Lost Art Press

This May: Iowa or Bust

Posted on by Lost Art Press

HOS_caliper

If you are a hand-tool woodworker, you owe it to yourself to ditch your job for a couple days and head to Amana, Iowa, for the Handworks event on May 24-25, 2013.

Of course, Lost Art Press be there with a big group of friends. We will have all our books to show. Tool chests? Sure. Beer? Probably. A stomach pump? No. A redheaded editor? Indeed.

But that’s not all.

If you have any interest in the tool chest of H.O. Studley, then Handworks should not be missed. Why?

1. Don Williams, the author of the forthcoming book on Studley, will be there to discuss his research in detail and provide a first glimpse at some of the thousands of incredible photographs Narayan Nayar has taken of the chest during our documentary trips in the last two years.

2. We will be selling there – and only there – 50 brass thickness calipers based off the original in the Studley tool chest. We’ve commissioned a machinist/woodworker/computer guy to make them for us, and work is proceeding.

Price: $45.

So go to the Handworks page here at Handworks.co. Register. The event is free. It’s going to be something that people talk about for many years to come – like the first Woodworking in America.

— Christopher Schwarz

61 thoughts on “This May: Iowa or Bust”

    1. It’s not all about the price but rather the history of the tool. It is a reproduction from the Studley chest, and it’s made in America. The caliper is price fairly!!! Everyone has a right to an opinion, but sometimes it is better to keep things within.

      1. If Steve French wasn’t joking with that comment, I’d be awfully surprised.

  4. Only 50?

    Why don’t you make 500 and give us half a chance to get one!

    I want one, but I bet they are gone in the first 5 minutes.

    Can you at least limit them to one per customer?

    2. I second your thought. 500 would not be too many. The price is more than fair. I was going to come, but something else came up – durn!

  5. Speaking for those of us on the other side of the country, this is just heartbreaking. The first thing I saw was the picture which I recognized immediately. As I scrolled down I got even more excited at the thought of snagging one of these. And then the ball drops…. Iowa. Which is just a shade under 1500 miles from me…. Grrrr

    1. Same here, those of us in California that will not be able to make it are sure disappointed.

  6. I’ve already made plans to attend.

    A fair amount of my Christmas shopping last year was done on the Amana web sites. I jumped at the chance to kill several birds with one stone this year.

    The vendor list is enough of a draw even without LAP. 😉

  7. Is the caliper reversible for inside or outside measurements? I can’t figure out what the numbers to the left of the zero are for otherwise.

  8. I want a shiny LAP thingy!! Instead of numerical markings can you make a few with increments of “close”, “close enough”, “not bad”, “you suck, go sharpen something”? I am also holding out hope someone will step up and offer some special T-shirts and/or posters marking this historic event!

  9. Hi Chris,
    Attending is my birthday present this year. I was wondering if you’d be willing to sign my copy of The ATC if I bring it along?

    Jim

  12. I appreciate it that your trying to offer something special to the attending guests, but there are some of us that are pretty hard core supporters that can’t make a trip like that for various reasons. Is there any possible way these could be offered to those of us that by nearly everything you sell?

    Or I wish you would have just let it be a surprise for those that attended.

    I too, will be very disappointed. Not that your not a nice person (not trying to offend the herd), but your giving a precious opportunity to a very select few. Some of whom may own one of your books.

    1. Having toured the Amanas many times I can assure that the Amana Colonists were big fans of mechanization. The first Lignum Vitae I ever saw in person was on the room-sized looms at the old wool mill.

      Now, the countryside around is populated by many Amish, but the communal Colonists would have loved to see your power tools.

  14. I’m going to sound like Ron Popeil, but I thought I was going to have to pay a lot more than that…

  15. Jim,
    It will be my birthday present, too! I can hardly wait, and within a couple of hours from home to boot (and held at one of my favorite places to visit).

  16. I spent the summer of 79 in Eastern Iowa (not Forth Smith, AR like Chris) but I was still digesting “461 Ocean Blvd” and did not know who Gordon Sumner was.

    I can recommend the Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center if any of the fine, closer, B&Bs and motels recommended by the event fill up. It will be a drive in each day but the Iowa hills in the Spring are verdant.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amana_Colonies
    Touring and reading about the Amanas with my children was a fascinating study in the nature and role of individual liberty in people’s lives. Some left the communal life because the community needed more Farmers and they wanted to be Cabinetmakers, etc. Maybe we can’t know the worth of free will and liberty until they are absent?

    I also recommend a visit to Kalona, IA for those going to the event. The Kolona Cheese Factory is the standard tourist stop, but I always drive (or walk) just up the hill to the Stringtown Market – a local Amish run store. My Oma used to “trade” at this store for groceries when I was a boy.

    Don’t photograph the Amish, don’t spook the horses, and don’t mind the prevailing odor of manure (aka “life” if you are Gene Logsdon)

    I may see if my old pop wants to go to this and use that as my excuse to go.

  19. I would second that 50 may be too few of these interesting items, especially in a place where so many folks know how to weld an axe.
    I’m sure you don’t want to end up with leftovers from such a novelty, but I hope you have a generous ratio to the number signed up, so that they are not gone too early, and everyone that waits in line overnight will be able to get one….

  20. in the catagory of always look at the bright side: If you are attending (key point) and you aren’t one the 50 people that gets to buy one at the show, you will be one of the people eligible for one of the wonderful door prizes. (See the bottom of the Handworks website for the list. Amazing.)

  21. The Kansas City Woodworkers’ Guild is planning on sending a bus load of members to Amanda, IA. We’re looking forward to the experience.

  22. That won’t go so well for you Kevin, Amanda, IA is no where near Amana.

    Be careful what you enter into the GPS ya’ll.

  23. I’m in for the event (and willing to brave a ton of being kissed by various Aunts) and I really want a pair of calipers (one). How will the 50 sales be determined?
    First come first served on day one?
    Iowa history contest hosted by local sage Mike Zahs?
    Hand dovetail contest?
    Dance off?
    People who got shorted a ‘cheap’ Velcro hat get first dibs?
    Axe throwing?
    Priority given by weight?
    Priority by shortest hair?
    Nail straightening competition?
    Ancient French spelling bee?

    And of these “fair” methods would work by my estimate. If dance-off – I recommend we book Barefoot Becky and her band ASAP (they are popular).

    1. How about 50 Golden Tickets (that look like the above pic) hidden within Lost Art Press store items. In order to purchase, you must present your Golden Ticket at the show. (My apologies to Roald Dahl for stealing his idea ) AND I’d put them in a product you’ve got a little too much of in stock and need to move.

  24. perhaps said golden ticket comes in the leatherbound roubo book, for those who forked over a bundle and await patiently…

    1. I thought about that kind of deal. Might seem too friendly to the 1% crowd. The “come see us at a free venue” seems more everyman.

  25. I’m sorry to say I can’t get away. And even if I could I don’t “feel lucky punk”. How about making it available as a preorder item along with the book? Or maybe the manufacturer you are working with can make some available for purchase as a one time preorder item? If they don’t get a certain number by a certain date they can cancel the order. Throw me a bone man.

  26. I’m pretty sure the entire point of this post was to get people to sign up for the Handworks event. Don’t attend, don’t get a chance to buy. One big ol’ carrot for us to chase. Simple.

    However, once the show is over (or during the show), a few well placed beers by someone close to our host with promises of profit and who knows what could happen. Maybe a limited run for those of us that just had to replace their 26 year old furnace and AC, which pretty much kaboshed any chance of attending. (There is still the lottery, but I’m not holding my breath.)

  28. In reply to some of the comments above:

    Why not make 500? We’re not a tool-making company and don’t want to become one. Plus, the person who is making these for us can’t handle hundreds. So it is what it is. This is a one-time thing to help promote this very cool event.

    The good news is that we have heard rumblings that a toolmaker is going to start making these for sale.

    1. Having an ephemeral product / promotion has its charm. A neat idea for what appears to be a very cool show. Wish I could go!

      Signed,

      A different guy who just replaced his furnace.

      1. Nice comment Matt. Way better than the people that can’t appreciate the occasional good fortune of people that live in the Midwest. The Mamby Pamby crap. I buy everything you sell how come I’m not qualified to get the special tool. Well it’s because you are a special tool. Geez; be happy the Hand tool world is spreading. Be an enabler instead of a dissenter because it’s not in your area.

        Mark

  29. As far as Iowa is concerned, I will pass, I will go to Cabinetmaking school in Seattle, also I will take furniture design classes at the University of Washing and then go to Port Townsend, Wa for specific
    Courses I may feel deficient in. Just cant see going to Iowa

  31. Amtrak can take me from Durand, Michigan to Ottumwa, Iowa on May 23rd for about 70 bucks. Leaves at 7:47 and arrives at 6:53 p.m. Rent a car and sleep in a tent. Anybody who wants to join a 50 year old hippy wannabe – drop a comment. I’ll look into renting a car – not hippy enough to thumb it eighty miles to Amana.

    1. I only read about the wonderful pictures, not he chest. I think the chest has to have Secret Service level protection to travel. (Plus Iowa is crazy humid in the Spring -bring the camilla or the jojoba)

      I love the Event. I love the venue. With so much love given to East Cost and California I am happy to the Midwest get some. My 12 year-old son even wants to go?!?! (I thought the 4 hours with the roughing plane last year might have killed his inner woodworker).

      I will ask my uncles cousins about the best local brews in that area today and try to dig up some local music for those of you who like to experience such.

  33. I am in Australia, if I had the dimensions, I could make a a few sets, but not tooo many.

    Cheers
    Stef

  34. Let me see if I have this right. You are selling hand made calipers out of brass, one of the softest alloys, with no guarantee of accuracy fo $45.00. Thank but nano thanks. I trust my Starette micrometer more than something I have yet to see or lay my hands on.

      1. Chris,
        On a more serious note, do you know of a reliable and dependable source of quarter sawn beech? 8 quarter if possible?
        Thanks Tons
        Bob Foedisch

      2. Chris, my spell checker works fine all typos are hand made by the manufacturer and under warrantee for the life of the typo

      3. Chris,
        I will buy one of the beautiful brass calipers for your price of $45.00. If you agree to buy my round trip air fare from Seattle to Iowa, pay for my room and board and pay for my car rental. I like that proposal -:). Your thoughts??? Lol

  37. If I bribe you in growlers of beer, will that score me one of those LAP brass thickness calipers?

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