My friend turned up just before 12 on Saturday having set off by train at 7.15 from Bournemouth.
The organisers had pointed out it was the 21st exhibition, presumably from the start at Pickets Lock, so they gave each stand a box of choccy biscuits on Friday and amazingly there were still some left – our members must be getting health conscious.

Twice I saw something, dithered, and on returning found it gone, one I missed by 30 seconds as a guy was just paying for it. Blaah but it probably saved me some money. Picked up a faceplate and another heavy lump plus a few bits but I forgot my list so was wary about some things I couldn't remember the size I wanted. I always think of things I should have done/got the following day.

Quite crowded on Saturday but not that horrible crush of the past as the aisles were wider as they had filled the far end under the organ that used to be a bit empty sometimes. Warco, Myford, and Chester all there but the latter two had small stands. RDG was the main tools stand. I do miss Chronos and Proops and a few of the others where you knew certain types of things were available and takes a bit more hunting around to find.

Several stands had 3D printers and Threedy had a full stand where interestingly they were printing Footy boats instead of the usual gear or star wars junk.

More when I've downloaded my camera

I like the idea of Footy boats – especially an open class – trimarans and weirdo rigs all permitted!

Hi, I went yesterday, my train fair was £27.70 return, but I saved a couple of quid on the station car park, because someone had left their change behind in the machine. The train had to go all the way to King's X and I had to get two trains back to Ally Pally despite my train passing right through the station. Had a refreshing walk up the hill from the railway station, after sitting on trains for two hours. I did notice the aisles were a bit wider, but I think there were a few smaller trade stand and a few of the club and demonstrations stands were smaller also as well as using more space a the back end. Had my usual sort of spend, one of which was on an E32 bearing nut, which will make it easier to tighten things up, hopefully. Talking to the young guy who is part of RGD Tools (can't think of his name) he was telling me that Friday was very hectic for them. Saw an old Grayson lathe converted for use for Ornamental Turning, quite impressive amount of work involved in the conversion.

Regards Nick.

I went yesterday by coach which was cheaper than any other form of public transport. The show was the same as the last two I visited there. I did not take any photographs since everything that interested me looked tired. The usual traders were not there. I bought a few items such as studding and two things from the Myford stand that I did not exactly need (I guess I felt sorry for them). I asked a few questions and got not very helpful answers. The only thing I missed, I am told, was looking at the progress on the "Big Boy". I got home well after nine o'clock, very tired and slept very well. I finally got up this morning an hour later than usual.

In cost me close to £50 getting there and getting in. I can think of more useful things I could have spent the money on such as a few bottles of good wine. I cannot see myself going again.

Perhaps a virtual exhibition could be established on the internet where dealers, clubs and exhibitors would display on a common website and answer questions in near real time. Such a website would only remain open for a few days.

JA

Edited By JA on 22/01/2017 15:24:53

With the diminishing number of stands each year JA makes a very valid point, increasing costs for travelling and entry, that money can be better spent, especially with discount being offered by a certain trader !!!!!! no doubt he is giving away some or all of the cost of exhibiting, or did he attend ?

Emgee

It never was at Wembley. This is the one that was at Picket's Lock and moved out 'because of the Olympics'.
MEX was at Wembley and moved to Ally Pally, then Olympia, then Sanddown, then Ascot, Sandown again now Brooklands.

There used to be a railway station at the venue itself once on the south side. Anyone who had lunch in the exhibitor's café this year (not last year by the ice rink) looked out on the old station platforms.

Edited By Bazyle on 22/01/2017 18:59:37

I went today (Sunday) and It looked quite full even at 10 when the doors opened

I went to see the warco range of mills and came away having ordered the WM16 to replace my old Alpine DM25, then went over to Machine DRO and purchased the 3 axis DRO

Now that was an expensive Day – But Planned for

Excellent show even with reduced suppliers still lots to see

Trevor

Edited By Trevorh on 22/01/2017 19:31:32

EEK nobody here!

Ok it was ten minutes before opening so actually quite a lot of activity for a not yet show.
Never seen one of these at a show before – a horizontal arbor and a 30int one at that (some Centecs?). It survived at least an hour but had gone by lunch. I do wish vendors would protect the tapers and even worse is the heap of reamers in a box rattling around.

How to hold your loco – this is not a building stand but TIm H's carrying and maintenance idea. Note at the front the rails slope down so you can put it on the track, undo the front buffer clamp and roll it off. Apart from the two buffer clamps it is welded so rigid and cable to roll the loco over to shake the loose coal out (over our nice clean table covers).

Another method is this cradle that I think puts the CofG below the handle.

Or this for wheeling round the workshop then note there is an axle in the middle to which you can fit 2 6in wheels for rough ground to get to the track.

.

Whisper it, Bazyle …

I got all sorts of stick when I dared to suggest something along those lines.

MichaelG.

Thanks for those [photos and description], Bazyle

MichaelG.

I personally didn't enjoy the show that much, I went on the Friday and found it quite busy and small, struggled to find what I was looking for and have informative conversations with sales people. Perhaps as this is my first one and being used to exhibitions of a much grander scale I've been spoilt. The only good thing to come of it was I ordered DRO for the Myford although it wasn't in stock and I am having to wait……

I went by road (in spite of having to use the A406) on Saturday getting there about 10.30, the car parks were already quite well populated and we ended up quite a walk from the Palace itself.

The show was busy early on but thinned out a bit in the afternoon.

The exhibition was good with plenty of fine models on the various club stands, the truckers and brickish had good displays and audiences to match. I noticed a good proportion of families and younger people there, something that must be good for the hobby itself.

I did not go with the idea of purchasing anything so only came away with couple of small bits of brass to play with, I do enjoy rummaging through the stuff on trade stands though.

There did seem to be qite few drones being taken home so I guess the model shops would have been pleased.

All things considered I did enjoy the show, although my body tells me that next time I go to Ally Pally it will be taking a bus from the car park!

PS. the Restaurant food was good as well.

Edited By V8Eng on 23/01/2017 10:43:46