Northern Modelling Exhibition

[WolfieParticipant @wolfie]

As some of you know I am already a modeller of many years standing in the plastic modelling discipline and a member of IPMS (International Plastic Model Society).

 

Now IPMS has two types of branch, regional eg IPMS North Riding or IPMS Staffordshire and the SIG (Special Interest Group) which lumps modellers of a particular genre together. You can be a member of your own regional branch and as many SIGs as you like. I am the secretary of IPMS York & North Riding and also the Truck SIG.

 

In my capacity of sec I received a letter the other day from Meridienne Exhibitions (who I believe run the Alexandra Palace Show) informing me of a new model show in Manchester and inviting us along to display.

 

They appear to be trying for a show which covers many aspects of modelling, not just model engineering and if so then it could be a good thing, I for one would like to see a show which covered plastic modelling and railway modelling and model engineering and all the others.

Is this how it is at the Alexandra Palace show?

 

I haven’t decided whether to attend as yet but might go visit for the day

[WolfieParticipant @wolfie]

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Ally pally is 95% model engineering with a token bit of RC thrown in.

 

In the old days when we only had the ME at Wembley that ran for 9 days and had a lot more subjects RC, Railways, ME Figure & AFV modeling etc. The reason may have been that it was then run by MAP (model & allied publications) who had titles that covered all these subjects.

 

Not only did they have comp classes for all these subjects there was a decent size boat pool, RC car racing both 1/12 carpet racing and 1/10th off road and in later years when it moved to Olympia RC flying in an adjacent hall both IC and electric.

 

The problem is now there are so mant shows that it all gets too diluted the plastic AFV boys have Trucks n Tracks, figure modelers have Euromilitair and there are no doubt RC shows.

 

I’ve been known to do a bit of figure modeling myself, few of my little men here

[SteambuffParticipant @steambuff]

Tony,

I suspect your posting was removed by David or Diane (The Mods), as we are not allowed to discuss a certain companies exhibitions. (See message on home page)

D

[Tony JeffreeParticipant @tonyjeffree56510]

Posted by Steambuff on 02/03/2012 13:45:46:

Tony,

I suspect your posting was removed by David or Diane (The Mods), as we are not allowed to discuss a certain companies exhibitions. (See message on home page)

D

Ah….I hadn't spotted that…I was wondering why it had vapourised!

Regards,

Tony

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Probably because like many I just go straight to the latest forum listings page and do not look at the home page.

Went there and was please to read that the Sandown Show has moved to the beginning of November instead of December.

That fits in better with the hibernation period.

John S.

[Tony JeffreeParticipant @tonyjeffree56510]

Posted by John Stevenson on 02/03/2012 14:42:21:

Probably because like many I just go straight to the latest forum listings page and do not look at the home page.

John S.

That's right. In fact, I have just looked at the home page for the first time in … a long time – I have the "latest posts" page bookmarked and don't bother with the rest usually.

Regards,

Tony

Edited By Tony Jeffree on 02/03/2012 14:50:13

[TerrydParticipant @terryd72465]

Posted by Steambuff on 02/03/2012 13:45:46:

Tony,

I suspect your posting was removed by David or Diane (The Mods), as we are not allowed to discuss a certain companies exhibitions. (See message on home page)

D

Aren't you glad to live in a country where free speech is celebrated whether you agree or not. What was that quote about 'not agreeing with what you say but I will defend your right to say it'. Sad times.

Regards

Terry

[peter walton 1Participant @peterwalton1]

Not to sure about free speech being compromised

more of 'he who pays the piper calls the tune'

peter

[SpringbokParticipant @springbok]

Hi Jason

Fantasic models

Bob

[magpieParticipant @magpie]

He who pays the piper deleted a post i put on here yesterday. Iput the post on mid afternoon and it appeared as normal, half an hour later it had dissapeared. Will be interesting to see if this one stays on !!!!!

Cheers Derek.

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi Magpie
The exhibition needs to stand or fall in its own merit.

So, no postings allowed until Monday.

regards david

[Tony JeffreeParticipant @tonyjeffree56510]

Well…Monday's here…what did everyone think?

Regards,

Tony

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

EiM should not print ill conceived Editorial adverse comments about this Forum.

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

Generally not impressed.

The models were fine but too few trade stands. On the positive side, parking and access are good but the event would have to grow a bit before I would think of going again.

I bought a few odds and ends at the show but they have not turned out to be bargains!

One of the second hand tool dealers had packs of hacksaw blades for £4 (taped together at the ends) The outer visible blade was Eclipse HSS, when I got home and removed the tape all the others were no name (rubbish presumably!). If I could be bothered I would go back and complain as its intentionally misleading.

On the stands where the cashier sat at the top of a ladder I got an unboxed 6" Engineers square for £4, turns out its not square, (about 0.5mm at the end of the blade) and although ground all over its not hardened and I've just noticed the joint is not tight. I know I cant expect perfection but I had thought it might be usable.

On the JB tooling stand (genuine respectable dealer) they had a job lot of Guhring, long series 4.5mm Cobalt drills. Just my luck to pick one that was mangled and chipped at the cutting edge!

I did get a 5m long steel tape with built in calculator for £1 so its not all bad.

Ian P

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

Another point, I have no intention of buying EiM but not having seen the issue in question, or being able to see the now deleted posts. What was it all about?

Like other people here I did not see the notice on the home page. It would have made more sense to put the notice on the forum pages sincs that it what it was related to.

Ian P

[Engine BuilderParticipant @enginebuilder]

Ian, I can't belive one of the reputable suppliers would have bundled up those hacksaw blades like that, Was it one of the "market trader" type stalls?

I ddn't see the EIM either, anyone going to tell us what the editorial said?

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

Posted by Engine Builder on 05/03/2012 21:37:59:

Ian, I can't belive one of the reputable suppliers would have bundled up those hacksaw blades like that, Was it one of the "market trader" type stalls?

I ddn't see the EIM either, anyone going to tell us what the editorial said?

It depends what you mean by market trader types! The stand was mostly secondhand and surplus tooling with connections to a shop (I think) in Sheffield.

I doubt we will get an answer to the editorial question (too controversial?) perhaps someone could couch whatever it is/was in a secret code so that it gets past the moderators!

Ian P

[Tony JeffreeParticipant @tonyjeffree56510]

Posted by Engine Builder on 05/03/2012 21:37:59:

Ian, I can't belive one of the reputable suppliers would have bundled up those hacksaw blades like that, Was it one of the "market trader" type stalls?

I think I saw the blades in question on the same stall – yes, it was one of the "market trader" type stalls. I was tempted to buy some myself, but decided not to because I still have a decent stock of them – glad I didn't bother.

Actually, with a small number of notable exceptions, the majority of the trade stalls seemed to be of the "market trader" variety, which was a bit of a disappointment. However, the fact that there was plenty of space in the hall meant that the clubs could put on some slightly different displays – seeing a large scale model Vulcan taxiing under its own jet power was an interesting sight, and added a pleasant whiff of burning paraffin to the proceedings, and no doubt caused catastrophic failure modes to occur in the hearing-aids of several members of the audience. There was also an area netted off where the RC aircraft guys were putting on a flying display, which was fun to watch, and a short run of narrow gauge (7"?) railway track with a steam loco and rolling stock giving rides for the benefit of the children, none of whom seemed to be younger than about 68. I only ran into one person that I knew – Giles Parkes, with whom I had a very pleasant and useful natter about hobbing. I was in and out within about an hour and a half, in contrast to the other shows that I go to (Harrogate and Warwick) where I would expect to spend most of the day (and probably rather more ££ too).

I guess it was as good a showing as one could reasonably expect for a first show in a new venue, and as it is a local show for me, I will probably go again next year if the dates work for me. However, I hope that the number and variety of trade stalls will be better next time.

Regards,

Tony

[John CParticipant @johnc47954]

Blimey! More coal to fire up the outrage traction engine! Come on guys, it is a show, not a life changing experience. I went on Sunday, had a very pleasant day out and will go back again. I live 90 miles away.

This was a first show at this venue. To expect a full turn out of traders for a first show with an unknown 'audience' would be, in my view, naive. I am sure that the usual traders will have had a good look at the show and will make an informed business decision as to whether to attend next year. Let's face it – for us it is a day out; for them it it their livelihood.

And, be honest, if you had gone to the local Sunday market and brought a bunch of dodgy hacksaw blades, or an unsquare square for 3 pence halfpenny, would you be bleating about on here? If it looks too good to be true, it probably is! Drill bits – have a look at the ends! Caveat emptor…….The show organisers will have asked for trade stands to attend – they cannot be expected to vet every item. As for the stand with the 'tennis umpire' – I asked for a price and was given such a mouthful that I declined to purchase- simple!

There are many posts bemoaning the lack of interest in ME or machining by young people, and yet when a show comes up that – from my visual perspective – attracted loads of youngsters, there is a wail about to whom it is directed.

Just to repeat. I enjoyed it.

Top tip – Don't buy cheap crap.

all the best,

John

[chris stephensParticipant @chrisstephens63393]

More to the point Guys, was there anything there that would or could improve Sandown? If so let DC1 know about it and why you think it could make his show even better.

chriStephens

PS Don't try to make out that they were giving away a free lathe with every entry ticket, he just would not believe you.

[JohnFParticipant @johnf59703]

Well guys it does not suprise me that the show was not as good as anticipated — I have been involved in doing shows of a different kind for many years and believe me it is not cheap to attend with a stall.

As a trader you can only justify going if you make a profit and there is not enough room for yet another ME show in my opinion — it just dilutes the viability of all the other shows–the cake is only one size and you the customer can only spend your money once !

I did not attend but did think about it but glad I did not make the effort so my pals & I will continue to go to the usual shows we attend–Harrogate & London.

Only my opinion and good luck to all who choose to attend.

.

[mgnbukParticipant @mgnbuk]

More to the point Guys, was there anything there that would or could improve Sandown?

Move it about 200 miles North ?

[Tony JeffreeParticipant @tonyjeffree56510]

Posted by Nigel Barraclough on 06/03/2012 08:18:04:

More to the point Guys, was there anything there that would or could improve Sandown?

Move it about 200 miles North ?

Abso-lutely. I mean, where is Sandown Park anyway? Its way too far darn sarf to be a realistic proposition as a national ME show venue. Move it North I say. Unfortunately, the most logical place for it would probably be Birmingham though…

Regards,

Tony

[RRMBKParticipant @rrmbk]

I attended on Friday which was quite quiet but I felt the range and number of club stands and the models displayed was good. I agree the trade stands were scarce but if attendance figures were good then that may persuade others to consider it next year. Going back to the origin of the thread then if we are to encourage youngsters and bring familiesin, the show needs to embrace the plastic modellers etc. I found the model trucks & the RC air craft display fascinating although not my cup of tea, and kids are far more likely to respond to these than the static display of a beautifully worked and intricate loco chassis that some of us will inspect and marvel at, wondering how on earth people find the time and skill to achieve such perfection and prodigious output!

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