SK Midlands Show

[lurker]

Simon,

Define "good coping saw" preferably with a picture

If you want what I think you want and are going on Saturday I reckon I might be able to help with one FOC.

BTW - Me & my Chauffeur :wink: should be Lurking around Nick's stall at about Midday on 11th.

PS My chauffeur knocks out great cabinet scrapers from cheapo hardpoint saws

 

[joiner_sim]

One thats not going to cost the earth and will do me well for a good few years. Looking to spend around £10 to £20. Had a bad experience last week trying to use a REALLY CHEAP coping saw, when all the power was off in the workshop for the whole day.

 

[DaveL]

BTW - Me & my Chauffeur :wink: should be Lurking around Nick's stall at about Midday on 11th.

So have you bought Pete a nice peaked cap? :wink:

 

[lurker]

Simon,

I'll bring one with me you can have, if we can arrange a meet up.

DaveL, Is his name Pete? One doesn't like to get too familiar with the staff :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Racers]

Hi,

I shall have my name tattooed on the back of my head so you can read it from the back seat. :wink: :lol:

Pete

 

[cambournepete]

I went today.
Quite busy, but lots of space as the hall is large and the aisles wide.
Most of the usual companies there (hi Terry and Martin!)
Lots of woodturning, with most of the pros using wivamac.

Bought myself a set of 8 Ray Iles bevel-edged chisels with box wood handles.

 

[joiner_sim]

It is with regret that I won't be attending tomorrow, due to personal issues. :roll:

 

[CHJ]

Somewhat better experience as far as shows go, quite a few show discounts/bundles around for those with pocket money to fritter away.

Ratwood was caught in the act of disappearing for an early break just as we were giving Terry (Chestnuts) a hard time, JPT spotted me early on and made himself known Cambourne Pete did likewise later on.

Had some good rapport with several of the exhibitors/stall holders, Mark Hancock was creating vast amounts of wood shavings as usual and Ratwood was given a bit of a hard time by Di whilst he was trying to convert some of Terry's acrylics into miniatures.

General feeling was that the atmosphere was brighter and friendlier all round than recent events, guess that despite the hardening economy restraints on spending the stall holders were happier with their lot.

 

[Terry Smart]

Hi all, greetings from the show on Saturday morning.

Nice to see people yesterday, was that a hard time Chas? You should see some of the people we get, best one yesterday was the guy standing in front of our shelves asking 'I've looked but can't see any, do you sell polish?'

Anyway, the general mood yesterday was bouyant, the atmosphere friendly and we didn't have a single person moan to us about the lack of exhibitors or anything else for that matter, a marked change from the last couple of Midlands shows (by any other organiser) and the Ally Pally ones.

It's always difficult to gauge numbers, aisles are so wide these days due in part to the size of the halls and also I'm sure to Health and Safety reasons, the show wasn't as busy as we'd have liked but then again it never will be! We have a different take on this than visitors who like the fact they don't have to fight their way through crowds all the time.

Suffice to say, and again unlike other shows (excluding Harrogate), none of the exhibitors were moaning yesterday about attendance and organisation, so things look good for the show.

Hope we'll see some more of you here today and tomorrow!

 

[Mark Hancock]

Just to emphasize what Terry has said I've found the atmosphere at the show to be great. It's hard for me to judge how financially sucessful the show is as I'm not selling anything but to date I've heard no adverse comments at all. For my part the last 2 days have been very busy. I just hope my voice hold out for tomorrow
The show has been well organised and I hope the organizers build on this year and make it an annual event. The Midlands needs a show like this.

 

[dunbarhamlin]

Unfortunately the hair socks took longer to sort than expected (though at least no hair suit now) so I missed midday

Great day though:

• Indian summer
• Survived haircut.
• Found socks
• Taxi driver has an Indian fusion band, and wants a mandolin player and a sarangi making.
• Bacon butty and coffee with nonsense when I got home
• It's just turned pub o'clock

What more could one ask?




O, yes. That.

Mike and Ray helped me make room for the moths in my wallet (froe, router, float and some odds and ends (oops - still, at least some of them were gifts for brother))

Ray Iles confirmed ready availability of his OBMCs - just phone and ask.

Mark Bennet waxed lyrical about some of Mike's tool ****, Clifton, rasps, floats, spalting and figure in British timbers - he even admitted tree hugging tendencies - most laudable, entertaining and informative.
He then tried the Miracle on 34th Street thing - suggesting I try microrasps across the aisle - Macy's still got the sale

Much further wagging of chins.

Tried float once at home - will be adding a couple more of these!

Cheers
Steve

 

[cambournepete]

OBMC?

 

[dunbarhamlin]

6 pints don't last long with a thirst, do they?
OBMC = Oval Bolstered Mortise Chisel = Pig Sticker
Ray's are D2 monsters - superb. I have a couple and would like a couple more. Info at ToolsForWorkingWood website here.
This pic gives an idea of the size:

[Edited the Edit - I can confirm that beer does little to improve one's keyboard skills]

 

[mark_h]

Just got home from a weekend away including a trip to this show. Overall quite an enjoyable show. Bit disappointed that the two things top of my list were not there - New Bessey clamps (in fact no Bessey clamps of any kind!) and the revamped Makita D handled router. Did manage to spend a few pennies though, especially with CHT who had Veritas & LN stuff at pre increase prices. Good location though and well set out.

Mark

 

[lurker]

Unfortunately the hair socks took longer to sort than expected (though at least no hair suit now) so I missed midday

Steve

No wonder I didn't spot you!
I was looking for a scruffy sod, not a freshly shaun one :roll:

I thought it was a good show, I think maybe the numbers were higher than people might think as there was plenty of space to spread out which was in itself a good thing. Spent very little, but extended my wish list a bit.

Had a good time as it was interesting to see stuff in the flesh and compare.

Did what I call some "anti-shopping: I have convinced myself that I'll not buy any Record stuff as its quite poor quality finish.
SIP /Charnwood/ Axminster being better & cheaper

Bumped into lots of familar faces. Came past your stand a few times Mark ( to say hello) but you were busy.

Joiner Sim - sorry you could not make it. PM me if you want that coping saw ( that I carried round all day :roll: )

BTW - on leaving the site & driving towards Stoneliegh village - did anyone else notice the Oak tree with the massive burr, on the right hand side of the road :lol: :lol:

 

[dunbarhamlin]

No wonder I didn't spot you!
I was looking for a scruffy sod, not a freshly shaun one :roll:

Ha! Yep, clipped and dipped and fresh ochre on my chest