Leroy Gardner

"Boy" lots of snow in your neck of the woods Vincent, and Traverse City where the wood chopper lives, that be Tom Crump is having fun with it also. I don't have enough to brag about so can't say anything,
I paid $139.99 for my kit some time back and it was a really nice kit, you would think raising the cost $20.00 the quality would be the same, so much for pride any more, if you want it you have to build it in which you are doing, nice as usual.

Leroy

VincentJ

Thanks Leroy! How long ago did you buy your Tiger? I'm sure these kits are cut and assembled in China, they need to get the word out to them about the problems, which can easily be corrected...

Leroy Gardner

I bought my kit Dec. 2012, I thought they were cut in the USA.

Leroy

VincentJ

I don't know for fact that they are cut in China, I was only speculating because of the poor quality. I would be surprised and embarrassed if they are a product of the USA!

TomCrump

Just guessing, here.
I believe that Hobbico owns Phoenix. I wonder if Phoenix is cutting their kits to hold down costs.

VincentJ

Tom, I think I saw that Hobbico has declared bankruptcy...

TomCrump

Ya, heard that, Wed afternoon.

I don't buy too much from them, mostly CA and hardware.

If they don't come out of bankruptcy, I'll need to find a new supplier for those items.

RICKSTUBBZ

Hobbico files for bankruptcy; layoffs next? | News-Gazette.com

VincentJ

It's a sad thing Rick, so many large long time business' are succumbing to bankruptcy or closing due to declined sales.

RICKSTUBBZ

Times have certainly changed....
The hobby we have spent so many years enjoying is not what it was.
The reasons are many, I have no doubt. Sad to see things going the direction they are.

I expect eventually it will revert back to the old days. Those that want it bad enough will find a way to create their own aircraft.

Reading stuff about Hobbico, I can certainly see why the quality of kits produced under their banner is so bad. The bad comments by employees outnumber good ones by at least 20 to 1 that I could see.

Hopefully they can sell the place off in pieces so the individual companies can try to save their own niche in the industry. Sad to think this could end with no: Top Flight, Goldberg, or Great Planes kits left....

TomCrump

If the end does come, I suspect that these companies will be purchased. The new owners will keep the top sellers and discard the rest. It's the way business works these days.

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

I wonder if John Brodak will buy any of the pieces? He has bought several others that fit within his market niche. He started out in the grocery business so he must be well versed on operating on slim margins so common in this hobby now days.

Tom Nied

This is really bumming me out. I live in Illinois and buy from Tower frequently. This is not good. That plane in my avatar is a Tower Uproar. I really like Hobbico products.

Trax540

My Feedback: (1)

Guess that might explain why 3 contact requests to have parts replaced on this Tiger 60 have gone unanswered =/

Really bummed out too cause i wanted to get a GS Corsair ordered from Tower. Really hoping somehow things either bounce back or someone else picks it up.

VincentJ

Trax540, that very well may be, but I just received an email from Tower the other day advertising sales items!

Work continues on the left wing panel. You can't own too many clamps, here I've clamped all of the shear webbing into place.

TomCrump

I don't understand it all, but I don't think filing for bankruptcy protection means that Hobbico is going out of business. If approved by the courts, it means that they have some protection from creditors while they attempt to get their finances in order.

RICKSTUBBZ

I agree, Every time I buy a couple more, it seems like I need a couple more.
That's crazy too. Considering the first couple of RC planes I ever built, I had no clamps...
Of course, that's not to say that my first couple of RC planes were all that square either

RICKSTUBBZ

For grins - I dug up two of my favorite clamp pictures

VincentJ

[QUOTE=RICKSTUBBZ;12398043[i]]I agree, Every time I buy a couple more, it seems like I need a couple more.

Love that quote Rick, it made me laugh!!!

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

I want those two favorite clamps! Where did you find them?

VincentJ

Here's a look at how the shear webbing turned out on the right wing panel. The wing has already had its incidence checked and set, so now it's time to sheet it right after I get the servo blocking into place.

Hydro Junkie

Will this work?
Two 24'' and Two 48'' Irwin Parallel Clamps with Clamp Rack | Rockler Woodworking and Hardware

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

Irwin makes a good clamp, I have a few bar clamps but the are the bargain made in China brand.

thailazer

Looks like they changed how they are using shear webbing. The old Tiger kits, along with most other designs, have the shear webs between the spars so that they are under compression, making the strongest I-beam possible.

Hydro Junkie

I know, when I built my first Kadet Jr, the instructions gave the option of putting the webbing between the spars or gluing to the rear of the spars. The only catch was that the webbing needed to be glued to the inside of the wing sheeting to be sure of getting enough strength. I agree, the webbing would be better if it is installed between the spars but, all things being equal, I don't think it really matters as much as it would on a larger spanned plane