Thread: Melbourne show 2018

Originally Posted by Treecycle

It seems that most of us who went yesterday were more intent on seeing what was at the show than taking photos. Hopefully some of those who go over the weekend will post some otherwise it will look like it didn't happen.

This was the only photo I took and that was to show my knife-making friends to beware of people who obviously don't know any better selling HSS as knife steel and think it is "excellent"

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I went today and found parking in Ann St. It was 2 hour parking Mon - Friday so no problem there with staying as long as I needed
The place was relatively busy and there seemed to a bit of a buzz about it. Spent the extravagant sum of $48 only - $8 on a couple of burls to make clocks as presents and $30 for 3 saw files at Jim Davey's stand.
I spoke with Candice and she has plans for the Show including making it more of a family event with other crafts to entice the ladies and children. It is intended to be held in August next year and she hopes to hold a get-together of the other wood-working event organisers so that they do not have the clashes that are currently occurring.
Apparently Timbecon have already said that they will be starters next year
One of the stall holders I know and spoke to seemed happy and said that there is a meeting of the stallholders at the start and close of each day to get their suggestions and feed back.
If you go tomorrow seek her out and speak with her - she is very approachable and friendly.

Originally Posted by Chesand

I went today and found parking in Ann St. It was 2 hour parking Mon - Friday so no problem there with staying as long as I needed
The place was relatively busy and there seemed to a bit of a buzz about it. Spent the extravagant sum of $48 only - $8 on a couple of burls to make clocks as presents and $30 for 3 saw files at Jim Davey's stand.
I spoke with Candice and she has plans for the Show including making it more of a family event with other crafts to entice the ladies and children. It is intended to be held in August next year and she hopes to hold a get-together of the other wood-working event organisers so that they do not have the clashes that are currently occurring.
Apparently Timbecon have already said that they will be starters next year
One of the stall holders I know and spoke to seemed happy and said that there is a meeting of the stallholders at the start and close of each day to get their suggestions and feed back.
If you go tomorrow seek her out and speak with her - she is very approachable and friendly.

Well that is abousulty fantastic news thanks Tom.

Cheers Matt,

I went today; an easy 40 minute drive from Heidelberg. Parking wasn't an issue - I went around the corner and parked in a free all-day spot (weekends only) opposite RMS Titanic - and was at the door about 15 minutes before opening with about 200 or so of my closest friends. Plenty of wood out the front, even before we went in:
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also heaps of slabs of lots of different things - but I'm not in the market for wood as I've already got what I need for my next half dozen projects already.
HTPAA was there and it's always nice to see their displays, but it was a pity they didn't have anything for sale as I prefer to spend my hard-earned on old tools where possible - I did pick up an old pig-sticker from the second-hand book and veneer stall though, so it wasn't a total bust. Seeing the cooper in action there was interesting, but my highlight from the HTPAA was the hand-cranked bandsaw sharpener - it's brilliant!
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Other highlights were watching and listening to Theo Haralampou who made me wish my lathe was back out of storage (and that my skills were anywhere near where my imagination wants to go), and the display from the marquetry association
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Apart from the pigsticker, I bought a straight Arno drawknife from Eckert tools (to go with the curved one I bought from them 3 years ago), an ebony chamfer plane from the Japan Tools stand and some Grobet saw files to use up my funds. The place was busy but not stupidly so for the 3 hours I was there.
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Definitely worth the price of admission and the trip there and back.

Just out of curiosity, what was the pricing on timber like compared to normal rest of the year vendors?

I am especially interested in Black Heart Sassafras.

I spent most of today there and bought much more than I expected. Happily got most of the items on my list. Jim Davey did the best as I picked up a Veritas dovetail saw and a Wood River shoulder plane. Also got the diamond stone I wanted from Beyond Tools who seem to be from Perth so they deserved a sale just for the trip! Got some router accessories from Carbitool, plus some other small items from other vendors so all in all spent over $600. A little bit more if you count the beers we had during lunch at the Pirates Tavern. It was lovely sitting outside in the sun with a few beers as the timber mills were running

I thought the venue was great but I am biased because I am local. Parking was easy. My impression was there was much more timber than usual because there was heaps at the entrance and also heaps more towards the back. I agree today was busy without being too crowded. Of course I wish there had been more vendors but a few more it might have been too cramped and they might need a bigger venue.

Originally Posted by cava

Just out of curiosity, what was the pricing on timber like compared to normal rest of the year vendors?

I am especially interested in Black Heart Sassafras.

Plenty of Black Heart Sassafras yesterday,
but I felt it was a bit Pricey. But I could be wrong

Cheers Antonio,

I got me a bunch of short pieces


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I went yesterday morning and thought the venue was great, even went thru the museum next door afterwards. Parked a few streets away near a relatives house and walked down. Plenty of timber there but the number of tool vendors was low compared to the last show I went to at Jeff’s shed. There was a large crowd watching the Gifkins display. My daughter enjoyed the chop stick making jigs Japanese tools had out to try. Only bought some veneers to try my hand at box making.

PARKING: I failed in my mission to identify the free off-sire parking that was at the show, as things were a bit fluid. However the nearby parking seems to be adequate. I asked Candice for some more details on the show website going forward and she will make that happen for future shows.

THE SHOW: Despite being smaller this year it was great. More emphasis on wood than tools and machinery. Some new stands, some usual ones not present this time. As mentioned below, the vibe was really good. And feedback from visitors I spoke with was quite positive.

NEXT YEAR SHOW: Many visitors and exhibitors are looking forward to the increased scope of next years show. There will be black smithing, knife making, pottery, ceramics, glass blowing, painting, air-brushing. Including classes in addition to demonstrations. It will be held at the showgrounds as it will need a bigger venue than Seaworks.

THANKS: To all those that dropped in to our LOGOSOL stand for a chat, see some milling and planer demonstrations. We have some new Logosol mill and machinery owners, some who did not even know they needed a new sawmill until this weekend came about. )

I'd like to thank the visitors who made up the positive vibe, and the organisers who seem to have a genuine need to make the show bigger, broader and better than ever before.

So from reading all the replies here that were placed after the show started, all the initial skepticism was unfounded and all who attended believe it was a success and the future of these shows appears to be bright.
Certainly the enthusiasm that Candice exudes when speaking with her indicates that it will be bigger and better in the future. Even some vendors I spoke to are excited about the future.

Originally Posted by Treecycle

So from reading all the replies here that were placed after the show started, all the initial skepticism was unfounded and all who attended believe it was a success and the future of these shows appears to be bright.

While I agree with the sentiment you are expressing, Dallas, including that the show now has a bright future, I am not sure that I agree with the wording you used.

I think that "all the initial skepticism" had a very strong foundation in the historical precedents from previous years, backed up by a lack of information on the show's website or anywhere else providing any information to the contrary.

I have stated elsewhere in this thread and in other places that I was hoping the the new owners would breathe a new life into the shows and I was keeping an open mind about them. I continued to keep an open mind even when Candice did not respond to my email request for information.

If there is one area that they need to improve in it is in conveying information to the general attendees. The show was right upon us before we even got an exhibitors list. I have not seen a floor plan anywhere still.

If the show is moving back to the Showgrounds that is great. If the scope of exhibitors is to be widened that is great too.

I understand that a lot to do with this year's show had already been determined before Candice took it over and had to be adhered to anyway. Despite that it was well received and the level of optimism was and remains high.

Looking forward to seeing what happens in 2019, hopefully at a new venue and on a different weekend which does not clash with other well-established events.

I would largely agree with Doug. There was valid scepticism regarding the show and reason for people to not be sure of its future. I for one (as an exhibitor) was not sure how it could be improved. My immediate thoughts when Candice discussed its future with increased scope was to wonder why an increase and variety of exhibits and demonstrations, a bit away from woodworking, yet likely to be of interest to woodworkers; seems like the right solution... I now think it is.

It will also bring people who are coming primarily for those non-woodworking interests into contact with woodworking and timber where as they would not have been. That's neat. I think a bit of cross 'craft' exposure is good for every one. I'm looking forward to it as both an exhibitor and a visitor.

But.. also as Doug and other said, more info and earlier info would be of benefit to everyone.

Originally Posted by nt900

My immediate thoughts when Candice discussed its future with increased scope was to wonder why an increase and variety of exhibits and demonstrations, a bit away from woodworking, yet likely to be of interest to woodworkers; seems like the right solution... I now think it is.

It will also bring people who are coming primarily for those non-woodworking interests into contact with woodworking and timber where as they would not have been. That's neat. I think a bit of cross 'craft' exposure is good for every one. I'm looking forward to it as both an exhibitor and a visitor.

While I am primarily a "woodworker" it is amazing how much of other crafts I find myself overlapping with to support my woodworking. "Woodworking" in and of itself encompasses too many crafts to mention from turning, boxmaking,m furniture making, marquetry, veneering etc etc etc.

Originally Posted by nt900

NEXT YEAR SHOW: Many visitors and exhibitors are looking forward to the increased scope of next years show. There will be black smithing, knife making, pottery, ceramics, glass blowing, painting, air-brushing. Including classes in addition to demonstrations.

As I get more drawn into toolmaking, I find that the metalwork I do in support of my hobby is now taking in blacksmithing, knifemaking, and various metal milling and turning operations. I also find myself incorporating leadlighting into a few projects. I can only see incorporating a few more crafts into the show as a good thing for everyone.