Tampa WW Show

[Uncle Cracker]

Trekked up the road to the Tampa WW Show yesterday... Bottom line: 4 hours on the road in the rain, not worth it... Show was much smaller than those I've been to in the past. Many manufacturers not represented, or with only token displays. Most "seminars" now read more like sales pitches than genuine attempts at education. Peachtree took up half the floor space. "Show pricing" from most vendors now higher than most online buying opportunities. Aisles clogged with old women looking bored (Why do guys bring their wives to things like this?). All-in-all, if this is a trend, I probably wouldn't walk next door to go to one of these things again.

PS: The only saving grace for this show was the Lee Valley booth, where they had a plane demo area. I spent a few blissful moments with one of their #62-1/2 low angle jack planes and a hefty block of curly hard maple. The result was a collection of enormous see-through curls, that simply floated through the air. Mahvelous...

[cabinetman]

(Why do guys bring their wives to things like this?).

I'll tell ya why. Some guys can't leave the house unless they take their wives. The ones that don't, are required to bring home proof that they actually went to a WW show. And, according to Henny...maybe others take their wives so they don't have to kiss them goodbye.
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[Uncle Cracker]

Some guys can't leave the house unless they take their wives.

No woman with an ounce of sense would insist on being exposed to this level of boredom, even if married to Bill Clinton.

The ones that don't, are required to bring home proof that they actually went to a WW show.

No problem. Just let me have the credit card.

[LinuxRandal]

Peachtree woodworking sells the same casters as Woodcraft, at the show, for Woodcrafts sale price (good deal, if needed). Ours was better this year then the last couple, but I also didn't have to drive for 4 hours (35 minutes each way). Our local WW stores, have sales at the same time, due to the draw, and it doesn't cost them booth money. While they DON'T stock Bigger $$ticket items at the show (my pet peeve, let me buy AND leave with it), at least I have been able to ask questions.

In my view, ours was worth going to look, but most stuff, they are going to try to pull the "OH, that price is a mistake, it NEVER sells for that price", which is the regular Amazon, non sale price.

Buyer's beware

At over $3 a gallon, I wouldn't drive four hours to attend either.

[gjat]

I was at the Tampa WW show. I agree 100% that it was smaller and did not have many good deals nor seminars though I did enjoy the hands on Veritas plans at the Lee Valley stop. I spent a 1/2 hour with one of their guys trying out the planes on the popular and oak they had there. I'd been frustrated with my amateur attempts with the cheapie planes I've bought over the years and it was a mini-class. I covet the A2 low angle plane now. I'm not buying another tool so I can set aside the funds to get the Veritas. It was like night on the far side of the moon and day on mercury.

I was also intrigued by the Carter single stabilizer for bandsaws. Do they really work that well or is it also a function of the type of blade. I'm often frustrated making curves and was going to try cool blocks to help resolve that.