2018 IWF Show in Atlanta

[Cincinnati]

I am considering going to the IWF in Atlanta in August to see the Minimax Band saw that I’m considering purchasing.  I thought there would be the added advantage of attending some skill building workshops. From what I can tell, this show is focused on the professional businesses with several employees rather than the serious hobbyist or 1 man shop. 

I can’t seem to find several top manufacturers on the trade show list. Could someone who has attended this show share with me the benefits and what to expect?

 

[RDMuller]

If you are a serious hobbiest, you will find this show very well worth your time and expense.  Yes there are lots of exhibits that apply to factories that soak up alot of floor space, but there are many for smaller firms. The exhibitors have excellent technical staffs present. Allow at least 2 days on the floor to do a good job of getting into the booths and really seeking out information without killing yourself from exhaustion

The optional seminars are not oriented to hobbiest and 1 man shops.  In going 8 times over the last 25 years I only went to 1.  Not for me

Atlanta has excellent train service. You do do not have to stay downtown. Just stay close to a Marta station

What firms were you looking for that are not exhibiting?

 

[Cincinnati]

Unless I missed it, the IWF site does not provide an alphabetical list of exhibitors. I went thru the customize a plan for the show based on several categories I checked. One was corded and battery powered tools. 

Festool is missing from the list. I was hoping that States Industries - mfgrs of Apple-ply would be there.

Laguna tools, Carter products, and Hammer interest me as well.

 

[peter halle]

Unless I missed it, the IWF site does not provide an alphabetical list of exhibitors. I went thru the customize a plan for the show based on several categories I checked. One was corded and battery powered tools. 

Festool is missing from the list. I was hoping that States Industries - mfgrs of Apple-ply would be there.

Laguna tools, Carter products, and Hammer interest me as well.

I looked at the IWF site and found an alphabetical listing.  Festool is on the list.  Their space is rear right corner.

Peter

 

[James Biddle]

I'll be there again this year.  Last time I was there I bought a Minimax shaper.  They didn't have one on display there and my guess is you won't see many MM bandsaws as most of the area has been filled with SCM, MiniMax's parent company, products.  I saved around 10% by ordering at the show...about the same amount I spent going to the show.  I believe Sam Blasco from Minimax will be there this year and he's the one to talk to about the bandsaws.

It's worth my time in attending because of all the the tool and hardware ideas I get.  I spend one day in each of the two halls and allow a half day to revisit anything I want a second look at.  This year a pocket hole machine and hinge cup machine are on the shopping list.

 

[gunnyr]

I will be at the IWF for the first time this year.  I am a one man show and am going on the recommendation of the long time owner of another one man shop.

Here is a link to Festool's Booth Location at IWF. 

Here a link to the Alphabetical listing of exhibitors.

As I count them there are 72 seminars and symposiums.  Based purely off the title I find 33 of them might be of interest to me as a one man show.  To be sure, if I were to read the descriptions of each of them I would find several that might not be aimed at the small business.  I like to keep in mind that the 'big boy's' didn't start out that way.  If I think small then I am likely to remain small, both in activity, income, and skill.

BMG1 - Become Invincible to Lawsuits, Save Thousands in Taxes, and Successfully Pass Assets to Heirs
BMG10 - Effective Estimating that Leads to Bullet Proof Proposals
BMG11 - How to Reduce Problems and Maximize Profits Using Two-Component Polyurethane and Waterborne Finishes
BMG12 - Sustainable Innovation Is Built On Trust
BMG13 - How To Be Visionary: Create BOLD Results In Uncertainty
BMG17 - Anticipating and Overcoming Predictable Barriers to Growth
BMG18 - Are you Running Your Business or is it Running You?
BMG20 - Survive and Thrive – Assuring the Long-Term Success of Your Company
BMG21 - How to Create New Forms of Value, at Every Level, to Create a Culture of Innovation that Will Improve Profits and Differentiate Your Brand 
BMG25 - Working with Architects and Designers
BMG26 - Building a Valuable Business: Panel Discussion
BMG27 - The Art of Pricing Profitably
BMG30 - Buying that Big Machine
BMG4 - Apprenticeships Explained
FIN - Finishing Symposium
FLO - Wood Flooring Symposium
LEN - Quantum Lean - "Easier, Better, Faster, Cheaper"
MFG10 - Benefits of a Portable Spray Finishing System in a Small to Medium Sized Production Shop Setting
MFG13 - Combustible Dust…an Explosive Issue
MFG14 - Robots in the Small to Medium-Sized Shop
MFG16 - Transitioning to In-House Finishing – Profitably
MFG17 - LEAN Strategies for Small Shops
MFG19 - Combatting the Dangers of Combustible Dust: An Engineered Approach
MFG21 - Curved Joinery, Edges and Inlays
MFG23 - Discover the Sounds of Colour
MFG3 - Think Light - Benefits and Opportunities of Lightweight Materials
MFG6 - HVLP Turbospray Technology, Past-Present-Future
MFG7 - Working Plastics in the Woodshop
MKT1 - High-End Architectural Millwork: Truly Finding and then Thriving in a Niche Market
MKT4 - Effective Email for Small Businesses
MKT6 - Mindful Selling: 7 Core Principles for Successful Selling
MKT8 - Technology and the Human Hand - Are We Losing Touch?
NBS4 - The Urban Wood Revolution Is Now! Come Join the Movement

 

[deepcreek]

We're registered to attend the IWF exhibits but don't know for sure that we will be able to go due to workload. 

Be forewarned that Atlanta becomes Hot-lanta in August.  I'm from Houston so it's no big deal but for those used to a milder climate it can be rough.

SCM's booth will be filled with their production equipment.  MiniMax has been described to me as their red-headed step child.  It's just not a priority to SCM.  For what it's worth, I just bought a MiniMax FS30c J/P.

My brother and I are studio furniture makers (aka starving artists).  Our shop is already well equipped but you always see something new or learn how to use an existing tool more effectively.

We were supposed to go to AWFS in Las Vegas last year but decided to wait on the IWF show in Atlanta this year.  Mostly because we'd rather drive than fly and have relatives in Georgia.  That was the same weekend I had my heart attack.  Glad we stayed home!

 

[Huxleywood]

I am considering going to the IWF in Atlanta in August to see the Minimax Band saw that I’m considering purchasing. 

This will be my 6th visit to IWF and always enjoy it BUT be aware it is much more geared to industrial level furniture making and the cabinet business.  As others have mentioned it is unlikely SCMI will have any Minimax equipment and I can't remember ever seeing their bandsaws.  However, if you are in the market for a new bandsaw the Centauro built Minimax saws are a no brainer if budget permits.

I have not looked at the vendor list but usually Rikon, Jet/Powermatic, Lagina, Oliver and maybe Felder are about the only ones with vertical bandsaws on display. 

It is a day trip for me and I include a trip to Highland Hardware, there are also two Rocklers and two Woodcrafts but you have both of those in Ohio.

I think it is worth the trip at least once but don't do it expecting to see an MM series saw. 

 

[Cincinnati]

Thanks everyone who replied for the info. Especially thank you Jeff for the links to the show. 

I spoke with Sam Bliasco in February. He will be at the show with MM.  I just assumed that meant they were showing their bandsaw line.  I’ll contact him again to clear that up. I am hoping for a good price on a new or demo saw.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I'll be there again this year.  Last time I was there I bought a Minimax shaper.  They didn't have one on display there and my guess is you won't see many MM bandsaws as most of the area has been filled with SCM, MiniMax's parent company, products.  I saved around 10% by ordering at the show...about the same amount I spent going to the show.  I believe Sam Blasco from Minimax will be there this year and he's the one to talk to about the bandsaws.

SCM has merged their lines to simplify things, but still uses the MiniMax name for the more modest classic woodworking machines. And yea...Sam is "the man".