Coverings 2009!

[irish tileguy in michigan]

I like what John just said, as this was my first coverings show i was truely amazed with it even though i was told it was on the quiter side than prevous years, there was still tons to see and even though i walked around numorous times i still found things i missed before. I only spent two days there and i can tell you its not enough, as of right now i am planning on going next year.
As i said before it was a pleasure meeting the folks from the forem there.

[TS Jr]

I could have sworn that I saw DeWalt there......

[irish tileguy in michigan]

Yeah, Dewalt were there Paul.

[Foochacho]

Anyone else get that coupon from mapei?

Good for either 10 bags of ultraflex LFT, 5 bags of ultracolor plus, 1 opticolor medium kit, or 2 1 gallon pails of Mapelastic Aquadefense. I think I will go for the 10 bags of LFT. That is a hell of a promotional coupon.

The ditra knockoff booths (red and yellow) were amusing. No real sales pitch just pointed at the product and said this is ditra and this is kerdi. Way to sell your product. How bout you show me why yours is supposedly better than your competitor.

I was sold on a tool called the "waletale" which I will order from contractorsdirect.com. Very cool shop vac attachment that can help control dust when mixing. Great for mixing in a garage, basement or any other area where you wanna keep dust to a minimum or out of your face.

I really liked the Gem surfaces booth. Slabs made out of agate, a very cool idea many of them are transparent and can be lit up from behind. Would love to incorporate some into a shower sometime. Maybe my own shower when I finally move, which will be soon hopefully if I get some interest off our open house tomorrow.

Had a good time, just wish they would of had more tool booths.

[John Bridge]

Guess I missed DeWalt. Probably missed others, too. Yacking too much, I guess.

[HS345]

Hey Sean,
I can't find the shop vac attachment (whale tale) you mentioned. Can you post a link?


Thanks.

[John Bridge]

The whale tail guy was set up in Armen Tavy's booth. Cool little tool. I saw a demo, and it really works.

[HS345]

Thanks John, I'll check out Tavy's website. A google search for "whale tail" yielded some, ahem, shall we say, interesting results.

*edit*
Nothing on Tavy's website.

Was it similar to this?

[ceramictec]

I'm sure Mapei was happy that Custom and Laticrete weren't there.

you think the pressure for the major manufactrers put on them to attend these big ones are tough when they cant or decide not to attend.

Everybody, let's start gearing up for a far better show in 2010 and a much improved economic year leading up to it.

yeah, Orlando is a much better place to hold a convention. and hopefully as john pointed out the economy will be on an upswing. I have noticed tons more work I'm bidding already towards the end of this year.

[gueuzeman]

I think I've had that whale tail concept in my head for a few years.

I'll prototype one today and post pics. It will be crude (wood), not injection molded. For years I've just let the vac hose lock into the edge of the pail with the handle, simple, free, and it works.


gueuze

[Rd Tile]

Mick asked me to post this photo.

In the Picture: Musky Mike, Gigi from Tuscan Leveling, Ernie from Tuscan, John Bridge and wife Pattie.

[John Bridge]

The guy in the middle is Eric Rattan, world famous mosaic artist, tile maker and mud man. http://www.santafedesignstudio.com

I'm glad we got a picture of Gigi.

[Tool Guy - Kg]

Ah.....Eric was there!

Eric is a great guy and willing to share his knowledge. He held a seminar a few years ago at Coverings that included how he went about installing his "Crane Dreams" work. That was cool.

His work is phenomenal! And last year he won yet another award at Coverings: The 2008 International Spectrum Tile Design and Detail award for his master bedroom. Too bad I didn't get to see him this year. Maybe next year.

[MICK1]

Thank John for mentioning Eric, amazing artist

Mick

[flatfloor]

Good stuff JB all Dooley noted.