Thread: Working With Wood Shows

Originally Posted by rufflyrustic

Why do I go?

To stock up on UBeaut supplies
To check out any newly-released tools and equipment, new (to me) inventions and ideas
To stock up on any other supplies needed, check out the supplier and goods before purchasing online from them
To find new suppliers
To pick up some interesting pieces of timber
To support the woodturning/worker clubs by buying something from their stands
To meet & catch up with fellow woodworkers
To keep up to date with what's around, what's happenening, get new catalogues and training brochures
To get new ideas
To pick up any great specials I just can't be without


Why wouldn't I go

Too sick to drive
Act of God


What I'd like to see more of?
Displays of woodwork
More interesting & rare pieces of timber
Artists in Action - eg someone building something throughout the whole weekend

Cheers & Thanks for the chance to give some feedback.

Wendy

Ditto.

Keith

I go to the Sydney show every year. Reasons are:

1. Its a day out in support to one of my hobbies
2. See and touch the tools/machines I have read about in magazines and online, all under one roof. I could go to Carbatec in Auburn throughout the year for smaller purchases, but would prefer to buy (or at least check out) multiple brands of larger items at the show.
3. SEE DEMONSTRATIONS!!! This is the BEST bit for me. The lessons I learn in these is fantastic. I'm even tempted to next year go for two days: 1 to watch the demos, 1 to wander around and buy.
4. Of course I go to buy tools. Obviously it would be better if all stands had show discounts or specials, but financially not all can do this (eg: people won't buy from them the rest of the year, they will just wait for the show). As long as a stand doesn't jack up their prices I will buy from them.
5. Ability to talk to others and gain advice from them (whether stall holders or other show goers).
6. See the people who you order off over the web - put a face to a name.
7. Pick up brochures/books/pamphlets. No matter how good the Internet is, I still like to sit down and read through stuff.
8. And its good to just walk around, hand over cash for items, and pick em all up at the end of the day.
9. Another reason is that (hopefully), by spending money at the show, it encourages the suppliers to come back next year.

The only downsides/suggestions I can think of are:

• Expensive food - 7 bucks for a hot dog is damn lousy. I'll wait all day and get something after the show.
• Perhaps staying open into the night on the Friday - this would help increase patron numbers amongst those who wish to come after work, or who can't make it on the weekend.
• The non-wood related stores.... I just walk past em, but if they increased, it would count towards spoiling the show.
• I think the price of admission was $15 this year. I'm okay to pay this price. If it was to go up a few dollars, I would still be happy to pay it as long as I saw some added value in it (maybe also have a discount for a 'weekend pass', I know several people who go for 2 days).

Cheers,
Nathan.

I go to the Sydney show every year and I've been to the Canberra show a couple of times. My opinion is the show is getting worse each year. Seems to me companies like Hare & Forbes have decided not to go anymore as the show clashes with another "industry show". They haven't been there for the last two years.

I don't like the non-woodworking stands, this is a woodshow after all.

The theme of the show seems to be getting away from the home hobbiest. There seems to be too much enforcise on the big machines that I would thing the average home woody couldn't afford or have room for. Sorry Felder, nice machines though.

It's good to meet people that you deal with over the internet and put faces to names.

I like the static displays, it amazes me of the talent some people have.

I would like to watch the turning displays but everyone of them I have seen seems dangerous to me as none of them use dust extraction even though they had dusties connected. I watched one (from a distance) that showered the front two rows of seats with very fine dust as he sanded. The demonstrator didn't even bother wearing eye protection.

The demonstration of the timber mills is a fun thing to watch and one of those is on the wish list.

The other thing I would like to see happen is that the show is moved back to Homebush Bay. Fox studios is a PIA to get to from where I live and there are always problems with traffic.

Bob

I go there to support the clubs and to pick up specials. Occasionally I see a new product and it is good to try it out or discuss it with the retailer.

Like the others, I only go there to see woodwork related products and services.

If you pay to attend these functions then I feel I shouldn't be intimidated by snake oil salespeople.

If you pay to attend, then you should expect to be presented with something more than if you were walk into the retail outlet off the street. For example I don't pay $14 to walk into Carbatec or MIK - it's free.

The retailers are charged high fees to have stands and no doubt have intentions of at least breaking even and so do the woodworkers attending the show. Which means there must be something else to make it more attractive.

This year at the Melbourne show there will be an exhibition of woodwork that will be judged by respected well known judges which will greatly help to put the focus back on the woodwork aspect of the show.

Originally Posted by Auzzie turner

[

The wood shows around Australia, should most definately be kept, BUT, keep it to Woodwork.

Enough,

Regards.........Joash[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

You'd be the first one to scream when the entry price doubled

Only recently rediscovered my love of wood - will be going to this year's show!

Time was always an issue for me when I was in Sydney now I'm up the coast time, distance and cost are issues.

Why not have an online woodshow it would seem to meet most of the requirements expressed on this thread although I admit not all but meeting other members of the forum is over rated I reckon

It could be hosted right here over a given period, one of the benefits for the less experienced would be to see the questions asked by the more experienced members and have an opportunity to ask why the answer is important before parting with the hard earned.

Hey Silent if I promote it will you build the site?

And if you really must meet up face to face then get togethers can be organised immediately prior (to discuss game plan) or immediately after (to discuss purchases) and they can be in various locations so everyone has a chance to get together and have a chin wag.

If you build it they will come.....:confused:

HH.

I go primarily so I can hopld Al's hand as we walk around in our foilie tu-tus.

I just like to have a look around and see what's new. I've bought quite a bit at the show over the years.
It's a good oppertunity to touch, feel and compare tools. It's also a great to see a wide selection of wood.

It's also good to talk to other foilie wearing misfits.

I only go when I need to buy something (18" bandsaw last time) its good to be able to compare prices and features on different equipment all under one roof.

I also like to go to find secondhand tools, unusual timber, and to find some new tools - the stuff that the guy at bunnings always gives you a blank stare about when you ask if they have it.

What I don't like is that the place is so bloody crowded, and that every second bugger is wearing a backpack which they seem oblivious about. Fellas when you have a backpack on you take up twice as much bloody room, leave it in the bus.

Another thing about the sydney show, the hall of industry (or whatever) has all the stands and is packed with people, but then you get over to the hordern pavilion and they have tons of room not being used. If they spread everything out a bit, people would feel less harried, stay for longer, and buy more stuff. Instead of doing what they came to do and getting the hell out.

always too busy or out of town at the time.. this'll be my first year in attendance at the melb www show.

just going to check it out really, I hope to find a bit of wood.. maybe a few hand tools.
A year ago I may have tried for a few bargains on machinery but have since learned my lesson and never buy new machinery, I prefer to shop for cast iron antiques that wont break or warp if I sneaze.

looking foreward to it tho.. hoping to score a decent skew and maybe a few sets of jaws for my chuck.

I'll vote in your poll next year when I have half a clue

Have been to the past three in Bris will go the the next.

Would love to see better discounts but accept them not practical as stated by Gumby.

I do enjoy the timber section with those Tassie woods - awesome to get stuff you just don't see about - but can't afford most of it so usually leave with only a small amount.

Found the first show I went to confusing as I didn't understand most of the machines, enjoyed the second show looking for new gadgets and ideas and watching displays (Gifkins etc) found the third show had most gear I already have and want bigger and better (so no big deal I just visit the shops). Will at the next one look closer at the handtool region.

Would very much like to see as many new gadgets and ideas as possbile displayed.

Would also like to see more displays of peoples works either finished or in progress - half built domino rocker etc - would raise one's interest in the process and the product. Hey Rocker perhaps you could team up with Festool for this one. This is a serious idea and i think we all like to see inovation so we can gather ideas that inspire us.

Love to see more displays of some fine woodworks.

I am happy to ignore the mop,shoe,cushion displays.

I think some work can be done on the demo area to give the presenters a better oportunity to make the most of their efforts - let them have a display of examples, better speaker systems.

I go to the Brisbane show when I can manage to be there at the right time. Been to 5 of them now and usually go on 2 of the days. I usually make a major purchase when I go, last year I bought a new table saw off Gregory Machinery, couldnt go this year because of family commitments.
I like to go because I can go from stand to stand and talk to people there, and compare different machines all under the one roof. I also like to stock up on a lot of smaller stuff not available where I live. Also to buy a few bits of wood not available in my area, mainly turning blanks.
The knowledge that I gain from going negates the issue of entry cost (for me anyway). the main thing that puts me off is the crowds (country boy).
One thing I miss seeing is the Nimbin sawmill's big bandsaw mill, I was told that workplace health and safety, put the kybosh on them .

I normally go every year, but due to other commitments I had to forgo the last two years. I have helped to transport and setup displays. I also demostrated one year. I also like to keep up with the technology and pickup timber that I wouldn't normally have access to

Hi Neil,

I've only been to one, the last one.

There are 3 reasons why I go to the show, see whats out there, hopefully get a great deal and hopefully pick up on some demos etc.

Now realistically,

Whats out there can usually be found out through magazines and the forum etc.

Great deals ? Well because most exhibitors are spending a small fortune on the stand etc it's been my experience that the price isn't much better than what you would get any other time of the year.

The demos etc are helpful but limited. Rudely listening to others conversations usually gives more

As an exhibitor in another expo, it's usually where you get a pile of leads and biz. Whether it's worthwhile is dependant on the product(s).

The only real winners I have found (if there are any) are the expo people themselves (not the exhibitors) if you know what I mean.

Hope this helps

Regards
Andrew