Priceing, PE, after market $$$

rooster513

 

Ahrenisavagabond

 

It is my hope that they someday kit builders will incorporate more PE right into certain kits. I'd be willing to pay a percent more for a kit that had PE integrated in altogether. Just don't gouge me with a huge markup. 

 

 

 

 

 

Eduard has their Profipack kit series which includes some nice PE. I picked up a Mk VIII at a show for $18 which is great for me b/c it's my first real taste of PE and I know there will be a learning curve. I think most of them run $40ish (correct me if I'm wrong) retail which isn't a bad deal considering the PE and level of detail most of them seem to have. Others would know better as this is the first Profipack that I've built.

 

That Eduard approach is a good way of doing it, offer the same kit in differant levels and at differant prices. But the PE set you get, at least in the kits of have seen, is the basic Zoom set for the pit. I don't know what scale your kit is, so hard to say if you got a bargain, but generally i think the Profi pack are a fgood deal when coimpared to the weekend versions.

Bish

 

rooster513

 

Ahrenisavagabond

 

It is my hope that they someday kit builders will incorporate more PE right into certain kits. I'd be willing to pay a percent more for a kit that had PE integrated in altogether. Just don't gouge me with a huge markup. 

 

 

 

 

 

Eduard has their Profipack kit series which includes some nice PE. I picked up a Mk VIII at a show for $18 which is great for me b/c it's my first real taste of PE and I know there will be a learning curve. I think most of them run $40ish (correct me if I'm wrong) retail which isn't a bad deal considering the PE and level of detail most of them seem to have. Others would know better as this is the first Profipack that I've built.

 

 

 

 

That Eduard approach is a good way of doing it, offer the same kit in differant levels and at differant prices. But the PE set you get, at least in the kits of have seen, is the basic Zoom set for the pit. I don't know what scale your kit is, so hard to say if you got a bargain, but generally i think the Profi pack are a fgood deal when coimpared to the weekend versions.

 

Hey Bish, it's a 1/48 scale Spitfire Mk VIII. Yeah it's pretty basic and it's colored PE which I know some really don't like but it allowed me to see if PE is something I like working with and would willing to invest in.

rooster513

 

Bish

 

rooster513

 

Ahrenisavagabond

 

It is my hope that they someday kit builders will incorporate more PE right into certain kits. I'd be willing to pay a percent more for a kit that had PE integrated in altogether. Just don't gouge me with a huge markup. 

 

 

 

 

 

Eduard has their Profipack kit series which includes some nice PE. I picked up a Mk VIII at a show for $18 which is great for me b/c it's my first real taste of PE and I know there will be a learning curve. I think most of them run $40ish (correct me if I'm wrong) retail which isn't a bad deal considering the PE and level of detail most of them seem to have. Others would know better as this is the first Profipack that I've built.

 

 

 

 

That Eduard approach is a good way of doing it, offer the same kit in differant levels and at differant prices. But the PE set you get, at least in the kits of have seen, is the basic Zoom set for the pit. I don't know what scale your kit is, so hard to say if you got a bargain, but generally i think the Profi pack are a fgood deal when coimpared to the weekend versions.

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Bish, it's a 1/48 scale Spitfire Mk VIII. Yeah it's pretty basic and it's colored PE which I know some really don't like but it allowed me to see if PE is something I like working with and would willing to invest in.

 

Ye, thats a good price for that scale. Your right in that this is a good way todecide if you wnat to do PE. The golden rule for PE for me is kowing which bits not to use as much as what to use.

The value of something is the price people will pay for it- sort of a definition of free market.

Alternative is price control- do we want that?  I suspect price controls reduces the selection of goods.

I just want something for us mortal builders, a kit, a maybe less cost PE. Maybe have a type, like eduards for the elite builders. Then maybe a off brand, maybe not as detail?, for us low to med builders?

Tojo72

 

the Baron

Putting on my old curmudgeon hat now, and saying that you can do what we did, back in the day, before there was PE or aftermarket anything, and scratchbuild those details.

And yes, I did build a model in the snow, uphill, both ways!

Seriously, though, you really can scratch a lot of things that folks otherwise represent with PE or resin or whatever.  Some of you may know Bob Ciccone from the shows, he builds 1/700 ships, and while he does use contemporary aftermarket materials, he also scratches a lot of his details.  He makes rails, for example, from stretched sprue, and it looks fantastic.  The judges think so, too, since he wins awards for his models.  But this is to illustrate my point, that you can do those things yourself, too.  Aftermarket supplies are first and foremost a convenience.

Maybe you could Baron,but I have no scratch building aptitude at all  So I will either build OOB or add a small amount of AM to my builds.

modelmaker66

That is why I look to ebay, and only buy a deal. If it is not what I want or in my price, then I don't buy it. It takes a little while to find the deals, but they are there. 

Now and then you do get good buys on eBay but the real bargains are at model vendor tables. The price of shipping ruins the great price for the item so I try to look for the ones offering free shipping or ones accepting offers.

At the modeling show vendor tables, I have purchased $30 to $60 kits for $15 to $25. I remember one show in Tennessee where an old guy was selling 1/72 models for $1 and $2 so I grabbed several kits including the Hasegawa Betty with the Ohka Mk. 11 factory sealed for $2. I also bought a Williams Brothers C-47 for $2. 

Then there are sellers asking close to retail so you have to walk around and check things out.

The cost of aftermarket parts, and the cost of our hobby in general is relative. 

I work with many fire-arms enthusiasts.  They spend $500 to $1500 on a firearm as often as I complete a kit (about 4 a year).  Then, they spend $25 for a box for ammunition which they can expell in minute, literally.  

Car guys and racers spend hundreds of dollars for every part they put into their machine.  Then, they buy race fuel at $5 a gallon.  Then, they see how fast it burns in a 1/4 mile.  

Boaters:  BOAT stands for, "Bust Out Another Thousand."  Fuel, dock fees, transport, storage for the winter.  Then, there's going to the boat, which entails food, beer and life preservers.  

I don't even worry about the cost of kits and aftermarket stuff.  A kit will keep me busy for months, and it's relatively cheap (compared to other hobbies.)

Just my 2 cents,

Chris 

I agree with you rideusmc , but by the very nature of modeling , alway's on the lookout for anything we can utilise in our hobby , most of us are tight , lol

Mrchntmarine

Ummm, what's PE? I saw a thread somewhere, I think here on this forum, with a list of terms, abbreviations and the like. Now I can't find it - trying to get the lingo down. Tks

 

It's great stuff!

(you do need to use CA(superglue) though...regular model glue won't do it)

I am a huge fan of the color-zoom variety. I'm pretty good at painting, but can't even come close to what you get with a precolored instrument panel...especially in 1/72.

Here is a comparison of kit detail vs. the zoom PE.

All you have to do is cut off the molded detail, so you have a smooth surface to glue the PE to.

Occassionally, I'll splurge and get full detail sets. This A-10 is getting the works. precolored bits in the pit, you can see the "raw" piece on the turtle deck, where there was just smooth plastic.

With the color-zoom sets (which are usually quite affordable, for the difference they make), you typically get you panels, seat harnesses and a few other little do-dads.

Mrchntmarine

What about just lightly sanding the gauges, etc. to get a smooth surface to glue to?

 

That is just what I meant.

In some cases, you'll have to sand down enough material to make up for the thickness of the PE part. As an example...sometimes the instrument panel is meant to sit right on the side consoles. If the PE side consoles are a bit long, the instrument panel will end up a touch high, then won't fit right within the fuselage or will be pressed against the coaming/shroud. This situation is pretty rare though, I've only encountered it a couple times...the other trouble spot being when the face of the IP meets the front edge of the side consoles, the thickness of the PE throws things off. The vast majority have been pretty much a "plug-n-play" situation...designed to fit without any modification, other than cleaning off existing detail.

fermis

 

 

That is just what I meant.

In some cases, you'll have to sand down enough material to make up for the thickness of the PE part. As an example...sometimes the instrument panel is meant to sit right on the side consoles. If the PE side consoles are a bit long, the instrument panel will end up a touch high, then won't fit right within the fuselage or will be pressed against the coaming/shroud. This situation is pretty rare though, I've only encountered it a couple times...the other trouble spot being when the face of the IP meets the front edge of the side consoles, the thickness of the PE throws things off. The vast majority have been pretty much a "plug-n-play" situation...designed to fit without any modification, other than cleaning off existing detail.

 

 

IP??

Mrchntmarine

 

IP?? 

Instrument Panel

fermis

 

 

Mrchntmarine

 

IP?? 

 

 

 

Instrument Panel

 

Ahhh, tks again!!  I'll have to start my own dictionary of abbreviations.