Hardenfast
18th June 2007, 02:18 PM
Hello all, and belated apologies to the Moderators for placing this thread here. I've only just noticed that the Shows have their own forum, and assume you will re-locate this accordingly.
Just thought I'd mention my Sydney Wood Show experience and invite comments from others.
I spent about 5 hours there on Sunday and found it quite worthwhile. I was able to watch a very good demonstration by Rolly Munro using his articulated hollowing tools - I ended ordering one of his Mini's. Great to watch that plume of shavings leaping over the top of his booth enclosure - even if it was a piece of nice soft Camphor Laurel. The whole mystique of the deep hollowing process is a little clearer now.
I also took a seat for a while watching Richard Raffan work on a lidded bowl - nice to see that it sometimes also takes him 3-4 goes at getting it right. I would have liked to have watch him "Taming the Skew", but I missed that one.
Got to meet Neil and his wife at their stand. Stocked up on U-Beaut finishes and a bowl sander kit - even bought a Forum cap.
Many other interesting exhibits and demonstrations, including the guy making chairs using only his hand tools (draw knife etc) and rounding his pieces using his tree branch/foot treadle lathe. Now that's real dedication to preserving a bygone trade. Great works on show from all facets of the wood-working fraternity - much of it quite humbling - some not so much.
I was quite disappointed with some of the manufacturers' "Show Special" pricing, though. Case in point was Major Woodworking Equipment who had a big display just inside the main entry. I was quite ready to purchase a Jet/Performax 22-44 drum sander on the day and asked for their show price. They gave me a figure of $1,760 (?? can't remember exactly) less their Show Special discount of 5%. When I pointed out that that was still quite a bit more expensive than Gary Pye's everyday website offering ($1,599), I got the glib response "Well, does he have any stock?".
I searched out Gary who was stuck outside in the rain and doing his best under tarps etc, and found out that he had indeed already sold the two 22-44s he had brought with him. He offered to freight one down to me at half of the usual freight cost ($1,599 + $60) and it would have still been been cheaper than the MWE show price (I'm still considering this). I ended up buying a Jet midi lathe and a few chisels etc from Gary. Just out of principle I now won't buy anything from MWE - I'll give the business to GPW or my local dealers. Hope that's not too contentious as an issue here on the forum - just my personal position & opinion.
Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed myself, spent far too much money, got to put some faces to names etc. What about you guys (and girls)?
Just thought I'd mention my Sydney Wood Show experience and invite comments from others.
I spent about 5 hours there on Sunday and found it quite worthwhile. I was able to watch a very good demonstration by Rolly Munro using his articulated hollowing tools - I ended ordering one of his Mini's. Great to watch that plume of shavings leaping over the top of his booth enclosure - even if it was a piece of nice soft Camphor Laurel. The whole mystique of the deep hollowing process is a little clearer now.
I also took a seat for a while watching Richard Raffan work on a lidded bowl - nice to see that it sometimes also takes him 3-4 goes at getting it right. I would have liked to have watch him "Taming the Skew", but I missed that one.
Got to meet Neil and his wife at their stand. Stocked up on U-Beaut finishes and a bowl sander kit - even bought a Forum cap.
Many other interesting exhibits and demonstrations, including the guy making chairs using only his hand tools (draw knife etc) and rounding his pieces using his tree branch/foot treadle lathe. Now that's real dedication to preserving a bygone trade. Great works on show from all facets of the wood-working fraternity - much of it quite humbling - some not so much.
I was quite disappointed with some of the manufacturers' "Show Special" pricing, though. Case in point was Major Woodworking Equipment who had a big display just inside the main entry. I was quite ready to purchase a Jet/Performax 22-44 drum sander on the day and asked for their show price. They gave me a figure of $1,760 (?? can't remember exactly) less their Show Special discount of 5%. When I pointed out that that was still quite a bit more expensive than Gary Pye's everyday website offering ($1,599), I got the glib response "Well, does he have any stock?".
I searched out Gary who was stuck outside in the rain and doing his best under tarps etc, and found out that he had indeed already sold the two 22-44s he had brought with him. He offered to freight one down to me at half of the usual freight cost ($1,599 + $60) and it would have still been been cheaper than the MWE show price (I'm still considering this). I ended up buying a Jet midi lathe and a few chisels etc from Gary. Just out of principle I now won't buy anything from MWE - I'll give the business to GPW or my local dealers. Hope that's not too contentious as an issue here on the forum - just my personal position & opinion.
Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed myself, spent far too much money, got to put some faces to names etc. What about you guys (and girls)?