Ballarat Wood and Craft Show 2013

[RedShirtGuy]

Anyone coming to the show on April 13th & 14th this year either to peruse or run a stall?

After desperately wanting to, but missing out the last few years, I've made sure not to plan a single thing for at least one of those days so I can finally make it.



I don't know what companies or sort of products are usually on sale, but I'm hoping that I'll be able to grab a Colt Maxi-Cut forstner or two.

I don't suppose anyone knows if the vendors are usually cash only or have mobile EFTPOS facilities?

[Jim Carroll]

Carroll,s woodcraft supplies will be there with all our wares.
if after anything special or pre order give us a call
5248 0726

[Optimark]

This sounds interesting to us, but I'm having a bit of difficulty in finding the location on a satellite map, any chance of the name of an intersecting street with Norman Street, to figure out where, on the old google map I've found, it could be?

Also, and I'm stretching the request a bit, which is one of the better, but not over the top caravan parks in Ballarat?

Mick.

[Sir Stinkalot]

If it is the same as previous years it is in the basketball centre just to the east of Dowling Street on Norman Street. Current google maps image shows it as the first shed with the carpark. Looks as if all of the old John Valves buildings have been demolished since I was last there.

Good show to attend. Lots of works on display, good support of a number of retailers including Carrolls as already mentioned.

[Optimark]

Many thanks, the picture I'm looking at shows a big bare area east of Dowling street, although there are three ovals on the south end of the area and what looks like an outdoor swimming pool complex pretty much on Dowling street.

Now to source a caravan park.

Mick.

[Sir Stinkalot]

There are a few options:

Ballarat Caravan Parks | Eureka Holiday Park, Park Cabins, Ensuite Sites and Powered Sites not far from the venue and on the Melbourne side. It is next to the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka, which I haven't been too but it would be unlikely to hold a candle to the little 3d model that was on the site when I was growing up in Ballarat.

Other is Ballarat Caravan Park , Ballarat, VIC » BIG4 Ballarat Welcome Stranger Holiday Park, again on Melbourne side but not much around it or BIG4 Ballarat Goldfields Holiday, Caravan and Camping Park, Ballarat, VIC, Australia » BIG4 Ballarat Goldfields Holiday Park which is closer to Sovereign Hill if that helps.

The venue is the building on the south side of Norman Street next the the vacant block.

[RedShirtGuy]

Google maps can't get the address right for the Wendouree Sports & Events Center (989 Norman St, Wendouree), but hopefully this map link helps. It's the silver topped shed in the center with a carpark and large empty lots on either side of it. Street view is available to see what the place looks like.

As an aside, over the road is Wendouree Machinery and Sales which is my favourite metal scrap yard...if you're into that sort of thing

There is also the Ballarat Windmill caravan park out the boring ol' western side of Ballarat which would be closer to the event: Your Ballarat Holiday and Caravan Park - BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday and Caravan Park

Looks as if all of the old John Valves buildings have been demolished since I was last there.

Yep. They'd been working on the removal for at least a year or two. Bit of a shame as there was a small family connection to the place.

[Optimark]

Many thanks to both of you, I now know exactly where the venue is, plus I have some idea as to caravan parks, although most are a bit expensive due to that weekend being in a high tariff period, I'm assuming school holidays.

A bit of looking around and I have been able to literally halve the accommodation costs with an unpowered site here Caravan & Camping at Shady Acres Caravan Park Ballarat

I'll still keep looking, as we are going.

I wonder whether the 3 metre Quickie German tape measure is available in Australia yet, it's on my shopping list?

The 2 metre one is fantastic, but not quite long enough, especially when 2.4m sheet material is being used.

Mick.

[Treecycle]

Just out of interest for those familiar with Ballarat, what is the big white hole to the right of the Basketball stadium?
I am looking forward to the show. Missed the revamped version last year as I was interstate (disappointed).

[Sir Stinkalot]

Just out of interest for those familiar with Ballarat, what is the big white hole to the right of the Basketball stadium?
I am looking forward to the show. Missed the revamped version last year as I was interstate (disappointed).

It would be Selkirk.

[RedShirtGuy]

It's finally time!!!!

I'll be there with a mate or two at 12 (Saturday) in my mostly unbuttoned, paint covered beige overalls and a red flannie (and hopefully carrying a shiny new vice)...gimme a kick in the bum and say hi if you're game. Be nice to put a some faces to names

[Optimark]

Arrived around 1000hrs and did a quick walk around, certainly good value at $5.00 entry. Watched a couple of demonstrations using hand tools, some very old, some not. Watched a ball being made on a lathe, never quite knew how that was done, reasonably easy now that I've seen it done.

Picked up some of the very small square drive screws and driving bits, as well as the two smaller square drive screwdrivers, sort of rounds out my square drive screw lot

Finally left a bit before 1400hrs and currently having a late lunch well out of Ballarat.

Will probably drop in next year, good for a day out and seeing the childrens faces as they receive a small wooden made for them, in front of them, tool tote, was great.

Spied a new tool in the offing from Triton, it will be sold as a kit, Two pieces of rail attached to a T piece for variable angle cutting of sheet material, (700mm long pieces of rail for ease of transportation), plus a dedicated electric saw designed to use the rail for cutting of sheet material.

This was a one off design piece, not even a pre-production offering. I believe it should be out mid-winter or a bit later. There will be longer single rail available, 1,500mm, presumably as an extra.

Mick.

[RedShirtGuy]

I had probably worked my hopes up too much and was a little disappointed with the offerings. What was there was certainly great, but not what I was wanting to see. I guess the Melbourne shows would probably be more my style with more machinery and accessories and not just workpieces, finishes and small odds and ends.

It was still a great effort and I really enjoyed the hour I took walking around. The bicycle powered lathe was a big hit with me and has been added to the project list.

My only real whinge was the number of turners and scrollers and their products. How many of practically the same thing do you really need in one place? I'd guesstimate that they took up 70-80% of the woodworking stands. No offence intended to any of them of course. They were still interesting and displaying some great pieces, it just felt a bit repetitive.

The personal highlight was seeing the kids banging away making birdhouses and toolboxes. They looked like they were having huge amounts of fun. Great idea.

[issatree]

Hi to you all,
Well it's been & gone. If you didn't go, you Missed Out.
Went Sat. Had a great day, & met so many Woodies I knew, as the place had a lot of people attending.
Was had getting Served with Irene & Jim, but I did in the end.
There was quite a few sections for all the Ladies that attended.
Carvers galore, Wood Turning, Scroll Saw Work, Machinery to be bought, A fair selection of Wood for sale, The B'rat Boys helping the Children, make Tool Boxes, B'rat Uni with their Models of how to make House Frames, & the list went on.
I think a BIG PAT on the Back to Brian R, & his Team for doing such a Great Job.
It was a Midi T & W w Wood Show.
Well done again Ballarat Woodies.