Thread: Melbourne Wood Show before, during & after

Final day

Thank you to the many volunteers over the three days, especially those who kept drifting back and doing a bit extra

Sturdee provided 6 clamps to be drawn for prizes for the volunteers (Allan at Wallan won the last draw) - thanks Sturdee.

I think myself pretty fortunate to be able to get as many volunteers as I do, they allow me to scamper off and get photos, spend money and generally enjoy the show. I don't 'expect' volunteers but I do hope a number of people will assist (and they do). This year we had a few less volunteers, but I counter that by saying we have been very fortunate in previous years. Like some of the vendors I am happy to take some bad with the good, so please, no more discussion on the topic.

I spoke to a number of vendors and attendees and was quite surprised at the differing opinions out there. Some attendees said it was quiet, others busy, some thought it was the best show they had attended and others (mostly) said the high standard set by the new managers was continuing.

Complaints all seemed to revolve around parking, and having to walk a long way. Just a reminder that the parking is NOT under the control of the organisers.

I had a bit of a dummy spit with a security guard. Here's a tip folks - if you are ever a security guard, and insist that the door you just locked cannot be used by a tired exhibitor, then direct them 100 meters in the opposite direction to another exit, then, after they walk all the way up there, exit the building, then walk all the way back down to where you are - DO NOT open the door for one of your mates just as that bloke goes past and can see what you are doing!

I spent five hours at the Show, including a couple on the Forum
stand and enjoyed every minute of it.

As usual we expect to get some new Forumites out of and at
least introduced them to the site. It is great to see the excited
looks we get when we tell them it is free, a worldwide membership,
many different components to the site and the ability to ask questions
and post photographs of their work.

Plenty of demos on show so no one should have been disappointed
with that aspect. I thought the timber on sale was a bit down on
quantity this year, or was it sold on Friday and Saturday. Nevertheless
I thought the prices were reasonable.

Many thanks to Groggy for his sterling efforts and Neil for sponsoring
the stand. It was great to meet up with fellow volunteers again.

I made a few purchases so Jim Carroll can remain among Australia's
top ten richest persons. It is great to deal with Jim and Irene.

Finally I was a bit slack with the camera and only took one photo
... drool, drool. How many pens or needle cases could I make out
of these.

Thanks also to Peter for the clamps he donated which I fortunately
won.

Allan

Even thou I was not there I also wish to say Thank you for Groggy. Great seeing the pictures of the ongoing show.

Sounds like alot of you had a great time and picked up some nice bargains Cant wait for the show to hit QLD

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Great effort by Groggy on the stand, every time there were not any volunteers, he filled in.

Although pleased to see all the forumites that volunteered on the stand, there were plenty of other SLACK forumites there that didn't volunteer .

I understand where Dai Sensai is coming from here and I agree 100% with the sentiment. He may have delivered his thoughts a bit more carefully, though, but I am sure he meant no malice to anyone who travelled several hours to get there and want to maximise their show experience. If I was in that situation I would not have volunteered for a stint on the stand either.

OK i attended two days and did an official hour on the roster and got in free both days. Woopee i saved $20! which is nothing compared to what I spent and it is even more insignificant compared to the knowledge and ideas i swapped with others from the forum and the general public attending the show.

In addition to my two rostered shifts I, Dai sensai and numerous others who were not officially rostered on at the time assisted Groggy by doing a bit of extra time when it was busy and nobody was rostered on on either side of the roster and groggy was carrying the can by himself.

Look at what I just wrote and compare it to the two sentences I quoted by Dai Sensai. I believe he was also expressing an opinion that it isnt fair to leave the forum stand organiser to do so many shifts. I agree that it isnt fair, and I will also state that nobody should feel that they are obliged to help out. But, with thousands of forum members living in melbourne I too find it amazing that it is so difficult to fill in 42 hours of volunteer activity. Groggy shouldnt even have to do a shift. there is enough work in being the stand coordinator to keep him busy.

Personally, I got into more interesting conversations and learned more when I was on the stand than I did wandering around. I would have gone on the third day too but i have other pressing engagements at the moment.

What I think the Sensai was getting at, and so am I, is give volunteering for a spot next year a try and see what you think. Volunteers do not get paid, not because they are worthless but because they are priceless.

the strenght and value of the forum is its membership base. something to think about - the new member who Dai sensai, myself or one of the other volunteers persuaded to join the forum this weekend may just be the one who answers your next question and makes your next project a success, but if you are doing nothing, dont criticise those that are doing something.


Doug

I want to chime in and say my thanks to Groggy, Neil and all the others at the show who made my experience such a wonderful time.

I have been going for the last 3 years with my Dad and this year it was perfect timing to reinvigorate my interest in woodturning and to foster a new interest in pyrography!

It was great to see the wonderful Demo's by Theo, Guilio and Ken W and some bloke called ! My thanks go to Doug Bell and his wife Sandra for letting me hog one of their pyrography machines all morning on Friday. Oh and also to Dad for buying some sweet swag

I can't wait to get stuck back into the shed and do more turning and burning!

Michelle

Oh BTW since Groggy was taking the photos during the show I thought I would get one of him too!

I was there for the three days of the show, my annual holiday whilst my wife is on holiday visiting her parents on the Gold coast, and thoroughly enjoyed my self.

Each day I did a shift on the forum stand and it is a real privilege to introduce others to this great forum which has helped me a lot and to which hopefully I make a contribution.

I know manning or womanning the stand is not for everyone but it is not difficult and you mainly get to meet a lot of other forumnites so if you get the chance please do volunteer.

My only problem at the show was that I spent too much money there, unlike Ern I still need things , or I'm prodded by my daughter that we need those extra things.

I was pleased to be able to give those hand screw clamps, the draws were made by Neil and Pauline of Ubeaut, and I'm glad that they were won and will be used by some great people who regularly support the forum stand every year.


Peter.

Yes, I went the 3 days as I have for many years now.
I was with the Hand Tool Preservation Assoc. Of Aust.
I had to Pump that Wood Lathe made for South Africa.
So after 2 hrs. on that, & not getting younger, I was a bit pooped, but did call in on The Forum Stand, said Hello to quite a few, & hopefully directed a few Newbies to the Forums, but it was not for long I'm afraid.
Yes, Many Thanks go to Neil ( hope the leg gets better quickly) & Pauline & a big plus to Greg also.
He said he was happy with everybody filling most of the places on the Stand.

Now for 1 very stupid thing, well I thought so anyway.
I use a Van to get around in, & I like to pick up Wood Laying on the Ground.
So the Hand Saws I have have had it, so I thought I would buy a New Panel Type Saw, with the Hot Teeth, & usually very Cheap, under $10.

Well you've got to be Joking, a Wood Show & not a Hand Saw anywhere, other than the ones on Chris Vesper site, but they weren't what I was after
I found that absolutely amazing.

I've been Turning for 30 yrs. & over the 3 days, I picked up 3 really good Ideas, that I will put into practice immediately.
So there is ALWAYS a reason to go.

I was really lucky to get to the show this year. We had a new addition to our family just a couple of weeks back and I had a significant birthday this weekend so time is very precious. I'm very fortunate to have a wife who made it work for me.

I got there late morning and had a bit of a wander around to see what was there. I was pretty happy with the range and thought the pricing was quite reasonable on a few items that I was interested in.

I've been following and admiring Chris Vesper's work for a few years now; it was pretty busy on his stand when I first stopped by so I continued on. When I came back later it was a little quieter and following a nice chat with Chris I picked up a beautiful joinery knife that will be a reminder of this birthday for years to come. I also had another look at his sliding bevels and squares which are works of functional art. As time passes I hope to add some of these to my daily use tools.

Chris on the Ubeaut stand was very helpful with a query I had about an antique clock I need to refinish. I picked up a fresh bottle of sanding sealer for this job and am now planning the task with more certainty.

I picked up a Veritas medium shoulder plane from the Carbatec stand too. I almost bought one at the last show I was at but thought it overpriced at the time. This time I was pleasantly surprised. They are a very well manufactured tool with excellent functionality that I've been chasing for some time but it is, to my mind, a bit of an indulgence.

I spent quite a bit of time chatting with some of the timber suppliers about my requirements for several forthcoming projects. What is really difficult for many of these guys are the freight costs. I felt there was less timber on display this year than the last show I was at, however, I can't guarantee this is objective.

I wasn't going to buy large pieces of timber on Friday, I don't have anywhere to put any more just at the moment! However, it was a great opportunity to talk to folks about what my needs are and plan for future work. There's nothing quite like talking through your options with the guy who is going to source and mill the timber for your job. I had a productive chat with Mal Ward and he put me in contact with others for some of my other requirements. Mal's a great bloke and my thanks go out to him.

As I was doing a later slower turn around the stands I noticed that the crowd around the Harold&Saxon/HNT Gordon/Colin Clenton stand had thinned out a little and used the opportunity to have a closer look at some of the pieces on display - all great stuff. I was as impressed as I always am with the quality of work by these fine craftsmen. Colin was as friendly as he always is and I enjoyed the opportunity to talk with him about his work and methods.

I picked up a couple of other vital things for a job I am starting next month from the always helpful Mark at Just Tools too.

I was having a great time just carefully looking through the displays before I was reminded by a security guard that the show was closing in three minutes . A quick scamper back to the parcel pickup averted disaster and I managed to catch the last shuttle bus back to the car.

I had a great time and hope the direction of the show continues along these lines.

It's good to know that those that attended appeared to have enjoyed their time at the WW show.

I know for certain I would have, happen that circumstances allowed me to be there.

I will get back over there at some time and I do not mind also donating my time on the stand,if I can help in some small way I will,this is in some way a small measure of something I can give back to the forum that has for many years given me pleasure.

Thanks Greg for all your efforts with the photo's in showing parts of the show for all to see.

Cheers

Back in Tassie, had a ball at the show on all three days. I went to more seminars than usual and learnt something from all the demonstrators. I manned the Forum stand on Friday and Saturday for 2 hours each day, it was great to meet other members and find even more as they walked past.

I really enjoyed talking to the show attendees. It was fun watching them walk past and trying to evade eye contact thinking I was selling something, only to find out after I had engaged them in conversation that membership of this great forum if free.

Thanks to Sturdee for his Day 1 prize and also saving me $235.00. By the time I got back to the Vermec stand on Sunday morning, all the multi centre chucks had been sold.

Thanks to Greg on his efforts on the stand, there will be no more bench jokes after I see a photo of the finished bench in use with it's first glue blob and shavings all over it.

Originally Posted by KevM

Thanks to Sturdee for his Day 1 prize and also saving me $235.00.

Kevin, how about we split your savings between us. Then it's not so much for you.

Btw I got a discount from Enzo, helps if you carry the forum name tag.


Peter.

I think you guys who manned the forum stand in Melbourne are understanding how much enjoyment this can be. I am eager for the Sydney show.