I will be there, wouldn't miss it.

graham.

I went there today, and plan to go on Saturday as well. The show was quite good, pretty much the same as last year. I didn't see College Engineering Suplies there, so not sure if I missed them or they are not attending this year.

I bought a ticket in advance online this year, to beat the queues as it suggested on the website. But so had many others and as there was only one entrance for all visitors, other than traders and exhibitors, there was still quite a queue.

I went to look at an item on one traders stall with a view to buying, only to be told it had been bought by another trader the day before and was now on their stall at a higher price, you've got to be quick in this game.

Anyway, it's a great show with plenty to see and squander your cash on, well worth a visit.

I was there on Friday and having hunted high and low I finally found the Arc stand to watch John Stephenson sharpen several cutters that the small crowd had brought along.

It was a much better engineered piece of equipment than I had expected, the results were sharp tools with the minimum of effort and had I not already got a bench size T&C grinder, much modified for my needs, I would have been serioisly tempted to think about ordering one.

Being local, I am a veteran of this show, having missed just one in all the years it has run and as usual it was a fine exhibition, although there wasn't an outstanding exhibit that caught my eye this time. I would say it was better attended this year too, certainly it was crowded and stuff was moving off stalls at great speed..

Well worth attending

Brian

Eric and Lathejack,

You gave up too easily, I couldn't find the Arc stand either but the front desk were very helpful to directing me.

Brian

Where was/is the Arc stand? I never found it or recognised I'd found it.

It was a few years since I'd been so it was good to be able to go to the trade stands to look for specific items and have a good look at them for quality etc, I did buy a few items but there are others such as a new milling vice I didn't want to buy at the show, especially as the prices are the same as I can get on line from the same supplier.

I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more tooling items on the club stands, it did seem to be mainly models of various things, nothing wrong with that but I do like to look at tooling that others have made.

Steve

Good show, a bit crowded for my taste. Catering areas grossly crowded, did not eat or drink for 5 hours

Frank

Working all weekend .

Would have loved to go again as club I belong to have stand there so if passing say hi to guys on the spenborough stand for me pls.

Mick

Just in case anyone didn't get that, Mr Stevenson is demonstrating the Cutter sharpening machine in Hall one – Go in the main entrance, turn right and go through the Restaurant bit and keep on going until you come to the end of the stalls selling stuff, narrowly miss Mr Wyatt (rushing along and very much On-A-Mission) and look to your right. Don't forget to take some cutters with you and you can then stick a few bob in John's Beer Money tin (it has the Heart Charity logo on it, but looks can be deceiving!)

We looked at the machine and John kindly sharpened a couple of cutters I had taken along. The general agreement was a club or group of people should club together and buy one for everyone's benefit if you couldn't justify buying one for yourself. A great piece of kit and I hope to be in a position to needing one sooner rather than later. If something like this could be built to a budget that would sharpen drills, I would buy it now, needing to sharpen drills has caused me to build a full blown tool and cutter grinder. This machine is fast though, with very minimal setup time.

Bought a good number of dovetail and other cutters in carbide and a few oddball thread dies. I also negotiated a price for a large, nicely made, rear toolpost in hardened steel. Mass is really important in a toolpost (I learned to my cost). Always nice to see some of the traders and I would offer a comment with regard to the selection of tools/machines on display on the Chester stand.

I have come to know Tony quite well now and he has put an enormous amount of effort into promoting the Chester Hobby part of the business. He spends a lot of time preparing for the various shows and they only have one large van so really, a stand with twenty or thirty machines on it is out of the question. A good deal of the time, Tony is not getting paid "overtime" or any extra for the hours he puts in and he does it because he really enjoys talking to everybody and he believes in the Chester brand. A good deal has changed since Tony took the lead with this part of the business and there has been a major attitude shift back at base largely due to his efforts. I personally have a great deal of time for him.

There were a couple of things I didn't buy which were on my list but I always have a strict budget and really try to stick to it otherwise you can – all too easily – get carried away and then you are going to be coming home needing a remortgage! I also try to buy only stuff I need or have a use for, again – not easy if you like the preciousssss

great day out with great people, what's not to like?

graham.

Had a good day, walked miles. Eldest son loved helicopters flying, RC trucks and planes. Could have used some more seats around the place. Good chat and lots to photograph ( that's tomorrows mission!).

Hadn't got any major planned purchases but was "inspired" to save on a few baulbles….. etc, etc.

Glad some one mentioned silver solder must visit CUP tomorrow! Forgot that!

Is John S trained in CPR or mouth to mouth?

Good day really. Mr Harrison bought me a drink, met an old school mate from Glasgow, bumped into Dave Fenner, Ivan Law, D.A.G. Brown plus a few more lads I know. Better not say too much about the spend, SWMBO may come across this message. All in all, a nice day. Still think it's the best show, but like all the others we could do with more of the trade attending. You can't beat handling what you may buy.

Regards,

Alan.