Thread: Working With Wood Shows

I think the show is great, to me one area which i feel is falling behind is the actual woowork pieces. Displays from Tafes etc
Its pretty much a machine and tool show. But its still great to get everything under one roof.
Sinjin

Why do I always attend?

MMM.... It's addictive...

Gotta spend that money before it burns a new hole!

Gleen new knowlege...

Stock up on Ubeaut stuff...

Save money on shipping...

And the list goes on.

only been to one,because being a pensioner the cost of travel from a country area hurts but when i was working i was considerd a tool rat. i think theyr a great thing as i love seeing all the latest and greatest and the shoe polishers and mop sellers only add to the diversification, would go to all of them if money was no problem

Never been, but only becuase it is timed with the Mildura Show, which I had to got for work. But not this year so I will be going this year though, unless something comes up.

Just hope that it is as good as all the hype.

Why do I want to go?

To see wood related stuff in general
To look for new suppliers/products
Be able to compare suppliers/products and to get a "feel" for their service.
To see ideas and techniques.
Non-woodwork displays that have some connection, pretty much if there is a forum on this site about it, then would be okay. As most of us are into woodworking and DIY in general. But limit it to tools, and equip.

What will turn me off?
High entry price vs. little value inside
(I can get into the local wood display at the local fair for a gold coin)
Non-woodwork displays, yes they pay for a stall, but I think they destroyed the "Home ideas Show" when just about anything was let in.

A bit arty farty for me - too much of the typical crowd are at the show - which is great, but I don't think any-one who is actually in the timber/wood business is at the show (ie real companies and people)

I don't think any-one who is actually in the timber/wood business is at the show

Are you talking about the exhibitors or the people who go? Or both?

Originally Posted by erlyrisa

A bit arty farty for me - too much of the typical crowd are at the show - which is great, but I don't think any-one who is actually in the timber/wood business is at the show (ie real companies and people)

No, they are all glove puppets, controlled by unseen people looking to rip you off. Not a woody amongst them. Shame isn't it.

I went to my first one last year and will go to this years postponed one in March or April 2007.

I went out of interest when I was looking for some tools.

The workin g displays were ok but the room with the turners seemed to be a "closed shop" with the exhibitors/demonstrators a bit reticent to engage in conversation - to me anyway.

I liked the oportunity to check out the new stuff. But like most others the spruikers of shoe polish and miracle brooms left me cold.

I agree with others who say special prices at the show are a rod for the exhibitors back. Fair enough if you can get a floor display a few bob cheaper or a marked demo model but to expect these guys - who pay big money to exhibit (space, wages, transport, personal travel, insurance etc) to reduce new stock for a once a year event is a bit much.

Show specials are not an attraction to me, I want to see things working and proving there worth.

I waited until i saw the Gifkins jig demonstrated before I bought it. The fact I got a few bucks off was incidental.

My 2 bobs worth.

Cheers

I can stand some of the non wood related gear, providing it is some sort of mechanical device/tool etc, I bought a set of huge ring spanners one year from the Indians, limited application but I needed some and they had some other funny bits and pieces.
Shoe polish pedlars, p!ss off, wear runners and they don't bother you (although SWMBO got conned into a jar of crap smaller than shellawax for $25:mad: ).
Food, never, bloody over cooked, overpriced crap, take my own drinks and eat at a restaurant in Southabnk with SWMBO after the show.
Good to catch up with the hirstute and less hirstute and Beaut, need some discs this year for my rotary sander so will see you then, good to catch up with the foilies and non foilies, generally sling a bit of bulldust around.
New products, great, but there is some rubbish there too.
Love to spend some time on the McJing stand, never ceases to fascinate me, I pick up something and walk around to see something else and have never been challenged, I just hope he doesn't lose too much to the bastards who take advantage of this.
I wish they would get rid of the cretin with his marvellous drill bits that can drill files, been there for years and never lets anyone challenge or inspect the bits.
Carbitool is always informative and have a few interesting little odds and sods every year.
Neils lolly box is always a winner with dishonest grannies after a free treat when no ones looking
Of course we have to go each year to see how much longer Jim Carrolls moustache is
Yep, I'll be there again, just don't know what day.

Some bloody good points coming out - I like Steve's idea of voting for "best new jig / gadget whatever" Need more inventers!

One point about the non-woodworking displays - there is no chance in hell they pay the same for their space - I'm convinced they get it heavily discounted (displayers pulling out etc), so they get to jump in at the last second. Either that, or they have paid for a 'season pass' to all expos, again, heavily discounted per show. I'd rather see an empty display space, or one being used for extra stock, or display work, or more demos or anything rather than a bloody pillow, boot polisher, back brace, overhead painter etc etc.

From their point of view, does it work to go to the show - unfortunately too much. It has been almost a year since the last show, and I can still reel off each of those displays, and what their product was. Great advertisement, even if personally I won't give them a red cent.

Originally Posted by Shedhand

The workin g displays were ok but the room with the turners seemed to be a "closed shop" with the exhibitors/demonstrators a bit reticent to engage in conversation - to me anyway.

When they ask what lathe you use, if you dare mention it is a GMC, be prepared to have them literally turn their back on you and walk away. Has happened to me on more than one occasion at the show.

Well I,ve voted and I've read a couple of posts then decided I'd reply before reading the rest.. Don't want to be swayed too much.


Why Do I go?

I like seeing what is available - seeing, feeling and smelling the real thing is so much better than looking at catalouges

I really like the "seminars" last year I almost spent the entire day listening to various people who have been in the industry for years sharing their knowledge and browsing stalls between lectures. I also planned to go back the next day and listen to the others I missed because of conflicting times with a ticket given away as a bribe to get the stragglers out at the end of the day but ended up giving it to a guy at church so missed out.

I like to be inspired (sounds better than stealing Ideas) by what people are making in the Display/Competition areas..

What i don't like


I'm not too keen on the non woodwork displays but as long as they are related to Timber or Working with wood I'm not really too fussed. for some reason I always seem to spend time watching the tile/glass/whatnot cutter. I think care needs to be taken that those stalls do not grow faster than the woodworking oriented sites.

Dissapointments.. That Tassie missed out this year but can understand with the expenses involved in bringing everything over Bass Strait. So have next march written in The Diary and will be seriously peeved if they cancel that one as well

Do I buy?
Not enough to make it worth the Displayers efforts but usually more than I intend.. (hey there's Scot in my ancestory OK)

Now I've had my say I'll read what others have said

EDIT: Have to say I don't mind paying an entrance fee if it gives access to displays and presentations.. if it was to see exhibitors only I wouldn't bother

I have been going for about 17 years, it has lost something since it moved to Jeff's Shed.

The shoe polish, paint and pruning sales stands put me off keep it associated with wood and tools.

I don't go to get a special but I do like to buy there its the atmosphere and I don't like how crowded together the stands are it is hard to get to them when there is a row five deep to fight through, thats why I liked the old venue better.

I always attend the www show because i like to hang around timber stuff and see how the tools and jigs work.
Having spent most of my life in the aircraft and automotive trades I find it relaxing and enjoyable to work with wood.
I am still a new chum at the workbench but i have been lurking in this forum for about 12 months and find it of great interest.
This is my first public appearance and I want to thank all the characters (even the strange ones) for the many amusing entries.
I missed the last www show because I had an unplanned trip to hospital for a bit of a heart bypass which put me behind with my social life for a few weeks, but firing on 4 cylinders again now (thats the maximum with us old blokes).
thanks for listening, hope I can contribute something useful when I get smart enough.
ancient marathoner.