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The April Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Event in Chicago is starting to become a bit of a tradition. It’s a great little show with some good exhibitors: Jameel Abraham from Benchcrafted, Ron Brese of Brese Planes, and John Economaki from Bridge City Tools.

Plus, I’ll be there, as will Thomas Lie-Nielsen himself.

The April 9-10 show is free and is located at Jeff Miller’s Handcrafted Furniture at 1774 W. Lunt Ave. in Chicago. You can get more details about times and parking at the Lie-Nielsen web site.

This show is always a treat for me. I’ll take any excuse to visit Chicago (I went to college there and miss it) and eat at the Hopleaf or maybe (this time) the Publican.

This show I’ll be doing some sawing demos, including joinery and different ways to rip , French style, overhand style, the painful English style. I’ve become very fond of the French method. You get to sit down and there’s even a place to put your croissant. I’ll also be trying to get attendees to try it French-style. Once you go French….

I’ll also be demoing bench planes, joinery planes and anything else people ask me about. Oh, and we’ll have some books, DVDs and magazines to sell.

Stop by and say hello if you can.

– Christopher Schwarz


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Showing 6 comments
  • Christopher Schwarz

    I’m there all day Friday and Saturday. Show up, speak up and you’ll be surprised at what happens.

  • Fabulous and thanks for the heads up. Can you be any more specific about when you’ll be doing this or is it a show up and see what’s cooking affair?

  • Mike Tipp

    Be warned – parking in that area isn’t the best and metered parking in Chicago is outrageous. Since the location is within walking distance of my home I will try to stop by Saturday.

  • Eric R

    Great time last year.
    Coming back for more this year.
    (Gotta get an advance on my allowance…."O Honey…" )

  • Thomas J. Hamernik

    Gotta try Publican! I’ll meet you there and share some pork and beer!

  • Mark Rine

    Custom instructor angle-view handplanes?!?! I love it.

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