This is a short personal view of the Midlands Model Engineering Show 2023. I will start with the positives then negatives followed by comments.
As expected, the show had many trade stands mostly selling small items and materials. None of the machine suppliers were in attendance apart from Myford who were showing one of their new machines. When I say new it was a Super 7B with DRO on all axis including the tail stock (never seen that before!) and a speed control inverter. At first glance I thought it was identical to my 40 year old S7 and in conversation with one of the Myford guys it transpires that the machine is newly made using the original patterns and imperial cap heads as specified in the original manual. The only difference I could see was that the top slide had machined/ground sides which makes clocking very easy when setting angles. I did notice that the bed didn’t seem to be ground as I could see the machining marks from the milling cutter. I also found out that for £500 Myford will “grind” your bed and saddle. The S7 cost around £9k.
There were not many small engine models on display, plenty of boats and several large scale traction engines. My eye very quickly beamed onto a beautiful example of the Allchin Royal Chester which had gained a very well deserved first prize.
RGTools had a massive presence occupying 10 display modules. Myford had 2. Stuart Models had an excellent display of all their models but I didn’t see anyone purchase the many kit boxes stack behind the display.
For me the outstanding event was a lecture on powder coating using the Tribology effect thereby not needing any electronics. The idea was simple using materials costing around £50. If anyone is interested, I would be happy to describe how to make a tribo gun with drawings.
SMEE had, as usual, an excellent stand showing members models. My eye caught a very well made example of the Quorn. SMEE also were demonstrating machining techniques on their Myford and showing off some of George Thomas’s brilliant accessories. As usual the stand was well staffed and very friendly.
Negatives
My first impression on entering the show was the lighting. It was quite dark with very inefficient high level skylights. This made it difficult to look at the models. Most stands had additional lighting but not for the models.
The lecture I attended suffered very badly from external noise due to its location and the sound system was inadequate. The lighting level was high making the projected slides difficult to read.
Comments
I do wonder about the future of these shows. There were tables near the coffee shop and I was able to observe many of the stands in operation as I drank. It was noticeable that there seemed to be little sales activity. Also many of the traders were selling low value items. Considering the cost of the stand and a minimum of 2 staff plus transport and hotels it is difficult to see how their attendance could be justified. I note that Hemmingway decided several years ago to sell on-line only and not attend shows. I haven’t seen Warco at the London shows (pre Covid). RGTools had 2 stands dedicated to measuring kit. I saw no one purchasing.
It was also interesting to note the age profile of attendees. There were a few children (it was a Saturday so no school) but the overall impression was of an ageing attendance with an average age of, in my estimation, 70+.
I do hope these shows survive but they do need better management.
Mike
