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Great Time at SWAT

Bill Boehme

Bill Boehme

Administrator
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TOTW Team
Joined
Jan 27, 2005
Messages
13,133
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Location
Dalworthington Gardens, TX
Website
pbase.com
It has been a long four years since I last attended SWAT in 2019 (no symposiums in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID restrictions and I decided to stay home last year because I was still concerned about COVID) so I was eagerly anticipating a great time this year. And, I wasn’t disappointed. Perhaps more than anything I look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new friends. Two new friends are Jim and Rita Duxbury. I brought a used CBN wheel for Bill Blastic, but he wasn’t able to attend. Jim and Rita were kind enough to take the CBN wheel and will deliver it to Bill the next time they visit him. I had my first eyeball meeting with fellow forum member Dave Landers. Also, Emiliano and I finally had our first live in-person meeting. Over the last several years we’ve had a few Zoom meetings as well as a zillion emails and forum Conversations. You can see in the picture that we’re almost identical twins separated only by a couple of decades in time. Emiliano tried his best to teach me the right way to do the "hang loose" shaka sign.

IMG_3876.jpeg
 
I was having withdrawals this weekend as it was the first time in the last four years that I haven't gone to Swat. It's always a great show and well organized.
 
Well, some day I hope to make it. Unfortunately it conflicts with another annual event I have gone to for 43 years. Sounds like a lot of fun. See you all in Portland next year.

robo hippy
 
Peggy and I were there Saturday. It is the best bang for a buck anywhere and to top it off, they feed you. Getting together with friends after all of the pandemic stuff was the BEST!
jerry
 
I must have not been paying attention. No place for evaluations? Emilliano did a great job even when the power reduced (eventually out completely). I got some great ideas from Walt. I'm looking forward to seeing him in Tallahasse this winter if he isn't blown away. John Lucas was quite entertaining as well as informative. Vince, l didn't know how much l didn't know about finishing. If l watch Cindy turn one more finial, I'm sure mine will be right up there. (It's not like I'm not trying: I've taken a one day class of hers.) Even demonstrations in the vendor area were informative (SB/energizer bunny). The 800 mile drive was well worth it!
 
DON FRANK said:
I was having withdrawals this weekend as it was the first time in the last four years that I haven't gone to Swat. It's always a great show and well organized.
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Hopefully, we can meet next year.

robo hippy said:
Well, some day I hope to make it. Unfortunately it conflicts with another annual event I have gone to for 43 years. Sounds like a lot of fun. See you all in Portland next year.

robo hippy
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Would that be the hippie fair?

john lucas said:
I'm bummed I missed you. Seemed like I was constantly on the run but had a good time. Great symposium.
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I caught a few fleeting glimpses of you on the run, but I'm not fast enough to catch up with you.

Jerry Bennett said:
.... Getting together with friends after all of the pandemic stuff was the BEST!
jerry
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Yes, indeed. And, the "novel" Coronavirus has worn out its welcome..

Mike Zip Hamilton said:
No place for evaluations? Emilliano did a great job even when the power reduced (eventually out completely). I got some great ideas from Walt. I'm looking forward to seeing him in Tallahasse this winter if he isn't blown away. John Lucas was quite entertaining as well as informative. Vince, l didn't know how much l didn't know about finishing. If l watch Cindy turn one more finial, I'm sure mine will be right up there. (It's not like I'm not trying: I've taken a one day class of hers.) Even demonstrations in the vendor area were informative (SB/energizer bunny). The 800 mile drive was well worth it!
Click to expand...

I'll tell the SWAT leadership to read your post. That will tell them everything that they need to know. :cool:
 
This year was my first time at SWAT and i was thoroughly impressed with the quality of the presenters. The trade show was impressive and the gallery had a lot of beautiful pieces.
 
I too was at SWAT. Had a great time. Did not come home with that ‘C’ stuff. Came home with lots of goodies from my annual SWAT purchase list though!
There were lots of great demonstrations, and, as Jerry B said, they feed you! Sorry I missed seeing you Jerry.
John Lucas was in our room when the power went down, and he hardly missed a beat! Although he couldn’t use the lathe, he just kept on truckin‘. Great job John!
Its hard to beat SWAT. One of my annual highlights!
 
I was in Waco on business that was extended through SWAT Friday, and just had an hour to walk through the vendor area and the gallery (which had some Great work on display) - one medium-sized bowl of maple burl and bright blue resin especially caught my attention. ‘Lots of Mesquite for sale as well (no surprise, given the area).

Tim
 
Well, not the Hippy Fair, but at that site. This was the 43rd Annual Beaver Open. We started out as a bunch of friends who just wanted to go to a park and party and kick the footbag/Hacky Sack around for the weekend. Now, 43 years later, some 200+ people come, and as some one said, 'It is like a big family reunion, but every one gets along'. I don't party at all any more, but it is great to see so many old friends, and make new younger ones.

As for the Hippy Fair/ Oregon Country Fair, it was always the most fun and entertaining show I ever did, and the most profitable. Hard to get into though. Only been doing it for 40 years.

robo hippy
 
SWAT 2023 was the first woodturning event that I have attended. I thought about going last year but wasn't convinced that a weekend event would be helpful to a newer turner. I should have made it happen as it really enhanced my education of woodturning to spend the weekend around others who share the love and desire to learn the tradecraft.

There were a lot of cool finished pieces on display to admire. This provided a lot of insight on what can be done with the wood and tools at our disposal.

Much of my time was spent in the vendor areas speaking with vendors and filling several bags while spending more than I had planned. I definitely went home with more than I arrived with.

@john lucas we met at the Hunter booth and discussed the merits of the #5. I'll turn a handle for it soon and give it a workout. I enjoyed meeting you.

The highlight of the event was meeting the people, most were very down to earth and welcoming. SWAT will definitely be in the schedule next year, perhaps another event or 2.
 
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