To paraphrase Sheriff Brody, the Roy Scheider character from the movie Jaws, "I think we’re going to need a bigger seminar room." For the second week in a row we had over 200 people attending the seminar.

I wasn’t able to be there. (Sorry, family matters.) But I’ve been told that Phil did a great job — again. It seems that we’ve picked a few topics that are of genuine interest to a lot of people. It makes sense. Sometimes, basic is better.

What’s amazing to me, is that so many people are showing up for a one-hour class on woodworking! What we have here is a phenomenon that’s unlike just about anything that’s going on anywhere in the country. I can’t imagine that there is another woodworking store around that can handle that kind of a crowd, let alone keep them coming back week after week.

I’m glad you all like the seminars, but we’re starting to get a big head!

We’ve all asked ourselves the same question — "Do I buy the discounted router bit set or should I just buy them one at a time as I need them?" Just about every router bit manufacturer offers 10, 24, and even 66-bit assortments! There’s usually nothing wrong with these router bit sets. But I wonder (inspite of the great cost) if they’re really worth it?

The problem is, most of us don’t use a majority of the bits in a set often enough to make them worthwhile. Chances are, two or three of the bits get used all the time. And the rest just sit in the box.

Of course, I’ve also wondered at times whether buying bits for specific jobs is the right approach either? One of the first router bits I purchased was a used, matched rail and stile set that cost me almost $100. It had two stacked cutters and probably cost way over $200 when new. But, knowing what I know now, I should have saved my money. I only used them for one job, and I’ve never used them once since. At the time though, I really thought I needed them.

So, what’s the best way to buy router bits. Well, that’s open to debate. But if you can, try to attend this Thursday’s seminar. Phil Huber is going to give you some great pointers to help you choose the 10 router bits you HAVE to have — and a little bit about how to use them.

Then, you can take advantage of the special 10% discount being offered on all router bits at the Woodsmith Store from 5pm-8pm Thursday (1/26) only.

There’s one thing we never expected when we started hosting the seminars at the Woodsmith Store — having to turn people away. But, last night it almost came to that. It was SRO, as over 200 people attended Jim Downey’s popular home shop seminar.

We sold 113 single session tickets.

Over 100 season tickets have been sold. In fact, we ran out of season tickets last night. That didn’t stop several people from giving us their money anyway. Those who didn’t get the laminated season ticket (along with all the $5 Sawbuck coupons) will be able to pick them up later this afternoon (Friday, 1/20) at the store.

Now, I know Jim’s seminar was the main attraction. He’s come up with some great ideas that will have to be featured in Workbench magazine someday. But this was the fifth time he’s presented this seminar! So how to explain the fantastic turn out? Well, I think it’s a combination of things.

First of all, the Woodsmith Store has truly become a destination store. They have tour buses from all over the Midwest stopping throughout the summer. Dave Larsen, Brian Simmons, Dave Fremming, Mark, Dan, John, Terry, Jim, and all the great people who help run the store, answer questions, and help us with our woodworking problems have really created a welcoming atmosphere for woodworking  enthusiasts.

Secondly, the good weather helps — at least when it comes to getting out on a weeknight. Folks are driving from as far away as Pocahontas, Waterloo/Cedar Falls and Brooklyn (Iowa, not New York!) to attend the seminars and so we must be doing something right.

Finally, I just think that you’re starting to buy into this great hobby. Our Saturday seminars were sold out last fall. (We even had a waiting list.) We averaged 120-130 people for the Thursday seminars and there were always a lot of new faces each week. Dave Larsen tells me they had a great day yesterday, with sales way ahead of the same day last year. You’ve bought a table saw. Picked up a router at a garage sale. Inherited your granddad’s hand tools. Want to build new kitchen cabinets. For whatever reason, you’re working with wood. And that’s a good thing.

See you next week. -Joel
 

It’s hard to believe we’ve passed the midway point of January already. The nice weather (so far) this winter has made it difficult to spend time in the shop. I keep thinking I should get outside on the weekends — play some golf — or heaven forbid, do some yard work. I have managed to get a lot done in my shop though. I hope each of you did as well.

If the topic of this Thursday’s seminar seems familiar, it should. This will be the third time Jim Downing has given his seminar on "…Setting Up a Great Home Shop." Actually, it’s the fourth time. His first seminar came during an early season blizzard in February 2004. Twelve inches of snow and high winds failed to deter over sixty hardy woodworkers from attending and so we asked Jim back for an encore presentation that April.

His take for setting up shop deals mostly with the problems you’ll encounter with space. Some of his suggestions — like mobile bases — are familiar to everyone. But you’ll also learn a lot during this seminar about "clear zones" and how to gain the most efficient use of your limited space by "overlapping" work areas.

Jim also provides several "Top Ten" lists that will make setting up a home shop a breeze. 

Have you always wanted to try out a jig or a tool before you buy it? On three Saturdays this winter you’ll have the opportunity to do just that under the guidance of an expert from the Woodsmith Store or August Home Publishing Company.

Just visit the store between 10am and 2pm and we’ll have everything set up. There’s no preregistration required. It’s free! 

On February 11th, the first "Now YOU Try It" seminar offers everyone a chance to cut your own box joint using the Woodsmith Box Joint Jig. Cutting this beautiful and strong joint is easy once you’ve learned the basics to using one. Then, you’ll find out how easy it is to securely join two pieces of wood with the Kreg Pocket Hole Jig or use a Biscuit (or Plate) Joiner. All three jigs will be set up at stations inside the store.

Then on March 4th, you can bring in two dull or nicked tools (chisels, plane irons, or cabinet scrapers only) and we’ll help YOU learn how to sharpen them to a "razor edge." You’ll get the basics for sharpening on several different systems and then you can choose the one you’re most interested in learning more about. Try each station, or pick just one. You’ll be doing the sharpening, so this is your chance to find out which method best suits your needs.

Finally, March 25th is "Do-It-Yourself Dovetail Day. If you’ve always wondered how those fancy router dovetail jigs work, now is your best chance to find out. You’ll get the opportunity to try three different jigs to cut beautiful, strong dovetail joints. One jig, the Rockler Dovetail jig works great for half-blind dovetails. The Keller Jig is great for cutting through dovetails. And the Leigh Dovetail Jig can be used to cut both styles easily.

Presenter: Phil Huber, Associate Editor — Woodsmith & ShopNotes Magazines

Presenter: Jim Downing, Senior Design Editor — Workbench Magazine