We may receive a commission when you use our affiliate links. However, this does not impact our recommendations.
If we haven’t yet convinced you to abandon your family/job/comfortable retirement and head to Cincinnati on May 16-17, I hope this blog post will help you come to your senses. That weekend is the free Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Event here at our magazine’s editorial office.
But it’s not just going to be me and Thomas Lie-Nielsen cooking weenies and shooting the shinola about bedding angles. The local chapter of the Society of American Period Furniture Makers (SAPFM) has volunteered to give free demonstrations during the two days on a variety of topics. Here is the schedule:
Saturday, May 16
Time Demonstrator Topic
noon Robert Crouse Hollows & Rounds
1 p.m. Dave Heyer Carving Acanthus leaves on a period chair
2 p.m. Charles Murray Bench Planes
3 p.m. Dan Reahard Carving Fluted Quarter Columns
4 p.m. Donna Hill Inlay: Preparing Inlays and Sandshading
5 p.m. Bob Compton
& Jim Crammond Chairmaking: Windsors
Sunday, May 17
Time Demonstrator Topic
10 a.m. Mark Arnold Inlay & banding
noon George Walker Scratch beader
2 p.m. Donna Hill Inlay: Preparing Inlays and Sandshading
4 p.m. George Walker Design: Incorporating Ornament in a Design
And lest you forget, we’ll also have other toolmakers in addition to Lie-Nielsen at the event, both showing off their wares and showing you how to use them (the real heart of these events, I might add).
John Economaki of Bridge City Tools. See the Jointmaker Pro (which we awarded a Best New Tool of 2008 award) in action.
Ron Hock of Hock Tools. Ron is a long-time bladesmith who is extremely knowledgeable about steels and sharpening. Ask him about his forthcoming book on sharpening tools.
Kevin Drake of Glen-Drake Tool Works. Kevin builds my favorite marking gauge of all time (the Tite-Mark), plus other thoughtful tools, including chisel hammers, plane hammers and the thought-provoking double-handled dovetail saw.
Ron Brese of Brese Planes. Ron makes incredible infill handplanes at down-to-earth prices. If you’re in the market for an infill, he’s should definitely be on your short list.
Bob Zajicek of Czeck Edge Hand Tool will be showing off his wares. He makes fantastic marking knives, awls and other tools.
Jameel Abraham of Benchcrafted will be showing his awesome wagon vise, plus I hear he has a new product in the works that is very interesting.
Need ideas for things for your family to do while you are enjoying yourself? Click here.
Again, you don’t have to register. The event is free. Give up your will.
– Christopher Schwarz
Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.
re: upcoming Lie Nielsen Hand Tool Events
Will any of you be attending the Hand Tool Event in Gaithersburg, Md on June 12th – 13th?
regards,
Dave
I am looking forward to the show, I’m coming form Defiance Oh.
Tom,
We’re taking over the entire first floor. And then there’s the parking lot….
Chris
Chris,
As a local regular at your product seminars I’m wondering if you have enough room at your facility/workshop for a HUGE turnout!?
I’ll be there.
Tom
Ah, but the out-of-town guests haven’t sampled the localness that is Hudy D-lite.
Chris
Chris,
I think we live in the same zip code so a beer from my hometown wouldn’t be that impressive.
Anyone who feels guilty about the admission charge should feel free to bring me a beer from their hometown.
Also accepted: small milk-giving mammals, shiny beads, clean blankets.
Chris
I can’t believe that this is so close of a drive for me and still free. I skipped the expensive WIA because it was out of my budget. I’m sure it was more than worth the money. Thanks for inspiring and educating new woodworkers with quality information and history for such a minimal cost…FREE? Are you sure ya don’t want a couple bucks?
Mr. Schwarz:
Will say/show more about the chisel protectors shown in the photo of your tool cabinet?
Thanks.
Phil
Hey, you convinced me. This sounds really great, Chris. I am driving down from Holland, MI that Friday night to spend Saturday night at the event. I travel to MI for business from AZ and this will be a great getaway from the office. I spend two weeks at a time in MI…without any tools. 🙁 So this will be a great opportunity to get my woodworking fix.
Josh
Wow indeed. This is a grassroots thing. All these toolmakers and people from SAPFM volunteered.
Really, it’s going to be a great weekend. You should come Kari. The dog can come, too!
Chris
Wow! Sounds like a mini WIA conference.