The Woodworking Shows Show Season is Up and Running Again!

I was very neglectful to let everyone know that the Woodworking Shows is on tour in the USA again. Sadly I did choose a sabbatical year this year and cannot be there for the circuit, but YOU CAN be there for them I hope. The shows have a lot to offer as the various vendors present their newest equipment and workshop hand tools, machines and so on.

I know what it takes to pull a show like this together with so many aspects from the mind boggling logistics if hundreds of people, staff, security and transportation between shows and so they all have an immense vote of respect from my corner of the globe.

From my experience with the shows, some of the best demo’s to take in are those that get to the nuts and bolts as well as those that are given by experienced artisans, businessmen and women and are also entertaining. I haven’t seen Mark Adams at the shows since he traveled with them years ago when he first started his school, but I know he is knowledgable and suggest you take an opener with him.

When it comes to Bandsaw use, management and use, Alex Snodgrass and the team in his booth can set you right on course. I was impressed many times in his booth and wish he could be here in the UK for the some of the shows. He is unparalleled as a demonstrator and he offers a variety of insights about bandsaws that any new woodworker should know right from the get go. His booth does have a commercial aspect to it but don’t let that put you off watching Alex spins his wood into the bandsaw blade.

You can learn a great deal from his expertise. I have not seen any bandsaw demonstrations here in the UK that come anywhere close to the US. I think Record Power and others would sell a hundred times the bandsaws  they sell here if they had Alex standing behind the wheel. Let me know what you feel after the demo.

Not everyone wants to work with hand tools so I feel to mention Jim Heavey. I think he has been to all the woodworking Shows shows since the very beginning. He is a gentleman to spend time with and you can learn the practical nuts and bolts of router work for door and drawer construction by sitting in his seminars. Jim is also editor of Wood Magazine in the US, so he has an extensive networking web online and elsewhere to connect people.

My friend Andy Chidwick will be demonstrating at the show too. I really respect Andy because he cares so passionately about young and upcoming woodworkers and works with them beyond the shows to help them become productive in their young lives. he has several demonstrations scheduled and you will not regret his enthusiastic presentations. I was always demoing when he was last season, but I was able to sit and watch over the three months and I was never disappointed. Yes his techniques and methods are different than mine but the work he creates is just beautiful. Say hi to him from Paul if you see him. Here is the intro for the show this year:

Besides the demos are the vendors, many of which also demonstrate their products. Now they are very different demos than you might find elsewhere; very motivational and inspiring. These guys really get into it and nothing is held in reserve. Go to the show and see for yourself. The show schedule is here. Please check out the show nearest to you