Harrogate Show

[Blackswanwood]

I was supposed to be going tomorrow but plans changed and I made the trip today.

There is no shortage of people interested in woodworking judging by the car park queue. It felt busier than last year but easier to get round. There seemed to be more stalls selling wood (blanks and boards) and more demonstrations than I recall from previous years.

Axminster were making a big thing of their new relationship with Laguna. Interesting to see that the space taken by Laguna on the Charnwood stand previously was occupied by Harvey Machines.

I bought a couple of Rounders from the Old Tool store which are Ashley Isles seconds All that is wrong with them is a ding in the handle which I’ve just fixed with a bit of glue and sawdust so I got a bargain.

Apart from that I managed to avoid temptation but it was an enjoyable couple of hours. If anyone is undecided about whether to go I’d say it’s worthwhile.

 

[sploo]

Not going to make it this year (despite being fairly local), but I do like the idea of more demonstrators and fewer stands selling. Mostly I've just found it to be a sales event over the years.

 

[Spectric]

Still contemplating going on Sunday, @Blackswanwood was the stall there selling Bessy clamps as I want a feel. Also want to take a look at the worlds most expensive biscuit joiner and get some idea on the Tenso connectors, some say they are great but others like @petermillard don't seem as keen so again want some hands on.

 

[Blackswanwood]

Still contemplating going on Sunday, @Blackswanwood was the stall there selling Bessy clamps as I want a feel. Also want to take a look at the worlds most expensive biscuit joiner and get some idea on the Tenso connectors, some say they are great but others like @petermillard don't seem as keen so again want some hands on.

Yes - the Bessey stand is there and has a good selection. There is another stand doing Pony Jorgensen clamps which look to be decent quality.

The Lamello stand was busy.

Forgot to mention earlier SawStop have a stand outside. They announce when they are going to demonstrate it in action.

 

[fezman]

I went today. Agree it was very busy, busier than previous years. Usual stop off at fodder for ultimate breakfast sandwich.
Bought a few bits from axminster - they were very helpful, and 10% off
The new Verum and Melbourne tools from @Peter Sefton looked very high quality, the chisels looked very good value.
Bought a small marquetry sample, so planning a go at that.
Got some wood from the excellent Albion timber too.

 

[Lons]

Yeah I was there as usual today and agree with the comments. There were some of the usual dealers missing and the Axi stand seemed a lot smaller but a few new ones so thoroughly enjoyed the visit. The Sawstop demonstration was quite something to see.

 

[jb94]

I went today. Agree it was very busy, busier than previous years. Usual stop off at fodder for ultimate breakfast sandwich.
Bought a few bits from axminster - they were very helpful, and 10% off
The new Verum and Melbourne tools from @Peter Sefton looked very high quality, the chisels looked very good value.
Bought a small marquetry sample, so planning a go at that.
Got some wood from the excellent Albion timber too.

Good tip on the food, I’ll definitely have to pay them a visit tomorrow!

How long would you say you could spend at the show? I’ve yet to book my return train tickets

 

[Jfw2708]

I went yesterday afternoon around 2.30pm and it was much quieter then it apparently had been earlier. Still quite busy but was easy to walk around and easy access to any of the stands. As a soon to be 12 month newbie to this hobby I’ve never been to a show before, wasn’t sure what to expect but as i actually live in Harrogate was a bit of a no brainer tbh.

`What first struck me was that i was easily amongst the youngest 5% of people there - and I’m mid-50s! This is not a young persons game!

I wandered around for about an hour in the end, there around over 100 stands, apart from chatting with my friend Nick at the Wharfedale Workshop stand who is well worth a visit, i bought something from Woodworkers workshop (from the excellent and helpful Alan) and a bandsaw blade. Otherwise i just wandered around & browsed - I’d imagine if you could get at least a couple of hours or more if you want to engage a lot more in all the stands and the demonstrations There’s a lot of wood turning stands & demonstrations and that leaves me cold at the moment so in the words of the song I just walked on by those.

So for me was ok, I benefitted from later in the day as it had quietened down a lot. I could only see Mafel as a major power tool manufacturer there, was surprised no Festool tbh. For £13 its worth the trip for sure, and Fodder is an excellent place to get a sandwich and some excellent local produce (albeit you pay Harrogate prices but its not as comedically expensive as Betty’s!)

 

[fezman]

Good tip on the food, I’ll definitely have to pay them a visit tomorrow!

How long would you say you could spend at the show? I’ve yet to book my return train tickets

I usually arrive 30-40 minutes before it opens, buy my ticket, then walk down to fodder, get back for opening time. Typically a couple of hours in the show, then home.

 

[jb94]

Thanks for replies. Jfw2708 if you’re considered young in your 50s then I’m not sure what they’d make of me being in my 30s if anyone sees a young guy with a beard wondering around lost today say hello!

 

[johnnyb]

I'm visiting Harrogate today and the show tomorrow. Years ago it was nearly all owd chaps but there's a few younger hipsters and ladies! I've always (10+years) avoided the demos! I love the buying part(maybe the looking part to) I do like chatting when I'm in the mood. Especially to the more esoteric stands.
The demos are mainly wood turning. One year I spent 5 mins to Peter sellers spouting and he never mentioned the pink panther. ...

 

[jb94]

I’m interested in the chair making demo, I did track down the chap on Facebook and sent him a message asking what day/time it would be happening but never got a reply. Hope I’ll get lucky and he’ll be there this lunchtime.

Agreed with you on woodturning demos, I’m indifferent to turning and do it if I have to but don’t get much enjoyment out of it

 

[SVB]

Went yesterday (Friday) with a couple of mates. Had a full day (10-4) going round, chatting to stall holders. Quite a bit of shopping between us (green wood carving tools, plane from Peter, clamps, finishes, sharpening kit etc etc. very successful and some great advice / ideas. Well worth the trip and overnight from Gloucester!

 

[jb94]

Overall I was a bit disappointed.
There’s loads of stuff if you like woodturning and most of the demos are woodturning related.

I picked up a couple of second hand gouges from the old tool seller, but I struggled to find what I was after (dowel jig). A lot of the hand tools had no discount which was a shame.

I managed to have a chat to Peter Wood, the chair maker for a few minutes and he gave me some advice about what tools I should use to hollow chairs.

Overall I’d probably not bother going again next year, and once you’ve done one or two laps there’s little else to go back for. I probably spent longer travelling there than in the exhibition hall.

One thing I did like was this floating tenon jig - it turns a regular drill into a domino jointer. The mechanism goes back and forth with the handle and advances the bit slowly on each pass. Shame it was £250 else I’d have got it there and then.

 

[johnnyb]

I find every year its different enough to come away with something. Often something cerebral that's tweaked my creative streak.
Harrogate Town is OK posh and a bit black range rover.(like an upmarket buxton or maybe a downmarket bath.)

 

[Noel]

Overall I was a bit disappointed.
There’s loads of stuff if you like woodturning and most of the demos are woodturning related.

I picked up a couple of second hand gouges from the old tool seller, but I struggled to find what I was after (dowel jig). A lot of the hand tools had no discount which was a shame.

I managed to have a chat to Peter Wood, the chair maker for a few minutes and he gave me some advice about what tools I should use to hollow chairs.

Overall I’d probably not bother going again next year, and once you’ve done one or two laps there’s little else to go back for. I probably spent longer travelling there than in the exhibition hall.

One thing I did like was this floating tenon jig - it turns a regular drill into a domino jointer. The mechanism goes back and forth with the handle and advances the bit slowly on each pass. Shame it was £250 else I’d have got it there and then.

Hi JB. Think you were lucky with the Kreg jig, from the few reviews I’ve seen it’s not worth the money, poor tolerances and very, very loose tenons. Shame as most Kreg products are good.
Stick to plan A, a good dowel jig.

 

[Spectric]

That Kreg jig looks like a copy of the Jessem product, Woodworkers workshop might have had it on their stand.

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/j...49_p70-HpW1RtmD3gNuzDD7_a3udi2rD_mgB_EQeG6b3m

If you want a good dowel jig then the Jessem is a great bit of kit,

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/j...qvnedgglgbZ5NIroaTMhrsugSPVkXL1K8CqLUJ8dlPUaD

 

[jb94]

I find every year its different enough to come away with something. Often something cerebral that's tweaked my creative streak.
Harrogate Town is OK posh and a bit black range rover.(like an upmarket buxton or maybe a downmarket ba

Hi JB. Think you were lucky with the Kreg jig, from the few reviews I’ve seen it’s not worth the money, poor tolerances and very, very loose tenons. Shame as most Kreg products are good.
Stick to plan A, a good dowel jig.

Agreed it was loose in the demo, but it looked like you could adjust it laterally to make it a tighter fit. Still not worth £250 thought

 

[jb94]

That Kreg jig looks like a copy of the Jessem product, Woodworkers workshop might have had it on their stand.

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/j...49_p70-HpW1RtmD3gNuzDD7_a3udi2rD_mgB_EQeG6b3m

If you want a good dowel jig then the Jessem is a great bit of kit,

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/jessem-dowelling-jig-with-6-8-10-and-12mm-heads-package/?srsltid=AfmBOoouN67qvnedgglgbZ5NIroaTMhrsugSPVkXL1K8CqLUJ8dlPUa

Yes this was what I was hoping to see in person and try out. Shame there wasn’t anything like it

 

[Noel]

That Kreg jig looks like a copy of the Jessem product, Woodworkers workshop might have had it on their stand.

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/j...49_p70-HpW1RtmD3gNuzDD7_a3udi2rD_mgB_EQeG6b3m

If you want a good dowel jig then the Jessem is a great bit of kit,

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/j...qvnedgglgbZ5NIroaTMhrsugSPVkXL1K8CqLUJ8dlPUaD

Jessem helped Kreg develop the jig apparently because the Jessem is being phased out.
See woodwisperer on YT