Advice for first time visitor to Harrogate Show

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Advice for first time visitor to Harrogate Show

This topic has 33 replies, 16 voices, and was last updated 9 May 2010 at 09:35 by John Coates.

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2 May 2010 at 18:21 #5052
John Coates
Participant
@johncoates48577
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2 May 2010 at 18:21 #51340
John Coates
Participant
@johncoates48577
Have received pass from SWMBO for leave of absence to visit the Harrogate ME show next weekend.

Primary reason is to buy some tooling and steel stock to help me get started. I’m almost there but need some silver steel for tools and have a long wish list after trawling the RDG and Chronos websites.

Basically will there be deals at the show? Being a motorcyclist I was used to the annual show at the NEC being a regular pilgrimage for good deals. But since 2000 everyone has commented that the deals are no longer (other than sellers dumping old stock) and the best prices are now to be had via the internet. As a result I (and many others) no longer go

As I will be more interested in tools for my machines rather than the models (heresy to admit on here I know but at the moment I’m on the first steps towards learning to use the lathe and mill rather than make models) will I still get some value out of a visit? Or should I stay home and just shop on the ol’ t’internet?

Mind you I might get to meet the esteemed staff from the magazine
2 May 2010 at 18:35 #51342
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Just the saving on postage on one or two items will soon cover the entrance fee. I don’t find much of a saving on tooling or materials but did get £100 off a Warco lathe.

Jason
2 May 2010 at 19:28 #51346
KWIL
Participant
@kwil
You will find most of the useful suppliers will be there, take plenty of money and something strong to carry your goodies around. It is a very worthwhile show to go to all round. I go every year from here in the South. You will meet plenty of the faces you may well know or the chance to get to know them. You may well be just starting out but we do not bite!!
2 May 2010 at 21:34 #51353
John Coates
Participant
@johncoates48577
Great. I’m going then. Will more than likely be wearing a Kawasaki motorcycle jacket and rucksack if anyone from here spots me!
2 May 2010 at 22:57 #51357
Chris
Participant
@chris16039
Glad to hear you are on your way John. It’s a great show, did my first last year. Nothing like the bike shows and I did those for many years. The big thing is that they all want to talk to you, even when they are busy.

I’ll be Kwak Jack spotting on Saturday.

Chris.
3 May 2010 at 09:17 #51368
John Coates
Participant
@johncoates48577
Saturday’s my planned day to be there as well
3 May 2010 at 10:26 #51371
Circlip
Participant
@circlip
Was going to suggest you take a bulletproof vest to guard against all the p***s carrying rucksacks but I see you’re taking your own. Perhaps wearing the thing on ones FRONT would go far to apeasing us mere mortals from the barrage?? I’ll be there shopping for me mate in the Philipines and one of the things on the list is 2Ft (600mm) of 2″ (50.8mm) x 1/2″ (12.7mm) Alumininininium bar. This I will purchase FIRST so blugerers BEWARE.

There are bargains to be had, fleebay is a joke on material prices.

Regards Ian.
3 May 2010 at 10:55 #51376
Chris
Participant
@chris16039
Steady on there Mr Circlip. I’ll be wearing a pink carnation and carrying my ‘man bag’ should you care to introduce yourself.

On a more serious note it would be good to meet some of the people from this site, in particular some of you who have guided me through the first 18 months of getting started in this hobby.

Chris.
3 May 2010 at 11:42 #51379
Ian S C
Participant
@iansc
Handy thing to cart the bits and pieces is one of those folding suitcase trollies,you can cart 30-40kg ie a new chuck or similar things a bit heavy to put in you pocket,and by the end of the day it gets a bit tireing with a back pack.
Perhaps name tags, or a badge of some sort would be handy.Sorry I won’t be there, its a bit far on my bike.Ian S C
3 May 2010 at 11:42 #51380
Circlip
Participant
@circlip
Well if I say (On my OWN behalf) Overweight with a grey beard, that should apply to most of whom attend so there’s going to be a lot of mistaken identities. Surfice to say that ALL who attend will be welcomed with the standard of hospitality to be expected in Gods own county.

Regards Ian.

Edited By Circlip on 03/05/2010 11:48:53
3 May 2010 at 12:30 #51382
Geoff Theasby
Participant
@geofftheasby
And in one of the nicest parts of the said county, too, and not too far from the A1.

I haven’t been for several years, before I took up model engineering, in fact.

The model displays were fabulous, I could have spent more than the one day there.

I particularly remember a 71/4 inch gauge Garrett locomotive which left me agog.

This year I shall be taking a keen interest in the machine tools.

Regards

Geoff
3 May 2010 at 17:53 #51384
Dougie Swan
Participant
@dougieswan43463
Hey Chris,

I will be there for the three days with some of my creations. I would be glad if you came and said hello

Dougie
3 May 2010 at 18:46 #51388
Chris
Participant
@chris16039
I’ll be happy to see you and your creations. I’ll have to be careful though, it sounds as though Circlip could be my twin brother. Grey beard, outward signs of brewery shares. Perhaps we should all get together and have a Santa’s summer re-union. Sorry John you started this as a serious thread and it’s rapidly becoming a goon show script.

Chris
3 May 2010 at 19:01 #51390
V8Eng
Participant
@v8eng
Was going to suggest you take a bulletproof vest to guard against all the p***s carrying rucksacks.

I agree there, get totally fed up with being accidently smacked round the head by backpacks while looking at exhibits.

Most of the wearers seem to forget they have the things on when they turn around quickly.

Anyway thats enough of my rant, the show is still great.

Edited By V8Eng on 03/05/2010 19:08:19
3 May 2010 at 19:27 #51393
KWIL
Participant
@kwil
Better a thick head than be poked in the eye by a piece of paper wrapped 16 gauge!
3 May 2010 at 19:59 #51394
Ian Welford
Participant
@ianwelford58739
Hoping to meet up with like minded “anoraks” as SWMBO puts it.

I’m with the York mob ( York and district model engineering society ). On Saturday will be accompanied by ( and trying to control) 9 year old ginger headed son, On Sunday again trying to control 79 year old bearded Uncle.

Suggestions for show-

1 Bring your own coffee as the ” in house” is OK but can be pricey.

2 Stop at Sainsbury’s on way in for croissants, biscuits, nibles ( all the bits SWMBO&nbsp monitors normally. Also they have cash machines!

3 Bring a folding seat ‘cos if it’s nice then enjoy a sit oitside between traction engine rides.

4 The cloth type “reusable ” carrier bags ( at 50p each ) can pack really small and carry lots!

5 M Machine are really friendly and will take stuff to the show for you! – I have no connection other than as a very satisfied customer of theirs.

6 Arc Euro aren’t going to be there- bummer!

Look forward to meeting Mr Circlip and others who’ve been really helpful with advice via this site. I I’m 6ft, blond, male and will probable be wearing my maroon York DMES sweatshirt Oh and I’m not yet retired so look hassled!

Been looking forward to this for months!

See you all there.

Ian
3 May 2010 at 20:02 #51396
John Coates
Participant
@johncoates48577
I agree there, get totally fed up with being accidently smacked round the head by backpacks while looking at exhibits

Either you must be bending down to view them or you are a hobbit, which brings a whole new perspective to my visit. Old men with long grey beards and a penchant for ale, hobbits, steam powered machinery presumably operated by orcs?

It’s a Middle Earth convention isn’t it?

John – keeping the script going (for a Jester’s tear?)
3 May 2010 at 20:19 #51397
Ian Welford
Participant
@ianwelford58739
John

just be careful- you’ve got 17 miles of “traffic calming” between Notts and leicester to acclimatise to civilisation as we known it. Assuming the border guards like you and let you on their motorway!

Remember to checkfro trolls under all the bridges!
3 May 2010 at 20:22 #51398
Ian Welford
Participant
@ianwelford58739
Anyone know – Is Meyrick making the pilgramage to Harrogate?

Ian
3 May 2010 at 21:15 #51401
John Coates
Participant
@johncoates48577
Ian

I’m a lot closer than that, only 68 miles away. Mind you I have enjoyed the delights of both the M1 and A46 roadworks when going to Leicester to deliver or collect my son from De Montford

And thanks for the tips which I will follow

John
3 May 2010 at 22:13 #51403
John Stevenson 1
Participant
@johnstevenson1
I’m going on the Saturday on my own ticket, well nearly.

ARC has donated a X1L with stand and goodies for best newcomer in class ( or something similar ) and I’m delivering it.

Be nice for once to have a leisurely walk round, look at goodies and have a natter without having to deal with tight arsed punters.

Sooner than carry shed loads of gear round in my 14 gauge armoured rucksack and upset Ian I’ll be based some of the time on Lester Caines stand, Model Engineers Digital Workshop which in Hall 2

Now I know many of you owe me a drink or 5 but remember I have to drive back and the Donald only knows it’s own way from Sheffield south.

John S.
3 May 2010 at 22:37 #51405
Nicholas Farr
Participant
@nicholasfarr14254
Hi John, I agree with the majority that it is a really good show, I’ve been going to it for several years now but I don’t have a grey or any other coloured beard, bulletproof vest or a rucksack. I am also going on Saturday and have a 150 mile trek and probably won’t get there until midday when most of the big crowds are starting to go home with their rucksacks and long bits of metal. If you really want something in particular it is best to contact the supplier/s you have in mind in advance as they will usually reserve it for you, but you must do that ASAP (like yesterday) it may be too late already, but there is no harm in enquiring. Have an enjoyable day all whichever day/s you are going.

Nick.
4 May 2010 at 08:52 #51410
Circlip
Participant
@circlip
Seriously considered wearing an avatar of “Cyril” for those old enough (or young enough like Sir John) to remember. Haven’t decided yet, as although it’s hard to belive, there are those who would rather shake my neck than hand, anyroad, pink carnations are DEFINATELY out.

Should be an oasis of tranquility after all the garbage being rammed down our throats for the last few months and despite their best efforts, NONE of the three stooges should have been able to cast gloom over THE best gathering in the UK.

One of the problems of striking your colours BEFORE the show is that the border patrols will have been alerted in certain areas and names entered into Zee book,(Beware Herr Coates), so given that we make the best Ale in Britain, by the addition of certain “Extras”, Yorkshire puddings can be modified to form fomidable weapons, where do you think the Japanese copied their Shurikins from? Far Eastern forgeries have been going on for FAR longer than some imagine. Forget yer Black puddin’ Lancastrians, NO CONTEST and the Saddleworth fortifications can be swung into operation at the drop of a flat ‘at.

Regards Ian

Edited By Circlip on 04/05/2010 08:55:10
4 May 2010 at 09:22 #51412
Kelvin Barber
Participant
@kelvinbarber70274
Being a Harrogate virgin myself there’s some useful tips on here so many thanks – keep ’em coming!
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