Anyone else been to the Midlands Tool show in Coventry?

[wabbitpoo]

I went Friday. Only the 2nd such show I've been to, but I must admit it left me a little flat. Sure I got to see some turners doing their thang up close, but the demos were rubbish, as no-one used microphones - only those on the front two wrows would have been able to hear. I certainly couldn't.

Not sure what I expected, but lots of people trying to sell me crap-looking tools wasn't it.

Would welcome more experienced views.

That said I did come away with a few blanks and a new bendy lamp for the lathe.....oh, and some reading-strength safety glasses.






Maybe I shouldn't have gone with a hangover.......

 

[Terry Smart]

Hmmm, not sure I can agree with these comments...

Not being able to hear the demos doesn't make them rubbish, just under-presented. I haven't tried to watch any so I can' t say fully, but I think that's a bit too dismissive.

As for 'crap looking tools', from where I'm sitting at the moment I can see stands selling Makita, DeWalt, Robert Sorby, Trend, and that's without standing up!

It's a shame you didn't enjoy the show and I obvioulsy have a vested interest here, but I still wanted to put the other side of the story.

 

[CHJ]

Hi wabbitpoo, I guess you didn't see these either.

General Woodworking

Wood Turning

You seem to have gone to a different show to me.

 

[Mark Hancock]

Hi Wabbitpoo

I'm afraid I can't agree with you regarding "crap looking tools". This is the first show I've been to in a long time at which there has been a good selection of quality tools. Today I was able to take a newbie to turning (only 3 weeks at it) and after talking him out of starting with a Munro to the stands of Hamlet, Henry Taylor, Ashley Iles, Sorby and Crown to get a good quality set of turning tools to start with to replace the £10 chinese set he had. I can't remember the last time all 5 tool manufacturers were represented at an event.

 

[RATWOOD]

HI wabbitpoo
I'm afraid I can't agree with you regarding "crap looking tools either I agreed with Mark Hancock it's a long time since i have seen all 5 tool manufacturers at an event. I enjoy the shows there is all ways something new to see

there are 2 stalls selling budget tools but alot of the big names are there

 

[penman]

Hi all I went to the show on friday and got introduced to this forum by Ratwood. Thought the show was very good, I have been to several shows of this type over the last 6 years (since I started turning) and thought this was the best show in the midlands. I also met Chas. who also pointed me towards this site, Thanks to both of you. As to why you didn't like the show I can't think of anything to dislike about it and as for the quality of tools available some of the best in the west were there.

 

[RATWOOD]

here are my photo's from the show taken by sue if I am in them

 

[RATWOOD]

welcome to the forum penman hope you enjoy it.
It was good to meet you

 

[CHJ]

Welcome to the forum Malcolm (penman), look forward to your input.

 

[NickWelford]

Now I can sympathise with the OP - I went today and thought it was a bit sparse. Sure, there were all the really good tool suppliers there, but it seemed a bit flat.. I was in the front row for Mark Baker's turning demo and thought that a mike would have been good, and a tv camera would have been better. Ratty's club stand was good, as were the other club stands - and very friendly people.

I did see Les demonstrating the Munro tool, and was humming and ha-ing, then saw our own Mr Hancock using one - he really recommended it, so I ended up shelling out for the smaller - I would have like both the smaller and larger but at 295 quid for the two it was a bit too much.

I was impressed by the way Mark and other professionals were happy to let sheer amateurs (and rank beginners) use their tools and even the pieces they were working on for practice and trying some tools etc. Well done folks.

What was most noticeable today was the shortage of punters.......

 

[Paul.J]

I thought it was a good show
Plenty of top names their and quality tools.Attendance i thought was a bit sparse,but this suited me :wink:
The pros i thought were very very helpful and friendly and willing to spend a lot of time showing you things.
Learnt quite a bit.Even my chauffer for the day Frank who as been turning for twenty odd years was impressed.
Have to agree about the demo which Mark Baker was doing.We were near the back and when other machines were running we couldn't here a word he was saying.
Managed to have a good go with the Munro tool which is what i went to have another look at,and decided to buy the large version.So thanks to Mark Hancock and Les Thorne for the free tuition and making my mind up.
Also spoke to Roger from Hegner about me lathes banjo,which still isn't right,and after seeing their own lathe and Reg Sherwins knew there is something wrong with mine,and he said they will send me a replacement one out next week
Also met with Lurker,Shultzy,Pete Maddex.Good to have met you

So here are just some of the piccys of the day.

Frank having a go with the Munro.


Les showing me the Munro


Mark Baker and his quiet demo.


Some of Mark Hancocks work.Very nice


Some of the Northants turners(Ratwoods & Sues) work


Ratwood and Sue.


Reg Slack showing how to do a bowl without a chuck.


Shultzy and Nick Gibbs.


Some more turnings.Very nice.

 

[Bodrighy]

Whilst I am really glad to be living back in my home teritory, I really envy you guys in the midlands with your easy access to all these shows. Hopefully I should be in my own place in the next week and set up with a workshop again in another fortnight only 2 miles from the nearest club so not everything is doom and gloom.

Pete

 

[RATWOOD]

HI
I was talking to Mark Baker today he said it is about £400 to hire a microphone for 3 day's. if no one told him there is a problem he cannot do anything about it
here are to day's photo's

Nick Gibbs setting up for a photo

Terry from Chestnut Products

Mark from Chestnut Products

Mark doing a demo

Mark Hancock on WEST NORTHANTS WOODTURNERS stand

I would like to thank Mark Hancock and Les Thorne for leting me try the Munro tool a big thank you

ps Sue is not happy I spent a lot of money on a Munro tool and a lot of wood :lol:

 

[Paul.J]

Ratwood wrote

I was talking to Mark Baker today he said it is about £400 to hire a microphone for 3 day's. if no one told him there is a problem he cannot do anything about it

Chris.
I don't think Mark could have shouted any louder for that period of time.
We only joined the demo half way through,so i am not really complaining about the demo,but could see why others might when they were sat there three or five rows back.A couple did leave who were seated mumbling that they couldn't hear either.
I did manage to see how he turned the winged bowl and did learn from it
We were also talking to another exhibitor who wouldn't pay £300 for the leccy to run their machine over the three days:shock:
These prices do seem a little OTT.Don't they :?

 

[NickWelford]

We were also talking to another exhibitor who wouldn't pay £300 for the leccy to run their machine over the three days:shock:
These prices do seem a little OTT.Don't they :?

I'm on the committee of a motorcycle club - as we are members of the British Motorcycling Federation, we get a 'free' space at the BMF show in Peterborough, however, if we want electricity to run an urn etc, it costs a fortune - no relation whatsoever to the cost of the leccy. They only allow 'quiet' gennys. A small marquee costs a fortune to rent also, but that I can understand.

 

[jpt]

I went to the show on Friday and thought it was very good compared to what they have been like for the last 5 years since they moved it from the NEC. I agree that there is more that needs doing to bring it back to a show that I would call excellent, but that will take time and a lot of effort on the organizers side to renew peoples faith in it so that they get the visitors and exhibitors.

I didn't stop and watch any of the master classes as I was a bit tight for time, but I did look in on passing and notice the lack of sound and cameras. Surely the organizers should have supplied cameras and sound systems for each theater and not expect the demonstrators to supply them?

The cost of leccy at shows is a con, I do a number each year and at some places the cost of it doubles the cost of the stand. The showground at Peterborough is one of the worst, at shows run by them they charge a fortune but I have done shows there run by others and not only is the stand cost cheaper but the leccy is free.

john

 

[Mark Hancock]

I went to the show on Friday and thought it was very good compared to what they have been like for the last 5 years since they moved it from the NEC. I agree that there is more that needs doing to bring it back to a show that I would call excellent, but that will take time and a lot of effort on the organizers side to renew peoples faith in it so that they get the visitors and exhibitors.

I'm not sure if you are aware but this show was organised by SK Promotions who had no involvement in previous shows in the Midlands area. This was a new venture for them based on their experience of organising the Harrogate and Glasgow shows. I believe they were approached by the traders to try a show in the Midlands. The NEC event was put on by Nexus who got into financial difficulties and then were taken over hence the move from the NEC to Stoneleigh and then to Stafford.

I didn't stop and watch any of the master classes as I was a bit tight for time, but I did look in on passing and notice the lack of sound and cameras. Surely the organizers should have supplied cameras and sound systems for each theater and not expect the demonstrators to supply them?

Having spoken with Mark Baker the sound issue was not envisaged in the turning master classes. I believe there was sound in the furniture and carving classes because of the machinery being used. It was thought the shell system would be sufficient but this didn't work because of the volume of spectators spilling out into the aisles making it hard for them to hear.

As with everything it comes down to cost at the end of the day and from what I understand Stoneleigh is a very expensive venue not only for the hall but also when it comes to the 'extras' like sound, electricity and even additional tables. This is one of the first times that GMC have sponsored masterclasses like this at an event and Mark has taken on board the comments made for future events.

 

[Mark Hancock]

I did see Les demonstrating the Munro tool, and was humming and ha-ing, then saw our own Mr Hancock using one - he really recommended it, so I ended up shelling out for the smaller - I would have like both the smaller and larger but at 295 quid for the two it was a bit too much.

I was impressed by the way Mark and other professionals were happy to let sheer amateurs (and rank beginners) use their tools and even the pieces they were working on for practice and trying some tools etc. Well done folks.

Nick
Only too happy to help you spend your money Don't tell anyone but allowing punters to have a go actually gives me a few extra coffee breaks :wink:

On a serious note it was good to see a number of forum members at Stoneleigh - sorry I can't remember all your names. My view on trying tools at shows is that you wouldn't buy a car without test driving it so why should someone be expected to shell out for a tool without trying it first.

 

[jpt]

HI Mark

Thank you for the clarification about the sound system, it is easy for us visitors to critise the organisation of shows but having been on the other side as well I can appreciate there problems.

I did realise that it was a new organisor and that was the reason I went this year after vowing not to go again after the last 2 years. They are to be commended for what they achieved in what was a relatively short time span.

The problem is that for a lot of visitors and some exhibitors even thogh it was advertised as being under new management it being advertised/talked about as the midlands show, the same as previous years, brings back memories of the last couple of years so put people off. Maybe a name change for next year would be a good idea.

I heard from another exhibitor yesterday that they are thinking of a new venue for next year about 5 miles down the road from Stoneleigh, pity they cant be persuaded to hold it at the East of England Showground in Peterborough, they now have a very nice purpose built show hall complex.

On another note I would just like to add my thanks to the others for the help you and your apprentice gave me, and the hands on try out, of the Monro. I ended up with the small one, all I have to do now is find time to try it out an see what I can produce.

john

 

[Mark Hancock]

The problem is that for a lot of visitors and some exhibitors even thogh it was advertised as being under new management it being advertised/talked about as the midlands show, the same as previous years, brings back memories of the last couple of years so put people off. Maybe a name change for next year would be a good idea.

I know it was promoted as the New Midland show but I agree I think this was a factor in the low attendance by the public a long with the present economic climate.

I heard from another exhibitor yesterday that they are thinking of a new venue for next year about 5 miles down the road from Stoneleigh, pity they cant be persuaded to hold it at the East of England Showground in Peterborough, they now have a very nice purpose built show hall complex.

I also heard similar comments and do hope SK Promotions pursue holding a show somewhere in the Midlands area. Worcester Rugby Club would be great - I wouldn't have to get out of bed so early

On another note I would just like to add my thanks to the others for the help you and your apprentice gave me, and the hands on try out, of the Monro. I ended up with the small one, all I have to do now is find time to try it out an see what I can produce.

john

Only too glad to help. If you have any issues or problems with it just get in touch.