Wood World in Chicago, Amateur's Review

Crox G

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Nov 27, 2012
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93
I'm in Chicago with my family for a few days, and broke away to spend some time in Wood World.  Wow.

WW has been a top-end hardwood and millwork company for many years, and took on Festool about ten (?) years ago. They have a vast front room devoted to The Green, with plenty of space for demos. Lots of MFTs. Chip is the IT and ordering guy, Bodi is in between the shop and the store, and Chip's delightful sister Lulie appears to be doing everything for everyone all at once. (Chuck, the owner, greeted me warmly, and had to leave immediately for a trip.)  Each one is an expert in Festools.  They tag-teamed me for hours showing me the Carvex, the impact drill, the forstners, the Domino, the router table, all the drill bits and goodies, the sanders, and anything else I felt like grabbing and trying. Chip has rigged  a flat-screen TV which plays continuous Festool videos, so the theme song is always in the background.  One of the videos shows Bodi (and the shop cat) drilling 199.75 1.25" screws into poplar with the CXS and one battery. The three of them are enthusiastic and know their stuff, and use the tools themselves.

The shop has a huge inventory of hardwoods, domestic and exotic, veneer plywoods, and hundreds of molding profiles in various woods.  Many/most of the moldings are made with their own custom cutters.  They sell a few FastCap items and Old Masters finishes, but no tools other than Festool.  They're near one of the big bus routes (22), and easy to find. I recommend a visit if you're in the city--five stars.  I'm trying to think of an excuse to go back and play.

Crox
 
Yeah, Wood World is awesome.  Chip has always been very accommodating, especially with respect to customizing purchases (such as making abrasive assortments).

I think we in the Chicago area are fortunate to have so many Festool outlets to get product immediately (either for our jobs or for instant gratification and ability to see the tools up close):

Wood World
Woodcraft (2 locations)
Berland's House of Tools (3 locations)
Rockler

It just stinks paying the 10%+ sales tax.  [eek]
 
I concur.
Wood World ROCKS!!!!
I buy nearly all of my hardwoods there and I WORK at a Lumberyard.

Their selection is better than what I stock and the pricing is comparable to what I can get it for.
 
Crox, it was a pleasure meeting you. Glad you found time to stop by during your stay in Chicago with everything there is to do here in the summer. If you're going to be indoors you may as well be surrounded by Festools.  [smile]

Thanks for all the gracious comments guys.

Chip
 
atogrf1 said:
I concur.
Wood World ROCKS!!!!
I buy nearly all of my hardwoods there and I WORK at a Lumberyard.

Their selection is better than what I stock and the pricing is comparable to what I can get it for.
  Seriously...??  [eek]  What lumberyard?  I think Wood World rocks too, and not just 'cause they're 5 minutes from my house... [embarassed] [wink]
 
Don't forget about Andrew!!!  What does the poor guy have to do to get some recognition and respect.. [sad]  Just kidding Andrew, we know you're the silent partner in Wood World.. [wink]
 
leakyroof said:
Don't forget about Andrew!!!  What does the poor guy have to do to get some recognition and respect.. [sad]  Just kidding Andrew, we know you're the silent partner in Wood World.. [wink]

All he has to do to get some recognition is construct something like this piece in his spare time.  [laughing]

Chip
 
  Seriously...??  [eek]  What lumberyard?  I think Wood World rocks too, and not just 'cause they're 5 minutes from my house... [embarassed] [wink]

[/quote]

Lee Lumber down the street from them.  Been there my whole life, but the hardwood selection at Wood World far surpasses any conventional lumberyard.
 
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