Model Engine Maker
The Showcase => Shows => Topic started by: RonGinger on December 03, 2015, 12:55:08 PM
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It is only about 6 weeks now until Cabin Fever 2016. Remember it has returned to its original date in January. It has also moved to the Lebanon Valley Expo center. I talked to Gary the other day and he says there is plenty of room there, almost the same as at York. He will have all the usual areas, model boats, trains and lots of tables for steam and gas engines.
He has several vendors this year with CNC equipment and he is hoping we can get some exhibitors in to show their home CNC projects. I know its kind of hard to bring along a whole mill conversion, but maybe some parts, photos, etc can be brought. Ive been working on a small lathe that may be far enough along to bring.
I am still working on the details, but it looks like Brian Barker will be holding an all day class on Installing and Using Mach4 on Friday. Details still being worked, I will post more when they are complete.
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Got my hotel and am looking forward to seeing everyone at the show. Ron hope you have a safe trip down.
Dave
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I will miss seeing you guys this year, but the January date just won't work for me until retirement anyway. Hope you all have a great show and take lots of pictures for us.
Bill
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I'll review with the commissioner this weekend, and see if I can get out there this year....!
Dave
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I will also miss seeing you guys this coming year. So have fun and make sure to take lots of photos.
Don
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Bums!
I mean 'bummer'!
I plan to be there. I'm thinking of a mill and hoping to learn more about CNC, tools, etc.
Unfortunately she who owns half the purse strings (yeah...I 'm fooling myself) was laid off yesterday. :'(
I tried to convince her that now was her chance to become a housewife :cartwheel: ,thinking I could get out of the dishwashing, :embarassed: but that was quickly and summarily dismissed. :hammerbash:
I suspect because of the dishwashing. :headscratch:
BTW I thought Grizzly had a showroom in Muncy, PA but their site doesn't show it. Anyone know about this?
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Boys, I'm riding the fence as of now. It almost broke my heart to miss the show and all the guys there last year, Hell, Bill didn't even get to garner any Amex Points for me :lolb: (although, now, I'm glad I did, for the reason I had to ) . I may fly in and spend a day, but, I just don't know as of now. I'll admit, I really am going to miss being able to set up the RV in York and have everybody "up to the trailer " for food and drink :shrug:. We'll see.
Cletus
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I'll hold off on deciding until I see what the weather looks like.
Might drive or might fly or might stay home. If I drive I'll hail up the Joy engine, and maybe the Westbury if I get it finished.
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Zee
The Muncy showroom closed last spring.
Everyone else
If you can't come to CF then you can make up by coming to NAMES in April.
Your absence should put a significant dent in the local bar business.
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Joy and I will be there this year, set up right inside the door to the main hall. We've kicked around the idea of bringing our 3D printer and have it running during the show.
If you make it to the show, stop by and say "Hi." We're looking forward to a good time.
See you there,
Todd.
Todd & Joy Snouffer
Littlelocos Model Engineering
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I really want to go. It will depend on the weather. I drive to and from the show in the same day and it is a three hour drive each direction. Any chance of snow and I won't go.
Bummed that Bill and Don won't make it. They are great guys.
I am trying to get my Lobo Pup Twin done for CF and possibly another really small engine.
-Bob
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It should be a great show!
I'm looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible.
I'll be there all 3 days this year.
What's the best Hotel deal?
cheepo45
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Cletus...riding the fence is dangerous. If either leg slips...you'll be no good to Lou. If it happens...I'd be happy to console her :naughty:
(It took two occurrences for me to figure out not to ever go over. Best to go under or around.) P.S. Electric fences are even faster teachers. Been there.
Stan...it closed? Anything significant about that? Seems odd that the only eastern showroom closed. Do we not count? This is a bummer for me. I had plans to drive there and pick up my hoped for equipment. Crap.
As for the weather...yeah it's a given. I wouldn't want anyone to risk driving through bad weather...or next to the idiots who do.
There's still a few of you I haven't met at CF yet. But yeah...chance of snow will keep me home. As it is, I hate driving at night anymore.
I'm really going to miss seeing some of you guys.
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I have to admit I will also miss it, we're going to be out for Christmas though. I am planning to be at NAMES though.
Art
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I'll be there with the Rough & Tumble crowd. Looking forward to seeing you guys. I hopefully will have the sun & planet gear steam engine running BUT have discovered a snafu on my part that hopefully I can fix by mid January.
Cheers,
Phil
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I plan to attend, but weather is also a factor, driving up from just N of Baltimore. There seems to be plenty of room for camping there:
(http://enginuitysystems.com/pix/Lebanon_Expo_2142.jpg)
(http://enginuitysystems.com/pix/Lebanon_Expo_2143.jpg)
(http://enginuitysystems.com/pix/Lebanon_Expo_2145.jpg)
(http://enginuitysystems.com/pix/Lebanon_Expo_2146.jpg)
(http://enginuitysystems.com/pix/Lebanon_Expo_2149.jpg)
I haven't done much machining since last April, but maybe I can finish my original dual piston opposed air engine.
(http://enginuitysystems.com/pix/engines/Dual_Piston_Steam_4.png)
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Well, I just finished checking the kids' swim schedule and sure enough there is an away meet the weekend of CF. I wish I could make it; but, it just isn't in the cards this year. For those going, enjoy.
-Bob
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Wow, quite a few of the "usual suspects" will be missing, it seems. Will there still be a table set aside for MEM? I hope to have a couple of new things to show there, but I tend to procrastinate and maybe just focus on one item. Hope to see some of you folks there! And I hope this warm weather continues until then. At least, hopefully, we won't get another "polar vortex" or mega-snowstorm. :o
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This might break a few hearts, but doesn't look like I'll make it this year. Going to miss all you great and talented guys and gals. The new dates, the location, the weather, and the fact that I haven't made many chips, all conspire to my staying home, plus I'm being forced to go to the beach in February.
I'll miss the fun. :shrug:
Mosey
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As usual, I'll be there early to reserve MEM spaces. Post here if you'll be there and I'll add you to the list.
I'm really trying to get the Coventry engine done but it seems as if there is a conspiracy afoot: Thanksgiving, then, visit from our son, then, holiday activities, etc,etc.
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I'll be there all 3 days. Save me a spot.
Looking forward to it!
cheepo45
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I will be there Friday at when the doors open see ay all there
Dave
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Hey Guys,
Sorry we have been on the quiet side, but it doesn't mean we aren't in full swing of planning for the show. We are looking forward to the change back to January and are busy working out the details of the move. I'm sure there will be some hiccups and adjustments this first year with everyone getting used to the new building (including us!), but we are excited!
One thing I wanted to get out there and make sure people know about is a change to the Exhibitor Appreciation Event. In past years we have done a dinner and it was well received. With the new venue, we thought a change would be good here as well and therefore are excited to announce we will instead be having a Sunday Morning Breakfast! In appreciation to all our exhibitors for making the show what it is, you will received a voucher for your free breakfast onsite on Sunday morning when you check into the show. This breakfast will be open to everyone, public included and will be ~$8 for general admittance.
As always if anyone has any questions, please feel free to message me, email us at cabinfeverexpo@gmail.com or call us at 800-789-5068. We are sad to hear those who can not attend, but looking forward to everyone who is able this year and in the future! Hoping to see some new faces in addition to the regular crowd! Bring someone new along! Thanks and see you soon!
Jared
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Hey all.
I had a great time last year doing my first time at CF as an exhibitor. I'm looking forward to doing it again this year.
I've been working on my 1/6 scale Otto Langen. I have it very close to running so I hope I can get it finished enough to run at the show. It may not be in all prettied up but it will be close.
Stan,
Can you put me down for a table please?
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Gotcha , Phil
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REMINDER!!!
If you want MEM table space for Cabin Fever, post here so I can make your "Reserved" sign.
There must be more people than Cheepo45, DReeves, Phil, Paul and myself.
I know Ron is with NAMES and the CNC folks and PhilJoe is at the R&T table.
All of you "weather" woosies can leave the shop for a few days.
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I plan to be there but I have nothing to show. :'(
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Phil
The Otto & Langen looks amazing! You have been keeping this a secret from us?
Would love to see more pictures of the build.
Dave
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I should be there on Saturday with my son. Nothing to show... just as an observer.
One of these years I will have something to show.
Eric
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What about setting a time to get together or for pictures?
There's a number of people I know were at CF when I was there but I missed meeting them.
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Good one Zee
Saturday @ 4. MEM tables
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I've decided to drive up since airline fares went sky high while I was waiting on a weather forecast. I'll bring Joy and Westbury engines for display. Might even try to get the Comber engine to work if I have time. I'll be there early Friday for setup.
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Great. You're on the reservation list
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Goodie! I've yet to meet you (kvom) in person. Missed you at at least two CF.
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I'm planning on being there for all 3 days. If not for sure Sat and Sun. Nothing to show...maybe put some things up for consignment.
Hoping to meet some of you fine folks !!
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Looking forward to seeing everyone.
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The MEM group picture will be at the tables on Saturday @ 4pm.
Don't miss this opportunity to add to the archive.
2012
(http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l604/sshire/Cabin%20Fever%202012/f958899e-9a54-4255-9ac5-1619d8091d48.jpg) (http://s1126.photobucket.com/user/sshire/media/Cabin%20Fever%202012/f958899e-9a54-4255-9ac5-1619d8091d48.jpg.html)
2014
(http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l604/sshire/Cabin%20Fever%202014/5C55C623-DF45-4363-B355-734E42FE621D.jpg) (http://s1126.photobucket.com/user/sshire/media/Cabin%20Fever%202014/5C55C623-DF45-4363-B355-734E42FE621D.jpg.html)
(http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l604/sshire/Cabin%20Fever%202014/usual%20suspects%20CF.jpg) (http://s1126.photobucket.com/user/sshire/media/Cabin%20Fever%202014/usual%20suspects%20CF.jpg.html)
2015
(http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l604/sshire/Cabin%20Fever%202015/Group.jpg) (http://s1126.photobucket.com/user/sshire/media/Cabin%20Fever%202015/Group.jpg.html)
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OK, 6AM, the truck is loaded and Im out of here- 550 miles to go. See you on Friday.
For you Brits that worry about a show the next town over think about 550 miles? You cant drive that far in the UK can you? :Jester:
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Safe journeys everyone...hope you have a great show. The rest of us will be expecting lots of reports and pictures of the new venue and of course the models!!
Bill
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I'm packed. Way easier drive than Ron. About an hour and a half.
I expect to be there around noon.
Stay tuned for pix and reports.
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Stan, I hope to be there by 8:00am on Friday. Ron hope your trip goes well and look forward to seeing you.
DAve
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Do you think perhaps someone there has the capabilities to set up a link to a live feed? I would :popcorn:, :DrinkPint:, and watch. I might even pay a little, now not like any of those Pay Per View events charge there or anything like that there, but I would pitch in a little there I would :lolb:
Cletus
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I hope to be there by noon Saturday.
Looking forward to it!
Eric...Just come on up and see it in person. You know you want to. ;D
No beans. No live feed. :lolb:
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As Marv would say, setting up a feed on LiveStream is trivial.
That said...NO. Zee nailed it. Gotta pay to play. In person.
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:lolb: :lolb: :lolb:
Thanks for your support.
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Do you think perhaps someone there has the capabilities to set up a link to a live feed? I would :popcorn:, :DrinkPint:, and watch. I might even pay a little, now not like any of those Pay Per View events charge there or anything like that there, but I would pitch in a little there I would :lolb:
Cletus
I tried it at names and mid ohio a few times but no one really looked at it.
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Went to the auction and walked around some. Picked up a nice granite surface plate. Couple other little things. Good auction. Huge crowd today and expect tomorrow to get even busier. Parking lot was PACKED today. Tomorrow is going to be tough to find a place. A wealth of knowledge and experience showing all their wonderful engines !!! Can't wait to see them all tomorrow.
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First day pics.
Just returned from dinner with KVOM, Cheepo45, D.Reeves, Fred, and Tom and Marilyn Meek (NAMES)
Fun day. Setup and much to see.
Day 1 Slideshow here
http://s1126.photobucket.com/user/sshire/slideshow/cabin%20fever%202016%20Friday
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Thank for the pics Stan...looks like a nice start to the show. Tell Todd I said hello.
Bill
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Thanks for the pics Stan. Not quite the same as being there but very enjoyable.
gbritnell
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Thanks for those Stan.
J
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8)
There are more finished engines/casting sets for model there than Alley Palley Show that Jason is going to today, I think he might be disappointed :-\.
Jo
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Thanks for the photos Stan. Someday I have to visit one of these model engineering shows (in Europe).
Vince
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Glad you enjoyed them. More tonight.
Bill
Todd says hi. The P&W castings are beautiful.
George
We missed you. Next year?
Jo
It seems that there are more casting sets than in any other year. Must be the weather.
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Have fun guys!!! Lots of pictures and video please!!!!
Dave
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Dave
You're the only NEMES guy not here :ROFL:
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Sorry bud....been working 6 days a week....got this weekend "OFF"....so now it's just the racing and fixing the heater in my shop and going to the recycling station..and........Everything I HAVEN"T been doing around the house...though at the moment...the cup of coffee I'm drinking tastes mighty fine....
you get the jist....
Dave
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Thanks for the pictures Stan. Its almost like being there (not) and less driving. Wish I were with all of you and seeing all of the great stuff.
Mosey :-\
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Stan, thanks so much for the pictures. Wish I could have made it, but it was not in the cards this year. It was great meeting you & the guys last year at CF and Coolspring.
maury
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Awesome Stan thanks buddy and glad I talked to you yesterday....keep the photos coming and hi all who went.
Don
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Hi Stan, thanks for day one pictures. Hopefully we will get some more.
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Vern, long day. The first round was great, keep 'em coming
Cletus
BTW, some of those TMZ type photos of tonight's dinner are required :stir:
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I'm really enjoying the pics, keep 'em coming! I wish there was a Cabin Fever type event out here on the left coast. I'd
sure like to go to something like that someday.
Pete
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Pete, if you are lucky they may start up the Portland show again. Last year was cancelled as I recall because of some municipal construction going on very near the venue that wasn't going to be finished in time for the show. Kim (who lives in Portland) can probably comment further on the show going forward. That is the only one I know of on the left coast.
Bill
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Group
KVOM, Fred, Cheepo45, Phil_L,PhilJoe, DReeves, V90, Sshire,PSTechPaul
(http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l604/sshire/cabin%20fever%202016%20Friday/1C06E9C8-9F92-493E-9AE5-516B23C3ACE7.jpg) (http://s1126.photobucket.com/user/sshire/media/cabin%20fever%202016%20Friday/1C06E9C8-9F92-493E-9AE5-516B23C3ACE7.jpg.html)
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What a fine looking group! And you guys seem to be behaving too...of course the night is still young :lolb:
Bill
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Great picture! Always nice to see all the MEMers who went to the show.
As for GEARS, all I know is that they have said it will be on this year, in September. So hopefully that will really happen. I missed the 2014 show because I was out of town. So its been two years for me.
Someone out here will post when we hear more I'm sure. Dave Otto, Hugh Currin attend the show, and I'm sure there are many others.
Kim
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Thanks for pics. Stan; they're great!
Looking forward to more.
Dave
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Sorry I missed it this year guys! I'll be there next year!!!
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Stan thanks for the group shot but where is Zee? Glad to see some of you that I haven't met. Maybe another year.
Don
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That's a fine looking bunch of gearheads! Good to put some faces on the names.
Thanks for the info, Bill. I wondered what had happened to GEARS. With any luck it will be back this year and, if so, I'll find
a way to be there!!
Kim, I might want to pick your brain a bit on a good place to stay for GEARS when the time comes.
Pete
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Zee's S.O.P. is to leave prior to the group pic. Something about witness protection.
However, for your viewing pleasure...
http://s1126.photobucket.com/user/sshire/slideshow/cf%202016%20Saturday
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Great pictures, Stan. There is some beautiful work on display there.
Pete
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Stan,
Thanks for the photos of the show. Am I the only one that the slideshow paused and then went back to the beginning skipping the last quarter of the photos?
Phil, I recognized your contraption in progress!
Art
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Hi Stan, thanks for the next lot of pictures. May I ask for some help to understand what is shown in picture 19 and 53 ?
Is it a spring winder, maybe the one which was shown in Modell Engine Builder magazin ?
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Thanks Again Stan. I imagine Jo is rushing to the airport ringht now with an empty suitcase to see if she can give a home to some of those Stuart Castings, think I heard her say she could do with another triple or was that tipple :wine1:
J
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Yes the Stuart casting sets were a good price but I already have another 3 in the Orphanage and am just missing that No1 that someone chose to sell to someone else when they offered him an arm and a leg for it :disappointed: After these three I don't think I will be making another triple, maybe one of the twins or a quad ;)
That's an impressive set of photos Stan and it is always interesting to see the differences in what we choose to eat when we go out for a meal. If you tried drinking out of a bottle in a restaurant in the UK you wouldn't get away with it for long. And I am still trying to work out what was in those shakers on the table.. we normally have salt and pepper but there was four I counted :headscratch:
I feel the need to go and make some swarf ;D
Jo
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More great pictures Stan and it looks like the show was very well attended on Saturday. Thanks for posting and sharing the show with us.
Bill
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Thanks for those pics Stan. It would have been nicer to be there, but it is what it is.
Jo, along with the salt and pepper there appeared to be a cheese (probably mozzarella), and a chili container. Pretty standard for any place that serves spaghetti or other pasta dishes in North America. Drinking from a bottle has been optional as long as I can remember and I'm 70. Of course, in higher end establishments, the waiter would apply the condiments and you would only drink from a bottle if you just won the Grand Pris :lolb:
Tom
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Achim
That is the same spring winder. Beautifully made tool
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Zee's S.O.P. is to leave prior to the group pic.
:o One time doth not an SOP make. ;D
(I hope it was only this time.)
Yeah sorry about that. Grandpa duty came up. Easy choice. :shrug:
I could not believe how packed the place was. It was very interesting.
I do wish there was a bit more available of boats and locos though.
I was happy to meet a couple of people I've known on the forum (kvom and RonGinger).
And it was real good to see a lot of you again. Sorry I missed some.
I overheard a couple of visitors talking about the availability of items for purchase.
One said that the time to be there was the day before. That by this time (Saturday noon-ish) half the stuff was gone.
Was it you guys cleaning them out? ;D
Art...I've been having problems seeing the slide show too. Sometimes it hangs. Sometimes it even hangs up Chrome tab showing MEM.
But I've been able to get through it.
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Your photos are excellent as usual, Stan. Thanks for posting.
--Tim
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Thanks to Stan who photoshopped me into the group pic when I mistook the time. :ThumbsUp:
I didn't like this year's show as much as the 3 others I've been to. My reasons:
1) I liked York arena better than Lebanon, and staying in York more than staying in the Lebanon area.
2) The exhibits and vendors were split among 3 interconnected areas, and the aisles in the rear areas were too narrow, making browsing the interior exhibits a chore with the crowds.
3) Food service was much smaller and lines were long.
4) Not enough bathrooms, or perhaps I just couldn't find any.
5) The items in the auctions were much less attractive than in years past, at least to me. For the first time I bought no auction items and only a single consignment item (a $8 collet).
6) I think CF ought to turn on the air sometime on Friday to let exhibitors get their stuff running properly before the crowds surge in Saturday morning.
At least there was a good turnout by vendors. DReeves turned me on to a vendor of an attractive CNC router supplier. The CNC vendors were all together in a common room, which I liked. Mach4 was running on a benchtop lathe setup that I really would like, but probably can't get. It's a LMS CNC lathe from Sieg with some add-on electronics that Artsoft inserted themselves. But LMS quotes 4-5 month delivery time for the lathe, and no interest in doing any of the upgrades.
OTOH, there was talk of a "build class" prior to NAMES where participants would build a CNC lathe starting with the LMS manual lathe. This could be an attractive option for a benchtop CNC machine larger than a Sherline. We'll see.
In any case, I still want to see turning/facing cycles implemented in Mach4 before I get too serious about any of these options.
While exhibiting is fun and obviously exhibitors are needed, I found that my first time as an exhibitor I missed wandering around as much as before.
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Much of what Kirk said was correct. My take was a bit different.
While the food lines were long, it was better than York. Nicely done shoo fly pie.
Bathrooms are an issue. My fear is that Gary will order PortaPotties and we'll find several frozen exhibitors after the show.
I did like the venue. Yes, the aisles could have been wider (easily done by making the boat pond smaller.)
Not an issue for MEM as we had most of the front row.
Once you knew where the other rooms were, it wasn't a major issue. It did take me quite a while to find PhilJoe and the Rough and Tumble group.
The big plus was having the auctions in a separate hall. At York, the auctions in one of the engine exhibit areas was quite annoying.
Vendors that haven't attended in some years showed up and it looks like they did pretty well. Roy from S&S with his wonderful ignition systems and Sherline come to mind. Also great to see and talk with Todd from LittleLocos and Gary Martin with his exquisite flywheel castings, etc.
All in all, I enjoyed the new venue and the weather cooperated. Cold but just a flurry on Sunday afternoon. No snow on the ground and just a light dusting on the grass.
The pancake breakfast for exhibitors and vendors was appreciated.
Just sayin'
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Wow! Gary drove all the way out there in the middle of winter; that is commitment!
Dave
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Kvom,
While exhibiting is fun and obviously exhibitors are needed, I found that my first time as an exhibitor I missed wandering around as much as before.
I found that to be true as well in my early days of exhibiting at NAMES. I have found that I now make sure I get to Detroit Friday for the setup day to do the running around and visiting I won't have time for on Saturday. My in laws live in Akron just down the road, and I have been to CF but scheduling is awkward.
Art
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Joy and I really enjoyed meeting with everyone at the show as well. Most of the issues mentioned here were discussed in the vendor meeting Saturday afternoon and should be taken care of next year. We've already committed for next year and will be back in the same spot. :-)
Both vendors and exhibitors were busy-busy both Friday and Saturday with some time to wander a little on Sunday.
We were NOT impressed with the Days Inn, Lebanon and won't be back. Interestingly, the hotel was built in 1961 as a resort-style inn. It would have been much more interesting in it's 1960's glory days.
Overall, a good time was had by all....
Todd.
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I think this was the best show ever, and I have been to every one. I was worried about Lebanon, and indeed it is not as good as York for hotels and restaurant, but I found a nice clean little hotel just 2 miles away (probably built in about 1965). Food was Ok, found a nice local tavern Quentin Tavern on Friday with great food and good prices.
The layout took a few minutes to figure out, there was a big bathroom area between the food line and the auction hall, never crowded when I went by.
Aisles were a bit crowded, but it was sure nice to see lots of people there enjoying themselves.
The build class talk relates to the CNC workshop in Detroit, but not NAMES- it is in June. see TheCNCworkshop.com for details. We held several meetings this weekend and a few things have been settled. There will be a Lathe build class this year. Brian Barker and I will be doing the design and building of the kits in the next couple week. The sample machine will be at NAMES. There will also be a CNC router build class. I expect lots of details about the workshop to be on-line later this week, right after Joe and I get settled and final edit the copy.
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I for one really enjoyed the show! Finally got to meet some of the forum members. Stan thanks for sharing your pictures. I was in the one from Saturday. ...but since I talked with Stan twice he doubled my name! Lol! ! V 45 not V 90 ! All good. Cheapo 45, Phil_L, Dave and others thanks for sharing your knowledge! Maybe I'll have something to show next year. I liked the location and glad to hear it will be there next year. Some rearranging will be able to make a little more room with no issues.
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A fun show for me as always. A bit tricky adjusting to the new surroundings, but, hey we are problem solvers are we not? Always fun to see fellow modelers on a too infrequent basis, but that's what we have. If you're not inspired/motivated by what you saw then perhaps it's time to get out the gardening tools and get those geraniums started :lolb:
Cheers,
Phil
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I had been looking forward to this show ever since last year's in York, and I tried very hard to finish my own design air engine in time, but a combination of cold in my unheated shop (what temperature is it when Tap Magic freezes), and my back problems, conspired to allow me only to get some of it made and assembled. I also brought with me the wobbler engine I had made last year and exhibited at the show, along with my "TigTac" tachometer and DC generator. It took me a while to get everything together Saturday morning but finally I was on the road and arrived about 1:30 PM. My first mistake then was to park just inside the fence of the camping area, and I dragged my aching body and a hand cart all the way to the wrong end of the buildings, where all the doors were locked. (Last summer I had attended a free exhibit there, and that was the way I went in). So I hobbled back almost to where I had parked, and then made my way to the main entrance to get my pass and go inside. By this time it was about 2 PM.
It was difficult to get oriented to the locations of the various exhibits, or even find the bathrooms, and the first one I found was out of order. I didn't see any helpful signs or maps to show where things were, so I painfully wandered around for quite a while before finding the MEM table. I was greeted cordially, but when I asked where I might be able to set up what I had to show, I was told that they were unable to hold a spot after Friday night or Saturday morning, and I might have to find a place elsewhere to set up. Last year, there was a sign on the table with my name, and a small space and a chair where I was able to sit.
By then I was in considerable pain, and I had to find a place to sit for a while and recuperate. I had some nice conversations with some people who also were taking a break, some also with back problems. Eventually I got up and went to the Little Machine Shop table, where I was able to buy their last AXA style toolpost set for $159, including an adapter sleeve to fit my 9x20 lathe. They are good people. I also found a plain back 4-jaw 6" chuck that should fit my rotary table, but I put a "hold" on it until I hauled the stuff I had brought back to my car. Then I bought the chuck (for $50) and I briefly looked at other items that seemed like good deals, but the pain and leg weakness from congenital spinal stenosis is omnipresent and worsened by walking or standing, and makes it difficult to even think rationally, much less enjoy looking at tools or model engines.
I returned to the MEM table for the photo (at the second allotted time, 4PM), and made arrangements with kvom and PhilJoe to deliver their requested pieces of metal. I was disappointed that there were no plans to get together for dinner as we had last year and in 2014, but I probably would not have been able to enjoy that very much, especially if it involved a long wait as was the case at the White Rose in York (but that was quite worth it). I was rather relieved to finally get in my car and travel back home, and I took what I think was the best route in spite of my Garmin GPS trying to get me to turn around and go back to the PA turnpike intil I was finally on I83 and a straight shot home.
So, hopefully next year my planned back surgery will have been successful and I will have recuperated enough to do more machining and also enjoy the show better. But I would suggest that a map of the facility should be provided, showing where various exhibitors and vendors are located, and I hope there can be some way for MEM to reserve space for those with things to show but unable (or unwilling) to come early or spend the whole weekend.
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I had a great time at the Cabin Fever show. As always, it was great to see and chat with old friends and make quite a few new ones. All of my engines ran well all weekend. I likes the location and the January dates. I am much busier in April than January.
I stayed at the Comfort Inn in Manheim and found it to be very nice. It was probably the first time I ever slept through the night in a hotel bed!
I always bring my own food and drink to these types of events so I don't have to stand in long lines. The bathrooms were very busy all weekend-I wonder if this will be changed for next year?
I'm always glad to see a good crowd for this event. I want this to continue. I noticed quite a few young people that seemed quite interested. This is great, as we need to bring new people into this hobby.
All in all a great weekend. Keep modeling!
Cheepo45
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I didn't mean my previous post to sound whiny, as overall the show is and was a good experience. Thanks to Ron for clarifying the CNC lathe build info, as I was just relating a quick conversation where the details were scarce.
My vendor purchases included the grooving set from Warner (as reviewed by George B. earlier) plus a HSS insert for one of my boring bars, a 6" 3-jaw chuck and a F&S wall chart for one of my friends, some unions for re-piping my loco, and a couple of 1/2" taps. Also picked up some small pieces of brass bar plus metal from Paul.
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The 20th Annual Cabin Fever has come and gone with great success! We want to give a hearty THANK YOU to all who made it out - Exhibiting, Vending, or Visiting! It was not only good to be back in Lebanon in the expanded facility, but great to be back in January where we all needed a break. There was an Energy and Vitality that we haven't see for a few years this past weekend. There were great displays, great demonstrations, lots of goodies to come home with, and plenty of camaraderie! We were generally running around like mad trying to keep everything going and like many years we didn't get to speak with everyone, but we would just like to say again - THANK YOU to all that made it a great 20th year! We hope everyone is home safe and getting some much needed rest! Take care and we look forward to you next year!! (Jan. 13-15, 2017!)
Also, as someone noted with bathrooms - There are plans for some additional services, but it may not be for next year. We have some notes and ideas on improvements in many areas, but overall for the first year back in Lebanon, it was really a great show!
Gary, Jared, Joan, Jen, & All the Cabin Fever Team!
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A big THANK YOU to the Cabin Fever team for organizing and putting on a great show!
Cheepo45
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Thanks to all of the MEM attendees for the great pictures and reports about this year's show. It sounds like a good time was had by all and from the new member applications over the last few days we may even have picked up a few new members, due in part to you guys talking it up and to Stan's great banner!!!
Bill
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Great pictures - thanks for sharing! Hope I can make that event some time.
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Just wanted to address a few things below:
1) - It is different, but in general I think the area worked out and we'll get used to it
2) - The different areas worked out well and a lot of people really liked it. But you are correct on the isle and we have our notes for next year's adjustments!
3) - The food service gives excellent food and didn't really know what to expect, but I think we'll have some good plans to improve for next year. Friday was a little tough, but I think they had it morning pretty good on Saturday. We'll work on this as well!
4) - The facility is working on more bathrooms in the section with more air and the dirt pile/ Railroad areas, but it may not be next year. Some more signage and a better map are in the plans 100% to help this as well.
5) - We feel the same way as far as the auctions, but we never know what we'll be getting. All we can say is that if you know someone that needs to sell a shop or excess, get them in touch with us sooner than later. Some years are better than others, we just never know. Overall, what we had did well and there were some gems in the mix (literally with some rough sapphire lots!). We really liked having the auctions segregated from the show this year.
6) - We Generally try to air test the lines on Thursday but be fell short on time and didn't have the compressors till mid Friday. For future years we are trying to be all set in "our" setup Thursday and may try for some air for the later part of Friday (no promises yet).
And I just want to say all in all - Thanks for people's feedback. We are not here trying to simply do things our way and not listen, we welcome the suggestions and observations. Some things we can and plan to change, others things we may not choose to change or may not have the option to change if we wanted to. So again - Thanks for the feedback to all and I'll try to have all of these things noted for the future! Take care!
I didn't like this year's show as much as the 3 others I've been to. My reasons:
1) I liked York arena better than Lebanon, and staying in York more than staying in the Lebanon area.
2) The exhibits and vendors were split among 3 interconnected areas, and the aisles in the rear areas were too narrow, making browsing the interior exhibits a chore with the crowds.
3) Food service was much smaller and lines were long.
4) Not enough bathrooms, or perhaps I just couldn't find any.
5) The items in the auctions were much less attractive than in years past, at least to me. For the first time I bought no auction items and only a single consignment item (a $8 collet).
6) I think CF ought to turn on the air sometime on Friday to let exhibitors get their stuff running properly before the crowds surge in Saturday morning.
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Here is the chuck I bought at the show for $50. I plan to use it on my 6" rotab:
(http://enginuitysystems.com/pix/tools/4-Jaw_Chuck_2680.jpg)
(http://enginuitysystems.com/pix/tools/4-Jaw_Chuck_2681.jpg)
One jaw (#2) is rather loose, while the others are very tight. It seems that the OD of the screws are rubbing in the mating grooves, so I may need to touch them up a bit. This is how far I could open them before getting tight (I could easily remove #2):
(http://enginuitysystems.com/pix/tools/4-Jaw_Chuck_2683.jpg)
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Paul
Is that a 6" or 4"?
Looks clean and with a bit of work should be perfect for the rotab.
Great find
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The jaws on my 4-jaw chuck are all slightly loose until tightened on the work.
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Found this video today browsing about. My engine and myself are shown at 11:12. Stan's quarter horse/sewing machine is just before that. Other MEM exhibits following.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZRMeIxWVvs