Replies

1. 
   rreeger | Oct 21, 2003 07:18pm | #1

   Justus,

   I saw the ad as well.  Likewise, the endorsement of Sam Maloof was what caught my eye.  I too would be interested in hearing from others concerning this.

   RR

1. 
   YesMaam27577 | Oct 21, 2003 09:04pm | #2

   Perhaps I can answer, at least concerning the "endorsement" of Sam Maloof. Just a week ago, I was in Atlanta at a weekend seminar at Highland Hardware. Sam Maloof was the teacher/speaker.

   Yes, Sam uses some Woodline router bits. He also uses some from some other companies.

   In some of Sam's chairs, the back legs are joined to the seat at a slight angle. And to make those beautiful leg-to-seat joints on those chairs, Sam previously had to have router bits made specially. He'd have a matched pair made -- one with a few degrees positive angle, and one with the same number of degrees negative angle.

   He said that those special-made bits were costing him about $140, until Woodline asked if they could use his router bit design, and mass-produce those same bits. His answer was yes, and he now has a ready source for routing an angled rabbet -- and so do we.

   And part of the deal between Sam and Woodline (as I understand it anyway), was the use of his endorsement in magazing ads.

   By the way -- if you are ever presented with an opportunity to "sit at the feet" of a true master, take it. Dam the cost, just do it. It's been over a week, and my mind is still buzzing with what I learned, with designs, and thoughts on how to improve my skills.

   Vast projects should not be founded on half vast ideas.

1. 
   rreeger | Oct 21, 2003 11:04pm | #3

   Thanks for the reply and the info!

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Oct 22, 2003 02:39am | #5

   YesMa'am

      Any problems while in Atlanta? Glad you enjoyed Maloof. I have seen him 3 times and would do it again, circumstances permitting.

      Wish I had remembered the seminar, I was there on Saturday of that week.

   Regards...

   sarge..jt

1. 
   YesMaam27577 | Oct 22, 2003 03:22pm | #6

   Sarge -- no, I didn't have any problems at all while in Atlanta.

   As you had told me a number of weeks ago, the Virginia-Highlands area is very upbeat, very active, and seemed to be very safe. I stayed at the Highland Inn, which is probably about a mile from Highland Hardware. And I walked just about all the time.

   The cafes, restaurants, and nightspots along the way are very wide-ranging, as are the crowds in them.

   And of course, Highland Hardware is one of the great temples of woodworking tools.

   Now if I can just find the time to convert some of my newfound ideas and skills into pieces of furniture, then the "perma-grin" will last even longer.

   Vast projects should not be founded on half vast ideas.

1. 
   Justus | Oct 22, 2003 05:02pm | #7

   Thanks for the responses. I might have to give them a try. I've been paying around $30.00 per bit, and for 66 bits that would be almost $2000.00

   I figure that even if they are not as good as my Bosch and whiteside bits I'll still come out ok. Justus Koshiol

   Running Pug Construction

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Oct 22, 2003 05:46pm | #8

   Y M

      I thought you would feel more comfortable once you actually got there and experienced the area yourself. I find Maloof to be an extremely personable person. He is the type I could just sit around in  a "rocking chair" and talk to without even mentioned WW. The WW is just a bonus.

      Glad you enjoyed the seminar and visit to Atlanta. Visiting Highland to me is similar to some making the journey to the "Holy Land". Anyone can lease a building, put tools inside and sell them. But some of the names that have walked through the door, taught and lectured add a bit of mystique and color that cannot be duplicated by interior designers.

      And then there's the two monster size store cats, Genghis Kahn and Katmandu. If you're they're often, you know who really runs the place. ha..ha..

   Ya'll come back to Atlanta to see us, ya hear!

   sarge..jt

3. 
   YesMaam27577 | Oct 22, 2003 07:01pm | #12

   He is the type I could just sit around in  a "rocking chair" and talk to without even mentioned WW. The WW is just a bonus.

   I agree -- it would be fascinating to listen to the stories, just like it was a week ago.

   And here's an interesting 'Sam' story. He opened the seminar on Saturday morning, by saying that he was sorry that the most recently-completed rocker would not be there for us to see. It was made from Zircote, specially for President Carter. He was hoping that he would be able to deliver the chair in person, in front of our class. But that was not possible, because Jimmy's schedule had him out of the country.

   One of the guys in the class then asked about similarities and differences with the rocker that had gone to President Reagan. "Well, that one was rosewood" he said, acting as if he had a bad taste in his mouth, "instead of zircote, and the zircote is much more beautiful."

   And Ronnie had to pay for his -- Jimmy's was a gift. And the third gift that Sam had made/given to his friends, the Carters. I guess that we all have our politics, and Sam is no exception.

   I also found Sam to have an almost childlike fascination for beautiful things, whether he made them or not. He spent about an hour showing slides. They included his two houses, some of his work, some of his shop. And interspersed with slides of the most awesome wood/art you could ever see, there were pictures of flowers. So, as Sam was narrating, he might say something like "now those are the hand-carved hinges and latches that I made for the door to my house. And isn't that a beautiful flower?".

   Truly one of the greats.

   Vast projects should not be founded on half vast ideas.

3. 
   Napie | Oct 22, 2003 05:49pm | #9

   I got to see Tage Frid there some years ago and could not agree more, the inspiration alone is worth the time and cost!  Do you know if Maloof will be coming back? I'd love to see him also, but maybe the Windsor Chair Institute is next.....

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Oct 22, 2003 06:01pm | #10

   napie

      When did you see Frid there. I saw him back the early 80's, to the best of my memory. Just wondered if we were at the same seminar. Was it in the current two story building or in the dirt basement of the original store across the street?

      BTW, Maloof has been there quite a few times. I would say he will be there again within the next two years, maybe sooner. I'm on vacation this week and may go there today after I intall the new rear door. I will ask, but I doubt thay have scheduled anything that far in advance since he was just there.

   Regards...

   sarge..jt

2. 
   YesMaam27577 | Oct 22, 2003 06:29pm | #11

   To the best of my knowledge, there is no specifically-scheduled event in Atlanta, for which Sam will return.

   However, he has relatives in the Atlanta area, so when he goes there, it's not just a run-of-the-mill business trip. He gets to visit with kinfolk, make some money from the seminar, and deduct the entire cost of the trip.

   So, I'm guessing that he'll return, so long as his health alows. And although he's almost 88 now, he appears healthier and more active than me (at 47).

   Vast projects should not be founded on half vast ideas.

2. 
   jazzdogg | Oct 21, 2003 11:16pm | #4

   Justus,

   I have a set and they're great for the kind of work I do. I don't have any idea how they'd stand up to the kind of high-volume use a production shop would expose them to, however. Woodline is a corporate benefactor for the woodworking college I attend (Sam Maloof is also a big supporter) - I learned about them from some of the instructors I hold in very high esteem.

   The folks I dealt with when I ordered my set were very nice, and the bits arrived unbelievably quickly.

   I normally eschew purchases of things in sets, preferring to buy only the items I need, as I need them, but this set of router bits was "a no-brainer" and I haven't been disappointed.

   Good luck,
   Paul

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.