IWF 2012 Atlanta... anyone going?

[Ajcoholic]

I am thinking of attending the Atlanta IWF woodworking show in August. If there is one thing I love, its a big wood working show! Even if I have to travel a few thousand Km's to get there :D

Is it a good show? I am always on the look out for new things, equipment, materials, etc.

Is Shopbot going to have a booth there?

AJC

[myxpykalix]

I both look forward to, and am disappointed by most woodworking shows i go to, Why? because when i go up and down the aisles looking at the tools, i say to myself...."got it, got it, got it, don't want it, got it, got it...:rolleyes:

I rarely see something that makes me want to pull out the credit card redily. I bought a kreg jig at the last show a month or so ago and have yet to pull it out and use it!:eek:
So take your camera and if you see anything really cool take a picture and show us!

[Ajcoholic]

I both look forward to, and am disappointed by most woodworking shows i go to, Why? because when i go up and down the aisles looking at the tools, i say to myself...."got it, got it, got it, don't want it, got it, got it...:rolleyes:

I rarely see something that makes me want to pull out the credit card redily. I bought a kreg jig at the last show a month or so ago and have yet to pull it out and use it!:eek:
So take your camera and if you see anything really cool take a picture and show us!

I go the the big industry shows more to see shop equipment, tooling, new hardware out on the market, etc. Stuff I normally dont get to see.

We have a decent show here in Canada every 2nd year, but it pales in comparison to the big US shows. Last year in Vegas, I was in HEAVEN! :) I am hoping the IWF is a similar deal.

There are still a few larger peices of equipment I am hoping to acquire in my shop, in the future. It is nice to see stuff in person, and operational, before you spend several thousand bucks. The trip to Vegas last year sold me on getting a Shopbot Buddy for instance. Until then, all I could see was a small video on line.

AJC

[gene]

The iwf is the sister show to the one in Vegas the awf . the iwf has downsized in the past few years both due to the economy and to the fact that the awf moved from anaheime calif to vegas. face it , where would you want to go ? they are very good shows but alot of what they have is more geared to the BIG Boys . with that being said there is alot of things for us little guys also. Andrew , if you go you must carry a hankerchief, to catch the drooling you will be doing.....they also have some classes geared toward the woodworking industry that are very good, Yes i am going . if for no other reason but to keep up with what is going on in this industry. look at their web site iwfatlanta2012, or something like that

[Ajcoholic]

The iwf is the sister show to the one in Vegas the awf . the iwf has downsized in the past few years both due to the economy and to the fact that the awf moved from anaheime calif to vegas. face it , where would you want to go ? they are very good shows but alot of what they have is more geared to the BIG Boys . with that being said there is alot of things for us little guys also. Andrew , if you go you must carry a hankerchief, to catch the drooling you will be doing.....they also have some classes geared toward the woodworking industry that are very good, Yes i am going . if for no other reason but to keep up with what is going on in this industry. look at their web site iwfatlanta2012, or something like that

Oh I already have the site bookmarked, and my wife will come down with me (and our son) and make a holiday of it. I too would like to attend one or more of the classes.

A big part of going to these shows for me is to see whats new. Even if it is a new design cutter head, or a new piece of cabinet hardware - I like to keep up with things in my shop. And, I am always on the hunt for new equipment. Yes, some of the stuff is geared towards larger factories, etc but you still get to see all the smaller industrial equipment, same as what I have in my place. And I am always looking.. :)

I am sure my wife wouldnt mind if I let her stay at the hotel while I went to the show... if anyone knows they are going to attend, and are in the same boat I'd maybe we can meet up!

AJC

[JimDav]

I'm a small shop, very small but I've been to everyone but one (Was out of state) since I don't know, sometime in the 80's I guess, back when I had a 'real' job in the computer field : ). I always enjoy seeing what is there and this year I plan to spend a lot of time at the Shopbot display - don't have one yet. Now. total disclosure, I live in the Atlanta area so my cost is essentially just the price of the ticket.

Trivia point - I now have the Delta Unisaw that Delta had at the 1994 show - the one I missed - but Redmon and Sons purchased everthing and I bought it from them after the show. Not 100% sure but I think it was used by Norm Abrams that year when he was there.

Would be great to meet some Shoipbotters as I slobber all over my self wanting one and Andrew I am in total awe of your work. Great stuff and we have similar backgounds I think - math/physics/science.

[Brian Harnett]

Been 10 years since I have gone, it is huge, get an idea what you really want to research or you will be overwhelmed, wear comfortable shoes.

[tmerrill]

Is Shopbot going to have a booth there?
According to the Exhibitor map both ShopBot and Vectric will be there. Always a great time to meet the people who help make our CNC experience fun.

Tim

[harryball]

I'll be there. I find the shows very useful and everytime we go I find something to buy.

/RB

[Ajcoholic]

I'm a small shop, very small but I've been to everyone but one (Was out of state) since I don't know, sometime in the 80's I guess, back when I had a 'real' job in the computer field : ). I always enjoy seeing what is there and this year I plan to spend a lot of time at the Shopbot display - don't have one yet. Now. total disclosure, I live in the Atlanta area so my cost is essentially just the price of the ticket.

Trivia point - I now have the Delta Unisaw that Delta had at the 1994 show - the one I missed - but Redmon and Sons purchased everthing and I bought it from them after the show. Not 100% sure but I think it was used by Norm Abrams that year when he was there.

Would be great to meet some Shoipbotters as I slobber all over my self wanting one and Andrew I am in total awe of your work. Great stuff and we have similar backgounds I think - math/physics/science.

Well, if you want to meet up one of the days of the show, let me know. I am not sure of our exact travel plans yet, but my wife will be making them very soon - she just has to verify the time off work.

I will post when I know what day's Ill be in Atlanta.

It would be great to meet up and talk woodworking... and hang at the Shopbot booth :)

AJC

[bob_s]

Now that we have moved into the city of Atlanta I'm surely going to go, its about a 20 minute walk. It would be great to meet up with whoever was coming into town.
I did get an email from the exhibition company saying that they were going to have more exhibitors and more floor space than 2 years ago.
Bob

[sneakers]

I'll be there as well. Bob I didn't know that you moved to the big city.
I am sure as the date gets closer we can find a place and time to meet.

See you all then
Gary

[gene]

Hey, does this mean that we can all stay at Bobs house? Hope you have a lot of room. just kidding

[bob_s]

Gene
You have no idea how funny that is!
We bought an 1893 craftsman style house in the city and are renovating it ourselves. Meanwhile we are living in a one room carriage house without a real kitchen. Of course with a good sized dog. You are welcome to stay in the house, it has no water, no AC, no real electric, but it has a great view of the carriage house and shop
Bob

[michael_schwartz]

I will have to hold off on IWF, until I built a 6000+ square foot shop.

I have zero room for any more equipment. I still need room to work, so I don't want to tempt myself too much.

[gene]

Hey Bob,
Just look at it like Help is on the way!

[beacon14]

90% sure i will attend as usual (as it's pretty much right down the street) however this is the first year we have to deal with getting two kids off to college - in different parts of the country - at around the same time. So far it looks like the timing will work out.

Barring schedule conflicts (like last time) I may offer to host an open house Friday evening like we did four years ago. I should know better in a month or so if the dates work out.

If you have not attended previously, and you enjoy looking at woodworking tools, equipment and supplies you will not be disappointed. There is something (a lot) for everyone. Several of the big machinery companies are exhibiting again this year after sitting the last one out. It is very comparable to the Vegas show (except for the lack of slot machines and blackjack tables) and completely outguns any of the local woodworking or tool shows.

[Ajcoholic]

Well I'm going for sure, as my wife got her holidays at work scheduled successfully. Looking forward to the show and possibly meeting a few of you guys if it works out/ time permits.

[cabnet636]

Micheal, going to iwf is 0-5% what you buy,,, it is the 90-99% that i learn that makes it worth it !!

every time i take the fellows in the shop the shop improves

[michael_schwartz]

Micheal, going to iwf is 0-5% what you buy,,, it is the 90-99% that i learn that makes it worth it !!

every time i take the fellows in the shop the shop improves

I understand your point. If it were convenient, I would attend in heart beat. At least for the next year, or two I have a number of other priorities.

The only equipment that is available locally falls into the "hobby, or light commercial category" When it comes time to make some industrial equipment purchases I will probably do quite a bit of shopping at IWF. I have had mixed results buying machinery site unseen, and there are a couple of items, I would rather purchase new instead of used.

[Ajcoholic]

Well, we have our trip planned and flights booked so its 100% a go for me!

I have to choose what day i will spend at the show ( the rest of the time i will be spending with my family) so my wife can plan the rest of our trip.

If anyone would like to hang out at the show together shoot me a pm and we can make plans. Right now it doesnt really matter what day. Still a ways off. But the way this year has been going, august will be here quickly!

AJC

[andyb]

I'll be there. Only about a 55 mile trip by car and MARTA (Atlanta transit system). I always see something I wait but can't afford. :(

Jack, unfortunately you can't take a camera in. Last time it was in town a buddy took his camera and was taking pics. Security stopped him and he had a choice of leaving the show or deleting the pics and giving security the camera and pick it up on our way out. That was a new thing they started.

Bob, like Gary I didn't know you moved. My wife's grandfather did the same thing you are doing. He bought an old house from the 1800 by the Zoo and restored it. We drove by there a few years back and the house has since rundown again. It brought tears to my wife's eyes. We all need to have another together and catch-up.

David, count me in for the open house if you have it.

Andy B.

[oddcoach]

I am planning to go and bring some friends with me

[bob_s]

Andy, Gary
Moving to the city:
It has been an interesting change - very different, but thrilling. We just want to be able to live without driving to everything, and one of our daughters is in this general area. The energy of the city is great. Sure, it has it's issues, but I think it fits us well. Just learning how to soundproof a shop was an adventure! We do have a great spot with yard for gardens and huge trees all around us. Not like living in Manhattan, its far greener than that.

I think I'll be around for any of the days that the show is on, just going to be directing a construction crew. Hopefully building cabinets and doing the first of the finish work by late August.
Bob

[beacon14]

You will quickly realize that there is no way to see the entire show in one day. It is barely possible to see it all in the four days the show is open, especially if you want to be able to stop and interact with any of the vendors.

[Ajcoholic]

So I am flying into Altlanta on the 22nd (Wednesday) and leaving on Sunday the 26th.

I would like to plan what full day I will be attending the show, so my wife can plan other stuff for us to do on the other days.

If anyone would like to meet up and see the show together, please let me know here, or via PM or email.

Like I said earlier, it would be fun to walk around and look at the equipment, materials, and talk about woodworking business - if you are so inclined let me know! :)

AJC

[beacon14]

I will only be able to spend Wed and Thursday at the show, maybe part of Friday. Have to leave Friday to take daughter to college.

Maybe we can set a meeting place for lunch on whatever day you will be there? I vote for Thursday.

[harryball]

Lunch somewhere would be good. Just pick a day as I have no idea what I'll be doing that far ahead yet.

/RB

[beacon14]

I read there are 792 exhibitors signed up so far. Assuming you aren't interested in half of them, that leaves 396 vendors to see in one 8.5 hour day. Assuming you don't stop for lunch or bathroom breaks that gives you approximately 1.25 minutes to see each booth. Good luck!

BTW the show is held in several enormous exhibit halls, and you will spend about 1/2 hour just walking between the halls and the various rooms that hold exhibitors, plus it will take you some time to register when you arrive, before you can enter the exhibit area. (Even if you pre-register, you may have to wait in line to pick up your badge.) You will be well advised to look over the exhibitor list beforehand, map out a route that takes you to the ones you want to see with minimal unnecessary walking, and don't stop to chat for too long with anyone.

[pkirby]

Another good idea for planning, is to bring a backpack. You will accumulate more literature than you can hold in your hands :D

[Ajcoholic]

David, I am pretty familiar with the wood shows... as my dad started taking me when I was 10 yrs old (at that time, insurance regs put the minimum age at 12, he snuck me into my first one but I got "busted" as I looked like I was 7 or 8 at that age, and had to leave) and I have been to several over the years. I remember they gave me some baloons, and I sat out in a reception area until my dad and the employee he took as well were finished lookign at what they went to see. Try that today! ;)

I know it is unreasonable to see everything in detail. My strategy is to make time for the companies I already know I am interested in. There is always something I am looking to buy in the future - and these shows are excellent for a guy like me (who lives in the middle of no where) to physically see things and get my only up close and personal inspection before I lay out my cash.

Last summer, that is the primary reason I went to Vegas... to see Shopbot. My Buddy may have been on the cheaper side of Shopbots, but at $21,000 delivered to me, it was something I felt was worth the trip to see in person and discuss the software, etc.

I know there are materials, hardware, etc that are out on the market that I am not familiar with, and that I would like to incorporate into my bsuiness. I make note of interesting things I see during the year in the trade mags, and then go see them in person.

I consider benign able to spend one full day at the show a blessing!:D

I have an Eddie Bauer over the shoulder book bag I have had for years - it is excellent for carrying a lot of stuff (pamplets, catalogues, water, etc) without fatigue.

AJC

[beacon14]

Sounds like you know what to expect. The biggest downside to that strategy is that you only see what you already knew about. If I have enough time, I try to methodically go up and down every isle to at least take a glance at every booth. There have been dozens of things I've stumbled upon that I now use every day, or that I got a good deal on over the years. But I understand if you only have one day to spend, you will have to prioritize your time.

It seems there has been a change of plans regarding taking Daughter to college, she is moving in early so hopefully I will be able to attend all four days. I will see about hosting an open house/ open shop Friday evening once I confirm that I can be in town all week but it looks much better now than it did.

[Ajcoholic]

Sounds like you know what to expect. The biggest downside to that strategy is that you only see what you already knew about. If I have enough time, I try to methodically go up and down every isle to at least take a glance at every booth. There have been dozens of things I've stumbled upon that I now use every day, or that I got a good deal on over the years. But I understand if you only have one day to spend, you will have to prioritize your time.

It seems there has been a change of plans regarding taking Daughter to college, she is moving in early so hopefully I will be able to attend all four days. I will see about hosting an open house/ open shop Friday evening once I confirm that I can be in town all week but it looks much better now than it did.

Id love to attend some sort of Shopbot open house if possible - and I am sure my wife would completely understand. Please let me know if anything is going to happen! Being completely on my own other than this forum when it comes to anything to do with CNC Id love to see/talk/listen to other guys for sure!

It would be a real pleasure meeting some of you guys in person.

AJC

[bleeth]

Arriving midday Thursday and will be at show Fri and Sat.
I think the other half wants to see the aquarium or something Thursday together so she can go shopping Friday.
We're flying in and using Marta for all transportation further than walking distance. We can always meet up somewhere on site Friday and then all converge on Ted at once!! (But keep it a secret!:rolleyes:)

[Ajcoholic]

So, as the week of the event closes... is anyone still thinking of meeting Friday? We are going to be in Atlanta around noon Wednesday. I think spending Thursday with my family will be a good idea, and Friday all day at the show.

I don't mind going alone, as there are some specific things I want to look at (future purchases) and the rest I will just cruise around.

But, as I said in the start of this thread, if anyone would like to hang out, even for part of the day, pm me.

AJC

[donek]

I will be there demoing the drag knife in the shopbot booth.

[Ajcoholic]

Well I just bought a drag knife from Sean :). Good salesman !