Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition

[JC54Participant @jc54]

I went on Friday, many thanks Brian, Andrew, Kraig, and thoroughly enjoyed the show. Spent more than I would admit to SWMBO but had a great day. Just a few replies to some previous postings. if we don't support these shows they will close down,

It's the same old exhibits…. Did you exhibit anything? I realize that a lot of people can't exhibit due to travelling distance and the fact that organizers will not let you display on one day only!! (when you can make it with today's commitments) Even a complete newbie I would love to exhibit my attempts if only as an indication to other newbies that we can't all reach these superb standards.

I also disagree with the arguement about it only being a Hobby for us "gentlemen of advancing years" I had several chats with ladies and gentlemen from approx 18 to 40 youngsters to me,,,, When I looked at a display there was a couple of youngsters demonstrating a mill and a lathe, ( I have refrained from adding an age as nowadays Police Officers look about 12)

One thing that I did notice and has appeared on another website is how inconsiderate some show goers are.. I am partially disabled but OK.. Why do some people walk backwards, push you out of the way attack you with there rucksacks and apparently have no regard respect for other people???/ One person at least may read this and realize why he ended up on the floor…….., I hope it hurt…

'

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[derek hall 1Participant @derekhall1]

I recall many years ago in the ME, Tubal Cain describing how to build a packing crate to transport models to the London ME engineering exhibition.

This was back in the days where the ME staff would hire a van and drive around the country collecting exhibits for the show!

Different times I suggest. I was not aware at the barriers put up at making it difficult to exhibit a model.

Regarding etiquette at the show, I wonder if we all get so engrossed with it all that we stop being aware of our surroundings (like kids in a sweet shop). I experienced the frustration of 2 guys chatting away in front of a stand, clearly not interested in the equipment on display, preventing me from accessing it. I was polite in asking them if I could get by and they were most apologetic….

Regards

Del

[Mick B1Participant @mickb1]

Posted by mike T on 21/10/2018 22:19:19:

Derek, you would not believe how difficult the show management make it for an exhibitor. If they decide to accept your request to exhibit a model, they insist on the exhibit being there for the full duration of the show. If you do not live locally, that can mean four nights in a hotel on top of your fuel and food bills. They do give you two entrance tickets, you are expected to buy the tickets for other two days. That's not much of an incentive for an exhibitor.is it?

Mike

Edited By mike T on 21/10/2018 22:24:43

From that, I'd think the exhibitions' days are pretty severely numbered now.

If they're seriously expensive to exhibitors – especially any of moderate means – and of limited value to attendees, what's the point of them?

[old AlParticipant @oldal]

I went on Sunday.

Not pleased with value for money. We stopped going to the London events a few years ago for the same reason.We also spoke to some younger enthusiasts at the show and they also had similar thoughts of not going again.

Impressed with the 2 1/2" associations display and quality of stewarding, best stand there. Apart from the ice cream van, i came away spending no money and an untouched shopping list. You could even get to the blackgates stand without queing.

Time to change hobby or to down gauge!

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

I was very aware of the crowding and recognise the "chatting in front of the stand" syndrome – often 3 or more!

I was also aware of the difficulties that people using wheelchairs were having. A diffident suggestion – I wonder if there is merit in having some reserved time when those with limited mobility could have the show to themselves?

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Posted by John Haine on 22/10/2018 10:31:26:

I was very aware of the crowding and recognise the "chatting in front of the stand" syndrome – often 3 or more!

I was also aware of the difficulties that people using wheelchairs were having. A diffident suggestion – I wonder if there is merit in having some reserved time when those with limited mobility could have the show to themselves?

There are rare occasions where I have to use a mobility scooter and I don't usually have any problems, I find a gentle nudge of the ankles works wonders

Martin P

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

This show should have the lowest overheads for the company of any, so should be able to keep costs down for exhibitors. One of the problems is they insist on keeping separate model boat and garden railway shows instead of combining them to give better value for the visitor, although there would be whining from narrow minded people who only have one small topic of interest.

[Clive IndiaParticipant @cliveindia]

Posted by John Collingwood on 21/10/2018 22:41:10:

One thing that I did notice and has appeared on another website is how inconsiderate some show goers are.. I am partially disabled but OK.. Why do some people walk backwards, push you out of the way attack you with there rucksacks and apparently have no regard respect for other people???/ One person at least may read this and realize why he ended up on the floor…….., I hope it hurt….

Yes, agree john. Well done. Full of rude, selfish people.

Posted by Nicholas Farr on 21/10/2018 13:22:31:

Hi, all this talk of the same exhibits etc., is all very well, so why don't some of you exhibit something that you've made, or even in the process of making, even if it only goes in as display exhibit? Regards Nick.

I think you know the answer really Nick – it's easier to whinge than to do something constructive. I find many are more interested in what's not there rather than what is.

I had a good day out, which was entertaining and inexpensive. What more to ask?

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Posted by old Al on 22/10/2018 09:54:08:

Impressed with the 2 1/2" associations display and quality of stewarding, best stand there. Apart from the ice cream van, i came away spending no money and an untouched shopping list. You could even get to the blackgates stand without queing.

Time to change hobby or to down gauge!

I went on Saturday with a mate of mine and managed to spend a few bob. I'd paid in advance (£8.50/Senior), the parking was free and the Ladies disappeared off to a local National Trust for lunch and a catch up. We treated ourselves to Bacon Butties (very good at £3 – but the full English Breakfast was only £6) – so the catering was pretty reasonably priced too (unlike some other venues). We watched various demos (I liked the Foundry one) and I got the chance to talk to Mr DAG Brown about 4-facet drill sharpening (which was a great pleasure).

I'm a Member of both the N2.5GA and the Gauge '3' Society, so also had a good chance to talk to Brian (the Castings Officer at the former) about some bits I'd like cast and the Bonds Atlantic that I must do some work on one day. The G3S had some very nice stock on their "Style & Speed" display and I had a chance to talk to some G3S friends who were looking after it – I won't get to chat with them again now until the AGM next year.

We had a nice steak dinner on the way back – which cost more than the entrance fees, bacon butties and goodies purchased all put together. So not only a very good day out but also good value as far as I'm concerned. (I'll add a photo of one end of G3S stand for those who didn't get the pleasure of actually seeing it).

Regards,

IanT

 

Edited By IanT on 22/10/2018 13:39:16

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

I always make a beeline for the full English and a coffee, great start to the day. I went on Thursday and the first hour was comfortable and then got rather busier.

Mike

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by mike T on 21/10/2018 22:19:19:

Derek, you would not believe how difficult the show management make it for an exhibitor. If they decide to accept your request to exhibit a model, they insist on the exhibit being there for the full duration of the show. If you do not live locally, that can mean four nights in a hotel on top of your fuel and food bills. They do give you two entrance tickets, you are expected to buy the tickets for other two days. That's not much of an incentive for an exhibitor.is it?

Mike

It's important to remember the implications of people removing or adding models outside the normal times.

It's not as simple as just taking it to a spot and popping it on a stand, they need to be properly booked in, typically wired into a security system and the rest of the display may need to be adjusted to accomodate them. The reverse has to happen when they are removed with the added burden of security to ensure that they really belong to the person who is taking them away.

Having seen just how complex making up and breaking down an exhibition is I can fully understand why exhibitors don't want the extra burden of handling models arriving and leaving while they are trying to concentrate on looking after visitors and keeping the show running smoothly. Also, part-time models potentially mean gaps in the displays which attract negative comment from show goers.

You wouldn't expect artists to remove some of their paintings half way through an exhibition, would you?

Neil

[Anonymous]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 22/10/2018 16:47:10:

You wouldn't expect artists to remove some of their paintings half way through an exhibition, would you?

Does shredding a painting count?

Andrew

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Andrew Johnston on 22/10/2018 17:00:28:

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 22/10/2018 16:47:10:

You wouldn't expect artists to remove some of their paintings half way through an exhibition, would you?

Does shredding a painting count?

Andrew

Well the difference with our models is we can take them apart and put them back together again

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

The shredding wasn’t an exhibition. It was an auction – with a surprise!

[mike TParticipant @miket56243]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 22/10/2018 16:47:10:

Posted by mike T on 21/10/2018 22:19:19:

Derek, you would not believe how difficult the show management make it for an exhibitor. If they decide to accept your request to exhibit a model, they insist on the exhibit being there for the full duration of the show. If you do not live locally, that can mean four nights in a hotel on top of your fuel and food bills. They do give you two entrance tickets, you are expected to buy the tickets for other two days. That's not much of an incentive for an exhibitor.is it?

Mike

It's important to remember the implications of people removing or adding models outside the normal times.

It's not as simple as just taking it to a spot and popping it on a stand, they need to be properly booked in, typically wired into a security system and the rest of the display may need to be adjusted to accomodate them. The reverse has to happen when they are removed with the added burden of security to ensure that they really belong to the person who is taking them away.

Having seen just how complex making up and breaking down an exhibition is I can fully understand why exhibitors don't want the extra burden of handling models arriving and leaving while they are trying to concentrate on looking after visitors and keeping the show running smoothly. Also, part-time models potentially mean gaps in the displays which attract negative comment from show goers.

You wouldn't expect artists to remove some of their paintings half way through an exhibition, would you?

Neil

​

​I had not realised how much hardship it makes for the organisers when I exhibit me engines.

I will not do it again untill I can afford the expense of four nights in a hotel on top of the travel expenses

​

​

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Mike, hope you were able to display your engines, it did not sound too promising when I spoke to the other Mike.

J

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by mike T on 22/10/2018 19:39:29:

​I had not realised how much hardship it makes for the organisers when I exhibit me engines.

I will not do it again untill I can afford the expense of four nights in a hotel on top of the travel expenses

​

OW!

I think we both know exhibitions depend on people exhibiting to 'make' the show, and I don't want to belittle the efforts of those who exhibit (I've exhibited myself, at MMEX as well as MEX). But it's often forgotten what's involved in allowing that to happen and often includes a large number of volunteers helping out as well, a lot more than just setting up a dozen tables in an empty hall.

Neil

[mike TParticipant @miket56243]

We could always admire the organisation team if there are no exhibits

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

I've organised Stationary engine rally's which can take months to organise, organising exhibitors, toilets, working with land owners, services etc. Raising funds through sponsorship and advertising for programs, finding volunteers from the club was the hardest part so I can understand what it takes to put on a four day event and then you have to deal with the no shows and the complaints, which can be abusive, and when its over you start again for next year.

 

Martin P

Edited By martin perman on 22/10/2018 20:58:35

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Was there on Saturday enjoyed show spent a few bob and noticed that chairs are replacing stands !

H

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

I visited the show last Friday arriving before the doors were opened so joined a very long pay on the day que, those who had pre-purchased tickets were no better off, that que was even longer.

For me the show had about the right mix of club stands, trade stands and individual model displays, also catered for engineering projects across the modelling spectrum.

Both CES and Noggin had huge stocks of metals and plastics for sale, loads of milling cutters and turning tools on several stands, good selection of measuring tools on DRO stand.

RDG had just about all of their range of products well displayed on a fairly large area of stand, however that appeared to be dwarfed by the enormous display of Warco machines, lathes, mills and rolling/folding machines, I guess just about the full range. (see pictures link below for views of stand)

Outside demonstrations included casting and a very professional presentation of jet engine running by the GTBA, the usual model steam driven wood sawing bench and baling machine were seen running most of the day, several other model steam engines could be seen running at various times, from memory there were fewer of these this year than when I last visited 2 years ago.

I didn't spend a fortune but did get a few bits of metal to save on postage cost, an enjoyable day out and now looking forward to the next ex.
Took a few pictures which can be viewed at the following Dropbox link.

**LINK**

Emgee

 

 

Edited By Emgee on 23/10/2018 10:37:17

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by mike T on 22/10/2018 20:51:32:

We could always admire the organisation team if there are no exhibits

Well you won't admire the exhibits if there's no exhibition team – it takes two to tango!

[Mick B1Participant @mickb1]

Posted by Emgee on 23/10/2018 10:35:07:

…

Took a few pictures which can be viewed at the following Dropbox link.

**LINK**

Emgee

Edited By Emgee on 23/10/2018 10:37:17

Thank you for showing us those.

[Mick B1Participant @mickb1]

Posted by Emgee on 23/10/2018 10:35:07:

…

Took a few pictures which can be viewed at the following Dropbox link.

**LINK**

Emgee

Edited By Emgee on 23/10/2018 10:37:17

Good pictures. Thank you for showing us those.

[mike TParticipant @miket56243]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 23/10/2018 10:46:38:

Posted by mike T on 22/10/2018 20:51:32:

We could always admire the organisation team if there are no exhibits

Well you won't admire the exhibits if there's no exhibition team – it takes two to tango!

Totally agree. Both the organisers and the exhibitors need to lean how to work more closely if there is to be a future , otherwise there will be no tango

[Author]

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