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Hobby Shops and Modeling Clubs in the Detroit area.

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  • Member since
    January 2013
Hobby Shops and Modeling Clubs in the Detroit area.
Posted by jibber on Sunday, October 27, 2013 3:29 PM

Seems like this entire are is void of shops and I can't find one club in the try-county area.  We do have the Toy and Soldier Shop that is usually great for supplies, but not really for kits. Any help?

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Massachusetts
Posted by ajlafleche on Sunday, October 27, 2013 4:56 PM

Remember, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by jibber on Monday, October 28, 2013 8:02 AM

Thanks

  • Member since
    January 2013
  • From: Motown
Posted by patmat on Monday, October 28, 2013 9:21 PM
Two different Nankin Hobbies... P&D... Prop Shop...West Point... RC Hobbies has kits... Google is your friend my friend...

Pat Matthews

Matthews Model Marine

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by dmc1111 on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 5:36 PM

Try Modelcave in Ypsi.

  • Member since
    May 2009
Posted by SofaKings on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 8:48 PM

Nankin is a good shop.  I visit the one in Farmington Hills on 9 mile frequently.  They have plenty of RC plane business.  Rolled in on a tuesday late morning a few months ago and the place was packed!  had a fire a few years ago but they rebuilt and seem to be doing well!

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: clinton twp,mi
Posted by humper491 on Friday, November 1, 2013 10:55 PM

.if ya wanna travel to the east side, I go to P&D on 13 and Groesbeck or Whistle Stop on Harper just north of 8 mile. I can't remember the name of it, but it's a big one on Van *** and Utica Rd(it used to be at 21 and Van ***)

try IPMS Warren. i'm not in town enough to join, but I've been going their shows(usally in Madison Heights in early spring) for a few years. heck, my first entry in a contest in well over 20 years, I got 3rd place in armor

Humper Beam

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: clinton twp,mi
Posted by humper491 on Friday, November 1, 2013 11:05 PM

back in the early '80s when Prop Shop was closer to 9 mile, i'd saved up my coins to buy the r/c "grasshopper" and control. long story short, had a bad servo. my Gramps took me back to exchange it, that fat B.....erd wouldn't change it out, made me (Gramps) buy a new one.

when I got outta the service, went to see the new shop. it was nice, but I just wanted to see it. never been there since

Humper Beam

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: hamburg michigan
Posted by fermis on Saturday, November 2, 2013 3:07 PM

This guy's got a good shop! Just model kits and supplies for model kits. It's a small, "hole in the wall" type shop, but very well stocked with aircraft...at least 2290!!!

Nankins on Ford rd., is OK for some supplies...a bit pricey on kits though.

Don't bother making the drive to "Just for Fun" hobbies in Brighton (My main LHS...location)...if you need kits. Combine all the kits, and I don't believe he has one more than 228.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: hamburg michigan
Posted by fermis on Saturday, November 2, 2013 3:09 PM

fermis

This guy's got a good shop! Just model kits and supplies for model kits. It's a small, "hole in the wall" type shop, but very well stocked with aircraft...at least 2290!!!

Nankins on Ford rd., is OK for some supplies...a bit pricey on kits though.

Don't bother making the drive to "Just for Fun" hobbies in Brighton (My main LHS...location)...if you need kits. Combine all the kits, and I don't believe he has one more than 228.

 

"Model Cave" in Ypsi is where I was refering to, in the first sentence.

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: clinton twp,mi
Posted by humper491 on Saturday, November 2, 2013 4:31 PM

FERMIS: yer still with us!! where the heck ya been brother, long time no talk???

Humper Beam

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: 7 Square Miles Surrounded By Reality
Posted by Modelcave Max on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 11:39 AM

Here's a link to www.modelcave.com

The coffee is for builders...

  • Member since
    November 2013
Posted by Teutonic222 on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 10:27 AM

As you stated jibber, MIchigan Toy Soldier Co. company in Royal Oak is superb for supplies. The kits they do carry are good brands. P&D in Fraser, as stated in previous posts, is pretty good. They concentrate a lot on model railroading, but that also means they have a good selection of detailing parts like jewels and MV Product lenses for lights. Great Lakes Hobby's in Sterling Heights has a large selection of kits, decent selection of paints, good selection of tools, but not too good on detailing parts.

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by jibber on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 1:03 PM

Thanks for the info, what I was looking for was an old fashioned Hobby Shop where they sell an assortment of kits, supplies, built kits hanging from the ceiling and the rest. I generally work in armor and other military, I've been told that the shop in Ypsi has a descent assortment. I guess thats why we have these threads, these types of shops have went out with the music cassette. I can see how an why online shopping has replaced them, but theres still nothing like going to the store, checking out different things, speaking with the owner and leave with a bundle of stuff. I guess I'm dreaming...

  • Member since
    May 2009
Posted by SofaKings on Thursday, December 26, 2013 9:54 AM

Give Nanking in Farmington Hills a try.  Not too many finished kits but the selection is the best I've seen in Michigan and they appear to add stuff everyday.  Went in last week and they had MiG powders. They will order anything for you.  Their prices are out of wack(too cheap or too expensive) but selection is good.Have never been to model cave and miss the old squadron shop in Madison heights.  A hike from my house as a middle schooler but my mom and best friends mom would take us twice a year.  Those were the days!

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, December 27, 2013 9:26 AM

I've stayed out of this forum so far, since it has been decades since I lived in Detroit, but I was born and raised in the town. In my youth it was a model-friendly area and we had lots of good hobby shops and clubs.  Every Saturday we kids would jump on our bikes and visit a hobby shop.  Our favorite was a great one on Woodward avenue in Ferndale, between 8 and 9 mile.  I am sure it was long gone.  I was primarily a flying model guy then, and a highlight of my modeling youth was attending the Plymouth Nationals (or was it the Internats) at Selfridge field!

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    May 2009
Posted by SofaKings on Friday, December 27, 2013 11:25 AM

Very cool!

  • Member since
    January 2014
Posted by Silver on Sunday, January 12, 2014 6:42 PM
Ypsilanti (Metro-Detroit) 1(734)316-2281 - 103 W Michigan ave
  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by jibber on Monday, January 13, 2014 5:17 PM

Don I agree with you that in our youth, the Detroit area was great for modeling and hobbies in general. I do miss those stores, seems the owners were more than willing to offer a new technique or recommend  a new kit. It was a competition to get your model shown in the store (usually by a string) but then again the options we have today are awesome.  

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