Sunday, April 25, 2010

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

No, not Christmas. Not New Year's Eve. Not Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'ole Day.

It's the annual Woodworking In America Conference!

This year it's billed as "The Ultimate Skill Building Weekend" and is being held at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center—in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio area—on October 1-3. Registration opens in May.

Compared to past conferences, this one will have some power tool sessions (in a different location than hand tools), more classes, more vendors, and fun add-on events that are on a first-come, first-served basis.

The class descriptions are diverse and include many things upon which woodworkers would like to improve. Topics include: using different types of hand tools, how to use and sharpen them, and how to cut particular joints and details with both hand and power tools.

There are some new speakers on the list, like Marc Adams and Michael Fortune, as well as familiar ones, like Roy Underhill, Frank Klausz, Bob Lang, Glen Huey, and Chris Schwarz.

I'll give you one bit of inside information. Although I was not able to attend any of his classes, I was told by many people that Ron Herman was the hidden jewel at the conference in Valley Forge last year. I'm going to do my best to sit in on at least one of his presentations this year.

Hope to see you there!