Delta to Powermatic), I'm sure it will be what you're looking for.

   http://www.woodworksevents.com/home_pa.shtml

   Which direction will you be travelilng to get to York? I went to a show by 'The Wood Working Shows' (they are different) in Baltimore, Maryland two years ago. This show was significantly larger and much more comprehensive. I would recommend this one. It will be back there in early January. I will be going to that show. I remember them having more of everything. The deals, however, are probably the same.

   http://www.thewoodworkingshows.com/index.php?pageName=Show_Calendar

   If these tours are actually the same thing, I don't want to know. It's taking all of my self control to not drive to York this weekend. I already promised myself that I wouldn't.

1. 
   CPR | Nov 10, 2006 05:20am | #7

   Thanks for all of your input and advice.  I guess I will decide in the morning and see where the day takes me.

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Nov 10, 2006 05:49am | #8

   Got some good names that will be there. 

   Frank KlauszFred MatlackGlen HueyJane BurkeJim ChristiansenPaul AnthonyStephen LattaYeung Chan

   It may be more of a learning opportunity than a save-big-money-purchasing opportunity.  But, that alone could be worth it.

   Alan - planesaw

    

1. 
   Bonecrusher | Nov 10, 2006 06:59am | #9

   It is the WoodWorks show. I went last year in Ft. Washington & I enjoyed it. Didn't have any expectations though since I had never been to one of those things before. I'm heading to York tomorrow for the show. Hey, it's better than working!

1. 
   Bonecrusher | Nov 11, 2006 12:56am | #10

   Well, I just got back from the show. Yes, it's better than working. Am I glad I went? No. The show was not as good as it was last year in Ft. Washington. Not that people thought it was that great last year. There were almost zero big power tools there. No Jet. No Powermatic. No Sawstop. No Grizzly. Delta has a rep there but the number of things to look at was small. Same with Dewalt. Last year they had a Unisaw. Not this year. Didn't see anything else that I haven't seen before, either. No deals to be had. Basically, unless you live close by, you're wasting your time. I wish I had stayed home to work in my shop.

6. 
   treeguy | Nov 11, 2006 02:05am | #11

   I would have to concur with what everyone else has said.  The show is a meat market basically, with the vendors trying to make a sale.  If you are going to browse, not worth it.  I went last year to ft. washington, but not this year to york (about1.5hrs for me).  The best thing i saw was frank clause cutting dovetails for a free demo.  If thats your thing save your gas money and buy a video (i think he has them) it'll be more worth it. 

   With that all being said if it was in ft. washington this year, i might go with more focus on a class or two instead of browsing. 

   Steve

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Nov 11, 2006 03:32am | #12

   Treeguy,

   You have validated what I said, " It may be more of a learning opportunity than a save-big-money-purchasing opportunity.  But, that alone could be worth it. "

   Alan - planesaw

1. 
   LeeGrindinger | Nov 11, 2006 06:21am | #13

   These shows are struggling. The internet has made impossible to offer deals since the cost of attending these shows as a vendor pushes the overhead beyond what low overhead dealers on the web can offer. The vendors who do do well are the small guys, the inventors. These guys rely on these shows to get the word out and make sales. Nonetheless, the focus of these shows has to change for them to survive.The biggest problem is changing the public's perception of what the purpose of these shows is. It used to be the deals. Now it's education. As one who attended last year's show in Ft Washington as a presenter of two different seminars I found the attendees very receptive and eager. It costs a lot to rent the hall, fly someone like me and many others there, promote the show and cover all the expenses. The focus in the future will be education though. The opportunity to meet and learn from the likes of Toshio Odate, Frank Klausz, Yeung Chan and others is a singularly rare moment. For those of us invited to attend it's a privilege to get together with each other.So, stop thinking in terms of "deals", those days are gone. Think in terms of education and inspiration, this is the new role of these shows.Lee

1. 
   Glaucon | Nov 11, 2006 03:39pm | #14

   There is one other reason that I can think of for these types of shows, and that is to display and demo tools. If you are looking for a TS or BS, it would be nice to see them in person before buying. Even if I did not get a deal, it is easier to buy when you have a chance to actually see the tool. For many quality manufacturers who do distribute via Woodcraft or HD, these shows may be their only venue outside of Atlanta. Your argument about costs is a valid one, but it seems like a necessary evil to me.Glaucon

   If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...

1. 
   LeeGrindinger | Nov 11, 2006 05:28pm | #15

   The display/demo thing works well for the small guys but not so well for the large companies like Delta. These companies use discounts and coupons to track the value of these shows compared to the costs and the decision appears to not be in favor of doing them.Again, the real beneficiaries of the shows from a sellers point of view are the inventor/guerilla marketers. The guys that invent magna sets, innovative turning tools, new router accessories and such rely on these shows and generally do quite well. Still, it's very expensive to do these shows and the sales have to warrant it.As to product roll outs- the internet has changed the way people shop. Woodworkers are not notoriously gregarious, they can kick tires through the internet and forums like these. I'd guess nearly half of the topics in these forums is "What tool should I buy?". I think people come to trust the opinions of many over the presentation of a salesman.I honestly hope the folks that produce these shows can figure out the magic that will enable them to survive. I did two shows for them and had an incredible time, it's not often I have to opportunity to sit at a table with so many peers and it's quite a privilege. These venues are great for the teachers as well as the learners and I hope they can pull it off.Lee