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2013 has been a tough year to compete when it comes to woodworking event “stuntery.” With gatherings like Handworks in Amana, Iowa, The French Oak Roubo Build, Woodworking in American 2013, and even the telephone design game in Woodchat, it’s hard to break through the clutter. I do, however, think I’ve got one that might compete.
Midwest Woodworking in Cincinnati, Ohio, will be closing its doors for business. Only recently has the owner, Frank David, been open to selling off what some might consider the undiscovered country of lumber caches. Chris Schwarz and I have written, photographed and documented a few smaller events as recent as the one in May dubbed “Operation Morning Wood.” This time around, it’s different. Much, much different.
The price list is still being compiled, which I will immediately publish once it’s available. But here’s an idea:
- Interested in flawless ribbon sapele 10/4 x 10″ x 16′ at around $5 bd/ft?
- Are you an infill plane maker looking for enough legal, Brazilian Rosewood for you and your five planemaking buddies? (Yeah, I’m talking about you, Raney Nelson.)
- How about a 100-year-old stack of pre-blight chestnut, wide, clean and 10′ long? Frank’s got 1,000+ bd ft.
- Veneers of every size and species. By the piece or full flitches.
- If you are building any of Chris Schwarz’s campaign furniture projects? Oodles of wide mahogany and sugar pine.
- Did I mention anything and everything is up for sale? Big industrial sized machines down to the off-cuts.
To not come to this event at great expense and hundreds of miles would be nothing short of foolish. Why? Because chances are some point very soon the whole place will likely go up for auction.
Where: Midwest Woodworking, 4019 Montgomery Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio
When: Friday/Saturday August 16-17, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Details: Bring cash and a truck. I’m thinking beers and burgers at Gordos afterwards, because it’s going to be a long, hot one.
Stay tuned for more details, price list and other activities.
And feel free to e-mail me with any questions at: allenworb@gmail.com.
— Andy Brownell, brownellfurniture.com
p.s. We’re opening up the PWM Contributors’ Blog for reader posts from select authors. If you’re interested, send a note to Megan Fitzpatrick for more information.
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Sigh….
I would have scheduled my R&R differently had i known…
Albert
“God, it SUCKS being in Afghanistan…”
I have visited Midwest twice in the past two years. The first time I was fortunate to have Mr. David give me a tour of the main (there are a number of, “smaller” areas) lumber storage room and I was saddened that I had neither the money nor room to purchase everything that I coveted.
The second time was to get some mill work done. For less than $60.00 I had eight 10′ 6x6s, four 10′ 2x12s surfaced and squared and twelve 10′ 2x10s ripped in half and surfaced and squared. All on their huge equipment; the planer was able to take 4 6x6s at once!
A really neat place with some very nice people, (I sure hope the craftsman there find good employment) that will be missed.
btw, Hardwood Lumber and More in Milford has closed it’s doors.
Thanks Megan
This is unacceptable. That weekend is the only one between now and WIA where I absolutely cannot go to Cincinnati.
I’m afraid you’ll have to reschedule.
-Steve
Well that is too bad that they are closing.
However, that is one cool building. If only there was someone who wanted home shop space and could fix up a livable area in it as well. Too bad not many people have that skill set. Oh, wait…
Hey Megan,
I won’t be able make it this year, but I wanted to comment on the cart in your picture.
The cart is an old Nutting Truck and Castor Co. warehouse truck. The company made thousands of these from around 1891, up into the 1980s. They were used all over the world at ports and warehouses.
Here’s a scan of an original advertisement that I have in my shop.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a226/tmsnoaa/misc/ufnutting.jpg
They were incredibly simple and rugged, yet because of the large iron wheels, they moved very easily on hard surfaces. Warehouse men would link them together in trains by throwing a rope grommet over the stanchions of two carts.
This one was in the trash at work, and I rescued it. It’s in great shape and moves smoothly, turns in its own length, and is steerable. The maintenance guys a work tossed it because the iron wheels would eat up the vinyl floor tiles in the office corridors, and so they could only use it downstairs.
Tom
Wow. I wish I had 1.4 mil laying around so I could buy the business lock stock and barrel.