Subject: NAMES

From: [email-masked] (Russ Kepler)
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 1996 02:13:58 GMT

Since I haven't seen anyone else that was at NAMES report of the show,
I'll write up my impressions and hope that they're simply crossing
other's posts.  I'll likely post this same article to other groups, so
if you're on modeleng-list, CIS and in rec.crafts.metalworking O
apologize in advance for the duplication.
 
First, let me say that everyone one I met in the area was friendly
almost to a fault, from the fellow who struck up a conversation with
me on my flight in from Chicago to Detroit, then went to the trouble
of taking me to the Ramada from the airport on his way home (with wife
and kids) to the young lady working for Ramada (gads, but she was a
cutie) who overheard my ordering a cab to the airport and mentioned
that she was heading out that way in just a few minutes nd would be
glad to take me to the terminal. Amazingly nice folks.
 
In the Ramada stayed several of the regulars, the Logans (of the Logan
Actuator Company and supplier of repair/replacement parts for Logan
lathes (and some Southbend parts as well, I guess), Dave Sobel of
Sobel Machinery, etc.  The motel was surprised to be full on Saturday
night and I'd guess that quite a bit was from the NAMES crowd.
 
I met quite a few folks I know by name, and a number of lurkers from
r.c.m and CIS.  Ron Ginger gave a talk on "Metalworking on the
Internet" while I kibitzed (sorry about that, Ron) that was well
received, with the Sunday session having quite a few newbies.  I have
the feeling that all the lists getting this message will be seeing
some new faces in the coming months.
 
I'm surprised that the entry fee for the NAMES ($4, or about 2.5 quid)
covers any significant amount of the cost.  I don't expect that the
vendor fees are significant, and know that the exhibitor's fees are
dang near non-existent.  Entry gained a nice button that would get you
access both days of the show and a 38 page booklet on the exhibition.
The booklet have photos from previous shows, adverts from vendors both
at the show and some not present.  Some 60 vendors are listed as being
present, and cover about 1/2 of the show floor space.  I understood
that vendors were turned away for a lack of table space.
 
Vendors included most of the larger companies selling castings of one
kind or another, and many selling completed engines.  Other vendors
were selling used equipment in one shape or another at various prices.
A couple of vendors were selling only new hardware.  A new (to me,
anyway) distributor for Cowells was present, so I finally got to play
with the Cowells hardware that I've seen so often in the pages of
Model Engineer.  Sherline was there as well, being sold be them
directly as well as by several of the vendors.  I was very impressed
by the quality in both vendor's booths and products.
 
Ah, but the models.  All over the place, on vendor's tables and on the
600 feet of display tables.  Everything you might even imagine.  Not a
lot of scale models as much as engines of all descriptions, from tin
can Stirling cycle engines to hit & miss to completed scale V8
engines.  No steam was provided, but instead compressed air at 40 lbs,
which was sufficient for most of the steam engines on display.  Great
fun walking down the displays, chatting with the modellers and talking
about the trials and tribulations of their efforts.  Everything was
there, from museum class work to early smithing, with everyone ready
to discuss what they'd done.
 
I found 2 examples of the Cretor's popcorn/peanut wagon engine on
display, and got to chat with the builders.  Unfortunately, their
castings had come from a different supplier than mine and so their
experience was not the same as mine will be, but the talk will help in
my work.
 
I managed to get away the first day w/o spending too much, just a few
books.  The second day found me with a couple of casting kits that
somehow hopped into my luggage.  Perhaps with enough effort I can get
both finished before the next show...
 
Anyway, lots of fun meeting folks I'd only talked to on the net or
on CIS, and I'm looking forward to the 1997 show already.
 
-- 
Russ Kepler posting from home  [email-masked]

                      Please don't feed the Engineers

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From: [email-masked] (Ron Ginger)
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 1996 17:21:46 LOCAL

Ill have to add my $.02 as well.

It was indeed fun to see the faces behind some of these e-mail names we use. 

I enjoyed doing the Internet talk, and found a surprising interest in the net. 

There were registered exhibitors from 28 states, and at least one, Eric 
Whittle from England. Eric had his V-8 again, but didnt run it.

I talked to spectators form lots of states, so people are really traveling to 
see this show.

To me, the most amazing model this year was Ron Colonas 1/8 scale Bently BR2. 
Now the 1/4 scale is a masterpiece of work, but to cut that in half was 
amazing. Although he didnt run it at the show, his son told me he had only 
finished it days before the show, had run it a few times, but had some coil 
problems and didnt want to run it in public until he had it in great shape. 
This was an amazing piece of work.

Lee Root brought his Chevy V-8 again, and ran it frequently. a neat sound  
when he reved it up.

I went with 3 other fellows. We talked eninges for 13 hours driving out on 
Thursday, engines for 3 days of show, and another 13 hours driving home. You 
would think with 3 full days to look you would see everything, but as we 
talked it was frequently ' did you see the ....' and then realizing you had 
missed something great.

The only minor problem is that several exhibitors started to pack up and left 
just after noon on sunday.  I talked to several people who came by on Sunday 
to see the show and were dissappointed that some tables had been cleaned off 
before they got there. Not quite fair to the paying public.

NAMES 97 will be april 26,27. 
reserve that date NOW!

Ron Ginger
my signature is http://www.ultranet.com/~ginger

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From: [email-masked] (Jim Donnelly)
Date: 30 Apr 1996 22:56:52 GMT

Just to follow up a little - I'm a newbie, and found the show to be
inspirational.  The show was very well organized, and all the people I
met were wonderful.  It was nice to be able to ask beginner-level
questions and get a helpful answer without being made to feel stupid.
Perhaps the best part for me was a gentleman showing his engines who
spent about 45 minutes Sunday afternoon explaining different techniques.
He built a half-dozen of the designs from Elmer's Engines (a fine book),
and I came away inspired with the "now I can do that" feeling.

The range of models on display was mind-numbing - worth every effort to
see.  Favorites for me included an eight-day clock, radial aircraft
engines, and a tiny V-8 engine that roared like the real thing.

Several vendors mentioned surprise at the rate of sales - a good sign
for the hobby.  I brought home a very useful handful of brochures and
business cards (my town doesn't have a rich supply of super-tiny machine
screws).

Hats off to the organizers - a job well done.

Jim Donnelly
Hewlett-Packard
[email-masked]

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From: [email-masked] (Scott Logan)
Date: 1 May 1996 11:40:11 GMT

> It was indeed fun to see the faces behind some of these e-mail names 

I'll second that!  It was real great to finally meet you, Russ, and
several others who I feel like I've gotten to know over the last few
months.  I'm very sorry that I missed the seminar you put on, but just
wait till NAMES '97!

--
>From  Scott Logan,
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/LoganAct
Reply to [email-masked]

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From: [email-masked] (Russ Kepler)
Date: Thu, 2 May 1996 00:40:47 GMT

>months.  I'm very sorry that I missed the seminar you put on, but just

Yes, I was sorry to have made it away without saying goodby to you and
your dad.  Glad we had the time to swap stories Friday.  (You should
have stayed for dinner Saturday).