Must-See woodworking spots

[iclark]

I am looking at taking I-95 from Virginia down to central Florida in the near future. KSC area for sure and possibly some points west. (definitely no further west than Tampa<G>)

are there must-see type spots along that route for woodworkers and SS fans?

sorry if this is an old frequent question, but I'm not good enough with a search to find it if it is. pointers to existing threads are certainly welcome.

thanks,
Ivan

[bettyt44720]

somewhere just below I 40 (when heading south on I 95) in nc is a big harbor freight store if i remember correctly.

[8iowa]

Betty:

We go up I95 every March and yes, there is a large Harbor Freight Facility in NC. However, I don't recall seeing any signs or evidence that they do any retail there. It might just be a warehouse/distribution center. I would certainly check this out first before planning the trip around a stop there.

If you have any SS accessory that needs repaired or wish to have your headstock refurbished you could stop at Plant City (about 25 miles E of Tampa)and visit with Bill Mayo.

Now.......if you are going to travel on I75, I can think of a lot of neat stops.......but that is a different story.

[Ed in Tampa]

I am looking at taking I-95 from Virginia down to central Florida in the near future. KSC area for sure and possibly some points west. (definitely no further west than Tampa<G>)

are there must-see type spots along that route for woodworkers and SS fans?

sorry if this is an old frequent question, but I'm not good enough with a search to find it if it is. pointers to existing threads are certainly welcome.

thanks,
Ivan

Well depending on what you call good work working sites both Orlando and Tampa have Woodcraft stores. Also the Utter Guys store is in Orlando and they have a huge stock of tools.

When I travel I95 I always try to hit Williamsburg in hope of catching Roy Underhill who visit there from time to time. But Williamsbury is your neck of the woods. I don't know if Disney still offers their behind the scenes tours but at one time they offered it to people that knew about it. The took you underground and behind the scenes. The Hall of Presidents with all the air hydralics was fascinating plus most of what they do is modeled in wood or the newer plastics. If you plannig to visit Disney I would ask about the tour. I don't remember the cost but I do know you had to get there early.

If you go through Jacksonville you have a good chance to get in the fog and smell of the pulpwood being made into paper. :D

Plus as someone else mentioned we have our own resident Shopsmith expert Bill Mayo here in plant city. If you need anything rebuilt, repaired etc be sure to call him and arrange to have him do it for you. Besides he just told me due to recent purchases he has his shop, storage building and garage filled with SS parts and accessories so he will probably we willing to give quarter tour of it. Make him a good offer and I'm sure he will sell you something.:D

If I think of anything else I will update this thread.
Have a good and safe trip
Ed

[easterngray]

Check this out...

http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showthread.htm?t=2187

Have a safe trip!

Alec

[bettyt44720]

thanks 8iowa for the heads up on the harbor freight facility. it was 6am when i passed by there so i did not even attemp to stop. i put it on my list for future trips(same with stopping by shopsmith store in dayton and you know that idea has come and gone) my daughter moved from raleigh, nc to orlando, fl so i now travel I 95 from I 26 south. hope to look up bill mayo in february when i'll be down to orlando and tampa. one of these days i need to meet up with ed reible when i'm at my son's in minooka, il. sooo many things to do and so little time it seems.

[billmayo]

Thanks for the referral Ed and others. Please feel free to stop by my shop if anyone is down Tampa way. I just had Craig Lange visit for 2 days where we rebuilt a headstock and a joiner. I have plenty of items to rebuild/repair if you cannot bring anything. I only need a week or two heads-up if you are going to be in my area as I have lots of doctor visits these days. I enjoy sharing information and stories. If anyone has any Shopsmith questions, comments, concerns, needs or wants, feel free to contact me. Thanks.


Plus as someone else mentioned we have our own resident Shopsmith expert Bill Mayo here in plant city. If you need anything rebuilt, repaired etc be sure to call him and arrange to have him do it for you. Besides he just told me due to recent purchases he has his shop, storage building and garage filled with SS parts and accessories so he will probably we willing to give quarter tour of it. Make him a good offer and I'm sure he will sell you something.

If I think of anything else I will update this thread.
Have a good and safe trip
Ed

[etc92guy]

Yep, I spent two days with Bill and learned more than I could have learned in 20 years doing my standard thing of reading magazines, books, and repair manuals. And I didn't even scratch the surface of what is locked up in Bill's head.

Bill and his wife Ann were and are most gracious. Working with someone of Bill's caliber was a real thrill for me. Bill was so patient with me I even got to use some of his tools and be hands on. It was a special experience for me. :D

If schedules work and you have the time, spend it with Bill. You won't regret the experience.