Thread: Wot I got at www Melbourne

Well done. Just reading this I am getting the impression that you were excited when typing this.

Originally Posted by steamingbill

Did 2 laps of the Mcjings kiosk just looking at all the stuff particularly the wood lathe and metal lathe tools, saw things in the flesh that I'd only ever read about in books.Bill

Well Bill, I'm not quite sure what you're referring to here. Do you mean people demonstrating the gear without any gear on so to speak, or doing unspeakable things with it?

Hmm, my score. A faceplate or two from Vermec, a few Huon boards and a hollowing tool. I'll raid McJing's tomorrow.

From the guys with bowl blanks for turning.

I met a few in Canberra but mislaid all the cards. . If someone could grab me some, it will give me some contacts for my next buy of bowl blanks

These guys are impossible to find online.

An Arbortech TurboPlane and some Food Grade Oil from U-Beaut.

Tried the TurboPlane today, and it is a handful to get used to. It is one tool that demands respect...

Got some F-clamps, a ruler and a square.

I hadn't been to the show for about two or three years and was unpleasantly surprised by the reduction in exhibitors and general amount of stock for sale. I think this year's show would be lucky to be 2/3rds the size of what it's been in my past experience.

Floor space was padded out a lot with demo areas and "rest lounges", and part of the hall itself was fenced off and not occupied. I don't think I'll be going next year - it's not really worth the entrance and parking fees for something that I covered in around 90 minutes, compared to the half day experience of previous years.......

Originally Posted by Justin

I hadn't been to the show for about two or three years and was unpleasantly surprised by the reduction in exhibitors and general amount of stock for sale.

Geez, you don't think the second half of that sentence has something to do with the first?

All those other people that don't support their local wood shows regularly should feel ashamed of themselves for their contribution to your disappointment.

Originally Posted by Mike B

Geez, you don't think the second half of that sentence has something to do with the first?

All those other people that don't support their local wood shows regularly should feel ashamed of themselves for their contribution to your disappointment.

UMMMM, why is he being criticised for going? Good on ya, Justin. You turned up and supported the show at least. Having done so now you are in a position to make an informed opinion as to whether to attend next year.

I agree that the exhibitor numbers are dwindling but there sure was a crowd there yesterday when I went. Who knows, if changing venues shook a few people who have abstained for a few years back for a look and attendee numbers have grown as a result, it may entice some more exhibitors back next year.


Doug

Originally Posted by doug3030

UMMMM, why is he being criticised for going? Good on ya, Justin. You turned up and supported the show at least. Having done so now you are in a position to make an informed opinion as to whether to attend next year.

Well said Doug!

Originally Posted by doug3030

I agree that the exhibitor numbers are dwindling but there sure was a crowd there yesterday when I went. Who knows, if changing venues shook a few people who have abstained for a few years back for a look and attendee numbers have grown as a result, it may entice some more exhibitors back next year.

Yeah, I agree. I've noticed quite a few comments on the black wall partitioning the hall. I'm not going to criticise because it was obvious the organisers went to a lot of effort to spruce things up. Change of venue is good, parking bad (I think we all foresaw this). All this doesn't change my opinion that the show itself is undergoing a slow, painful death. Unfortunately. And if anyone is going to knock me for saying this, I've supported the show for the last 6 years and, on average, spend at least $300-400.

Originally Posted by Scott

I've supported the show for the last 6 years and, on average, spend at least $300-400.

I started going to the shows when I rekindled my interest in woodworking about 10 years ago when my family circumstances permitted. I was living in Bundaberg at the time and made the four hour trip to Brisbane four times, just to go to the show. I missed the next couple of shows because I was living in Darwin. Since I moved to Melbourne, I have attended the show on at least two days every year. I have never walked into the show with less than $2000 cash in my pocket, usually more. That is often after sometimes spending over $1000 with those businesses who run sales in October and not attend the show. That means I have spent probably $20,000 at twww shows over a 10 year period.

This year I walked in with $2600 cash to spend. I walked out four and a half hours later with $1830 still in my wallet. Honestly, I tried to spend it. I didn't buy any timber, like I usually do. There is a limit on what you can take on a 96 tram and a train. I helped Big Stan set up his stall on Wednesday and was given a couple of small pieces of Native Olive for my trouble. Two pieces of timber 30 inches by 8 inches by 3/4 inch was enough trouble taking home on public transport.

I was looking to buy some new items, replace some of my equipment, and upgrade others, but nobody wanted to talk a deal. "We aren't doing any show specials this year" was the mantra from several exhibitors. And this is often exhibitors who I have spent thousands with at previous shows and recognise me by sight or even greet me by name when I enter their site. Sorry, I am not going to pay full price for something at a show and then have to drive out to their normal place of business a week later to pick it up when I could have just done the drive and pickup anytime through the year for the same price if not cheaper. Some of these guys are more approachable for a decent discount for multiple purchases at their normal place of business than they were at the show.

But like Justin, I gave it a go. I have been abstaining from making any negative comments; the above are factual comments. If I was going to make a negative comment it would be"When they finally wake up to themselves and work out that Melbourne needs an enema, I hope they realise that the only place they can stick the tube is into Jeff's shed". At the moment, if I had to make a decision as to whether I was going back next year, I would say "YES" but just to catch up with friends, not to buy anything, unless things change dramatically.

Cheers

Doug

Wow you boys are precious. If you cant see the bleeding obvious in expecting these things to get bigger and better in your absence you are missing my point.

Originally Posted by doug3030

At the moment, if I had to make a decision as to whether I was going back next year, I would say "YES" but just to catch up with friends, not to buy anything, unless things change dramatically.

So what would you class as a "dramatic" improvement... and how much more would you be willing to pay?

I still say thanks to Bill for starting this thread and getting across his sense of excitement.

Originally Posted by Mike B

Wow you boys are precious.

I don't understand why you are complaining, at least they still went this year and spent some money, unlike me for I will never go to the Melbourne Exhibition Centre for all the money in China.

So as far as I'm concerned it has now become a non event.


Peter.

We, SWMBO and I, went on Friday.

We decided to take the train (and tram) as driving in and out of Melbourne on a Friday is a PITA and we get a few free train trips every year (one of the very few benefits of getting old)

As expected, the Show was a bit smaller than previous years and I didn't buy much.

Got some back issues of Aust Woodsmith and Aust Wood Review to bring my collection up to date, some nice Birdseye Huon for some pen blanks, a couple of 150mm long 7mm drills from McJing.

Had a look at the new Laguna machines and was quite impressed.

Talked to a few forumites and left after about 2 hrs.

There has been a lot of talk about whether the move back to Jeffs' Shed was a good one.
Personally I preferred the Showgrounds, easier to get to, easier to park and more room to move around, but coming down on the train and having to find a park was in fact quite relaxing (not to say cheap!).

Will I go next year? Probably, wherever it is.
Just wish there was more excitement in going to the Show, but whether that is just me getting older or the Show getting less interesting, who knows?