SteveW
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,395
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Post by SteveW on Oct 14, 2023 9:10:44 GMT
I was there Thursday, met Roger (yes his locomotive stand was worth the trip alone) and others and had an interesting chat with Chris Vine.
Bought a load of stuff including a bigger chuck for my Myford S7. I've lost track of the number of times the default three jaw chuck wasn't quite big enough by a fraction of an inch, so frustrating. Chatting to the chap on the stand he said he hadn't sold a chuck there for the last few years but that day sold the lot. Also bought slide and bearing oil, a load of files various with handles, a couple of insert boring tools and a very long drill. What I needed was a couple of HSS 55° & 60° external threading tools. The nearest was a 25 quid insert tool but it had very limited cutting depth, fine threads only.
The stand I can never get my head around was the one that's always there selling the old industrial, knackered or should I say very pre-loved, super sized tooling. The stand was packed with the stuff. Always wonder how many of us are left needing that class of kit. But that stand seems to turn up everywhere I go.
Still a bit concerned about the added weight of my new chuck but was assured by someone on the SMEE Stand the big S7 headstock bearing would cope easily. Will keep the beast safe until I really need to use it.
(1296)
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Post by doubletop on Oct 15, 2023 3:36:32 GMT
I'm read these posts with a degree of envy that I couldn't be there. However, having managed to do four Midlands shows in the past eight years can't be bad, seeing as I live in New Zealand.
Maybe another time
Pete
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SteveW
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,395
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Post by SteveW on Oct 15, 2023 9:38:42 GMT
I can now confirm the that the little wristband issued to allow reentry will survive a shower.
Not sure if it'll last till next year or whether I can turn up on the day they're using Thursday Yellow again.
(1474)
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chrisb
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 344
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Post by chrisb on Oct 15, 2023 10:02:07 GMT
I'm read these posts with a degree of envy that I couldn't be there. However, having managed to do four Midlands shows in the past eight years can't be bad, seeing as I live in New Zealand. Maybe another time Pete I was lucky when I lived in the UK, sort of central between the Harrogate/Doncaster shows and the Midland ones. Since moving to NZ I miss those and Blackgates, Chronos, RDG Tracy Tool and PNP Railway’s have had a few mail orders
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Post by dhamblin on Oct 15, 2023 20:29:08 GMT
Had a great time at the exhibition on Thursday, it was good to meet Roger, Chris, David, Steve, Andy and many others in such a nice atmosphere. Spent so long chatting that I didn't manage to buy anything! For those who couldn't make it, here is a little flavour of what was on show: National 2 1/2" Gauge Association by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr On the National 2 1/2" Gauge Association stand - 'Caliban' - an experimental single cylinder 0-6-0 with V rim wheels and chain driven valve gear. Sectioned Boiler by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr A sectioned boiler on the Coventry Model Engineering Society stand. Meccano Fairground Ride by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr Meccano fairground ride on the Midlands Meccano Guild stand. Rogers 1501 by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr Roger's 5" gauge 15xx No.1501 model in its build stand. Apologies for the poor quality - the lighting in that area wasn't the best. Std 4 80075 by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr 7 1/4" gauge BR Standard 4 No. 80075. P2 2001 by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr 10 1/4" LNER P2 No. 2001 "Cock O'The North" built by the late John Wilks. BSA Motorcycle Model by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr 1:3.5 scale BSA DBD34 Gold Star model. Injector Lecture by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr Roger giving his lecture on injector design, here showing one of the test specimen CAD models. BSME Stand by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr Birmingham Society of Model Engineers stand. Traction Engines by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr Model Steam Road Vehicle Society display. Shannon Lifeboat Model by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr 1/12 RNLI Shannon Lifeboat model on the Knightcote Model Boat Club stand. Fosse Way Steamers by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr The Fosse Way steamers in the outside display area. SMEE Stand by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr Society of Model and Experimental Engineers stand with historic models to celebrate their 125th anniversary and that of Model Engineer magazine. Gas Turbines by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr Gas Turbines Builders Association display. G1MRA by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr Gauge 1 Model Railway Association display. Regards, Dan
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Post by coniston on Oct 15, 2023 21:09:21 GMT
Great day today at the show, had a good chat with Roger and Bob and spent much time drooling over both their locos. Spent a fair bit which if we don't do the traders won't turn up. Shame there weren't more club / exhibition stands but it was good to see LBSC's Ayesha on the 2 1/2" gauge stand. Lets hope there is still enough interest for the show to go ahead next year.
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Post by cplmickey on Oct 16, 2023 8:37:24 GMT
Lets hope there is still enough interest for the show to go ahead next year. Yes the stalls were down again although I couldn't think what was missing apart from the 3-rail dublo stand in the bottom corner. The Garden Rail Show has fewer stands so I think the ME Exhibition should be ok for a few more years yet - can't imagine it costs much more to put on. I managed to spend £20 although didn't get anything off my list, and enjoyed about 3 hours looking round and chatting before helping to break down the club stand. Ian
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Midland
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,870
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Post by Midland on Oct 16, 2023 11:52:56 GMT
Lets hope there is still enough interest for the show to go ahead next year. Yes the stalls were down again although I couldn't think what was missing apart from the 3-rail dublo stand in the bottom corner. Ian The big stand that was missing was Warco and the space filled by RDG. They were not there due to their move to a new location. I imagine they will be there next year. Cheers David
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Post by doubletop on Oct 17, 2023 3:37:30 GMT
I'm read these posts with a degree of envy that I couldn't be there. However, having managed to do four Midlands shows in the past eight years can't be bad, seeing as I live in New Zealand. Maybe another time Pete I was lucky when I lived in the UK, sort of central between the Harrogate/Doncaster shows and the Midland ones. Since moving to NZ I miss those and Blackgates, Chronos, RDG Tracy Tool and PNP Railway’s have had a few mail orders The great thing was being able to catch up with many of the names on here, amongst others whose names I sadly can't remember Roger, Rex Hanman, Jo, jasonb, Cro, etc. Others from the Model Engineer, HMEM and MEM forums. The teams at 17D, Station Road Steam. PNP etc, and of course Jayne from Polly Model Eng who I'd spoken to so many times on the phone. Those meetings alone made the trips worthwhile. Pete
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Post by cplmickey on Oct 17, 2023 18:44:22 GMT
The big stand that was missing was Warco and the space filled by RDG. They were not there due to their move to a new location. I imagine they will be there next year. Cheers David I must admit I thought Warco weren't there last year so not seeing them this year wasn't a surprise to me. I understand through a friend of mine that they don't intend to attend any exhibitions in future. Ian
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Midland
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,870
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Post by Midland on Oct 24, 2023 13:39:14 GMT
Hi Ian
Things must be getting tough all over!!
Cheers David
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