02-17-2018, 07:57 PM
Anybody make it this year? I didn’t see the breakfast gang thread posted this year like many in the past.
I went this year for the first time in many years. I went often 10-15 years ago when I was just getting started. The event today is half the size as it was even 10 years ago. The attendance is probably half as well. It use to be that you could barely walk through the place or see a demonstration. That wasn’t the case today.
I ended up going with a friend who’s relatively new to woodworking so It was fun showing him certain tools. He had a really good time at the LV booth being able to play with the tools. I had a good time as well. I own LN planes primarily but I have to take my hat off to LV. The plow and dado planes they not only talked about—but put on the market—are top notch in all regards. Their 45 knock off was very impressive. I used it with a 1/4” bead and man it was something else. Made my exceptionally nice 45 feel like a dog. I think LN is loosing out by not going. The LV cash register was smoking every time I was in their booth.
Another huge change was the lack of stationary machinery on display. I got excited to see the Hammer equipment in Chuck Bender’s both but he was there to teach handcut DT’s, which he does very well. Chuck was nice to chat with and handcut DT’s in poplar where effortless for him. The hammer J/P was impressive overall but they really need to beef up the fence for $3-4K it costs. Chuck said it did well though despite my observation of lacking material.
Aside from the LV booth, I really enjoyed hanging out with the KC guild guys at their stand alone benches in their booth. The KC guild did very well and I can’t see how they didn’t make a good impression overall. What a great group of talented woodworkers.
Overall, I’m glad I went but I was surprised the turnout wasn’t better. I hope the KC area woodworkers will continue to support this venue so they keep coming back to KC. No matter how long you’ve practiced the hobby you will still learn something new.—or help teach something new.
I went this year for the first time in many years. I went often 10-15 years ago when I was just getting started. The event today is half the size as it was even 10 years ago. The attendance is probably half as well. It use to be that you could barely walk through the place or see a demonstration. That wasn’t the case today.
I ended up going with a friend who’s relatively new to woodworking so It was fun showing him certain tools. He had a really good time at the LV booth being able to play with the tools. I had a good time as well. I own LN planes primarily but I have to take my hat off to LV. The plow and dado planes they not only talked about—but put on the market—are top notch in all regards. Their 45 knock off was very impressive. I used it with a 1/4” bead and man it was something else. Made my exceptionally nice 45 feel like a dog. I think LN is loosing out by not going. The LV cash register was smoking every time I was in their booth.
Another huge change was the lack of stationary machinery on display. I got excited to see the Hammer equipment in Chuck Bender’s both but he was there to teach handcut DT’s, which he does very well. Chuck was nice to chat with and handcut DT’s in poplar where effortless for him. The hammer J/P was impressive overall but they really need to beef up the fence for $3-4K it costs. Chuck said it did well though despite my observation of lacking material.
Aside from the LV booth, I really enjoyed hanging out with the KC guild guys at their stand alone benches in their booth. The KC guild did very well and I can’t see how they didn’t make a good impression overall. What a great group of talented woodworkers.
Overall, I’m glad I went but I was surprised the turnout wasn’t better. I hope the KC area woodworkers will continue to support this venue so they keep coming back to KC. No matter how long you’ve practiced the hobby you will still learn something new.—or help teach something new.
