Surrey Library Maker Showcase September 2015
The Surrey Library Maker Showcase went well. BC Meccano Modellers had three tables where Fred and Wayne displayed 14 models. We talked with many people and got quite a few compliments. I'd say the hit of our display was Jim's Dynamo-Powered Carousel. When people first looked at it they were either mildly curious or not that interested. When I turned the crank on the Dynamo and the carousel started to spin young and old smiled and wanted to take a turn. Most wanted to see how fast they could go.
Fred brought his 1917 SE 5a Fighter Biplane, Birkin Bentley, 1930's style sports car, Citroen and Motor Coach. Everyone was impressed with the detail Fred puts into his models. Jim's Marine Engine drew a lot of attention and the question "What is it?" When someone asked "are they radio controlled?" we showed them Brian's R/C Dump Truck. Fred let a young boy, his mother said he was 2 1/2, play with the Citroen. Well the boy might grow up to be a rally driver. The Citroen went for a spin around the room, over the air conditioner vents which when scale is accounted for are equivalent to 123 yards of cattle grid. The boy went on to Jim's marine Engine and poked and eye balled it but never got his fingers caught. A few turns of the carousel and on to Brian's Kalamazoo Derrick Car. He figured out how to connect the cars and got one of them on the rail. Each of Wayne's 4 Scooters were taken for a test ride then another spin on the Carousel and he was done. So was I.
There were three other exhibitors besides BCMM. Of course two of them had 3D printers. I made a comment to Rob from the Fraser Valley MakerSpace about how 3D printing still couldn't produce gears that were useful in Meccano models. He printed out a herringbone toothed gear about 4" in diameter that looked like it would do well in a larger model. Something to look into.
The Surrey Library staff were great, they met us at the loading area with carts and helped us bring in our models. They provided us with a bag of snacks, a bottle of water, checked to see if we needed anything and were kind enough to help two old men pack up.
Fred brought his 1917 SE 5a Fighter Biplane, Birkin Bentley, 1930's style sports car, Citroen and Motor Coach. Everyone was impressed with the detail Fred puts into his models. Jim's Marine Engine drew a lot of attention and the question "What is it?" When someone asked "are they radio controlled?" we showed them Brian's R/C Dump Truck. Fred let a young boy, his mother said he was 2 1/2, play with the Citroen. Well the boy might grow up to be a rally driver. The Citroen went for a spin around the room, over the air conditioner vents which when scale is accounted for are equivalent to 123 yards of cattle grid. The boy went on to Jim's marine Engine and poked and eye balled it but never got his fingers caught. A few turns of the carousel and on to Brian's Kalamazoo Derrick Car. He figured out how to connect the cars and got one of them on the rail. Each of Wayne's 4 Scooters were taken for a test ride then another spin on the Carousel and he was done. So was I.
There were three other exhibitors besides BCMM. Of course two of them had 3D printers. I made a comment to Rob from the Fraser Valley MakerSpace about how 3D printing still couldn't produce gears that were useful in Meccano models. He printed out a herringbone toothed gear about 4" in diameter that looked like it would do well in a larger model. Something to look into.
The Surrey Library staff were great, they met us at the loading area with carts and helped us bring in our models. They provided us with a bag of snacks, a bottle of water, checked to see if we needed anything and were kind enough to help two old men pack up.
