I've been hearing you guys talk about Hobby Lobby for years

Spokane which isn't close to you at all, it opened a year and a half ago or so. I buy almost all of my supplies there, and even in the last 18 months their kit selection has taken a hit and the variety has not changed. Again though, it's a great place to buy supplies and I plan on buying a new airbrush with a coupon down the road.

I went to Hobby Lobby for the first time while I was on vacation in Anderson, SC. last year. (Live in So. Cal). I found it had a better selection of models than the Micheal's near me.  Bought a Polar Lights Batmobile and Revell 1/1200 USS Enterprise. The closest HL to me is about a 40min drive, but haven't gone there.

I use the coupons to stock up on Testors spray paint I  think I might use on a future project. Mainly the "metal" paint colors that are difficult to find elsewhere . It frequently takes me more than one can to do the job. 

The Testors Dullcoat can be pretty cheap with a coupon. I think you will find this is one of the most recommened dullcoats mentioned on modeling forums. I have six cans in my inventory.

Dont foget to check out the "Art-Artist" section at Hobby Lobby.

I've used the coupons to buy "kits" of  things like chalk pastels, oil paint, inks, acrylic paints, and water colors. i.e. things used for weathering.

The Galeria line of products have items like extender and flow improver for acrylic paints.

Then there are things like Turpenoid, brush cleaners, brush holders, brush sets, etc.

I believe there are two near Seattle, (Everett and Lynnwood).

I know Tuckerton well,my Grandmother used to own a house on Flamingo road. That is a pretty good haul to Wayne.Hope you can make it...

John

It seems HL has gone more towards cars in the last several years. The one near my house has a lot of them. I've gotten some really good deals on some hasegawa aircraft kits there in years past, just not lately.

I go there to pick up the occasional MM paint, #11 blades and various other stuff. I do like that they have non-conventional hobby stuff as well... a large oil paint selection, brushes, other tools, etc.. It would be nice if they carried Vallejo or Alclad. That stuff is sparse at LHS, in the Houston area, so I end up going online.

I live in the Kansas City area and the Hobby Lobby's here don't have a lot when it comes to models on the shelf. They have decent supplies like glue and paint. Their prices seem reasonable. I've talked to the manager a few times and you can tell she has no interest in plastic models.

Yesterday however I went to Hobby Haven in Overland Park. The prices on the models were ok, lots of supplies seemed old, lots of dust on everything. The paint supplies layout made no sense but maybe just because it was the first time I was there. Lot's of RC stuff.

But I do believe in supporting my local hobby shop so I will be going back.

Sprue-ce Goose

If you heard us talking about it, then you heard people complain that the number of kits have been downsized.

OTOH...........nearly everybody who complains about  that also says they use the 40 percent off coupons to buy air brushes and air compressors, kits, paint, etc. at Hobby Lobby.

Win some

Lose some

Ditto. Once upon a time, they had a fine selection of Tamiya, Trumpeter, Academy and Dragon armor kits. Dragon kits vanished, Trumpeter armor dwindled down to a couple over-priced kits, Academy is down to the Abrams and Bradley (updated parts added to 25 yr old kits), and Tamiya's got the same 5-6 kits at the various Hobby Lobbies I've visited.

The 40% off coupons are good for tools and such, but after a while you end up buying items with it that you really don't need but might use someday.

They do place a lot of stuff on clearance (you can't usethe coupon on those items). I have noticed that sometimes the clearance is 50% off, other times it is 30% off, so the clearance price isn't as good as being able to use the coupon. They also have a 30% off model sale about once a month, but again, not as good as the coupon. Their regular priced models are over priced so the 30% off sale normally brings the kit price in line with what you may find at a "real" hobby shop.

jtrace214

Trouble,where in So Jersey are you?,we have people that come from Pa,and all over NJ. If you can make it,try and get to Mosquitcon 7 April 2012 at the Wayne PAL building defin. worth a 2+ hour drive.If you do come I will be working the door (big guy with hat),If you live near Jackson there is a shop there also one in Sea Girt I believe....Check the back of FSM I know the is a few in SNJ. Any other info on the show just check our site NJIPMS.org great site too.

 

John

I think I live close to your "condo" site, near Tuckerton..I`m in Mystic Island, Little Egg Harbor TWP. I`ve been trying to go to Mosquitocon for the past few years but life keeps rearing it`s ugly head. I know about the HS in Jackson, never been there tho`. Believe me , I`ve done lots of searching for LHS`s, most good ones are 40-50 miles from me. The Haymarket, Ship Bottom, on LBI has a decent little model section but don`t sell Tamiya paints but do have some things you can`t get at ACMoore/Mikes`. Oddmanrush (Jon) lives down this way and goes to that show...I`m marking it down on my calendar  and will check out your site.

Thanks for the info..I would`ve missed it!

Len

Trouble,where in So Jersey are you?,we have people that come from Pa,and all over NJ. If you can make it,try and get to Mosquitcon 7 April 2012 at the Wayne PAL building defin. worth a 2+ hour drive.If you do come I will be working the door (big guy with hat),If you live near Jackson there is a shop there also one in Sea Girt I believe....Check the back of FSM I know the is a few in SNJ. Any other info on the show just check our site NJIPMS.org great site too.

John

tigerman

troublemaker66:

 

tigerman:

 

I doubt we'll ever get one up here in the Pacific NW. I haven't any idea where the nearest is? Arizona? Cali?

 

Hobby Lobby sounds just like an AC Moore`s or Michael`s...which both have 40-50% off coupons and Revellogram kits on the shelves. I sent an Email to ACMoore`s customer service dept, asking for a little more variety in their kit offerings. They sent me an email saying they would pass my request to their purchasing dept. Soon after, for a short while, they actually had a few different kits but all still Revell stuff. Lately, it`s back to the same ol same ol` kits. Now, I use coupons for airbrush parts mostly and some supplies.

 

 

They used to have Dragon and better Tamiya kits didn't they? That would have been nice to get with the coupons.

troublemaker66

 

tigerman:

 

I doubt we'll ever get one up here in the Pacific NW. I haven't any idea where the nearest is? Arizona? Cali?

 

Hobby Lobby sounds just like an AC Moore`s or Michael`s...which both have 40-50% off coupons and Revellogram kits on the shelves. I sent an Email to ACMoore`s customer service dept, asking for a little more variety in their kit offerings. They sent me an email saying they would pass my request to their purchasing dept. Soon after, for a short while, they actually had a few different kits but all still Revell stuff. Lately, it`s back to the same ol same ol` kits. Now, I use coupons for airbrush parts mostly and some supplies.

 

They used to have Dragon and better Tamiya kits didn't they? That would have been nice to get with the coupons.

I stand corrected. I didn't think there was one in the NW.

We got one here in eastern WA last year.  This store actually has  a fair amount of ok stuff, some Tamiya and Academy as well as Revellogram.  Also, they have a pretty fair selection of tools and paints.  I find that the 40% coupons are often very useful.  In contrast, I've found that our local Hobbytown is pretty expensive and seems to cater mostly to the RC crowd.

Ken

tigerman

I doubt we'll ever get one up here in the Pacific NW. I haven't any idea where the nearest is? Arizona? Cali?

I doubt we'll ever get one up here in the Pacific NW. I haven't any idea where the nearest is? Arizona? Cali?

I went to one down in Monroe LA last week for the first time, the store only had a small poor selection of military kits. I have more models in my stash than the store did but they did have a Revell 1/48 A-6 Intruder that I picked up (can't have too many of those).

Scott

On the bench:  1/350 USS Arizona,  

jtrace214

Hey,Marc did you see when it was gonna open? Can you please PM me with any info about the club news-letter,had me wondering. Or just gimme a call.

 

John

they use to have a good amount of tamiya kits. 

WingNut- I've found that Hobby Lobby stores can vary from store to store, but each has universally been a decent place to shop for necessary work bench supplies.  I've found a broad variety of products beyond model kits to buy there; if they have a RR section then you'll find the basic diorama stuff, in crafts you may find the items to pass as scale chain and cables.  I buy the majority of my brushes and tube oil paints at the local store as they carry a fantastic lineup of quality arts supplies.

Look around and see- as at a Michael's, there's just so much stuff that could be useful either right now or later.

But as everyone else has mentioned, their kit selection is geared more to "here's an expensive model, shut up and shop" aisle rather than a serious model store or even a HobbyTown.

Hey,Marc did you see when it was gonna open? Can you please PM me with any info about the club news-letter,had me wondering. Or just gimme a call.

John

Should add they've recently started carrying Flex-i-file stuff, including touch-n-flow. So there's that...

Lots of good just 'cause stuff...but as far as models go...unless you have a hankering for the Revell/Monogram F-4, F-84, SBD, A6, B-25, F-14, F-15 a couple of snap together and a few cars and a couple of tanks you are out of luck.

Five years or so ago, HL was the place to find Accurate Miniatures, Dragon and Hasegawa, utilize their quarterly 50% sale or the monthly 40% coupon.  Now they are heavy Revelogram/AMT (sometimes there is a find) with the occasional find in the clearance section....not often though.  Great place for related supplies, i.e., oil paints, brushes, diorama supplies, etc. with regular sales that make the pricing reasonable.

Five years ago I would drive an hour each way to take advantage of the 40 or 50% sales....now there is one 20 minutes away and I rarely go there.

I had a feeling it was going to be a place for the... "DAMN... I need some red paint..." run.

I know Avenel well.  Been doing my serious model buying there since coming bacl to the hobby in '05.  Don't bother telling John or Randy you know me.  They may charge you extra

Manny, I will remember to take a deep breath when I go in.

They are good for some modeling supplies---but if you are holding your breath for actual models, you'll die for lack of oxygen...just sayin'...

Where will this  be at Marc,also have you been to Avenel Hobbies in Colonia ? Great store and selection,I only discovered it last month

If you heard us talking about it, then you heard people complain that the number of kits have been downsized.

OTOH...........nearly everybody who complains about  that also says they use the 40 percent off coupons to buy air brushes and air compressors, kits, paint, etc. at Hobby Lobby.

Win some

Lose some