YEAH! WAYYYY TOO MUCH$ I'm glad that I bought the ones that I've got a loooooong time ago when they were still too expensive!

I embrace the ones that I've got but I won't buy any more.

Suggested retail is $54, discounted is $44 Last time I ordered it was in the $30's.  I guess the real problem is compared to the Dollar, the Euro is worth 40% more now than 6 years ago.

I'm now looking at Model Kasten as an alternative. Looks like I will have to give up the weight that Friules have.   Greg.

Cursed declining Dollar....

I've only bought one set of those things, and I probably won't ever again.  Perhaps I'm old-fasioned, but I really don't see anything wrong with kit tracks.  Of course, I'm an Armor-modeler-in-training, so what do I know.

Too bad they went up. I won't pay it. A lot of guys really love them though. As for me, they are an unnecessary luxury..... uh yes, a real "frill".

This absolutely seals my decision to never use these tracks......I never have anyway, and I've not had any problems with using the kit tracks that I couldn't fix with a bit of time and effort.
Now that they are costing even more (maybe) people will use more initiative and dig a little deeper to develop their talents to produce realistic results with the kit parts and enjoy the benefits of those efforts.
 
I get much more satisfaction in producing equal or better looking tracks by using what comes in the box along with the added bonus of helping me to improve my ability, plus, (as kit prices stealthily creep up) the money I save will go toward being able to afford them.

disastermaster wrote:

This absolutely seals my decision to never use these tracks......I never have anyway, and I've not had any problems with using the kit tracks that I couldn't fix with a bit of time and effort. Now that they are costing even more (maybe) people will use more initiative and dig a little deeper to develop their talents to produce realistic results with the kit parts and enjoy the benefits of those efforts.

Disaster :

Hmmm.....It sounds as though there are no "skills" involved in assembling a set of Fruil Track by your assessment. This is a common misconception by those who have never built a set. Believe me, drilling a couple of hundred blocks with a pin vice and assembling them with pins/wire is definitely a "skill".

I think it is better to assume a "live and let live" policy when it comes to AM accessories. Fruil track are just as challenging  and satisfying as kit tracks, I have built BOTH.

I'm not trying to start a flamer here, so please think about your reply. I respect your decision to reject the AM track, I'm just asking for that respect in return as to my choices. That way we all get along and can agree to disagree.

Also, some of us have "earned" the right to purchase what some perceive as "outrageous" accessories that are "insanely" priced. I guess it depends on what a person can afford and what they can't. Do you drive a Focus or a Ferrarri?

Some people pay $6.00 for a cup of foamy coffee. This is not an indictment for Starbucks or thier patrons. Isn't it the same analogy when it comes to modeling? Think about it dude. Its not about Fruil tracks or a PE set that replaces the entire styrene  of the Dragon half track.

Its just about choices......You create from the minimum, that is your bag....your post implies that an AM purchase suggests a lack of "skill". I couldn't disagree more, but I still respect your right to do as you please. How about some in return?

regards,

Steve

zokissima wrote:

Yeah, this kinda is a kick in the back, but I guess it was to be expected. I just wish I picked up those Tiger I mid tracks when they were still cheaper.

 You could still check on Ebay, there are loads of Friuls listed for around $32 still.  Though the shipping to Canada is probably where they'll sock it to ya.

Never used 'em, never saw their overwhelming advantage over any other decent indy-link track.

Proper painting and attentive assembly with regard to sag can easily negate that perceived advantage, IMHO.

I like to think of all the extra kits and PE I've got by not spending the money for them. 

This is sounding a bit like Aftermarket Annonymous.

MY NAME IS GUY......AND I BUY FRUILS, I DONT WANT TOO, BUT CANT SUPRESS THE URGE. HEELLLLLLPPPPPPP. LOL

...Guy

disastermaster wrote:

Too bad they went up. I won't pay it. A lot of guys really love them though. As for me, they are an unnecessary luxury..... uh yes, a real "frill". This absolutely seals my decision to never use these tracks......I never have anyway, and I've not had any problems with using the kit tracks that I couldn't fix with a bit of time and effort. Now that they are costing even more (maybe) people will use more initiative and dig a little deeper to develop their talents to produce realistic results with the kit parts and enjoy the benefits of those efforts.   I get much more satisfaction in producing equal or better looking tracks by using what comes in the box along with the added bonus of helping me to improve my ability, plus, (as kit prices stealthily creep up) the money I save will go toward being able to afford them.

I've got three or four sets waiting to be used for some future projects, but when we are speaking of $50+ and on my meager budgit I don't see me buying anymore. I also have some sets of Model Kasten Tracks, and they are not bad either. Maybe a little harder to work with.

gary

The main reason Fruils are going up in price is where they are produced. They are produced in Europe where their costs are all measured in Euros. So, declining dollar value relative to the Euro means higher USD prices. Be prepared to see similar things happening in the future for similar items from Eduard, Aber, Armorscale, etc. The same thing may happen as well to a lesser degree for items coming from Asia depending on how the USD does against their currencies as well. Currency markets are subject to the same capitalist influences as all the others.

As far as the whole "skill vs. AM" debate, it's possible to spend the $$$ and load up a kit with all the AM imaginable and have it finished looking awful...throwing money at a kit doesn't magically transform it into a masterpiece or award winning show stopper, it's the "skill" of the builder at every stage that produces the end result. Using AM items vs. scratchbuilding usually comes down to a question of time/resources more than skill...although both options in the end require it to some degree to produce a solid result. All comes down to where you want to devote your time and skill and there's plenty of room in the hobby for multiple paths that lead to the same destination. Some prefer to scratchbuild, some prefer kit tracks over AM, some prefer PE to resin, and some prefer OOB. Each one requires their own set of "skill" application to be used effectively and depending on what you want to achieve...for some areas to achieve a desired level of detail, AM's the only route to do so, in their judgement, quickly and effectively, and the different manufacturers are happy to oblige.

crockett wrote:

disastermaster wrote:   This absolutely seals my decision to never use these tracks......I never have anyway, and I've not had any problems with using the kit tracks that I couldn't fix with a bit of time and effort. Now that they are costing even more (maybe) people will use more initiative and dig a little deeper to develop their talents to produce realistic results with the kit parts and enjoy the benefits of those efforts.   Disaster : Hmmm.....It sounds as though there are no "skills" involved in assembling a set of Fruil Track by your assessment. This is a common misconception by those who have never built a set. Believe me, drilling a couple of hundred blocks with a pin vice and assembling them with pins/wire is definitely a "skill". I think it is better to assume a "live and let live" policy when it comes to AM accessories. Fruil track are just as challenging  and satisfying as kit tracks, I have built BOTH. I'm not trying to start a flamer here, so please think about your reply. I respect your decision to reject the AM track, I'm just asking for that respect in return as to my choices. That way we all get along and can agree to disagree. Also, some of us have "earned" the right to purchase what some perceive as "outrageous" accessories that are "insanely" priced. I guess it depends on what a person can afford and what they can't. Do you drive a Focus or a Ferrarri? Some people pay $6.00 for a cup of foamy coffee. This is not an indictment for Starbucks or thier patrons. Isn't it the same analogy when it comes to modeling? Think about it dude. Its not about Fruil tracks or a PE set that replaces the entire styrene  of the Dragon half track. Its just about choices......You create from the minimum, that is your bag....your post implies that an AM purchase suggests a lack of "skill". I couldn't disagree more, but I still respect your right to do as you please. How about some in return? regards, Steve

"I'm not trying to start a flamer here"......

........I'm just asking for that respect in return as to my choices........

Oh, I know that. This was not addressed to you personally. I'm sorry if you feel hurt or offended. Merry Christmas. Steve

I wanted to order a set yesterday to try them but they're twice as much as the kit. 

I am a modelkasten fan myself, mainly because i prefer working with plastic. However no matter how good you are with kit tracks or modelkasten, there just are a few instances where there is no way around Friuls if accuracy is improtant to you. Right now i'm in the proccess of building an early Tiger II, these used tracks different from the later versions, i don't know of any kit that comes with these tracks, modelkasten doesn't make them either so i only had one choice and that was Friul.

Im sorry to hear that the price is going up on them.

I am sometimes confused and seek clarification. I was courious at the thought that the OOB (Often rubber band) was considered a more "skilled" or pure form of build than the 160 track links or more in an AM track kit? NO arguments or ill will intended. I remember back when I took a Monogram Pzkfw IV and made a Brumbar. Tons of fun. Sheet plastic, ping pong ball, Squadern Green stuff zim coating. However it wouldn't compare with todays kits and AM parts. I truly feel what Bill said is true. AM allows a good builder to advance farther. I am not at the level that the resin producers are at, so even though I can try to make a custom conversion on my own, I know that the final results probably will not be at the quality level I want. AM allows those few with the highest scratchbuilding skills to share their talents...for a fee.

OK, got my attention with all the comments about the weakening dollar and strengthening Euro, especially since I'm off to Europe this summer.  Then I noticed that the thread was 8 years old.  Yes, I remember the dollar's decline in 2007.  

Don

Purchased a set of Fruil late war Panther tracks from a LHS for $5  four months ago...................................part of a stash they bought and re-sold.

They have since noticed the error of their ways in the prices of Fruil sets.....................I won't get that kinda deal again..........

As far as buying new......................at the prices being charged these days.............not gonna happen.

Yeah, I was thinking if they went from fifty bucks to sixty bucks in eight years it's actually pretty good considering how much everything else has jumped in price....

Interesting post Reaper and thanks for kicking it to the top since this was back before I joined the forum and I haven't seen it till now. I've never used them. They do look cool but I just can't see spending on aftermarket the price of almost two whole kits. Plus the whole drilling them out thing just seems like a lot of work.