Midlands Model Eng show v Sandown

Hi Chris,

I went on Friday and stayed all day. Really enjoyed it but as I have only attended Manchester and Harrogate once each I don't have much to compare it with. Think I heard one of the main machine suppliers saying they weren't going to Sandown this year.

One thing that did surprise me was how muddy the field, sorry car park, was. I managed to get my car stuck for the first time in thirty-five years driving and would like to say a very big thank you to the three gents who helped push me out (Black VW Golf) if they read this forum. Hope they didn't get too muddy.

I'll be going next year as the wife loved Leamington Spa.

Gary

Edited By Gary Marland on 20/10/2012 19:04:13

Hi Chris,

I generally get to both, I was at Midland as well but it was not as good this year. Usually the fields are dry and firm, and there is lots of outdoor action, but there was not so much this year.  the car park is excellent at the Midland and lots of space.  Problem with the weather everywhere this summer though.

I have my ticket for Sandown and will enjoy it, there is rather more room than at the Midland and it feels a bit more relaxed and of course there is a good SMEE display to enjoy and chatting with the members of that august body is always interesting. The outdoor display with loco driving experience is bound to be good if the weather is fine. But get there early or late as the parking is a bit restricted and the traffic in Esher can be a bit of a bind.

In short, it will be enjoyable.

Best regards

Terry

Edited By Terryd on 20/10/2012 20:25:01

I nearly went but saw a particular trader wasn't there so decided not to bother an it is a bit small. I last went about 4 years ago and it was 50% boat clubs. That was fine as I'm into boats too but there were zero boat traders so I couldn't get a prop shaft and to cap that nobody had 4mm stainless so I could make a prop shaft. I figured the organisers put off the boat traders because they hold a boat show a few weeks later. So I went to the boat show too but I'd just seen half of it at the previous show. There really isn't enough stuff for 2 shows and I'm paying twice plus twice the travelling and with the mud park like Gary says I'd need the Landy which ain't cheap these days.

I missed a couple of ME shows but went last year because a friend needed a lift. With the new competition room downstairs and no signs or people using the escalator I actually thought the upstairs was out of use.

We went to the show on Friday and enjoyed it a lot. It wasn't too crowded and the exhibitors were friendly and I picked up a few useful tools. It was also nice to see Stuart Models there and that they are producing more models in there range. We will be back next year.

Sarah

Hi Chris,

there are tickets at the door and usually a long queue. Apart from the rush hour traffic there is sometimes a problem with the variable weather in December. A couple of years ago the car park was covered in white ice as we had quite a lot of snow on the lead up to the exhibition, but other years it was fine. This year should be ok as the event is earlier than usual.

Best regards

T

I see from the show guide published in MEW195 that most of the main traders (Warco, Chester, Chronos) aren't attending Sandown this year. Presumably they concluded the proximity in dates between the Midland and Sandown shows didn't make it worth their while attending both. That's a disappoinment for me (re Sandown) because after some disappointments with mail order purchases in recent years, I've gone back to doing my major buying at shows — at least I've a chance to inspect the goods there. Even so, I'll go to Sandown as it's fairly local to me and I'm sure SMEE will put up a good show.

Joe

I wonder if Warco will be open for business on show days as I belive they are fairly local.

That only leaves RDG representing the Chinese tool sources. Although most of the imports are there same I found small but significant differences at the last show which I could never have known off the 'net. Some of the old names have gone out of business that's understood but no Maidstone, Blackgates, Reeves, Stuarts. Marine support had diminished to 1 trader but I don't see them now.

Also means no lathes & mills except perhaps H&W. It's like going to the Circus and finding no acrobats. A couple of recent threads where people have asked / purchased mills I would have advised going to a show to see it in the flesh before purchase so just as well I didn't say that.

So what is filling thegap? Last year it seemed SMEE were about a third of the ground floor so can't expand any more. What about Amadeal - a new London based company that went all the way to Bristol but not to a show on their doorstep?

From the website "Floor Plans will be available soon. (Extra space this year!)" is that open space.

FYI Warco are about 45 minutes away but it's a good point for those that have come far.