Midwest scrollsaw and woodworking trade show

[Bconn]

I have never been to the Midwest scroll saw and woodworking trade show in Dubuque, Iowa and it's looking like it will be going in August this year. My question has anybody attended it and what their reaction to it was? I see it is 2 days, is it worth attending both days? I'm interested in seeing different brands of scroll saws and being able to try them out. I think it would be helpful to talk to different people about their work so I can improve my skills.

[New Guy]

I attended  a couple of years ago. One day is plenty.

[OCtoolguy]

I sure wish the good old Woodworking Show would return to So Cal. The cost of putting them on and drove the ticket prices up to the point where folks stopped going. Sad!

 

[kmmcrafts]

I've never been to that show.. nor any other of the really well known shows.. We have a local "wood expo" show and they do all sorts or demonstrations and have tool vendors there.. big deals on lumber, tools etc etc.. It's a 3-4 day even always in Sept. I always go to this event as that is when I buy my lumber and BB plywood for the year because of the big discount.

IF you wanted to see all the demonstrations etc. at the wood expo I go to you'd want to be there everyday as they don't do "all" events every day and some might get overlapped with other demonstrations etc.. 

The problem with tool vendors is that they "all" don't always go.. so you may or may not miss out on trying some of the saws.. really just depends on who shows up.. at least to the show I go to. 

[OCtoolguy]

2 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

I've never been to that show.. nor any other of the really well known shows.. We have a local "wood expo" show and they do all sorts or demonstrations and have tool vendors there.. big deals on lumber, tools etc etc.. It's a 3-4 day even always in Sept. I always go to this event as that is when I buy my lumber and BB plywood for the year because of the big discount.

IF you wanted to see all the demonstrations etc. at the wood expo I go to you'd want to be there everyday as they don't do "all" events every day and some might get overlapped with other demonstrations etc.. 

The problem with tool vendors is that they "all" don't always go.. so you may or may not miss out on trying some of the saws.. really just depends on who shows up.. at least to the show I go to. 

Exactly! The last show I went to I was truly disappointed. There was only one vendor there with a real selection of the little stuff that woodworkers all need. The days of all the big tool suppliers were gone. And I understand why. California has made it almost impossible for the vendors to come in and set up and sell anything. The cost is just huge. Lodging is over the top. And just the cost to enter the show got to be prohibitive.

[dgman]

Ray @octoolguy, I get so tired of you ragging on this great state, I’m getting to the point that I don’t want to read anything you post anymore! Can’t you just keep it out of the Village?

[OCtoolguy]

21 hours ago, dgman said:

Ray @octoolguy, I get so tired of you ragging on this great state, I’m getting to the point that I don’t want to read anything you post anymore! Can’t you just keep it out of the Village?

Dan, I love California. I just happen to disagree with you on what I mentioned. I'm trying to stay away from politics as much as possible. Kevin brought it up and I just agreed with him. I do still own the right to an opinion. Even in California.

 

 

Edited March 7, 2021 by octoolguy

[dgman]

4 minutes ago, octoolguy said:

Dan, I love California. I just happen to disagree with you on what I mentioned. I'm trying to stay away from politics as much as possible. Kevin brought it up and I just agreed with him. I do still own the right to an opinion. Even in Californai.

 

You have every right to your political opinion, but does it have to be here? I’m just going to stop reading your post!

[jerry1939]

A few years ago I attended the Tradeshow in Dubuque, Iowa.  Was underwhelmed by it.  Was to meet Dave Monk there, but he didn't care for it & left early.

[Badgerboy]

13 hours ago, octoolguy said:

Dan, I love California. I just happen to disagree with you on what I mentioned. I'm trying to stay away from politics as much as possible. Kevin brought it up and I just agreed with him. I do still own the right to an opinion. Even in Californai.

 

AMEN!

[munzieb]

Hey Todd, Iowa is a long way to go for a show with mixed reviews. I have attended Klingspor's show in Hickory a few times and it is great!... and closer. Check out my posting from a few years ago. Lots of pictures. Covid cancelled last year's show but I expect it will happen this year.  Klingspor's Wood Expo Hickory NC.

[Jim Blume]

Was a great show when I went a few years ago. Met some of the folks I had only previously know on social media and we all had an awesome time together. And yes, travel, lodging, etc, can get expensive, but what isn't these days. As we find that we can no longer attend due to costs, the shows begin to die off as they have all over the country. Sad times we all live in.

[Rolf]

The woodworking shows have been declining every where. For many reasons. Cost to a vendor is the primary one.  They have to pay for the space, travel, lodging, food etc. and their staff.  They have to sell a lot to cover that.  The exposure for them is great but what will the "frugal" wood worker do?  Look , try  then decide they will order it on line so that they don't have to schlep the stuff around all day.  I always go with a crap load of cash and a credit card because I need that instant gratification.  The show up in Saratoga NY was a great one but the last couple of times the Vendors had really dropped off. Their display of projects from the clubs is always worth the visit.

Our own club puts on an annual show but we have pretty much stopped getting in vendors except for a few local tool and wood suppliers. Again it is too expensive to come to Long Island NY for a two day show.

The only time I have seen all of the available scroll saw vendors at a show, was at the three Fox Chapel Open houses they had. Hawk, Excalibur, Seyco and Hegner were all represented. Dewalt was also represented at a booth from a local scrolling club. I think Ray at Seyco sold everything he brought, part of that was because the price was right. Selling a Hawk or a Hegner  $1200 to $1400 saw is tough. Not many hobbyists have that resource.  

It was great to be able to try out each saw and see what features where absolutely necessary. Pegas did not exist yet.

The best part was getting to meet so many folks that I have been chatting with in the forums. I was also honored to do presentations at all three shows.

 

 

Edited March 7, 2021 by Rolf

[Bconn]

Thanks for all the posts. I really think driving 5-6 hours one way and then spend probably $150-250 for gas food lodging is not cost effective  for me. I would rather use that money to buy wood. I use Northwest lumber here in Indianapolis and they have treated me well. They have a great selection of domestic, exotic, and BB baltic birch plywood. I guess its the day of everything is online. Sadly the day of the small local business is just disappearing. Even scrollsawing clubs here have disappeared. 

Edited March 7, 2021 by Bconn
left out word

[kmmcrafts]

I'm pretty sure the internet might have played a role in the show decline as well.. I mean it's free advertising for companies to do short clips on youtube doing demonstrations and things of that nature.. IF you're big well known content creator companies seek you out and offer you free tools if you'll do a honest review of the said tool.. many times they give special offers on tool purchases IF you do a video review of their products.. The down side is there is no option for a hands on set at this saw or that saw for a in person comparison.. But for the companies.. this is also a insurance liability to have people trying out saws etc that you really have no idea how educated they are on safety etc too.. 

There is many videos on youtube to watch and see for free.. while the content creator also can make money ( from ads within the video ) rather than paying for those travel expenses. Internet has changed so many things in the last 30 years.. You can watch all these things at your will... whether that be laying in bed at night or during break at work etc.. so it's a good thing / bad thing... depending on how you want to look at it..

[Woodmaster1]

I attend the wood expo at Johnson’s Workbench that Kevin does. We probably passed each other never meeting. I go both days attend several presentations and check all the tool vendors and wood deals. I always spend too much money but it’s a good time. I never tell my wife what I spend and she doesn’t notice a new tool setting around.

[Fish]

My wife and I went to it a couple years ago.  Long drive and a waste of time and gas.  There was hardly anything there.  We did get to meet Steve Good, but we won’t go back.  

[teachnlearn]

When I was in business in the Chicago area 2018, I was invited to be a vendor at a large trade show. They wanted $4,000 plus proof of a million dollars insurance. Decided to get a ticket and go around and talk to the other vendors to see what they thought. Large attendance, little sales of anything and most didn't come close to making the fee back or covering the other added expenses, table rental, electric, phone access charge for credit card charging, parking fees for vendors, plus area hotel. Required to setup day before and break down in 2 hours after show with a late fee per hour for security. Some vendors had thief over night even though ''security ' was on the floor all night. The convention center made a killing. The vendors got to talk to a lot of people and get their name out, but it cost them dearly.

Most people looked around and looked for demonstrations and samples, then went home and ordered from the internet, or contacted the vendor after on the internet. I 'THINK' these shows are dying like malls. Too convenient to get information and shopping online.

With COVID having ready made meal shipped and grocers shipped or delivered is a booming business. Thats odd too me. I thought picking up groceries was easy.

Vendors for these 'shows' setup full booths with large screen tvs, lighting, music, carpeting, complete structures for self supporting walls, more structures for hanging projections screens for animation. RJF

Edited March 8, 2021 by teachnlearn
added thought

[NC Scroller]

On 3/7/2021 at 10:59 AM, munzieb said:

Hey Todd, Iowa is a long way to go for a show with mixed reviews. I have attended Klingspor's show in Hickory a few times and it is great!... and closer. Check out my posting from a few years ago. Lots of pictures. Covid cancelled last year's show but I expect it will happen this year.  Klingspor's Wood Expo Hickory NC.

I normally demo there in the NCWW booth.  Maybe we will get a chance to meet.

[Bpardue]

On 3/7/2021 at 10:59 AM, munzieb said:

Hey Todd, Iowa is a long way to go for a show with mixed reviews. I have attended Klingspor's show in Hickory a few times and it is great!... and closer. Check out my posting from a few years ago. Lots of pictures. Covid cancelled last year's show but I expect it will happen this year.  Klingspor's Wood Expo Hickory NC.

I normally demo at the Klingspor Wood Expo as well but with the Carolina Scrollers. We received a club update the other night on the show this year. Klingspor will be doing something this fall but they are not sure what. It will either be at the Hickory Convention center as in years past or it could be at the Hickory NC Store & plant location or they could do something at each of their store locations. They will make a decision in early June from what we were told. Everything will depend on Covid restrictions. I don't think their virtual show went over very well last year.

When I get more updates on what they are doing I'll let you know.  

[munzieb]

13 hours ago, NC Scroller said:

I normally demo there in the NCWW booth.  Maybe we will get a chance to meet.

I look forward to seeing you.

[Woodmaster1]

Besides the wood expo I go to the local woodworking store has an artisan fair that gives demonstrations and craft fair no charge for booth space. I usually give a presentation on the router or cabinet making techniques. They also give presentations on using the scrollsaw and lathe turning technique.