Well I can see now how all those accidents with the new Metro Train happen.
For those that don't know, the train began testing in November and put into
regular operation January 1 of this year. There have already been 11
accidents involving other vehicles and a fatality or two. They limited its
use during Super Bowl week to keep from injuring pedestrians. Way to few
crossing arms and the train is on you before you know it as it is relative
quiet. Between this train and Janet Jackson, the visitors did not have much
of a chance. Of course you have to cross 2 sets of tracks to get into the
parking lot from the East side of the complex and when you exit from that
side, you have to cross two sets of tracks and sit on the tracks while you
wait for traffic to let you in.
Rant over.
The show was as big as I can remember. About 8 rows of vendors and all the
big hitters were there. DeWalt was offering 10% on their tools. As
mentioned by another poster there were $3.00 sheets of veneer. The sheets
were 6 to 12" wide and about 6' long. Mostly home grown stuff. A few
samples of mahogany and coffee bean but mostly walnut, 1/4 sawn oak, maple ,
etc. Jet and Delta were well represented as were PC, and Bosch. Kreg is
expanding as their demonstration area has doubled in size. They have
introduced a new miter gauge that they 100% guarantee needs no set up except
to adjust the small nylon inserts to make the miter bar fit correctly.
Nothing fancy about the miter gauge except that when you tighten the handle
at you setting the setting does not move off mark. It has a nice fence you
can add with an excellent adjustable stop. The stop will swing up if you
want to temporarily bypass it by simply pushing your wood against the front
end. Also has a neat attachment for handling mitered corners at the stop.
All that for $139.00. Looks like a great deal and tool from a good company
if you need a miter gauge. For Miter sled companies, Jerry with his Dubby
and Jointech were there. Jerry IMHO in all his real world simplicity seemed
to still out shine the competition. While he fumbles around looking for a
screw driver and or his sticky back band clamp, "masking tape" and you
listen to his speaker snap and pop quite regularly he still lets the
audience set his sled up and he pops out an 8 sided clock frame and face in
a matter of minutes. Still quite impressive. He still seems to be the one
that lets you see his product in actual operation vs. those that simply
stand there and tell you what their product should do. Roberk, Minimax and
Laguna were there as well as a small portable saw mill.
Leigh was here this year, they have missed a few of the more recent years.
IMHO this show beats most all that I have seen in the Houston area and I
have been going to them since they were held in the Shamrock Hilton back in
the late 70's. Big enough that I actually got tired before I got finished.
I managed to only spend $17.21. I did have my eye on that new Kreg Miter
gauge though. Small and simple when compared to the Incra models and looked
about 10 lbs. lighter than the Incra models. ;~)
I went to the show on Sunday. I went crazy and bought a Tormek (the
deluxe package).
Actually I got a pretty good deal, with a few extras thrown in.
I had a few minutes to speak with Jeff Ferris of Sharp tools USA. He's
a pretty nice fellow and very knowledgeable about the Tormek system.
I also had a chance to question him about Norms shop. He said it is
even more impressive in person. The shop has lighting designed for shooting
television
Jeff, said there isn't a shadow in the place.
I'll be thinking about that next time I am trying to strap a drop light
to my band saw.
Just to make the day complete, I took my wife and son for a ride on the
train.
It's a nice train and I am sure it's worth at least an eighth of what it
cost.
We missed every single car on the trip.
Too bad, I thought I would have something to talk to Edd Hendee about Monday
morning.
I found that leaving the parking lot, across the tracks, and onto Fannin
(and the traffic on Fannin) to be something of a challenge. I can imagine
what a scene it will be after a rodeo performance.
I wonder if they will operate the train when the crowds are large?
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>> > It's a nice train and I am sure it's worth at least an eighth of what
it
> > cost.
>
> LOL. I once heard on the local news that for the cost of the Metro train
it
> would have been cheaper to provide each rider of the train with a Ferrari
to
> make the commute.
>
> > We missed every single car on the trip.
>
> I heard this morning that the accident count was up to 14. That is about
1
> accident per week so far counting the 8 weeks before it went into full
> operation.
>
>
>
>
"Lowell Holmes" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I found that leaving the parking lot, across the tracks, and onto Fannin
> (and the traffic on Fannin) to be something of a challenge. I can imagine
> what a scene it will be after a rodeo performance.
>
> I wonder if they will operate the train when the crowds are large?
Pretty exciting crossing those tracks and having to merge into traffic at
the same time huh.. ;~) The Metro train is a classic example of trying to
keep up with the Jones and know knowing why. Ineffective, dangerous, and
expensive. Since the trains function is to move mass crowds I suspect that
they will shut it down when it would do the most good.
I am jealous.
"Ron" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I went to the show on Sunday. I went crazy and bought a Tormek (the
> deluxe package).
"Ron" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I went to the show on Sunday. I went crazy and bought a Tormek (the
> deluxe package).
> Actually I got a pretty good deal, with a few extras thrown in.
> I had a few minutes to speak with Jeff Ferris of Sharp tools USA.
He's
> a pretty nice fellow and very knowledgeable about the Tormek system.
I have the deluxe Tormek set up also... Jeff is a nice guy to deal with.
My Tormek is 2 years old and I have had 2 short lived problems with it.
With out doubt, replacement parts were immediately shipped.
> It's a nice train and I am sure it's worth at least an eighth of what it
> cost.
LOL. I once heard on the local news that for the cost of the Metro train it
would have been cheaper to provide each rider of the train with a Ferrari to
make the commute.
> We missed every single car on the trip.
I heard this morning that the accident count was up to 14. That is about 1
accident per week so far counting the 8 weeks before it went into full
operation.
"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> If anything illustrates the dumbing down of our culture, the design and
> implementation of this Metro "train" does. It's also indicative of what
will
> continure to happen as people educated beyond their intelligence are given
> free rein with taxpayer's money.
Those same words have bounced around in my head for years and you just make
them all come out in the right order. I suspect that the 70+ miles of extra
rail that got voted in will be implimented down the newly rebuilt freeways
zig zaging from one side to the other. I'm sure that the 11 accidents so
far have fallen way below their expectations. ;~)
>
> For chrissakes, it ain't like they didn't have 150 years of examples
around
> the world to go by.
Not to mention all the recent problems in cities like Dallas.
"Leon" wrote in message
> Well I can see now how all those accidents with the new Metro Train
happen.
> For those that don't know, the train began testing in November and put
into
> regular operation January 1 of this year. There have already been 11
> accidents involving other vehicles and a fatality or two.
If anything illustrates the dumbing down of our culture, the design and
implementation of this Metro "train" does. It's also indicative of what will
continure to happen as people educated beyond their intelligence are given
free rein with taxpayer's money.
For chrissakes, it ain't like they didn't have 150 years of examples around
the world to go by.
> The show was as big as I can remember. About 8 rows of vendors and all
the
> big hitters were there.
Good review ... thanks! I still might make it this afternoon, though I still
have a table top to do today to stay on schedule. After moving the parts and
glue in to acclimate last night, I did manage to do a glue-up in the kitchen
this morning, as the temperature in the shop was in the 40's, so there still
may be time ... providing I can remember where I hid my credit cards.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 2/05/04
"Leon" wrote in message
> Since the trains function is to move mass crowds I suspect that
> they will shut it down when it would do the most good.
What I really want to do is cry, since I just paid my property taxes a
couple weeks back, so why the hell am I ROTFLMAO!?
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 2/05/04
"Steve Turner" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Leon wrote:
>
> > <snip>
>
> Hey Leon, I think I saw you at the show but since I don't know what you
look
> like I'm pretty sure I didn't recognize you.
Yeah I thought I saw you too but could not swear by it.. ;~)
> Picked up the new DW618B3 2-1/4 HP router three-pack for $279 (same as
Amazon's
> price), minus 10%, plus a free edge. Nice rig.
Cool..
> Did you see the new Bosch jigsaw? Very nice. Show price was $149. They
had
> your Milwaukee there too ($135 I think).
I did not look closely. Are you refering to the new Bosch with he faster
easier blade change set up? I have heard about them but have not seen one
yet. I do recall noticing the reg Bosch with the pull, twist, turn , snap
blade change set up though.
>
> > Roberk, Minimax and
> > Laguna were there as well as a small portable saw mill.
>
> I think you mean Robjek.
Yeah.
Minimax had a nice array of machines, and their
> bandsaws were generating quite a bit of interest (I have one of their
MM16s).
> In a wise move, Minimax is now bringing complete blade guide and tensioner
> assemblies to the show for separate display, and this really helps you see
what
> the saws are "made of". They also have a new 14" bandsaw (about $600, I
think)
> that ought to stir things up in that end of the market.
I wold like to some day get a large BS for resawing...
> > Leigh was here this year, they have missed a few of the more recent
years.
>
> Didn't stop there, but I had to tear myself away from the Lie-Nielsen
booth
> several times. I was disappointed at their non-appearance in Dallas.
Yesh their display was nice and for some reason immediately thought of Steve
Knight.
>
> > IMHO this show beats most all that I have seen in the Houston area and I
> > have been going to them since they were held in the Shamrock Hilton back
in
> > the late 70's. Big enough that I actually got tired before I got
finished.
>
> Agreed. I'm pleased to see the shows gathering momentum again. I figured
they
> would just wither away.
In order to insure that I do not get too depressed, I cleaned up my office
today and threw out the tormek brochure. I can always find another one when
I'm ready to get serious about it.
Bob
"Ron" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Bob, instead of jealousy, you should feel sorry for me.
> I now face to undaunting task of having to learn how to use the multitude
of
> jigs that came with the Tormek.
> How will I ever cope.
> Oh, poor me.
>
>
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> The show was as big as I can remember. About 8 rows of vendors and all
the
> big hitters were there. DeWalt was offering 10% on their tools.
I'm kicking myself for not at least picking up an electric screwdriver. My
B&D junker gave up again. I was ready to tear out the door after reading
your post and hook it down there for the last minute. Then I pinched
myself - $7 parking, gas money, toll booth, 1 1/2 hours of driving to save
$20? Nah. I've already been two days in a row. Next year I'll go better
armed.
I decided one of the real drawing cards (for me) is that everyone brings
stocks of all that stuff I've seen on the internet or ran out of stock at
the local store. The live demos of the real quality tools were also
worthwhile.
Thanks for your post and giving further perspective.
Bob
I was in Houston for "The Game" and rode the Metro Train and thought it was
quite an achievement. Not really surprising that at 2:00AM and loaded with
Bud, several assholes would walk into it broadside. If that train had been
built in Boston, they'd be playing football an Mars before construction was
completed.
My 2c.
Jay in NH
"S S Law NH" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I was in Houston for "The Game" and rode the Metro Train and thought it
was
> quite an achievement. Not really surprising that at 2:00AM and loaded
with
> Bud, several assholes would walk into it broadside. If that train had
been
> built in Boston, they'd be playing football an Mars before construction
was
> completed.
> My 2c.
> Jay in NH
Oh it was quite an achievement all right. Metro was able to piss off 90 %
of the businesses down town because they decided to rebuild all the streets
while the rail was going in. Houston has no zoning and that is IMHO the
reason that the rail route was so poorly planned. Rail, pedestrians and
automobiles do not mix well. I guess doing this all at once enabled the
Houston government to implement its own type of zoning as their timing and
location of all this work literally put many of the smaller businesses out
of business. Its too bad we did not get rail until after we were playing
football on Mars.
Leon wrote:
> <snip>
Hey Leon, I think I saw you at the show but since I don't know what you look
like I'm pretty sure I didn't recognize you.
> The show was as big as I can remember. About 8 rows of vendors and all the
> big hitters were there.
I went to the Dallas show in Decemember and it was bigger and better as well.
One of the Woodcraft managers told us that after last year's pathetic run, MANY
vendors informed the coordinators they had one last chance to step up the
marketing and improve the turnout or they were gonna walk. Looks like their
voices were heard.
> DeWalt was offering 10% on their tools.
Picked up the new DW618B3 2-1/4 HP router three-pack for $279 (same as Amazon's
price), minus 10%, plus a free edge. Nice rig.
> Jet and Delta were well represented as were PC, and Bosch.
Didn't see very many good deals on big iron from Jet or Delta. And except for
a couple of Jet Midis, there were no lathes for sale! Laguna might have had
their monster lathe on diplay, but I didn't even stop at their booth.
Did you see the new Bosch jigsaw? Very nice. Show price was $149. They had
your Milwaukee there too ($135 I think).
> Roberk, Minimax and
> Laguna were there as well as a small portable saw mill.
I think you mean Robjek. Minimax had a nice array of machines, and their
bandsaws were generating quite a bit of interest (I have one of their MM16s).
In a wise move, Minimax is now bringing complete blade guide and tensioner
assemblies to the show for separate display, and this really helps you see what
the saws are "made of". They also have a new 14" bandsaw (about $600, I think)
that ought to stir things up in that end of the market.
> Leigh was here this year, they have missed a few of the more recent years.
Didn't stop there, but I had to tear myself away from the Lie-Nielsen booth
several times. I was disappointed at their non-appearance in Dallas.
> IMHO this show beats most all that I have seen in the Houston area and I
> have been going to them since they were held in the Shamrock Hilton back in
> the late 70's. Big enough that I actually got tired before I got finished.
Agreed. I'm pleased to see the shows gathering momentum again. I figured they
would just wither away.
> I managed to only spend $17.21.
That sounds like me :-) I can usually talk myself out of most any purchase
larger than $20. Not this time though! I'm off to play with my new router...
--
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