Attended IWF for the first time last week. I’ve been to similar types of shows in the past (i.e. int’l builder’s show, nat’l hardware show, etc.).
My impressions:
Mostly large, factory-type machines for heavy industrial applications. I’m told it’s always been that way, so no surprises here.
As for the “smaller” machinery companies like Bosch, Porter-Cable, etc. — I was surprised at the lack of innovation. This was especially true for the table saws. I expected to see lots of saws with riving knives. I’m told another year or two for that. JET now has the motor “inside” the cabinet on all of its saws, including the contractor saws. Steel City has a couple of nice looking saws that look similar to those made by Delta and Orion. Again, not much new except for a table-top that doesn’t rust (and has a weird orange-ish color). Porter Cable has a nifty new handheld belt sander and had a prototype for a new dovetail jig similar to the Leigh. Cool stuff, but again — where’s the amazing innovation? Sawstop is still doing the same song-and-dance with hot dogs.
My $.02.
TF
Replies
The IWF and the other shows like it are not really about unveiling amazing new technology or products. The manufacturers don't wait for the shows. For example nobody waited to show their new Li Ion cordless tool sets. I only saw a few "unveilings", and they were not really all that big of a deal. The IWF is a place for medium to large sized shops to look at machines that they are interested in buying that can only be seen and compaired there. For example if you are in the market for a CNC router, you can't exactly go down to your local supplier and ask to look at a few to compair. However every CNC manufacturer was there and they all had multiple models that you could watch running and put your hands on. When it comes to blowing 5 to 10 grand on a spray booth, edge bander, panel processor, CAD software or other such major purchases these shows are like a shopping mall that has all the things you need in one spot.
If you really want to see the future of the industry and the machines we will be using tomorrow Delta, Powermatic, Jet, Bosch and the like are not where you should look. Look at the small booths in the annex buildings that are away from the big displays. You will find the guy who has a crazy idea about a new product. For example a few years back there was a guy peddling some crazy idea about a flesh contact sensor for machinery. He claimed it could stop a spinning blade before any damage could be done. All he had to show was some half a$$ed gizmos that vaguely looked like it might belong under a table saw and a whole lot of drawings and fliers. I guess you know who I am talking about.
Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
I have not been to IWF. But I easily believe that there was a lack of innovation by the manufacturers. Also, I do not think it has much to do with IWF....I think the point you made was really focused on a lack of innovation within the tool and machinery industry.
I understand where the manufacturers stand. It is challenging to develop innovative products that consume large amounts of investment dollars. And as we know, the margins on tools and machinery is on the weak side. Coupled with a limited market size, HUGE metal inflation costs and a decrease in new construction; there is not much room to do mcuh else but make product and sell it. Creating new products takes investment and without the backing of a big boy (like Black and Decker) there is not going to be much innovation.
The SawStop story is atypical. Not many entrepeneurs can invest in a new piece of machinery.
By and large I am personally satisfied with the amount of innovation within the industry. I would like to see product costs stay flat. But that may be just a dream.
Anyway--- That's my two cents.
Later,
Thank you,
Cheatah
Have to agree with Mike. The IWF is geared for commercial business accounts from cabinet shops to large industry and gives them a chance to compare machine vs machine under one roof instead of a brochure. Pictures and sales speeches don't always represent the true picture.
With that said and not falling into a commercial category by any means, I was able to compare machines for the low-end to high-end hobbyist by seeing them inside-out and going over to the competitors with a fresh visual of what I had just seen. Angles of pictures on brochures can't hide from prying eyes making an on the spot comparison.
Other than a Grizzly 14" BS, I had never seen the Grizzly line except on their web-site. Grizzly doesn't show for the smaller shows geared for the hobbyist normally and I don't feel like driving to Pa. or Mo. to the nearest show-room. The IWF allowed me to see their line up close for future consideration. Same with the new Steel City tools. I know what is inside that cabinet of the machine on the brochure.
Same with Mini Max, Hammer, Rojek, Laguna, etc. in the higher hobbyist range. It would be difficult for a salesman from company X to tell me of a short-coming of company Y if I have been over company Y's machine and know that it was not the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth as witnessed by me who pays the bills.
So.. though not specifically oriented toward the non-professional, the IWF allows us hobbyist to see some lines that we wouldn't at the smaller shows geared more for our needs, IMO.
Is it worth going for a hobbyist? Depends on what your personal intentions and what you expect to achieve, IMO. I paid $25 to get in non-registered. I spent $35 for dinner with my wife at home Saturday night just after my trip to the show. What I saw, heard and touched will be implanted in my mind for the next 2 years to sort out the hype. What I ate no longer exist. So.... for me personally the answer is Yes!
Regards...
SARGE..
I envy you Sarge. It cost me about 1300 bucks and that was on a shoe string budget. However I attended two seminars at the IWF and 2 others that were not technically part of the show, Because of the other seminars I was actually there for a week. I really enjoy the shows. It is not often that a bunch (thousands) of pros can hang out and talk shop open and honestly without worying about saying something to the competition that could come back to haunt you. Some of my favorite moments were going out to eat with complete strangers and being able to share the daily stresses and rewards of owning a cabinet shop knowing that they completly understood. I also liked looking at the delta, PM, and Grizzley booths for my next purchases and not only could I see and open the machines (sometimes watch them run as well) but there where a dozen guys around me that had comments and experience with the machines.
Really though I most like the comaradery of being with so many others out having a rare time away from the shop. For some it is one the the rare times that we get that excitement and wonder obout what we do for a living, like we did when we first began with a meager tools and little knowlage. I use "we" lightly because I am just now starting to look at my work as a "job". But these events recharge my imagination and excitement. Now I just need the customers with the vision and pocket book to let me go wild!Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
I'm glad you enjoyed the show, Mike. I see from your profile that you are a young man with the majority of your years still ahead of you. I hope everything falls into place with your cabinet shop and you can do something you want to do and not something from necessity.
Try to make a connection through antique shops, etc. with the elite, social group of oilman's and business-men's wives in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Money is no object as with them as part of their purpose in life is to see who can out-spend who. ha.. ha...
I graduated with a very attractive girl that was a majorette at the U. of Tenn. She had a friend who went to Miss. St. and she ended up meeting D.D. Lewis (former Cowboy line-backer) and marrying him. They divorced latter and she was chased by the majority of single Texas Oilman. Long story short, she married one and is part of that social group. Trust me, money is not an object from my observation of that particular group.
Good luck again and don't forget that a major part of business is promoting your skills and capabilities. Not really the fun part, but a very necessary part indeed along with keeping the belt tight and being flexible.
Regards...
SARGE..
Thanks for the advise, I like your attitude. You said several things that caught my interest. In no particular order.......
DD is a friend/ aquaintance of mine. I used to hang out with him several times a week when I lived in Dallas. Now I live about 25 miles west of Dallas and havent seen him in years.
I agree that self promotion and salesmanship are paramount to a good buisness. I wish there were more seminars on those topics. Luckily I have a strong background in sales where service before and after the sale were importaint. I actually enjoy sitting down with a new customer and picking their minds of all their need and wants and then together coming up with a solution. It sounds like a BS sales blurb, but I believe that more than cabinets (and remodeling) I sell solutions. As time has passed my favorite parts of the job are using my imagination to design and layout the job and then showing the "after" photos to my next client and friends.
As far as meeting the "right" people I have been fortunate and seem to fall into jobs that lead to new markets. I am still not ready to directly target the top segment, but next year I hope to be ready. I reciently completed a big (for me) project for a club that includes some of the wealthiest families in Ft. Worth. They were very happy with my work and I am expecting more work to develop from it.
My goal is to stay as small as possible. I have one full time employee and hire skilled day labor when needed (rarely). I have a small shop (2000 sqft) and keep it very effecient so my overhead is very low. And all my machines are paid for. I still strugle but it is mostly due to personal hurdles. the business side is sound. If I don't suceed it will be due to my own short comings, the market is strong and I have the skills and resourses to meet the needs of my clients.Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
Evening robert1..
"Quite right, but for how long will you savor the juicy memory from that evening's interlude? Cold steel is cold steel, but warm flesh is a different matter"... robert
At my age (59), I have discovered there is a certain point that you "turn out the lights, the parties over"...
The good news is.. I'm still young enough to "come back tomorrow night and do the same ole things again"... ha.. ha... ha..ha..ha..
Regards...
SARGE..
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