Thread: Working With Wood Shows

Only been into woodwork for 18 months or so didn’t know about the woodwork show until this forum and ptc said it’s cancelled in Tassie anyway if it was on I would go for a look.

I went to the Brizzy TWWWS this year, for the first time, but definately not the last. It was better than i ever thought it would be. Iwent to a "what I thought was" a timber show in Darling Harbour in Sydney, maybe 15 or so years back, and it was huge, but it was all computerised lathes and copiers, huge trade stalls, and completely over the top. Left very dissapointed! The Brrizzy show was perfect. All the demonstrations from the best woodworkers and turners, the clubs, and the trade stands, were a great mix of exactly what I was interested in! I spent Heaps$$- I learnt lots- and I met lots of like minded people. And there wasa great range of timbers and and machines to check out.

I go every year mainly to buy timber (thanks Malcom), I have noticed over the past few years that the show (Canberra) is getting smaller, this year the Tassie timber mob were not there, maybe with our population it needs to be held every 2 years or better still only over 2 days. Would hate to see it go.
Cheers
Barry

only go every few years due to the tyranny of distance and not as young as we used to be ...3.5 hrs to get there then walk around find something suitable to eat then anoter 3.5 hrs to get home.
There are 3 of us so cost isnt a prob as we share expenses.
Nowdays we mainly go for the timber that is unavailable here normally and we may get the odd tool though we would prob spend no more than about $500ish each.
Like Al I think the non woodie stuff should be kept in a different area ...mabe outside the venue, like another suburb
Costs are reasonable for entry and more scrolling stuff is good oh and turning demos etc.
Pete

Never used to go to them as I thought it contained things that wouldnt been in my area sort of thing. When I started demonstrating with the CCWT I realised there was something there for all so looked around whilst there.

Went to the Canberra one to check out the difference and to also find if there is a local wood club here. I probably wont be demostrating at the shows anymore but will probably keep on attending to see whats new.

What would make me definately go would be to have a shed and the money to fill it with things

Originally Posted by Baz

I go every year mainly to buy timber (thanks Malcom), I have noticed over the past few years that the show (Canberra) is getting smaller, this year the Tassie timber mob were not there, maybe with our population it needs to be held every 2 years or better still only over 2 days. Would hate to see it go.
Cheers
Barry

But the radio ads said it was bigger and better than last year

only discovered the woodworking show in recent yrs. Love to go. Are they an expensive rip off to get in ? otherwise i wont go. 10 to 12 dollars to get in is ok aint it? Rgum....Tony.

Why go?
Comparison shopping on tools and equipment.
To see if there is anything innovative that I haven't seen before.
To meet up with other Forumites.
To buy timber that needs to be seen before putting up the hard earned.
To ask questions of the exhibitors.

Why not go?
More and more no-shows from firms I want to see (quoting: It's too expensive for the return)

I certainly don't blame those exhibitors who have found it doesn't pay them to outlay the cost of a stand. I think the organisers have found a ready source of income and are milking it to the max, knowing that there will be a certain group of visitors and exhibitors who will go anyway. They don't seem to realise that making it more expensive for all will eventually result in a very poor show with very few paying participants. Keeping costs down would ensure a big show with a life of many more years.
Cheers
Graeme

I agree the non Woody stuff should not be banned as they help the promoters spread the cost, and can be interesting & usefull to some people even woodies. But I think it should be in a seperate area.

I would like to attend each year but that depends on health.

Unfortunately I only have a small budget but always come home with a few things, last time about $200 worth.

It is a good opotunity to see what is avaliable & new and learn new things.

Also to pick up catalogues and brocures.

Most of the equipment in my workshop I bought after seeing it at a WWW.

I hate buying site unseen so dont like on-line shoping.

I would buy out of a catalogue if I had examined the article first perhaps at a WWW.

WOW is'nt the food expensive?

Show specials are good, ther is only so mutch to spend be it at a show or any other time.

David

I go every year to see what is new or to learn something. I do it for a hobby and enjoy spending a day (or two) just putzing around looking at stuff I (usually) can't afford.

This year though I am disappointed. A number of companies are trying to get in with specials before the show. I have read some comments made earlier in another thread and have decided that, IMHO, this is the wrong thing to do. The shows are to exhibit new tools, create sales for retailers and inform the public, but they are also there to help promote woodworking generally.

When a bunch of companies decide to hold sales just before the show, and reduce their presence there, the ww'ing public lose out. Also, longer term, the retailers lose out.

The retailers will point to the organisers and say the fees are too high and they are being gouged, after all, they want to profit from the event.

Whichever viewpoint you take, woodworkers lose out, and the show is about woodworking isn't it? Otherwise they'd call it a retailers and exhibitors show, wouldn't they?

I guess my point is that the industry needs to invest in new woodworkers and generate interest to be healthy overall. Like UBeaut does with this BB, I bet Neil doesn't profit from this site, but the information it provides has helped a generation of woodworkers.

Finally, for those who hold their sales early and don't attend, I for one will note your absence this year and strike you from my Christmas list. I wonder who will be noted by their absence, perhaps another thread to discuss it after the show.

I have been on both sides of the fence as buyer and demonstrator and seller at the WWW shows. The main reason as a retailer to do the shows is to get your name/product out there and be visable to the public and sell - not really sure it is to promote woodworking as such. DMG charge a small ransom for retailers to sell at the Wood shows, the food is expensive and in most cases crap- particulary Brisbane, Sydney at Fox has great food choices, but the venue is too small and transport is a nightmare. The new Sydney showgrounds were a much better venue. Much more could be done to promote woodworking by having more furniture, wood ,exhibits from schools, competitions etc. Get rid of the stuff that isn't related to wood eg. shoe polish!!! The demos and how to's are really good and there needs more of them. I think the cost of getting into the shows is too high, considering that the public is there to spend money and most of the costs for the show are paid for by the retailers & sellers who are there. Promotors need to get their heads around ' if it is cheaper for those to get in or to sell stuff, more people will turn up to either buy or sell'.
I like going to the shows to catch up with people and to see new stuff on the market and to be able to compare machines etc. I usually have a budget that I seem to blow every year. Oh well, that's what budgets are for.
cheers rosethorn

Oooo, I just thought of another reason.... 'her inside' is NOT interested.

If I fly to Brissy for the show, I make a long weekend of it have a escape.

I forgot to mention Advertising.
What Advertising?
Last show the only mention I saw of it was in The Road Ahead, our motoring organisation mag What's on page and on Bris radio the weekend of the event.

No time for forward planning then.!!

David

I have been going to the Sydney wood shows for about 5 years, Missed one year but went to Canberra instead.

Was disappointed with this years show it was crowded and appeared to me to be a poorer display than the year before. I don't like the venue its a pain driving to it and getting away in the traffic in the afternoon.

I like to check out new products, tools etc but there was little if anything new there. I thought some of the new products that had appeared overseas the year before which you can see on the net would have been present this year but I don't think there was one thing that wasn't old hat there. The specific things I wanted to check out weren't there. Even those who attended only had some of their stock.

Eg Ryobi; I was interested to check out their small battery powered circular saw. Didn't bring one! So it was with other things I was intending buying. I know its not possible to have everything available but why only bring some of your range.

As for the crowding, I understand the size of the stall governs the price but the stalls are so cramped its hard to get around. Take the Timbecon stand. They have lots of stuff but its so squeezed up its hard to get to the equipment let alone around it to view it. If the organizers gave the exhibitors more room it would would certainly help.


I think I will limit my attendance to one every 2 or 3 years from now on.