Visit to Woodworkers Emporium

[Steve Mathews]

I visited Woodworkers Emporium in Las Vegas yesterday for the first time. It was only my second visit to a woodworking store, the first being a Rockler's in Phoenix. The owner or one of them was very friendly and helpful. She even showed me some very fine looking woodturning done by her husband. I ended picking up a Stuart Batty 1" skew with his proprietary handle made of carbon fiber. The skew I was using previously was a little smaller and as I'm just finding out a lot duller. More about that in another post. While at the store I browsed through most of their displays and was amazed at the quantity and quality of what they have. If you ever visit Las Vegas I encourage you stop by. It's only a short distance from the casinos. In fact, the owner stated that they receive visitors from all over the world because of the casino traffic.

[Paul F Franklin]

Thanks for the heads-up. Will be in Vegas next week (I live near Cleveland and am ducking the convention) so I will definitely check it out!

[Dave Mueller]

+1 to Steve's comments. I have purchased two lathes, five chucks and lots of other accessories from Woodworker's Emporium. I have come to know Christian and Jeri Brisepierre (the owners) as friends and look forward to seeing them every year at AAW and SWAT, our local Texas meeting. There are lots of great vendors supporting woodturning, but none any better than them.

[Michael Dye]

I don't know if the store is under the same ownership, but I was there when they first opened the doors. They used to have classes upstairs in the loft area, and many great deals could be had on used equipment. I bought a used PM90 and PM1150 from those guys. Great store, right across from the "Neon Graveyard". It's amazing to see Vegas today compared to when I was a kid there in the 60's.

[Dok Yager]

I agree with Steve. I have only purchased online from them and they are always pleasant to call and ask a question of or some advice. This fall I am planning a trip there and hope to meet them both and pick up some tools and accessories while there.

[John Sanford]

Christian and Jeri are THE BESTEST!!!!

Got my lathe, my drill press, and a lot of other stuff from 'em. Woodworker's (that's how I always referred to it, there was never any confusion amongst friends and family as to what I was talking about) is one of the things about Vegas that I miss.

Ask 'em about woodturning in Morocco....

[Justin Stephen]

Yeah, have to periodically go to Vegas for work and often have time to kill before my flight out. On a whim on a recent trip I googled for "woodworking store las vegas" and discovered this place. Needless to say, I had to make room in my bag for a couple of purchases.

[Jason Edwards]

Got to agree with the others, Christian and Jeri are great to work with and a great store. No trip to Vegas is complete without a pilgrimage to WWE. Great online store too, and lots of stuff you won't find at the other better known catalog only stores. Also, if you're into woodturning, lots more knowledge about woodturning on the floor or over the phone than at most Woodcraft or Rockler stores.

[Bill Hunt]

I agree with everything said, I bought a Vermec sphere turning from them and Christian was excellent help to me. I have developed some eye problems that make it hard to see the curve and the vermec really does the job.

[glenn bradley]

Was in Vegas this week for work and thanks to this thread, stopped by Woodworker's Emporium. It was a slow day for the shuttle driver and he offered to drop me off; what a deal.

Nice selection and collection of items. A fair amount of Powermatic and Jet stuff plus more industrial machines in the back. Lots of Amana for cutters which was interesting. They carry Rockler products and most of the usual suspects we find at a store of this kind.

The folks working there were very personable. I asked if they would take a cab back to the casinos or walk. They recommended a cab but, being from So Cal the weather was pretty much like home so I took the mile and a half walk back. It actually felt good after being indoors for a couple of days straight for the event I was attending.

If you are in the area I would recommend taking at least 30 minutes (or as long as you like) and treating yourself to a wander through.