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Just returned from the Woodworking Show in Atlanta and there is no way it can last nationally for more than a couple more years. It was about 1/4 smaller than last year. Woodcraft was absent as was Rockler and Highland Hardware. Big name floor machinery was gone. A full 1/3 of the show was occupied by Peachtree Woodworking. The only table saw on the floor was Saw Stop of course. Even HD and Ridgid was not there. Vendors like Incra and Bosch were for all pratical purposes there in name only as was DeWalt. Catalogues and handouts were non existent. Rented venues for the show have been reduced to somewhat shabby buildings.

Speaking of Peachtree Woodworking, they are now selling SS ZCI's for the
505/510/520 series of tables. Quality is good if you don't want to make it yourself. Price is same as SS give or take a few cents. You would probably be better off waiting for a SS sale unless SS is out of them.

All in all, unless you want a Carter, Kreg or a handfull of shop supplies and gadgets, you can have a bunch more fun at your local Woodcraft or Rockler store which usually better prices to compete with the Woodworking Show

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The Woodcraft in Albuquerque closed and Woodworkers Supply seems to be a shadow of what it used to be. Last time I was there, the shelves were kinda bare.
A sign ot the times, I guess!

Brent

Rockler here (Beaverton) is just the opposite, they are expanding. Every time I go the place is packed and they have to hold demo's in adjacent empty storefronts. They have moved their extra instore stock to a separate location to expand the retail space.

According to some people I spoke to they are looking for a larger location.

To clarify
We have a Woodcraft here, always seems busy when I've been in and hold alot of classes and have lots of power tools on the floor.
Rockler has the same kind of stores?
Lee Valley as well?

Are those the big three?

mrhart wrote:To clarify
We have a Woodcraft here, always seems busy when I've been in and hold alot of classes and have lots of power tools on the floor.
Rockler has the same kind of stores?
Lee Valley as well?

Are those the big three?

There are some regional ones (Lee Valley) but I think the only two national ones are Rockler and Woodcraft. Rockler is getting more and more into unique tools and accessories available only through them. Woodcraft here also offers lots of classes and a large selection of Power Tools that they can demo.

paulmcohen wrote:Rockler here (Beaverton) is just the opposite, they are expanding. Every time I go the place is packed and they have to hold demo's in adjacent empty storefronts. They have moved their extra instore stock to a separate location to expand the retail space.

According to some people I spoke to they are looking for a larger location.

Woodcraft in seattle also recently expanded into the space next to them. they now have a really big teaching space and lost of room. Generally pretty busy

Doing my part on introducing the younger generation to wood working by making and giving wooden toys. Such toys are so rare that kids don't know what to do with them. Most will put them on a shelf as a treasure and that makes me feel good. Yesterday, while making wooden cars for missionaries, my 5 year old grandson took advantage of boring the holes for the dowels for wheels. After doing a couple of holes by advancing the quill and then backing up to emply the bit flutes, he did it like a machine. We set up 4 cars and he broke only one little piece of wood off by pushing on the quill too hard. Overall, he performed excellently. And, he wants to do it again. Also, this is the first time around the machine he didn't want to use his Mickey Mouse ears. The noise didn't bother him.

I attended the show in KC in January. I know the show is smaller than before, but the parking lot was as full as usual and the crowds were still big. As far as Rockler, Woodcraft, and HD being there, I don't remember them ever attending in KC. There was a rival to Peachtree that used to attend, but it went under. While talking to some of the vendors, they seemed enthusiastic about the sales they were getting. I did notice a drop in the local vendors, but there was at least 3 tablesaw brands represented. I did not pay much attention to table saws as I am not in the market for any large machines. I did see Saw Stop, Steel city and another brand that I don't remember.

I think they will be alive and well.
Bill

When the show was at Fredricksburg, VA the first of the month one of the vendors (who also drives for the show) advised that they are going down to only the "Big Ten" show locations next year. This will make the closest to me Baltimore MD. Oh well... Times they are a changing.