On today’s show, we’re talking about the 2026 Woodcraft National Sales Conference & Vendor Trade Show, the best trade show you’ll never go to. We’ll share what it was like being at the show, what made it different from a typical public woodworking event, and some of the standout companies and products we saw along the way.
Wood Talk is proudly sponsored by Woodcraft, the leading authority in woodworking, making, and creating. Woodcraft has the tools, supplies, expertise, and hands-on classes to inspire creativity at every level.
Use code WT2026 for 10% off regularly priced merchandise. Cannot be combined with other offers, exclusions apply.
The show is also supported by the generous contributions of our patrons. You can support the show at Patreon.com/woodtalk.
This week, we thank:
- David Dahl
- CoreyK
Kickback
- Rich Harwood follows up on the aluminum WoodRiver straight edges and how useful they can be in the shop. He keeps a Starrett steel straight edge as a protected reference tool, using it only to verify that the less expensive aluminum straight edges are still good enough for setup and project work.
Standout Companies and Products
We talked to a lot of people and saw a lot of great products, so there’s no way we can cover everything. If we missed something, apologies in advance. And if we say something we weren’t supposed to say, apologies for that too, because a few products on display weren’t necessarily ready for public consumption.
A few of the companies and products we discuss:
- MicroJig, with things we can’t talk about yet.
- SawStop, with just a little bit of fear in their eyes.
- Kreg, including the Edge Joiner and an upcoming trim router.
- Oliver, with a belt sander that caught our attention.
- Izzy Swan and Swan Tools.
- Old Masters, including a water-based finish with an accelerator and products for making wood grain.
- WoodRiver, with new planes.
- Walrus Oil, with a cohesive product line and online custom mixing.
- Easy Wood Tools, including pen turning tools, giant tools, baseball bats, and other accessories.
- Carbon Method, with hand tool-related products.
- Grit Grip.
- JessEm, with their overall vibe, Canadian-made router updates, and no-slip rules.
- Temple Tools, with Japanese tools.
- Powermatic, with a nice update to their planer.
Local Woodcraft Events and Classes
- Minneapolis: Summer Lumber Deal runs through June 20. Get a $20 gift card with a $100 lumber purchase.
- Minneapolis: Free Bandsaw Tune Up demo, Saturday, June 20 at 1pm. They’ll cover how to keep your bandsaw in top working order.
- Boise: 3 Stone Cairn Lamp class. Students shape and finish hardwood to look like natural river stones, then assemble and wire them into a functional lamp.
- Greenville: Celtic Knot Rolling Pin class. Students use contrasting woods and lathe work to reveal the Celtic knot pattern.
Contact the Show
Send in questions at woodtalkshow.com, find us on Instagram at @woodtalkshow, or send us a voicemail using your phone at woodtalkshow@gmail.com.
You can find us individually on Instagram at @mattcremona, @woodwhisperer, and @renaissancewoodworker.
Thanks to Todd and Margaret.
