Tales from the Baltimore Woodworking Show 2023
So, there I was, sitting in my favorite armchair with the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air, looking at this neat stack of scraps I brought back from the Baltimore Woodworking Show. Man, what a weekend! Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect when I signed up. I’ve dabbled in woodworking for the past few years, and let me tell you, it’s been a journey—one marked by triumphs, disasters, and some seriously ugly furniture.
But, you know, there’s something about being surrounded by folks who share that same passion—even if they do make it look way easier than it really is.
The Journey Begins
When I first arrived at the expo center, the sheer size of it threw me off a bit. I mean, it was as if a lumberyard exploded and the remnants were all gathered under this enormous roof. I could hear the buzz of machines, the chatter of excited enthusiasts, and you could practically smell the sawdust in the air. Don’t even get me started on the wood. The aroma was just incredible—like a warm hug from a cedar tree.
I wandered around, my eyes wide, looking at everything from chisels to the showpieces built out of exotic woods that made my heart race. There was this one table made from figured walnut, and oh boy, the grain patterns were like something out of a dream. I found myself lingering there longer than I intended, just soaking it all in.
A Mishap with the Router
Now, I’ve got to confess something. I was never a big user of routers—just never felt comfortable with them. They seemed volatile, you know? But, in a moment of misplaced bravery, I decided to take a class they were offering right there at the show. I figured, "How hard can it be?"
Let me tell you, folks, it was harder than I thought (shocker, right?). I watched the instructor demonstrate with this beautiful, smooth motion, and I was like, “Yeah, I can totally do that.”
So, I stepped up, router in hand, heart racing. I was a sweet mix of confident and naive. Then came the moment—more like a horror show, really. I flicked the switch, and the thing roared to life, vibrating in my hands. I got it close to the edge of the wood and, as I pressed down, I don’t know if the wood was too hard or I was too weak, but it kicked back like a wild horse!
I almost gave up right then and there—thought about packing my bags and heading home, tail tucked between my legs. But I took a deep breath, watched the instructor again, and gave it another go. I finally got the hang of it, though not without burning the edges. Some parts looked like they went through a fire.
Losing My Mind Over Jigs
You know, I always thought jigs sounded fancy—like tools only for the pros, you know? But when I walked by a booth that had a million jigs on display, something clicked. I was drawn in as if I was hypnotized. There were jigs for dados, jigs for circles, jigs for you-name-it!
I got talking to this one guy, super friendly, and he made it look so easy. Meanwhile, I had just days before wrestled with trying to create a perfect dovetail joint that ended up looking like a weird triangle instead. I chuckled to myself thinking about my earlier attempts and how far I had come, but still—somehow I felt like a total novice again.
After chatting for a while, he showed me how to make a simple setup for cut-offs using scrap wood. I couldn’t believe how much sense it made, but also how I had been overthinking it for so long. I could’ve sworn I heard angels singing when I finally understood the concept. I mean, hands-on learning is really where it’s at.
The Smells and Sounds of Success
Okay, but let’s talk about that moment when I got home. I was so fired up that I immediately hit my workshop. Yeah, my wife rolled her eyes, knowing it meant I’d be out there for hours. I was still buzzing from everything I’d soaked in at the show and thought, “You know what? I’m going to put those new ideas to the test.”
I fired up my old table saw, the one that always makes a delightful screech when it starts, and began working on what I called my “Baltimore-inspired shelf unit.” I was tossing together some maple and oak—smelled amazing, like fall in the woods. The rhythmic sound of the saw cutting through the wood was music to my ears.
And it… actually worked! Like, really worked. I was laughing like a maniac. I couldn’t believe it. I ended up with something that resembled an actual piece of furniture instead of the sad blocks of wood that usually ended up in the fire pit.
A Little Reflection
As I sit here with my empty coffee cup, I realize just how much that trip meant to me. It wasn’t just about the tools or the wood; it was about the community. It’s funny how everybody there—from the eager beginner to the seasoned veteran—seemed to understand each other’s struggles. We all had a similar passion, but the road to making something beautiful was littered with mistakes and ugly projects.
So, here’s my takeaway for you, if you’re thinking about diving into this messy, beautiful, frustrating world of woodworking: Just go for it. Don’t sweat the mistakes because they’ll happen. Trust me, they will. But also, those mistakes? They’ll make the victories that much sweeter.
Keep pushing through; find your joy in the wood shavings and the friends you make along the way. That’s what it’s all about. Cheers!
