PARKERSBURG, W. VA. – James Vitale of Macomb, Michigan, came home from the Midwest Woodworking in America show with an unexpected surprise -- a brand new lathe autographed by two popular woodworking public television personalities -- the prize in Woodcraft’s end-of-the show random drawing from names of registered booth visitors.

Vitale won a Jet 1220 Variable-Speed Midi Lathe and an adjustable stand (retail value of $959.98) donated by Jet. To give the lathe a personal touch, Scott Phillips, co-host with his wife Suzy of The American Woodshop, and Tommy MacDonald, host of Rough Cut – Woodworking with Tommy Mac, autographed the lathe.

“I was blown away about winning the lathe,” Vitale said. “It’s pretty cool. Having Scott and Tommy’s names on the lathe to remind me of winning such a great prize is just awesome.”

Vitale said he had met MacDonald, “a really cool guy and very down to earth,” a few years ago at the first WIA show he attended and had seen Phillips at shows but never met him. “Scott congratulated me right away and was very excited for me,” Vitale said. “We spoke for a few moments, and I shared with him what kind of woodworking I do.”

A woodworker for 18 years, Vitale is part of his family’s business, Macomb Stairs and Millwork, working primarily on staircases and architectural millwork. “I also love designing and building furniture,” he said. “And I’ve been doing woodturning for about four years.”

Vitale has been coming to WIA shows since 2010. Although he took advantage of the classes offered, he said he came “mostly for the interaction with fellow woodworkers and toolmakers in the marketplace.” He is a customer at the Sterling Heights Woodcraft, a 15-minute drive from his home. “I frequent this store for all my woodworking supplies and have really gotten to know all the employees over the past 10 years,” he said.

Second drawing. Another booth visitor’s name was picked in a second random drawing held at Woodcraft corporate headquarters a few days after the show. Tim Ryan of Batavia, Ohio, won a WoodRiver Ultimate V3 Bench Plane Set that includes #3, #4, #5, and #6 planes and the new Pinnacle 151 Spokeshave, a $650 value.

Source: Woodcraft Supply, LLC