Author Topic: Another episode from our life in this alternate universe........ (Read 3808 times)

Scott Richlen · « **on:** February 17, 2011, 08:37:40 PM »

True story and it happened to me today: I go to a local hobby shop "Hobby Works". I walk in and ask: "canopies?" the clerk looks at me like I have neon eyeballs and a horn coming out of my forehead. I'm thinking "maybe he doesn't speak English?" So I repeat: "where would I find canopies? I need the Sig 9 inch" Still nothing. And he is still staring at me like he doesn't understand. I'm thinking "did I somehow lapse into speaking Lithuanian or something?" I mean, this is really difficult since I don't speak any foreign languages except model airplane. So now I say "you know, the clear piece of plastic over the cockpit? The thingy that protects the pilot from the wind?" tick-tock, tick-tock, and now I notice his lips begin to part to say something to me. My mind is screaming "Houston we have lift-off! Yes!! Yes!!"

And he utters the words "aftermarket"

"What??"

"That's an aftermarket part, it has to be ordered." And he gestures to the row of made-in-China RC ARFs sitting on their shelf.

Mike Keville · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2011, 08:39:21 PM »

Gee, what a surprise ..... NOT!

BrianW517 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2011, 12:35:25 AM »

Canopy's? Isn't that something you eat at a dinner/dance party like or'dervies

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2011, 01:39:39 AM »

Doesn't surprise me one bit. It won't be too long and you'll get the same response when you walk in and say "glue?"

Jerry Leuty · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:49:25 AM »

It is true our world is getting very impersonal. But at our local hobby supplier? I expect that at the drs. office, oil change place, and so forth. But I expect to meet people who speak the language when it comes to modeling. I have a dealer about some 60 miles away and while they do carry some C/L kits and supplies, they are mainly R/C planes and cars. That's OK. Sometimes I get the feeling like I am being watched while I am in there. Sort of like; what is he going to steal? It is probably just my preception. They are generally friendly to some degree. So why do I go back? They have great prices on kits and supplies. I got a Brodak Legacy kit for Christmas that was priced at $92. Much less than I could of ordered it from John himself. Actually I shop about 5 different hobby suppliers here in the north Texas area. I try to keep them all in business. I don't spend as much on my airplanes as my wife does on her quilting material. So when I want a new engine, say from Brodak's new Aviastar .46, this coming summers Brodak Fly In, I get it. It will go great in my new Legacy kit that should be finishing up by then. I love this stuff.............Jerry

Brett Buck · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2011, 12:33:48 PM »

Quote from: Jerry Leuty on February 20, 2011, 11:49:25 AM

But I expect to meet people who speak the language when it comes to modeling.

But the sad thing is that for the most part, they *don't* speak the same language. Hobby items are pre-manufactured spare parts. That's exactly what the OP is about - the perception that we have about it is completely foreign to the vast majority of the hooby shop types.

Brett

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2011, 12:35:38 PM »

Quote from: Scott Richlen on February 17, 2011, 08:37:40 PM

"That's an aftermarket part, it has to be ordered." And he gestures to the row of made-in-China RC ARFs sitting on their shelf.

Translation: "Please, sir, shop somewhere else."

John Sunderland · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2011, 01:12:16 PM »

A similar experience here. Last year I was looking for some motor mount material. Expecting that surely every hobby shop must carry this in order for anyone who actually builds an airplane requiring a small two stroke for power....Its a must have right! He doesnt know what I am talking about ...... and Im thinking "Surely!", 1/2" x 3/8" x 1' is a simple cut of preferably hard maple wood that even the hobby shops that arent hobby shops but sell "farts and craps" to wifey poo carries this. Nope!

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2011, 02:05:21 PM »

Sir; This is an expensive toy store, not a hobby shop. By the way, what is a hobby shop?

Jerry Leuty · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2011, 03:47:02 PM »

I get it. I get it. I really do. The days of the old tyme hobby shops are gone. It is all RTFs or ARFs. So it is with the R/C guys. We are a bunch of dinosaurs that still must go out and forage for our raw stock material. We are the last frontier in model aviation. No one makes their own golf clubs, their own 30/30 hunting rifles, or graphite fishing rods. But we get a thrill out of taking a set of plans and creating our own works of art. That is a man thing. I love to get an image, cut raw stock, assemble-grind-and fit, stuff together. Paint it and then go fly it. And when it flies better than I can handle it I like it even better. But today's man wants a cheaper gratification with less time investment. No wonder the divorce rate is 74% for first time marriages. Younger folks are lacking in commitment to anything. Well enough of the 'whats wrong with society today' stuff. What do we the model builder do about it? You seek out a couple of good hobby suppliers and you find what you are looking for and you buy 4 of every thing. Canopies, bell cranks, lite wheels, hard wood maple, etc. you get the picture. Hobby Lobby does carry some wood stuff that we can use. You will not find contest grade balsa in there. Home Depot carries a few things as well if you use your imagination. Long story short is; don't expect to find a C/L supplier in every state much less every town. Most have adapted as you will see in the pits at any contest across this great Nation of ours.

RC Storick · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2011, 04:55:35 PM »

This is what I have been speaking of. No own knows anything. Go to the auto parts store. Ask for the part, the clerk says GOT A PART NUMBER? Even if they have it better check and make sure its packaged correctly and is the right part before leaving store.

When I go to the store for anything (unless its gaming) I want the oldest person on the lot. Not saying I always get the right answer but I do have a better chance.

bob branch · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2011, 05:07:17 PM »

Sorry, but I don't think we have a monopoly on this. Other than that there are so few young people flying rc this is the loudest lament I hear in my RC club as well. Fortunately, we have a pretty good hobby shop an hour away, The Prop Shop. http://www.propshophobbies.com/ and while most of their RC stuff is arf's these days they have a full selection of builders supplies including metal fuel tanks, a variety of control line handles, lines in different diameters of wire, and lengths, and even control line and free flight kits. Even dope! You can buy about every canopy sig makes, except the wedding canopy.... sig does make one don't they? They have even set it up so you can order online and they usually beat Tower's prices on almost everything. Oh, and men and women working there who know their stuff and if they don't are willing to interupt one of the other employees who does know the area you are asking about. All in all, even though its an hour's drive each way, its a deal. If they don't have it they will in 48 hours. Great service!.

bob branch

Sheldon Hartwell · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2011, 05:59:09 PM »

As Jerry stated, I feel like a dinosaur when I go into the local hobby shop and ask for some of these things for we builders. The supply section for builders is steadily shrinking, and the section of arf's and rtf,s is increasing. A sign of the times I suppose. Less attention span, quicker instant gratification. ( sigh ).
But I think one of the most frustrating things is when I go in with a set gameplan for materials. Of coarse they don't have anything that I need , so I'm having to immediately try to find alternatives for what will work. Then , down the line in construction, you're trying to figure out why you bought this or that and how it fills into your bill of materials.
Sheldon
Oh, and by the way, don't even get me started when I asked them about silkspan and dope.

Mike Keville · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2011, 06:03:26 PM »

"The times, they are a'changin' " .... and not for the better.
$:-\$
Folks at the Academy of Mostly ARFs are probably happy, though.

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #14 on:** February 21, 2011, 07:59:58 AM »

The big thing I remember about growing up in KC as a kid, was going to the hobby shop where guys buying new engines were taken out back to the alley where they were set up and run. I also remember drooling over the spark engines in the window display. And, no matter what part of town you were in, there was a hobby shop. When you stop and think about it, most of us older guys are really blessed to have grown up when we did.

Dwayne · « **Reply #15 on:** February 21, 2011, 08:41:45 AM »

Yes the old corner hobby shop is gone but I'm very lucky, I live in a city with a pop. of 120.000 and we have a hobby shop that is very well stocked with all kinds of parts including canopies and also a section of control line stuff, lines, handles and bellcranks. they even have castor and they all know their stuff but try to find an old fashioned electronics store where you can one resistor or a speaker and that's a different story...

jim ivey · « **Reply #16 on:** February 21, 2011, 09:07:02 AM »

maybe he thought ****a tin can, with little round green things inside?**** jim

John Lindberg · « **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2011, 11:10:13 AM »

I bought a canopy at The Sports Authority, about 8'x8' when you figure out where all the aluminum poles go. Is that what you mean? Check out some of the signs the teachers are toting around at the Wis. protest for more freebies. One says "Don't touch are union". Are should be "our". One Congresswoman asked if the Mars Rover could go over to where the Astronauts planted the American flag, she helps write our laws!

Brett Buck · « **Reply #18 on:** February 21, 2011, 11:39:14 AM »

Quote from: John Lindberg on February 21, 2011, 11:10:13 AM

I bought a canopy at The Sports Authority, about 8'x8' when you figure out where all the aluminum poles go. Is that what you mean? Check out some of the signs the teachers are toting around at the Wis. protest for more freebies. One says "Don't touch are union". Are should be "our". One Congresswoman asked if the Mars Rover could go over to where the Astronauts planted the American flag, she helps write our laws!

Some congress type was interviewing a General, and was concerned that if they got too many people on an island, it might flip over.
Brett

John Lindberg · « **Reply #19 on:** February 21, 2011, 11:46:20 AM »

Well, I guess it's not as bad as the drunk we have representing the USA from where George Washington had his home (Alexandria, Va.), if you catch him in a foul mood he might take your head off with his fists, he took on a littlte eleven year old in a parking lot one time. Hands out the goodies to his voters, I guess.

Howard Rush · « **Reply #20 on:** February 21, 2011, 01:32:14 PM »

Quote from: Jim Kraft on February 21, 2011, 07:59:58 AM

The big thing I remember about growing up in KC as a kid, was going to the hobby shop where guys buying new engines were taken out back to the alley where they were set up and run. I also remember drooling over the spark engines in the window display. And, no matter what part of town you were in, there was a hobby shop. When you stop and think about it, most of us older guys are really blessed to have grown up when we did.

Sounds like Pop Schreiber's. Yep, those were the good ol' days.

On the bright side, the Internet puts us in contact with sources of materials and access to like-minded folks.

Clancy Arnold · « **Reply #21 on:** February 21, 2011, 02:11:44 PM »

This reminds me again of the young clerk in a local chain Hobby Shop.
I needed a servo for one of my CL Scale models that uses U/Tronics. I asked for "the cheepest servo they had." He asked "what I was going to use it for?"
I said "For a CL model." He replied "here is what you will need" an he brought out a $40 Micro Servo. I asked again for "The cheepest Servo he had in stock." He then brought out a $24 Mini Servo with a comment "This would be to big."
I then went behind the counter and found some Regular size servos marked $10 and Asked "are these were for sale?" He said "yes but they would be too big to fit in any CL Model." I then went outside and brought in one of my CL Scale models to show him that they would fit. You should have seen his eyes when he saw the size of my CL Scale model. He He.
Clancy

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #22 on:** February 21, 2011, 05:11:41 PM »

I love it Clancy. I wish I could have been there.

Chuck Feldman · « **Reply #23 on:** February 21, 2011, 05:41:14 PM »

VD~This my kind of post!!!!!!!!! do you remember when you could walk into a store and tell them you needed a nut for your bikes front axle? Or when you went in and they knew your name and said Hello.
it does me no good to remember to much of this these days. Today I just do the best I can and realize that "they" have no clue about how it was or how we remember it. Further they do not care. It is their world now and we are just hanging on. I walked across my front sidewalk just yesterday and said to my self how lucky I am at my age to be able to do the things that I do. (72) $:-\$ I will add this; I am lucky to have people like you as friends and we can share this.

Mike Scholtes · « **Reply #24 on:** February 21, 2011, 06:04:29 PM »

Then you guys need to drop in at J&M Hobbies in San Carlos, CA in the San Francisco area. The real deal, old-time LHS where you definitely would get your canopy, in stock, on the shelf, as well as all grades of real silkspan, Jap tissue, contest grade balsa, dope from three manufacturers, GLUE, props, Ultracote, Monokote, and several other kinds of 'cote, and all the rest of the stuff that makes our hearts go pitter-patter. Ted Fancher's "Intimidation" or maybe "Excitation" hanging from the ceiling (Ted lives nearby). Brodak and Sig CL kits and ARFs. They have to have the RTF electric stuff to survive, but they have all the things we need. I manage to get in there every few months ($20 in gas and a $5 bridge toll away) to pick up my necessaries. Shop is like a time warp, in an Art Deco building shaped like a ship, owned by the same family for at least 50 years. I am sure some of their stock is from the 1950s, like a museum. But all the current things as well. And guys behind the counter who know modeling and will talk modeling endlessly. Another good reason to live here.

Scott Richlen · « **Reply #25 on:** February 22, 2011, 08:48:52 PM »

Mike:

Please take pictures and post for the rest of us - it will be like going back in time!

Scott

Author Topic: Another episode from our life in this alternate universe........ (Read 3808 times)

Dwayne