Friday, February 20, 2009

PATINA

PATINA is the Potomac Antique Tools and Industries Association, Inc., an antique tool club, located in the Washington, D.C. area. The cost of membership is just $12/year. That includes bimonthly meetings which start with some tailgating (around 10:00 a.m.) and a short tool auction at 11:00 a.m., followed by guest speaker. The most recent speakers were professional furniture makers who presented some of their pieces and demonstrated woodworking techniques.

With membership, you also get a bi-monthly newsletter that recaps the previous meeting.

PATINA also hosts a yearly Spring Auction and Dealer Tool Sale in Maryland, this year on Saturday, March 14. Admission is FREE and the dealer sale/auction is open to the public. The dealers' sale starts at 9:00 a.m. and the auction starts at 2:00 p.m.

My grumpy friend, Scott, says that one of the best parts of the event is the tailgating, where you can find some great deals.  Among other things, he bought an antique turning saw, in pristine condition, for [I'm pretty sure] $25.  Tailgating begins prior to the dealer show, whenever people show up, usually around 6:30 a.m.

I'm going to try to make it to the tailgating this year but that requires getting up at 3:30 a.m. I didn't even know there was a 3:30 a.m. Maybe see you there! I'll be the one with half-closed eyelids and a can of Diet Code Red Mountain Dew in both hands.

4 comments:

  1. Sounds great! We hope to be back in the States this fall, so I might join up.

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  2. Ah yes. I remember the Patina events from long ago... and the MWTCA, etc. Welcome to "Old Tools Hell, Mack..."

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  3. If you had one of those beverage holding hats, you could have TWO Code Reds and BOTH hands free to snag deals!

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  4. Eric--maybe I'll get to meet you in person someday. :o)

    Mack, no, no, no....it's HEAVEN. Old tools are good for you!

    Dan, you are a clever, clever man. Great idea!

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