Model Engineering Exhibitions

[Uzzy]

This should open a small can of worms!
I live in Kent and am thinking of going to the ME at Lemington Spa would it be worth it? I have tried the London's one and Sandown Park before now and to honest I have not been really impressed. ( I took my son to Sandown and we were on our way home after about 11/2 hours. In fact I have not been impressed since the heady days of Wembley. I suppose the big question is which of all the exhibitions is the best one to visit???

[greasemonkey]

Harrogate is by far the best, the Midlands show comes second then London and last Sandown. But dont forget Bristol and Guildford as they are both great club events.

Andy

[spurley]

Hi Uzzy

I will be going to Leamington next month with a group of fellow MEs from here. I have never been to a Model Engineering Exhibition before and I must say I'm looking forward to it! I'm not sure how popular I'll be when I get back home ;D I have a list of stuff I want to get while I'm there. Don't know if I'll be allowed out on my own again!!

Maybe I can meet you there?

Cheers

Brian

[GeorgeRay]

Brian
Which day are you going.

[spurley]

Hi George

I think it's the Saturday, I'll ask at the club tomorrow.

Are you going to be there?

Cheers

Brian

[SteveW]

Guys,

MEXs are all about expectations. I enjoy going but generally get hacked off by about three o'clock and just want to go home. This is usually about half an hour after I realise I may have spent too much.

I did Sandown a couple of times and swore I'd never bother again. Then I got a free lift there and went, I was still disappointed. I've made the trek up to Harrowgate a couple of times and enjoyed it greatly but it is far too far from Cheltenham, especially given the price of petrol these days. I've got another free (I hope) lift to the moved Sandown show so I'll be able to determine if it was just the location that stuffed it.

The Midland MEX, now it's near Warwick, is an easy one hour trip and has lost nothing having moved. The addition of lectures by those in the know are a great addition. You get to learn something AND save a bit of money. The Wood Working EX they hold there has also been very good and the food on offer is also very good. Our club is having another stand there so I'll be there again soon.

The Bristol MEX was another I enjoyed and I did blow a fortune this year on a load of silver solder for the big project.

The main reasons for going are to see before you buy and also of course save the all important postage (especially from Reeves ). The trick being not to buy the heavy stuff too early in the day. The other reason is to see what folk are or have made.

Having been involved on a club stand last year at the Midland MEX I have to warn that it's nothing short of a major mission delivering then recovering the models. No one in their right mind is going to travel any great distance to do it. If you want to see a broad range of stuff you have to do the miles. I got to see stuff down at Sandown that didn't appear elsewhere. The same goes for the other venues.

If you do go to any MEX, don't go alone. It can get to be a long day on your own. Take enough money to buy enough to cover the cost of entry and above all enjoy the stuff the local side have made the effort to put on display.

[spurley]

Hi All

I will be at Leamington on the Saturday, we are flying into Birmingham and then driving up. Not sure what time we'll arrive.

Maybe I could meet some of you?

Cheers

Brian

[Jo]

My experience is that it is worth going with your club rather than driving to these events. A couple of hours of experiencing other's excitement when they show you what you may have otherwise missed helps to overcome the too often feeling of dissapointment.

I seem to remember in the good old days they used to tell you which trade stands/exhibition items were expected so that you could plan your visit. But I suppose with shows like the Sandown ME going down hill they do not want to disswade you by being honest and telling you next to no one is going.....

Often clubs shows (like the ones organised by Guildford MES) beat the main stream organised shows hands down.

Jo

[GeorgeRay]

Brian
I'll miss you then, coz now I am retired I can avoid weekends and hopefully the crowds. Not sure which day I shall be going depends on whether any one else form the area wants to go with me.

[Boadicea]

Mmm! I too have been disappointed at some of these events. There has, as with other types of exhibition today, been a decrease in the interesting to crud ratio of exhibitors - suspect hot dog/cheap tatt stalls make more profit. I think the first one attended is always the best and its all downhill from then - asymptotic to zero. ;D
Steve W makes some good points - saving on postage, view before you buy etc. Not surprised Uzzy was on the way home within 90 mins - always reckon I can go around and get tired of anything in an hour.
If you can find a model like your own on one of the stands and the owner is there there is always plenty of good talking of course.
However, disagree with advice to go with someone. If you go on your own you can leave when you want. Never put your destiny in the hands of someone else unless you really have to.
Take heart, when you get there and look around, it makes you feel young - a bit like Eastbourne really. ;D
They are all a long way from my place in good old MSE.
Regards, Bo.

[Phil Sutton]

Well,I'll be there on Sunday,hoping to see some familiar faces! ;D

Phil