Dec 2016

Our treasurer gave his report and we are still solvent.

Bruce Mannerow talked about American Model Engineering Supply. Apparently the organization has been taken over by Godshall's Custom Machining; see:

http://www.americanmodeleng.com

Those of us who have been to Cabin Fever remember Godshall as a company who custom make working model steam locomotives. Their work is really impressive (with a price tag that makes the eyes water.) http://www.godshallscustommachining.com

Continuing with the theme of suppliers; apparently Alex Herpers has had good experience with Travers Canada which is an offshoot of the American organization but set up to serve Canadian companies and individuals. There was some discussion about McMaster-Carr: They supply an extensive range of equipment, tools and materials but will only supply to existing commercial customers in Canada. I have an American Credit Card and use a parcel pick-up place in Port Huron but as soon as they find that something will go outside the US they refuse to deal with you. I have looked into the situation briefly and my understanding is that there are rules designed to prevent US companies supplying certain categories of materials and equipment outside the country. This is designed to prevent terrorists etc. getting hold of stuff that could be used in some way against the US. The problem is that companies supplying materials that go outside the country have to complete paperwork to demonstrate that what they are supplying is not in one of the prohibited categories. I think this may be why McMaster-Carr will not deal with small Canadian customers – there is just too much effort involved for the value of the sale. However, there are indications that they may be changing their mind on this so I will try again at some point.

The company I have used quite a lot is MSC. They have an extensive range of stuff, and are set up to do the necessary paperwork if you are using a US mail box etc. (I am not sure whether they will ship into Canada but if they do you are probably hit with a significant brokerage fee to get things across the border.) However, when filling out the order

information they require a billing address and the final destination. Some (typically smaller) US companies I have dealt with seem happy to just send stuff to a Port Huron address without making any fuss about the paperwork I have described. I have never figured out what is going on here but they must either be exempt because nothing they supply is in the prohibited categories or they are just ignorant of, or ignore the regulations.

There was some further discussion about club T shirts and one possibility put forward by John Sibbick was to get iron-on decals from Staples. Looking at their website this may be the best way to go: http://www.staples.ca/en/T-Shirt-Iron-On-Transfers/cat_CL215497_2-CA_1_20001

It can be a DIY option because (theoretically) all you need do is get the logo into a suitable digital form, print it on to the special transfer sheets they supply using an ink jet printer, then iron it on to whatever garment you wish.

Brian Lawson actually went along to one of the meetings of the London Model Railway Club discussed at the last meeting. Apparently the first meeting of the month (on a Tuesday) is the one where they are open to the public. Check out their website it gives a lot of information about the club: http://www.lmrg.org

A potential new member; Matt Samko from Oil Springs came along to the meeting to see what we get "up to."