Sadly circumstance (largely catching up after a short break) means that I won't be able to get to Bristol myself. I have arranged for an intrepid reporter and photographer to attend and seek out tooling and other items of interest to MEW readers, so those of us unable to go should at least be able to get the flavour of the event.

Neil

I to was at the Bristol exhibition this morning.

I first went when we lived in Barry South Wales in 2005 we now live in north Shropshire.

There were many exhibition and some new stands to see but a number of traders were absent.

I use the exhibition to stock up on tools, materials and collect order I have placed with the likes of Blackgates and Model Engineers Laser.

Although the lack of traders meant I did not get some of the items I wanted the new exhibits well made up for my disappointment.

Steve R

Oh dear, I do hope Warco's absence is not a taste of things to come. Despite a rather disastrous experience In the past I had with them and two of their 1330 lathes, engineering exhibitions with no more Warco is unthinkable.

They have always had a substantial display of tooling and light and heavy machinery, and it must be a major effort to transport it all to most of the various shows, for which they deserve a lot of credit for making the effort.

Along with the cost of their stand plus staff and accommodation, we are lucky that they and others bother making the effort at all.

For what it is worth, my wife and I had a very enjoyable day there on Saturday.

I was able to get all of the items on my list from metal to hand tools and not one came from a £1 stall!

Perhaps the most enjoyable part of the visit was chatting to both the stall holders and those manning the club stands.

All in all a worthwhile 200 mile trip.

John

Went on Sunday not a bad day out, seemed to be less exhibits than previous years, quite a few tool stalls, yes not bad at all only blight on the day was the people on the RDG stall trying to overcharge me.

It was better when the machine vedndors had stalls and you could view and try the machines first hand, they must have lost sales from that.

Dull

Hopefully the organisers of the Bristol show will take note of the comments, I know of someone who contacted them wanting to exhibit a model, did not even get a reply, I doubt he will offer again.

J

I went on Sunday this time having got caught out by the traffic jams on the M5 return trip on my usual Fridays over the past few years . I must say it was a disappointment, everything spread out to cover the lack of stalls and a distinct lack of atmosphere. I attend this exhibition because it is closest (although still over 200mile round trip) and have always found something of interest, but not this time. I had hoped to look at the new Warco WM280V lathe to confirm my choice that it would be the right lathe for me. But they were noticeable by their absence ! I will probably still buy one but it would have been nice to have had a play first. I wonder if these firms realise that it is not all about making a sale on the day. People think long and hard about buying these major purchases and it may come to fruition a year or so down the line when the funds have become available. It does put the seeds of doubt in ones mind, are they in difficulty ? As to the exhibitions, perhaps I'm just jaded but i don't think I will bother again.

Russ

Talking to one of the dealers who did attend, the hall was very thin on the ground as far as customers was concerned. Most of the people buying were other dealers. I’m sure it is disappointing if your favourite dealer wasn’t there but these shows cost a lot in money and time and taking a few hundred quid isn’t worth their while.