Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models)
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Posts posted by Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models)
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Tim Hickey
Thanks – Slec are legendary.I had a balsa building board off them (and other stuff). It was unusually glued together ends of balsa. Great for sticking pins in. When it arrived a couple of years back it was flat. I was worried it might not stay flay and so stored it flat under the bed. Recently got it out to use and it had badly warped. I started to wish I had laminated it to a board. Anyway, my brother in law has done just that. He is glued and clamped it flat to a thick piece of MDF. It appears to be flat now. I am hoping it stays stable as the idea for pins is a good one. I also got a lot of odds and ends of ply that were great value.
Dai Fledermaus
Incredibly sad that Vanda and David had to post that. I expect they are overwhelmed with the orders while lock down is on. Its worth reminding fold that every business is under some strain or other at the current time. It could be staffing levels; it could be just operating social distancing in the workplace. I am sure some people do not understand the difficulties facing persons and business during this time. At SWM we have not always managed to clear the bench same day and it is not without trying. Not all the staff are in and those that are work long hours without respite.
There are delays with carriers and royal mail. Not everywhere, but it can happen. Many people will think why he is saying that. I understand that, I am not stupid.
Generally, people are not stupid, but some are very ignorant of the situation(s) and that is unfortunate. I cannot speak for Balsa Cabin, but its not unusual for customers to be rude to persons in retail. Hopefully, this health crisis might make them realise the error of their ways. At the end of the day there is some life and death, deep serious stuff far worse than a late order.
Erfolg
Abuse on email is commonplace. The term non proximity method is one phrase I had not heard but I can understand. A very good observation.Your post is excellent. ‘pales into insignificance to other issues of our present times’.
Phone’s have been another source of strange instances by none proximity. Several callers being quite ‘strange’ as why the shop is shut? To callers. Very argumentative. Which means staff explain the restrictions and then they just repeat the question. Why is it shut though? Doh....
I put it down to ignorance. But if its not ignorance maybe it is stupidity.
Maybe some people are going a little stir crazy. It is still not justifiable to take that out one someone who is just trying their best to do their Job. In difficult circumstances in some cases. Good post Erfolg.
Pete Crosby – I said earlier. Slec – are legendary.
Ron Gray – Thanks for your support/ Kind words. Glad to hear your package arrived. I’m not at the SWM store and so I have told them about your message and the voicemail. If you need to call them the phone lines are open.Anyway let's keep positive. There's more positive than negative. Lots of good stuff going on. Lots of traders continuing to support the hobby.
Steve
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Thanks again for all the posts regard business that continue to trade in these difficult times. I think the situation remains unchanged many traders are continuing to offer Mail Order services. The situation still feels many miles away from normal.
At SWM we are operating with less staff than usual and this situation presents lots of problems / solutions that would have never been thought off if it wasn’t for the current situation. Take the usually simple procedure off passing a phone to a colleague . Now there’s spraying and wiping down phones before passed to another person. The continual wiping down of surfaces and hand sanitising makes most people appear very Howard Hughes. Keeping 2 mtrs apart sounds easy , but I’m assured it isn’t. On the plus side , support has been good and thanks to all that have been supporting UK traders at this time.
I thought a few snippets of information might be of interest . At SWM we have found our presence on eBay to be trading well. That platform has become very busy. Considering the much smaller range of goods we have listed . Kits - from the Vintage Model co, Tony Ray , Dumas , Ripmax Keli Kraft through to the Buckle and Foss kits are all selling in higher numbers than usual . It seems people are taking the opportunity to build during the lock down. Big thanks to all our suppliers for keeping us supplied . Especially Colin Buckle and Chris Foss who will also be facing the problems of lock down. Hi y TV IV
We still are experiencing some delays in supply and although most Mail Order is arriving OK with customers , there’s been the occasional delay with Royal Mail and carriers in general . But the delays are very few.!
Thanks again, can I encourage MF members to post praise for suppliers that have managed to supply them. Any stories of encouragement welcome.good night
Steve
Steve Webb
Edited By Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models) on 06/05/2020 01:24:52
Edited By Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models) on 06/05/2020 01:29:28
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I learned to fly multi on a Rojair 62 from Alpha Models in Ellesmere Port. I had a second Rojair Cadet to build , better and power more. Mistake. My first Rojair which survived into the 90's training folk , that had a OS Max 40 RC and it was perfect. The second had a 40 FSR and I was at the untidy aerobatic stage of learning. I ripped the wings off it.
I think I should have gone for the comet ... LOL. Im posting as this was on the wall of the shop. It was there for years or at least the same kit was. I expect it sold and another was placed there. The day it came to buying it - I went in and it wasnt there and worse. Rojair had burned down.
So that was that. I thought the kits were great at the time.
Steve
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The FS 40 ( one of the best engines OS ever produced IMO) uses the same exhaust pressure adaptor ( some call it a silencer) as the 20 & 26 OS engines. I think the ASP, SC 52 fits. Sometimes the OS version turn's up on eBay.
They can go for surprisingly high prices. Have you tried Just Engines? I sold a new one in its packet a few years ago. It was a spare I had and the auction went over £20 - I was amazed and wished I'd bought 20 off them when they were available. LOL.
The pressure adaptor ( which some think is a little Muffler) is best left off. It does nothing to quieten the engine as its quiet to start with. Its not high power like later generation OS engines. The FS 40 sets up better and runs better off pressure.
FS40 OS - 1982 - First version had a spring needle. Like a control line or stunt engines Needle. Flexible. Later versions had the grey shorter Needle. Like on the Surpass 40
Steve
Edited By Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models) on 17/04/2020 17:04:46
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Posted by Jon - Laser Engines on 10/02/2020 13:56:37:Posted by Martin Harris on 07/02/2020 13:51:04:
Is it a Flyte 150?
i think so. Some are labelled as such, others arent.
KC, in essence they just dont look as well finished. The fins on the front of the head are an abomination, the brass pushrod tubes... They also lack the Laser name on the rocker cover although this could be fudged if someone swapped the cover from a genuine engine.
If in doubt, send me a link/photo and i can id it.
Hi Jon,
Well I have learnt something there! I did not know that was not a laser. Not at first glance, but then I noticed no name, no laser on it. I still thought maybe it was a prototype. I have never heard of Flyte? But does that mean that could be a rare engine.
Also - Fake? Surely just a different Manufacturer? But I guess everyone means the advert was fake as it wasnt a Laser? But reading it, sounds like a chap lumbered with shifting engines for a deceased pal. TBH at first glance if he'd asked me what it was I might have said its a Laser. Looks like he's sold it? as the listing is removed.
Do you still have any Laser Diesels knocking around? I did hear from someone that you had thought of making the Laser Diesel again. Not sure how many were made? or if that's true.
Cheers
Steve
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Re Webra - I knew they'd been less active like all engine manufacturers, I had not heard they stopped trading.
Western UK
ED by West
I just bought a West 36 Diesel and it appears to look very much like a Webra. When I saw one I just had to have one. Its diesel - They do a 52 also! Sorry had to correct myself.
i'll get some pics and report back.
Oh.. Western UK - still seem to be listing Webra.
As a modeller that enjoys eBay for the odd classic engine. There's always old OS 40 FSR's and Webra's and HP's turning up. Well worth a punt at some of the low prices. Generally gummed up solid when they arrive and once cleaned up, usually the worse issues is bearings. But they can be replaced. Some of the old engines wear very well or should I say don't wear when they've sat in a shed for 40 years.
Steve
I'm back with photos. One for the Bullet? Get the 52 version
They are only available Direct from Weston UK - Allan and June
Steve
Edited By Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models) on 17/04/2020 15:22:16
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Alan H, Chris Walby, Martin Harris (Any one reading this - Model Shop Leeds, worth a visit after the clamp down – a terrific long standing Model Trader).
Michael Barclay, I1tofly,
Andy Joyce – I’m sorry I do not know the company.
When ordering from sites you don’t know, search for google reviews or face book reviews or simple the website having the Padlock in the Url etc
BUT… IMO… Drones Direct web site looks professional and it secure etc. Says UK based advice on a 13p per minute number). I just paid £459.00 for my Mavic Mini Fly More Combo and they are £499.00. Not sure about the rest of the prices. Typical I waited months for stock and now I have one and we are locked in home and can’t use it. The website looks genuine to me. Its secure etc. Much to good of a Website to be fake.
Martin Mcintosh – I can’t answer your question but this info could be relevant - Generally if items are coming from China some stuff is not reaching the UK. One supplier we have had his parcels to mainland Europe turned back. I’m wondering if Chinese shipping to the UK came via Europe if the same thing would happen? We are on hold on Tony Ray stuff at the moment as he’s had problem in China returning to work and now, he’s not sure his parcels would get to us. Some stocks we are low on. We are the Tony Ray UK distributor as off November 2019. Doesn’t answer your Hobby King question. There’s a few asking about HK – why not mail them and ask?
Dennis – see what said. Yep looks genuine. Re Drones Direct
Andy Joyce – that’s’ strange, only because I could not select Pay Pal on the Post Code Lottery – just. I would select it and it didn’t work. Coincidence or do Pay Pal have an issue?
See how you get on.
Lee Damms – Thanks - A new name to me, they do appear to have contact details on the net
Thanks all! Keep Posting – Support UK traders and they can support the Hobby. Stay at Home and Support the NHS.
Anyone else twitching from not flying?
Steve
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R/C Plane Flyer. It’s quite a cutie. Mini Wot E
RayWood and Capt. Kremen Thanks for posting. Good info.
Cuban 8
Shop V Mail Order or Mail Order
Excellent Post.
Thanks for the kind words and support.
Shop v Mail Order. Not that it hasn’t been discussed many times, especially in more recent times when the store has been quiet for callers and yet Mail Order has been busy. I mean pre Covid 19 measures. A couple of times in anger I have threatened to close the shop and go mail order only. That usually happens when shop lifting occurs, and I expect many a shop owner would say the same in the heat of the moment.
The current Mail Order Only situation has been forced upon us. I must admit I thought this is going to trial Mail Order only. I had no idea if it would work. I have to say it is working. But its hardly a fair trial as No ones going out racing and flying or boating. Or at least very few people are. I’m sure there’s frustrated flyers up and down the UK. What I’m saying is with 90% locked down except for essential journey’s etc the current Mail Order only situation doesn’t sample what it would be like in normal time. Then again are some areas of sales increased. Because modellers are buying things to do. We’ve been selling a lot of glues. It seems to be that Cyanoacrylate and other adhesives are the model trades ‘toilet rolls.
What is worth mentioning is when I had the idea for servo shop, the staff at the time were very against it. ServoShop was born from the reluctance to go online selling. Mainly the staff would say how will we cope with orders when the shop is packed out all the time? Where will we put the stock, we are over full etc
So, I said – servo’s we’ll trade servos – servo shop. Servos are small, that’s storage sorted. Reluctantly the staff agreed to try it. It worked and the other directors said…. Could we put other things online? So, we did and it’s a good Job we do have servo shop as foot fall in in decline.
This current situation isn’t going to be representative of trading Mail Order, but in some ways it will reveal the problems and benefits of mail order only.
Re > A new build project will almost certainly come from an on-line supplier e.g Sarik, Tony Nijhuis, Balsa Cabin or SLEC as a few examples. So many other smaller on-line only companies as well<<
It’s great that you support UK business. I believe the decline in UK traders has been felt by almost every model club in the land. Clubs that onetime had 70 members now have 10 or 20 members. This current crisis will only add to Club Problems. Unless the Club has a strong ‘heart’.
Thanks for the posts. Steve
Edited By Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models) on 17/04/2020 14:22:04
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Slec and Master Airscrew and a home made one that a pal made me - The home made one mounts to a Black and Decker Work Mate Bench. Its metal channel and blade. Very good. The Slec would have been my favourite until the home made one was given me. The wood pushes through it. I just realised I don't know where it is or I'd have photo'd it. Locked down at the house and it might be at the store.
I did get a couple of Perspex CNC cut ones off eBay, I have not found them very good. Not compared to the Slec one any how.
Steve
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Hi Robin
The ASP Diesel
It is very different. I am not sure the why and what behind. I picked it up in an Auction and it was listed as ASP Diesel. It could easily be ASP or SC. I think probably the Chinese having go at the Irvine 40 Diesel. It’s essentially a glow converted, but not a home conversion. I’m sure of that as the Carb is around the size of a 20/25 Carb and that would be about right for a 40-size diesel. They use much smaller carbs. Also ‘prototype’ rings true as the there is no ASP logo on the Crankcase. The little circle is empty of Logo.
That’s a good crop of ‘different’ engines. The Taipan looks awesome. I completely forgot the Hi Max four stroke. Lovely you have some nice memories. I know what you are saying. I lost my Father a few years ago and I have fond memories of certain engines or aircraft.
Brian. MVVS Fabulous engines. I have a couple of Diesels. Excellent quality engines.
Paul – MDSHi I hope you are well? The RMS was the next chapter in MDS history. Because distributors in the UK and Europe had shot themselves in the foot by putting out inferior quality products under the MDS name initially, the Robbe / MDS label was not enough of a move to change minds of modellers – Regard MDS quality. The Robbe MDS was a massive improvement on the early MDS ‘Gold’ tops. It was too late and MDS had become the Lada of the engine world. Jokes such as them only being good for use of a paperweight etc. It was a little unfair as the Robbe MDS’s were very good. Yes I really said that.
Peter - Interesting stuff. experimental Heli’s missed me/passed me by, but its mighty interesting stuff. Pioneering you could say.
Hi Barry,Hope you are keeping well? Hope everyone else is also.
I see what you mean regard combat engine comparison. I think your quite correct. Perhaps they took inspiration from that?
The Enya 41 Four Stroke Diesel I have in my collection, but I don’t have the 36 Version. That’s a very rare one. I think we only had 2 or 3 of them in the UK. I am not sure they ever ‘occur’ again. I have no idea why they didn’t just make more 41’s. I made a mistake as if I’d known they were going to be so rare I’d have snazzled one.
The prices would over £400, maybe even £500 - I can’t see them ever being available again. That’s 41D and 36D
Enya Engine 36-4CD DIESEL AL-CHRO TNFeatures:
AL-CHROME Cylinder and Piston
Specifications:
Displacement: 5.89 cc
Bore x Stroke: 21.0 x 17.0 mm
Weight: 403g w/muffler, plug
Power: 0.6 HP
Rev. Range: 1,800~9,000 rpm
Suitable prop: 12~14?8~5 in.
Suit. Plane weight: 2.0~3.5 kgI'll try and find a picture.
Here's a rare and much sought after engine. Its a Beno Schlosser 05 - a 1/2 cc . Its probably more powerful than many 1cc diesels. This is the RC version. Which is Ultra Rare.
I love Schlosser. I purchased this one off the late David Owen in Australia. He was Beno's agent. I think it cost me over £200 by the time I was taxed importing it. It felt like a massive amount of money in 2007. Beno's engineering is second to none. Its up there with the Olivers. But I was always a little Disappointed regard the throttle arm.
Its a JR servo horn cut down. I expect if there was 20 or 30 RC versions , it had to be done that way. Its was already a an expensive engine a bespoke arm manufactured would have cost even more. I expect he did not want to make a metal arm as he would have heard stories of metal to metal noise. For me I would have prefered it.
That's all for now.
Very interesting thread for engine fanciers.
Steve
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Part 1 MDS Early 90's from the other side of the counter.
Adding to the MDS postings. I first heard of them when the Ripmax Rep Produced Polystyrene Boxes with MDS 40 and 61's in them. They were very drab, dirty white boxes. I looked at said... No not interested. He said you will be when you hear the price. Retailing at £25 each. I was interested. We did a better deal and sold the 40's at £15.99 and the £61's at £19.99. It was crazy. We had a table stacked about 8ft high in engines. People bought them in 3's and 4's, This was what I called the 1st wave. They did not run that well, fitting an Enya or OS carb with adaptor ring tripled or quadrupled the price. But to some people getting them to run was the Hobby. The ones that came back and there were many the Ripmax Rep Swapped and when he ran out of swaps, he credited us with goods for the duff engine. Often leaving us the engine. They didn not want them back. I gave a few away to customers that has tamed them and got their's running. Extra discount asked for often resulted in, do you want a free engine...
The returns were often unrun, new. Just people heard how bad they were and brought them back.I heard many years later that that first wave of engines were engines produced just to keep workers busy many years before Ripmax purchased them. Part of the deal to get them to produce a new range was Ripmax taking the first wave. It seemed were never produced with sales in mind.
BUT - Ripmax were planning something better for MDS. The Robbe MDS. Ripmax must have gone in with Robbe as a Black Box with Robbe Logo , Ripmax Sticker Engine appeared along with some Polysterene Box 15 R 's with tune piple ( and these worked! They had no carb, venturi only. The Miniature Aircraft Factory ( Dave Lowe and John Redmond) produced a F16 model to go with the 15 R and they sold loads - I used to swap engines for kits.
The Robbe MDS were a finer looking engine. No longer as cheap, but still very economic compared to even Chinese engines. There was a 18, 25, 36 ( might have become a 38) 40, 48 and 60 - I can't recall the pricing but lets say it was £35 to £50.
But still problems. Carbs again. But these were much better machined. It seemed to be a Disappointment to Ripmax as they had redesigned the Carb I was told. Then customer service ( in those days a chap called Gary R) started issuing us with little rubber o rings for the NVA if I remember correctly. It cured most of the problems. They needed 10% Nitro and a good plug. The one they came with was terrible. But a viable engine. Unfortunately lots of bad experiences gave the range a terrible name and I don't thing they ever recovered, but as they had another face lift things improved even more regard engines, but not sales... Part 2 another time.
Steve
Good Night and Stay Safe,.
Edited By Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models) on 15/04/2020 23:55:19
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One I think I will surprise a few with. An ASP ( Acceleration Speed and Performance ) Chinese 40 RC Diesel.
The Info I have is that it was a Prototype or one of a few Diesel 40 's that ASP released. Its the only one I have ever seen. Does any one else have one or any info they could share. I've lost my diesel book at the moment. I have sold some in recent years and bought more. I don't think I sold this one. My memory is terrible.
I doubt I will have as its rare, so I probably still have this.
The wife said do you worry about Burglar's. I said always - but then again I can't find a lot of them myself and so how will they?
That's not a challenge if you are a Burglar!
Any info, would be lovely.
Steve
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Just a bit of an update . Earlier in this thread it was mentioned some suppliers had closed. I'm pleased to say that Ripmax have reopened their Warehouse with skeleton staffing. Logic RC have done similar. I think Overlander are doing the same. SWM is in its 3rd week of closed to callers. I'm still having problems grasping that, but Mail Order available. I'll be honest when it first happened I thought we'd be in total lock down by now. I am i'm afraid. Unwell and staying a safe as I can from the Virus. Can't afford to get it on top of my other problems. Like many others I expect.So keep safe and post your trader news. I know it's not easy to operate in this present situation. All though model store and model business are not seeing the public they can't pass phones to each other, they are trying to keep 2 mtrs apart, constant sanitiser and wiping down parcels and post etc. My lot are taking the stay safe thing seriously - I try to make sure of that as I want them all to be safe. To ritoriate they can't see callers, many other business will be saying the same, but there's still requests to open for people. Its so embarrassing and hard to say to long standing customers - No you have to mail order. Even when they say ' but its me, I've been coming here 25 years'... We would like them to be around for many more years. The only way the staff can be in, is with rules and if Mail Order is to continue , it has to be Mail Order only at the moment. I really wish it wasn't and these were normal times, but they are not. Hope that some people can learn to under stand its just the way it is.
Take Care, Stay Safe and Keep Supporting the NHS and the Care Workers.
Steve
P.s
One of my indoor flying pals has been printing Visor shields on his 3 D Printer for staff in a local care home as they don't have protection. Isnt it amazing? He's gone from producing his little fans for his pals and us to printing stuff to help out. Great stuff. Maybe some other chaps out there with 3D printers could do similar. I'm, sure the local care homes would appreciate it.
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RC Plane Flyer - That's damn good going. 23 hours it's better than Argos. You might not have had a lottery win, but you have had a win. They are excellent models the foss range. Balsa - do you mean as in kit to build while locked down or the little Wot 4 mini Electric? Apparently I have one of those. I think some one pinched to display.
Steve
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Ron and Mike - Thanks for posting.
DB Sport & Scale.Strangely i've been chatting with members of the Tornado's blog recently and some details came up about the DB range. From what I hear many of the kits are modernised and using modern manufacturing Techniques. Very impressive.
Steve
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As mentioned Jon at Micro Traders has been 14 days poorly and is returning to work. Like all traders advise, wipe down deliveries and leave for 72 hours if possible. He has some problems with his RC packages as that's still messed up from the problems in China. If you have never visited his website. Treat your self. I've made a couple of his models and they are interesting to build. I've just finished a Scrappee - His only Sports Model. The rest are all scale.
Steve
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Posted by Mike Blandford on 08/04/2020 20:52:41:
Not sure if they have been mentioned but I had a delivery from DB Sport and Scale yesterday. As with all deliveries it is now in quarantine for 72 hours before I touch it, a glove was worn to get it to the quarantine area, and the glove is also in the quarantine area.
Mike
I had a news letter for Microaces, it sounds like Jon's getting back to work after being ill.
On his news letter he advises to wipe kits down and leave in quarantine for 72 hours. I've been doing that with my own deliveries to home. I had a delivery from Free Flight Supplies - Mike Woodhouse and an engine from Peter Tarn. An SS 40 converted to diesel. Its lovely an the Mavic Fly More Combo I have been waiting for - at least 5 months! I missed the first ones. Its a Mavic at 249 g - under the registration weight. My big Mavic comes under my registration. I am not a quad person. But I do like the DJI flying cameras. Some call them Quads. But I think of the them as a sophisticated flying camera.
All had to sit in quarantine for 72 hours. I was like a Kid asking the wife...is it time yet... is it time yet?
Steve
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Posted by Paul Marsh on 08/04/2020 19:47:57:
Cloud Models are still taking orders. I ordered a Tornado kit to go with my Crescent Bullet. So it anyone wants a retro model, give them a ring.
Hi Paul,
Excellent kits they are too. Totally retro. Hope you are well
Steve
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Posted by Martin McIntosh on 07/04/2020 16:43:27:
Interesting about the TP servos. I posted a bit about fake ones on another thread very recently.
The latter two types were indistinguishable from the real thing presumably.
Hi Martin,
if you get another good electronics manufacturer making the 9g servos, it would be difficult to tell the difference. In China that might not be seen as as a copy or counterfeit - if selling at a similar price to Tower they could even be quite good. I always think they don't have the dedication Tower Servos have as their clones or copies are just a small part of their business which might be Motors or Batteries or something related.
But the Fake Fakes - The ones made by one time unemployed labour that had never put a servo together you could be buying a heap of trouble. Poor quality components leading to failures. Tower must get fed up of thinking failed servo's are seen as TP when they are fake.
The MG servos you mention at £2.99 were probably fake. The price is not always the way to spot a fake as fakes can sell for high prices. But if you see 20 servos for £10 I can Guarantee they are not Original Tower Pro Manufacture. So price can often determine a fake, but not always. Back in the 90's my first delivery I was told they were Tower and they were not. But they were a reliable manufacturer. Better than some. When we discovered the REAL Tower Pro, the return rates are virtually zero. Fantastic for a servo in the budget price range.
I have toyed with the idea of a servoshop own brand of servos. I think I would ask Tower Pro to manufacture the smaller and micro servos if I did.
Its as always Buyer Beware when dealing direct with China. Mind you that's probably the same for everywhere!
Steve
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Posted by Nigel R on 07/04/2020 15:25:44:
"The downside - the fees , costs but it is a platform that seems to be benefiting from the lock down"
I read somewhere - and this might now be inaccurate - but up to a certain trading threshold, costs were lower on Ebay. You get the search engine and the customer base and the payment mechanisms and all that.
Amazon marketplace is vying for the same type of service, as is Banggood, alibaba, etc.
Obviously at some stage - so for someone like yourself - it becomes more profitable to have your own page and system.
Interesting Nigel , I’d need to look into it more. Recently didn’t it get quoted that Amazon were 57% of all on line sales.
Last year at the SWM end of year company meeting which was about 6 months late . I was chatting to our accountant and he has a number of Power Sellers on eBay with Turnovers of over the 1 to 3 million size. SME Small to Medium Enterprise now a days. One seller had large turnover but high costs because his items were not high value. I’m not sure how it was costed but he said they had costed this sellers listings and he had to sell an item for £2.58 to make a profit . But that was if the item was free to him. So an item that cost him nothing needed to be £2.58 to break even. I’m not sure if it was a costing that took in further costs than just pay pal , listing fees or if it could be taking in average ad word or free post or subsidised post or what ever.
it made me look at some listings !
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John
SWM - Yes - very let down 2007 to recent times regard fair trading / cheap Vat Free imports from China. It does seem to be changing. Goodness knows what the retail landscape will look like after all this.
I made comment elsewhere that a company (Amazon) that has to advertise on TV and hold public education tours to show how happy it’s staff are probably has problems with how happy it’s staff are. Propaganda comes to mind.
Craig - Thanks for the support for traders in this thread . Thanks.
Ron ,
Chris Foss stuff is selling well. By that I mean the kits. The ARTF stuff sells well. But doesn’t it say something when other kit manufacturers closed as ARTF took hold and yet Chris faced with ARTF of the same designs he kits and yet the kits still sell.
I think that says loads for how well thought Chris’s Kits are.
Chris has put his time in supporting the UK model trade. I used to tell him ARTF would sell. Let’s just say Chris came around to ARTF idea very slowly! I still wonder how Nick Moss at Ripmax persuaded him?
But there’s a place for ARTF and kits and the popularity of the ranges prove it time and time again.
Erfolg
Thanks - interesting posts
There is moral problems with The Royal Mail , The NHS ( although they don’t deliver ) . I mean parcels , we can all see the service they deliver. Will it be remembered ??. I’ve seen the low moral at first hand in the NHS. The PO has some similarities regard the happiness of staff. Something that comes with the sheer size of the organisation? I think large organisations feature some unaccountability , which can cause problems.
Your second post , I live in Helsby now a days , but I read that and I want to move back to Frodsham !
I had some happy times living in Frodsham . The Helter Skelter Pub had something to do with that
Yes it’s a great place to visit, but to remind all at the moment the store is closed to visitors / callers and is trading via web site and phone . I mention it as people reading need to know not to turn up. I know it should be obvious , but with some that’s obviously not the case
Zflyer
Cracking company Gliders , Brian and John . When they were Graupner Distributors , we used to get our Graupner from them. They were always very good , totally professional .
Keep posting!
Keep safe, protect the NHS . It’s a dreadful time , fingers crossed it does not turn out as bad as they expectSteve
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Posted by Robin Colbourne on 07/04/2020 13:45:28:Posted by Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models) on 07/04/2020 12:54:32:
HI Steve, I'm not sure if you are pllaning to build a Sleek Streak, or are reminiscing. If planning to build, SAMS Models are listing a Sleek Streak-type prop unit, and according to their Facebook post of a fortnight ago, they were endeavouring to stay open for mail order.
SAMS Models - PropellersThanks Robin, very useful info. I might get a handful of those for building planes with my Grandson Logan . We have model building sessions. Foam, balsa , paper , boats and planes currently . Usually from the scrap box or using spare bits from broken kits or what ever . Unfortunately I can’t see him at the moment and I’m missing our sessions!
Steve
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Posted by Airtek on 06/04/2020 18:01:16:
We have managed to get some help so have just re-opened Airtek Hobbies for internet orders only. Like everyone else things could be delayed so please bear with us but glad to be back!
Peter - That is good news. For a while it looked like we’d all be closing , but mail order is holding up for us. It’s not as straightforward there’s delays getting stuff, delays sending stuff. Hopefully you will find most customers sympathetic to the current issues. We are finding 99% to have some idea of what is happening.
Not sure if you have an eBay presence . We have a small one . My Mrs often takes care of cobbewebb on eBay and we have SWM on eBay also . I mention it as it’s incredibly busy compared to normal times. I think lots of people in lock down are browsing eBay. The downside - the fees , costs but it is a platform that seems to be benefiting from the lock down
good luck Peter
Steve
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Posted by kc on 05/04/2020 12:05:33:
My order from Servo Shop came yesterday within a couple of days of placing the order -well done. The order was for Futaba 3003 servos which I could have bought from 'BG' at about half the price but those were too cheap to be true? Some comment said they were fake thats why they were so cheap! ( to clarify -fake from BG I mean of course )
Nice to see some good info from Steve Webb but its a bit like buses - wait for ages for one then three come all at once! Interesting stuff though.
Thanks for the support / order. I could write a book on the subject of fake and how to some Chinese companies what we see as Fake is just another producer in China manufacturing the same product. But there’s also Fake - Fakes. As I call them. I’m conscious of writing too much but if I use 9g Tower Pro as an example . The most popular servo in the World. Many years ago I asked a reputable company about Tower Pro and to my surprise they could supply them. So orders went in , they were delivered and the servos worked -a few returns but not unexpected for cheap servos etc
It was a while later when I found the REAL Tower Pro and the servos I’d had before ( from a named Chinese Company) were not Manufactured by Tower Pro . But were they fakes? To a Chinese manufacture Probably not as many Chinese companies have to share designs and manufacture . The first company even though not Tower would consider their versions as just different versions.
But on dealing with the REAL Tower Pro we found returns are virtually none existence . They have been without doubt one of the best ranges of servos we’ve ever sold. Our orders have increased and increased . The real Tower Pro are proud of their manufacture and have their name to protect - It reflects in the reliability .
So by buying the 9g servo cheaper from BG or eBay are you saving money ? Possibly not as those of other Manufacture do not care about the reputation of the real Tower Pro and in my experience are more likely to have failures. And then there’s Fake Fake as I call them , the ones manufactured by companies totally unrelated to servo manufacture . The Fake Fakes can have huge failure rates. Unfortunately the 9g Servo is probably the most copied ( re produced) Faked servo there is.
It might surprise you to know that on occasions in the past we’ve had Tower Pro Servos purchases and the purchaser has almost by return of Post claimed 4 or 5 or 10 servos to be faulty . Very unusual as they really are incredibly reliable . They are returned to us and found to be fakes . The resulting conversation with the customer follows the same pattern . How they have accidentally returned the 10 servos they bought elsewhere . Of course it’s not a mix up - it’s when someone buys eBay fakes from China and they come up with an idea of how to not loose money. Buy the same servos from servoshop and return the fakes! To us. What’s hilarious is they think they are the first person to try this. Most apologise for the ‘mistake’ . Some backed in a corner continue to claim the fake ones are ours, Not possible we deal with the REAL Tower Pro.
Toward Pro. Some Tower servos have been labelled Toward Pro . They are in fact REAL as Tower Pro were prevented the use of the name Tower in the USA resulting in the Tward or Toward labels.
Tower also make servos for many companies . So some of the 9 g servos out there are Tower .
How to avoid being ‘ got’ ? Deal with a reputable dealer is one way, but you mentioned a very good way. If the price looks to good to be true. It probably is.
I knew a chap that got 4 Futaba 3003 servos from eBay for £4.99 post free from China . To good to be true and they were . They were the worse fakes I’ve seen . Apart from burning out his aileron channel on his genuine Futaba RX ( the RX was being returned and we asked for the servos to come with it) . The burnt electrical smell was because the polarity was wrong on the fake aileron servo. The labels looked to be almost hand drawn!
Futaba RX £50 + ruined . Yep not such a good buy. Not all servos on eBay are fake , but caution should be taken .
someone selling 10 brand new unused Futaba Servos they haven used - could be a good buy . Some one charging £1 a servo post free from China is unlikely to be a good buy. It’s a case of buyer beware on some platforms.
BG - it’s a difficult one as it’s like an Amazon . Lots of different sellers , I’ve purchased some balsa kits myself off Bang Good. It was how I originally found Tony Ray kits. The only major problem I ever had was that the packing was appalling . Balsa flat packs chucked in a plastic mail bag with no packing. Customer service was none existent .i have an email which states balsa is fragile and no point sending a replacement as it would only break again.
thanks for the posting Steve
Edited By Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models) on 07/04/2020 14:19:27
Edited By Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models) on 07/04/2020 14:20:59
Edited By Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models) on 07/04/2020 14:26:21
What Traders are still offering Mail Order? Services?
in All Things Model Flying
Posted
RC Plane Flyer Glad to hear you were sorted out with an alternative. It seems to be a 'thing' at the moment that usual brands are not in stock and others are. I think the supply of goods is not flowing quite as well as it used to.
Some firms like ourselves working on reduced staff levels, there's some hit and miss postage, I have just waited for over 2 weeks for a package to come from the Wirral that was on a 3 day service and yet I also had some ultrasonic cleaning flew on order on a 7 day delivery from down south and that got to me in 3 days.
I've been a little naughty myself regard buying stuff - While Team SWM are in work I'm shielding at home, I have som,e health issues which means I cannot risk catching Covid.
I had a Mavic Mini on order from ourselves for about 4 months and that arrived just as the lock down started so that's not much use. I should at least give it a buzz in the back garden. Its 249g so under the CCA Regs.
But having had a text saying to stay in until the end of June and then expect further instructions. I won a Flair DR1 kit on eBay and picked up a 120 Enya on eBay.
A few other bits and bobs for projects but a couple of nights back spotted a reduced scale Hepcat on eBay eBay and 'nabbed' my self one. £49.99 Ready to cover. It hasn't arrived yet.
The same chap is selling a 30 inch reduced size Simplex
**LINK**
£42.99 Built! I have had kits of him before Miss Tally and Miss Tally's Big Sister. In Kit form and in Part Builds
Big Sister Mono **LINK**
I have one of those as well £29.99 Part built!
I thought I'd mention Grey Fish as I've been checking out his listings and he only started listing a week ago, he's been missing I guess because of the lock down.
One of my favourite sellers (Grey Fish) as he has re production Tanks for Diesels and I've had a fair few of those, I just ordered 2 046 ED Baby Tanks from him. £6.99 fittings kit. There's 2 in a set/ To give an idea of the value - I bought some similar from the late David Owen 12 year ago and they were £20+ each.
All good stuff.