pipemakersforum.com

Hello Guys and Gals,

So, I know it's only January but time moves quick and my thoughts have turned to this year's Chicago show. I've been going to the show for several years now, but this year my goal is to try and approach the show more from the perspective of a pipe maker. I'm going to have a batch of pipes ready to show around and hopefully get some good critiques on and perhaps sell, if there's any interest.

The show itself is Saturday/Sunday, but there's also the swap show on Friday and several other events even earlier in the week. My question to the real live pipe makers is, when do you plan on showing up the week of the show? Are there any meetups for PMF members or pipe makers in general going on either earlier in the week or during the show which would be appropriate for someone like me? I would love to be able to get to know some more members of this community and talk about pipe making with people in the same room who are just as interested (believe me, my wife can only pretend to care for a minute or so at a time).

Anyhow, can't wait to get back to Chi-town and hope to see some of you there.

Adam

I'll probably be there sometime Thursday. I usually pack up and head out Sunday. The whole show is one giant meetup for me. Pipe-making wise, my best learning experience was walking up to Bruce Weaver a few years ago and hearing him rip me a new one. That, and Walt Cannoy telling me how to take what I had and make a pipe instead of lumpy turds. But it just came from me walking up to a maker at his table at the show and asking him to look at my work when he wasn't with a potential customer.

So maybe it doesn't really answer the question you're asking, but I think it answers what you're looking for. That is, just walk up and ask somebody. As long as they're not with a customer, I've found pipe makers to be quite willing to share thoughts. Sunday mornings tend to be a slow start in my experience.

I'll be there Thursday sometime, through Monday morning. Feel free to find me amidst the craziness.

I'll be there Thursday through Monday morning for sure. Trying to decide if I'm gonna come in on Wednesday or not

I plan on being there for the swap meet. Last year I went to the pipe making class and learned some stuff, but, having seen your work, I doubt that you would get much out of making a pipe from a predrilled kit. It was neat to meet and talk to the pipe makers who run the class. Teddy Knudsen and Tom Eltang stopped by to chat.
I also met a number of folks with whom I have corresponded on the forum, and showed a couple of my own pipes to various people.
Jeremiah looked at a couple of mine and was very gentle.
We should arrange to meet up.
Maybe I will wear a big name tag.
DocAitch

I'll be there from Wednesday through Monday.

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The Vermont Freehand store will be open Tuesday to Tuesday and attracts every maker in the industry, be sure to stop through various times of day and night and see different groups of makers all at once. We are conveniently located behind the elevators to the tower, next to the pro-shop and bar

Vermont Freehand wrote:The Vermont Freehand store will be open Tuesday to Tuesday and attracts every maker in the industry, be sure to stop through various times of day and night and see different groups of makers all at once. We are conveniently located behind the elevators to the tower, next to the pro-shop and bar

Still waiting to see an iron throne made of briar blocks.

I was hoping it was going to work for me to come up this year, but no-go. One of these years, though.

Well, things changed and have worked out so that I will be at the show this year. Looking forward to meeting some of you guys.

Looking forward to meeting you!

JMG wrote:Well, things changed and have worked out so that I will be at the show this year. Looking forward to meeting some of you guys.

We'll see you there!