I always feel the same way, and I know that many others also like to put together faces to names. The nice thing is that people are always glad to participate and agree to go on video, so long as people ask nicely.

Vendors like Lee Valley Tools will always let you try out most of their tools. In fact, they also had their LV bench set up, to allow just that – use by the people. They even provided the lumber! The bench itself is very popular, and highly rated. It is a great opportunity to try your hand with something new.

In my case, it always makes a difference whether I buy or not, depending on whether I can try out the tool(s), especially a plane.

It’s fun putting faces to posts. I reconized some names.

The planing that your frind was doing was kinda cool, never been to one of these shows, are you able to test tools like you showed at these shows???