Road Tripping to Raleigh: Catch Bad Owl Tool at the 40th AAW Symposium

Heading Down I-40 for the 40th AAW Symposium

The bags are packed, the shop is locked up tight, and we’re officially hitting the road tonight from Norfolk to Raleigh, North Carolina. This weekend marks the 40th Anniversary of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW) Symposium, and if you have any interest in making square things round, this is the premier event of the year.

We’ll be walking the trade show floor, sitting in on live demonstrations, and undoubtedly talking shop until our voices give out. If you're attending, keep an eye out for us—we’re always ready to argue about secondary bevel angles or discuss why your bowl gouge is probably sharper than it needs to be, but your skew chisel definitely isn't.

Where to Find Us (Hint: Look for the Heavy Iron)

Just to clear the air: Bad Owl Tool does not have a booth this year. We decided to skip the exhibitor side of things so we could actually enjoy the show, geek out over gear, and talk to folks without being tied to a table.

If you're trying to track us down, your best bet is to head over to the Nova Teknatool booth. We’ll likely be hanging out there quite a bit, inspecting their latest lathe innovations, checking out their chuck systems, and generally getting in the way. Come tap us on the shoulder!

What We’re Hunting For on the Trade Show Floor

There is no shortage of gimmicks in the woodworking world, and the woodturning sector is certainly no exception. At Bad Owl Tool, we prioritize gear that offers genuine value, reliable tolerances, and long-term durability. When we walk a massive trade show like the AAW Symposium, we’re looking past the shiny banners to inspect the actual engineering.

• Chuck Tolerances: We’re checking for jaw runout. A scroll chuck might look bulletproof, but if the internal gearing isn't machined to strict tolerances, you'll be fighting vibration from day one.
• Steel Quality: We want to see exact metallurgical specs. Is it M2 high-speed steel? Is it M42? Cryogenically treated? If a manufacturer is vague about their steel, that is an immediate red flag.
• Tool Rest Design: A good tool rest needs to absorb vibration, not amplify it. We'll be looking closely at the cast iron and hardened steel profiles hitting the market this year to see what holds up under pressure.

The Unbeatable Value of Live Demonstrations

Let’s be honest: you can learn a lot from YouTube. But watching a master turner read the grain and negotiate a tricky crotch figure in person is a masterclass you simply cannot get through a screen. You can actually hear when the bevel is rubbing correctly. You can watch their stance and body mechanics—the unsung heroes of clean, tear-out-free cuts.

Pro Tip: Pay close attention to how the pros sharpen during their demonstrations. Most successful turners spend a significant amount of time setting up their grind. If you don't respect the grinder, you will never get optimal results on the lathe.

A Quick Word on Safety

As we celebrate 40 years of the AAW, it’s worth noting how much safety standards have evolved. Let me be perfectly clear: a spinning lathe does not care about your fingers. Always wear a high-impact face shield (ANSI Z87.1+ certified at a minimum), stay out of the firing line when roughing a new blank, and double-check your mounting before you ever flip the switch. We want to see you at the 41st Symposium, too.

See You in Raleigh

Whether you're a seasoned professional looking to upgrade your heavy iron, or a weekend warrior trying to figure out why your spindle roughing gouge keeps catching, we’d love to connect. We’ll be in Raleigh all weekend long, absorbing the knowledge, inspecting the newest tools, and maybe enjoying a little North Carolina barbecue.

If you spot the Bad Owl Tool crew on the floor—or lurking around the Nova booth—come say hi. Let's talk shop, celebrate 40 years of the AAW, and figure out how to make your next turning project your best one yet.