Hosted by The Bay Area Engine Modelers (BAEM) and Model Engine Builder magazine
Friday was set-up day, and here one of the rooms can be seen with most of the engines set out on tables ready for the show the next day. In the foreground is the "Executive Pencil Sharpener" by John Palmer that was featured in an article about the show in the local Vallejo newspaper after the show. All Photos: Craig Libuse (Click any photo to view a larger image.)
The third edition of this show was once again held at the Vallejo Veteran's Building. This year's event pretty much filled all exhibit and vendor space with the largest showing yet. Spectators also increased to an estimated 600-700 for the two days. The continued success of this show may require a larger exhibit hall sometime in the near future.
Once again many spectators were present right up to the 3 PM closing time on Sunday and all the vendors and exhibitors stuck around right up to the end. There was plenty to see with many extremely well made model engines being displayed and run. The weather was warmer than usual this year, but the show organizers brought in plenty of fans to keep the air moving. A nice article appeared in the local paper after the event, and they have marked it on their calendar to get another article out to precede next year's show.
The Bay Area Engine Modelers (BAEM) were well represented once again. They were joined by a large contingent from the Southern California Home Shop Machinists (SCHSM) club as well. There was even a gathering of Model A Fords in the parking lot as a local club made the show a stop on Sunday. Sherline had a display of their full tool line with demonstrations being given on the lathe and CNC mill by Sherline's lead toolmaker, Pam Weiss.
If you are into engines from simple to exotic, we suggest you put this show on your schedule for next year. Their web site is www.wemeshow.com.
Photos from the show...(Click on any photo to enlarge it to 800 pixel size.) |
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Craig Libuse and Pam Weiss attended the show this year and Sherline was provided with plenty of space to display our manual and CNC machines as well as area for information on the Joe Martin Foundation for Exceptional Craftsmanship. Shown is the Sherline booth. In the second photo, Pam does a lathe demo for some future model engineers. |
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The south room consisted mostly of steam engines and the displays of the Southern California Home Shop Machinists club out of LA (SCHSM). The north room featured mostly IC engines by members of the Bay Area Engine Modelers (BAEM). |
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Graham Hollis of the SCHSM club shows off his latest creation, a 9-cylinder radial, while Dr. Bob Kradjian of the BAEM club readies his display. Dr. Bob has a substantial engine collection and a number of them are set up to show the public how engines work and are built. |
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Two examples of steam power—an ornate horizontal stationary engine and a realistic operating Baldwin operating steam locomotive. |
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This Chevy V-8 casting kit is under construction, but it looks like a great project. Note the scene is complete down to the miniature Snap-ON tool chest in the background! |
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Dick Pretel of BAEM builds some very nice looking and solid running engines. Here is a V-8 model with three carbs. A second engine by Dick (?) looks like it has double overhead camshafts. Note the interesting 4-pipe per side exhaust. I should have gotten more info on this one. |
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Currently the featured centerfold project in show sponsor Model Engine Builder magazine, is this 1935 Aveling DX Road Roller by Alan Suttie. Free color posters of were available for spectators. |
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Gary Barnes of www.tethercar.com once again brought a selection of modern day tether cars for display. These cars are capable of very high speeds in a circle--a form of racing that goes back to the 1930's. "Team Richie Rich" also showed a number of fine cars and cast bodies. |
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Two engines on display in the Paul and Paula Knapp collection from the Miniature Engineering Museum in Arizona were a Ferrari V-12 (one of two that run from this limited edition) and a 4-cylinder swash plate Stirling engine by Al Vassallo that received a US Patent (shown behind it). Forty of Paul's display engines came back in the Sherline van and can now be seen on display in the Vista Craftsmanship Museum. To view over 140 of these engines on-line see www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/KnappCol.htm. |
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A 1/4 scale Rolls Royce Merlin aircraft engine by Bob Haagenson made from castings by Richard Mahue was on display. The model can be built as shown or with working internals to make it run. |
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Not all model engineering projects have to be running engines. This model cannon was made by Jose Rivera and features spoked wheels with offset spokes and segmented rims just like the real thing. Jose's brother Guillermo Rivera is featured in the online Craftsmanship Museum as a miniature weapon builder, but it looks like his brother is pretty talented too. |
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Not all the fun projects are inside the building either. Here a group of vintage Fords grace the parking lot as their owners tour the displays inside. |
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