The KC Woodworking Show 2023: Whittling Away
Hey, friend! Grab a cup of coffee and settle in, because I’ve got a little story to share about my adventure to the Kansas City Woodworking Show this year. Honestly, it had a few surprises—good and bad—that I think you’ll enjoy.
The Drive Over
So, it started off like any other Saturday morning. I woke up knowing I had to make the drive from my little town to KC, and while my wife was busy making pancakes, I was just thinking about all the stuff I wanted to see at the show. As I hopped in my old pickup, I could smell the woodsy scent of fresh sawdust still lingering from the last project I was working on—a simple Pine coffee table that had, to my utter disbelief, ended up a bit wonky. I almost gave up halfway through that project, but I swept it under the rug and told myself it was "character." Isn’t that what they call it? Character!
Anyway, back to the show. The ride over was filled with a mix of excitement and this nagging feeling that I wasn’t really gonna know what I was doing. I kept wondering if I’d actually fit in. You know how it is. The folks in my shop are mostly friends just trying to make things work, while at the show, I expected to see all these pros with their fancy tools, showing off their perfect dovetails and perfect finishes. Spoiler alert: I was right!
Arriving at the Show
You wouldn’t believe the moment I stepped into the convention hall. The smells hit you—freshly cut Maple, seasoned Oak, and that sharp tang of glue. It was intoxicating! Everyone was buzzing around, and I kinda felt like a kid at a candy store for woodworkers. I got my wristband (which felt like an entry into the club, let me tell you) and headed in.
My first stop was the tool vendors. There was this one booth that had all these hand planes laid out, and I’ll admit, I was smitten. One of them—a vintage Stanley—looked like something you’d find in an old barn. I mean, it needed a little love, but those wooden knobs? Gorgeous! I chatted with the vendor about how to clean it up, but he could tell I was a bit green. You ever have that feeling where you just want to disappear because you can’t keep up with the conversation? Yeah, that was me.
A Little Inspiration Goes a Long Way
I wandered over to one of the demo tables where a guy was giving a live demonstration on how to use a bandsaw to cut curves. He made it look so darn easy, slicing that Walnut like butter. I placed my hands on my palm sander and wished I could take a few tips back home. As I stood there, I remembered the time I tried cutting curves for my daughter’s playhouse. It ended in tears—and not just my daughter’s. There were pieces of wood everywhere, and let’s just say, I took a break from woodworking for a good week after that.
But this guy at the demo? He was inspiring. He even joked about how he’d had a “real bad day” once when trying to carve a spoon. It made me feel a little better that even pros struggle sometimes. I couldn’t help but laugh when he finally showed a finished spoon that looked like a real work of art, and I thought, “Well, if he can do that, then why can’t I try again?”
Finding My Groove
Next, I did a little shopping. I picked up some fresh Ash and Oak boards I just couldn’t leave behind. There’s something about the feel of quality wood that just makes your brain spin with ideas. The vendors were super nice and even shared tips on finishes and stains. I went with a brand called General Finishes; I’ve used them before and loved the way their gel stain makes the wood pop. But I don’t know if you’ve ever had that moment where you stand in front of a shelf full of colors, and suddenly you’re frazzled. I nearly grabbed a color called “Espresso” before realizing that the last project I did in that hue turned out darker than my kitchen at midnight.
With my heart a little lighter and my arms heavy with wood, I headed over to the seminar section, where they were talking about shop safety. Now, you know I’m usually pretty careful, but hearing all those horror stories made me reassess some of the safety practices I had been lax with. Like, why hadn’t I been using ear protection all these years? I laughed it off initially, but it hit home when they shared stories about losing chunks of fingers to careless mistakes.
Wrapping Up
As the day wound down, I found a quiet corner and just absorbed everything around me—the smell of sawdust, the sound of tools whirring, and the chatter of fellow woodworkers all around. It felt like being part of a secret club. Folks were sharing stories and tricks, and I was just soaking it all in. I noticed a dad with his son trying to assemble a small wooden project, and honestly, it reminded me of the time I showed my kid how to use a hand drill. I almost cried when he finally got a hole through a piece of wood.
But you know, as I drove home, bags of goodness in the back, I felt a heavy weight lift off my shoulders. I might not be the top dog in woodworking, but I’ve got my own style that’s made with love and a few screw-ups. And that’s okay.
So, if you’re hesitating to dive into that project you’ve been thinking about, just go for it! Don’t worry about making mistakes. Those imperfections are where the magic happens, trust me. And remember, it’s all about the journey, not just the finished piece. Happy wood shavings, my friend!
