I've got my tickets but I'm hoping to avoid the great unwashed.

Extra points could be awarded for a good thump from a backpack or being jabbed in the face by some sharp purchase, I was jabbed in the cheek by a metal rod in a backpack, uncomfortably close to my eye.

Mike

I missed the Doncaster show so I am planning to go on Thursday, don't be giving negative vibes on crowds 🤔

Backpacks! I'd forgotten about the bl**dy backpacks!

Regards,

John.

Now there's an idea for a free subs gift – the MEW backpack with extra spikes

Neil

Nick,

Just a perforated pocket on the front of the backpack, to contain 1 or 2 pairs of old pants!

Though I think some of the visitors I have hurried away from only possess one pair.

I, too, attended today. Took my wife along and she enjoyed it (bought herself a model railway kit/set thing – miniature 1/450th scale. Now running it!).

I actually found it better than Donny. Not so big, not so busy and easier to get to. I avoided the trash, but did buy some carbide cutters and a couple of arbor blanks. No real bargains for any second hand stuff – I suspect there might be some late on Sunday, mind!

Edited :not 1/145 scale but 1/450!!

Edited By not done it yet on 13/10/2016 20:16:53

I was going to go on Sunday on the basis that there was no shuttle bus service which might help. Going on a new tool mission instead. Sunday traffic levels are lower and I will need to go a long way.

I did go last year and hadn't been for a long long time. My feeling was far too cramped compared with where it used to be held and food not as good as better car boot standards. My wife did like looking at the models though. Me too in many cases. The rest to me was maybe a bit of a let down. I expected more spectacular offers. Several tooling items that I might have bought were in a poor state to the extent that I couldn't tell if they were any good. If that was down to people playing with them I'd probably give them a miss anyway.

John

–

I went on Thursday a good run up the M40. Another good show. Could do with a bit more space between the stands though. Plenty of traders to lighten your wallet!

Photos *** HERE *** if anyone would like a look.

John

Went Thursday & did not regret the total 7 hours of driving. After Brooklands shambles I was worried I might be wasting my time but I thought it was as good as Doncaster & Ally Pally. It was good that there were more trade stands to tempt me to get my wallet out.

The outside showing was interesting & as usual the people on the club stands were very willing to chat as were those outside so it came over as a very good exhibition & well attended. I went to see a finished PYRTE traction engine on the Rugby Model Club stand ( I started one last week) & met another builder of one so we had a good chat about the build

To be controversial with my observation– If one had to decide which exhibition this year would win the award for the top few models I would have to give the prize to Doncaster because some of the models there were really exceptional, as were a few at Brooklands.( if you could find them!!) But not so noticeable at the other 2 shows

Went yesterday, Extra distance for me offset by lower price than MEX . No difficulty in moving round the aisles so maybe everyone went for the bargains on earlier days. Nice and sunny for the outside steamers. I notice that the majority of engines are 4in Fosters and also although this is a major gathering of TEs there are few traders there promoting TE designs. One with large castings on display didn't make it clear which engine they were for.

I got a few small bargains and went to a talk on clockmaking tools which unfortunately coincided with the demo of brass casting which would have been more interesting.

In the inside demo area there was this Jacobs wheel hobber of the type discussed in a long thread earlier this year.

At first sight it looks a bit off from the usual pictures. Is it a Jacobs? The interesting thing is it has the hob and associated gear train mounted on a 5/8 plate and rotated 90 degrees from the usual position. This enables higher angle skew gears to be made. The builder Chris Robinson said he wrote an article in MEW a few years ago and submitted another on this significant modification more recently in the 'gone missing' period before Neil. I recommend he is chased mercilessly to reprise this information to get it in the permanent record for this machine which has a worldwide following.

Also my attention was caught by the Midland Federation of Model Engineers. I was puzzled that it might be an alternative to the Nothern and Southern Feds but it seems to be a grouping of a few local clubs on one stand which is a good idea. They displayed a watchmakers lathe which is a rather neat and compact installation of the species showing how well it should suit an OO or O gauge modeller which is really it's target owner.

I also spotted this model of Borderer. It is a far better size for a model boat than the Stuart launch yet I never see them actually installed in a boat.

I don't go to this show every year but perhaps I should. Hope the guys today aren't too badly affected by the rain.