Woodworking Shows – Somerset, N.J. show 2014
- This topic has 5 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 10 years, 1 month ago by Carlos J. Collazo.
-
AuthorPosts
-
24 February 2014 at 3:04 am #28251
Well, it has certainly been an exciting and entertaining weekend, even though I only went to one day of the three-day event here in Somerset, New Jersey (U.S.). This was my first Woodworking Shows show so there was no one from last year to see. it was just me and the wood and the tools. And my ever-thinning bill clip. I did get to meet a few great people though, who were as friendly as can be. Even learned a thing or two and bought some beautiful cherry boards for a future box!
There was the Lee Valley booth showroom front and center, first thing to greet you as you come in the Exhibit Center, with their stunning large spokeshave and skew rabbet planes. And there was John Wilson demoing one of their interesting molded-back tenon saws.
Attachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.24 February 2014 at 3:20 am #28255I was planning on going to Saturday’s and Sunday’s show but it’s easy to go nuts at an event like this, and seriously overspend. So I decided to avoid getting caught in the quicksand, stayed home, and worked on my workbench. Didn’t want to be that hungry dog in front of the glass case in the butcher shop.
I picked up 2 cherry boards like the ones shown, from Lakeshore hardwoods in upstate NY. They had some seriously nice wood and even nicer staff. I wanted t o get some nice maple they had too. Never worked with either before.
One dealer had some nice exotics. Peru Teak and Zebrawood stood out.
Then there was Tools for Working Wood and their Grammercy Tools arm. Joel Moskowitz has a serious group of tool-makers in his Brooklyn shop and there was a batten and an interesting saw vise of theirs. Interesting books too. The chisel with the dark wood was an Ashley Isles. Have to say it felt really well-balanced in the hand.
Attachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.24 February 2014 at 3:29 am #28260I loved the boatbuilding exhibition. I’m drawn to large projects as well as small. Building a boat is one dream of mine. This one is made from cedar. Frank Strauss showed me the mast hoops that are used to raise the sail. The wood is bent using the steam apparatus (white pvc tubing).
Attachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.24 February 2014 at 3:38 am #28268Mark, a jobber who occupies a whole corner of the Center, has a gargantuan amount of tools and equipment for sale at rock-bottom prices, all laid out on folding tables and crates. Paul recommended I check him out and he indeed was a great guy. Check out the Bahco mill files he had for only $2.00 each! At that price, I grabbed a bunch and left with a wide grin.
Attachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.24 February 2014 at 3:48 am #28270Finally, there was Bob Shepard, from NJ Woodturners, demonstrating turning on a lathe. Here he is showing how a spindle is made.
One thing I will say is I wish they had a bit more tool emphasis and not machine emphasis. Wood machining demos outnumbered the methods we are learning here on WWMC and through Paul. At times the noise the machines made made it hard to strike up or engage in conversation.
All in all, I had a great time. If you have a chance, don’t miss a show if it comes by your neck of the woods. Definitely a worthwhile experience. And thank you to Paul Sellers for recommending check out Mark who had great deals on a lot of stuff. The only thing I wish I could’ve seen but didn’t was the portable saw mill they had just outside the entrance. Oh well next time.
Hope you enjoyed the wrap-up of the show.
Thanks for reading.Attachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files. -
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.