Warwickshire Model Engineering Show.

Well I'm all set to visit the Warwickshire Show next Thursday and Friday. I mainly go for the trade stands, especially those with machine tools, but I do have a good look at all the exhibitors work and enjoy the whole engineering show atmosphere.

Yesterday, while I was at work, a local chap who is a model engineer popped in, as he regularly does, for some materials or whatever. So I asked him if he was going to the show, but he was not happy and said he would not be going.

First he had a rant about falling out with the judges at Harrogate over the way they had marked down one of his exhibits, and he would not bother again. So I suggested he just go as a visitor and enjoy the show, to which he replied he would rather save ten quid and sit at home and look at his own models, adding that why should he pay £10 admission to then come away with nothing, by which he meant without a prize.

We all have our different reasons for visiting these shows, and I have never exhibited anything, I don't have much to exhibit. But I must admit I took a little offence at his attitude. I had thought about offering to drive him there with me, but I didn't bother after this.

So anyway, I will be there with pockets full of cash at the start, and rather empty by the end.

Edited By Lathejack on 09/10/2014 21:49:08

I'll look out for you. I'm going, on either Thursday or Friday - with an experienced engineering friend.
And like you I shall take some money and probably leave with empty pockets. My engineering friend suggested I go, as it's quite local, saying that there would be some good buys available on the first two days.
So I will be looking to buys some hss tool steel. Maybe some profiled hss tooling. And if possible, decent tap and die wrenches. I always seem to finish up with tatty, flimsy alloy bodied ones. I want something substantial.

I took an old newspaper bag with me to the Bristol show, very handy for carrying heavy, hard lumps of metal.

"Lathejack"

I agree I really don't " get" the competitive aspects of the hobby. I guess this may be because I will never win anything (especially as I will never enter anything!) but , for me, that isn't the reason for my interest in the hobby. I aim to produce the best that I can whilst admiring others achievements - often far, better than anything I might produce. The idea of producing stuff with the main objective of pleasing some unknown judge sufficiently for him to give me a " Gold Star" to stick in my book I find very strange. Surely the satisfaction is in the making rather than certificates, rosettes and applause from strangers?

Norman

I am with you Norman, if what I produce works to my satisfaction, it matters not what anyone else thinks.

Am going to the show on Saturday, those who go earlier; please leave some goodies for me to buy .

Regards,

David.

Good luck David

This used to be my favourite exhibition and I always went to this show - but then we escaped to deepest Devon! I now find a round trip of some 400 miles ( and a day flogging around a show) too much. What's more it rather reduces the attraction of any bargains!

I do hope that you have a good day and manage to find some unmissable and vital items to buy!

Regards

Norman

As well as the trade stands, I am grateful for the efforts made by all the exhibitors in showing their work. But I was annoyed by this chaps attitude that the show is not worth paying the admission fee to just be a visitor, to then come away from the show with nothing.

Or am I being a little unreasonable? I don't think so.

Wife and I went last year and enjoyed the whole atmos. We stopped the night at Royal Leamington Spa which she loves and I like as well. We are looking forward to repeating the experience next week. Not sure whether I'll be filling my leather satchel with purchases but a keenly priced tool and cutter grinder might tempt me

Rik

I'm manning the track on Friday and Sunday mornings, and am in the workshop on Saturday morning.