Last year Lie-Nielsen Toolworks held a different kind of woodworking show outside Boston. Instead of being held in a big convention hall, this show was more personal. In addition to Lie-Nielsen Toolworks, attendees got to hang out with Konrad Sauer of Sauer & Steiner, Peter Korn from the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Harrelson Stanley with his Shapton stones and Michel Auriou who makes the excellent Auriou rasps.

I also was asked to demonstrate at the show and sharpened up about 50 card scrapers using the technique I explained in the February 2007 issue. It was a great show, both for the people who attended and the demonstrators. There was lots of one-on-one time, no admission charge and a relaxed atmosphere. These shows are a great way to get your hands on some hand tools and get some tips on set-up and use.

Now Lie-Nielsen Toolworks is taking its show to the West Coast. The first show will take place May 11 and 12 outside Portland, Ore., at Chehalem Winery and Vineyards.  The show is being hosted in collaboration with Bridge City Tool Works and will feature John Economaki, Konrad Sauer, Mike Wenzloff (Wenzloff & Sons Saws), Michel Auriou, Kevin Drake (Glen-Drake Toolworks), David Jeske (Blue Spruce Toolworks) and Tom Lie-Nielsen.

The following weekend Lie-Nielsen will have a show at the Joseph Filippi Winery in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., (May 18 and19). Guest demonstrators there will include John Economaki, Konrad Sauer, Mike Wenzloff, Larry Williams (of Clark & Williams), Michel Auriou, Kevin Drake, chairmaker Brian Boggs and Tom Lie-Nielsen.

In the fall Lie-Nielsen plans to host similar events in Napa, Calif., (mid-October), New Jersey/Philadelphia (mid-November) and Arlington, Mass., in collaboration with the North Bennett Street School (Nov. 30-Dec. 1st).

For more information, contact Lie-Nielsen at 800-327-2520.

I won't be able to attend the shows in May (I'm teaching that month at Marc Adams School of Woodworking and have an occasional magazine to publish), but I'll be at the Napa show in the fall, and possibly the others.

— Christopher Schwarz