Author Topic: Where to go for supplies. (Read 3217 times)

Tom McClain · « **on:** April 11, 2021, 12:26:38 PM »

Where does one go for good quality supplies?

I go to the following American suppliers for what I need and they are reasonably priced with good customer service:

1. Aircraft Spruce for acrylic lacquer dope and primers.
2. SIG and Mike Goes Flying for glow plugs and hardware.
3. RSM for hardware.
4. National balsa for contest balsa.
5. ACP for carbon fiber.
6. MECOA for hard to find engine parts and accessories.
7. Sonic Tronic for igniters.
8. RTL for fasteners.
9. Central Hobbies for carbon fiber pushrods and titanium ends and ballinks.
10. Dubro for ballinks and light wheels.
11. Robart for landing gear strut covers.

This list is not exclusive. Feel free to add.

peabody · « **Reply #1 on:** April 11, 2021, 02:02:17 PM »

Everything on Tom's list is available in one stop: Brodaks

Jim Svitko · « **Reply #2 on:** April 11, 2021, 02:13:26 PM »

For me, McMaster-Carr has been a source for items I can't find anywhere else.

I am lucky in that I have an aircraft supply place in town where I can get Randolph finishing products.

Tom McClain · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2021, 03:10:32 PM »

Quote from: peabody on April 11, 2021, 02:02:17 PM

Everything on Tom's list is available in one stop: Brodaks

And you pay for the one stop shop. My personal experience is going to the specific vendors saves quite a bit on shipping and the middle man markup.

Mike Griffin · « **Reply #4 on:** April 11, 2021, 04:25:55 PM »

McMaster Carr is hard to beat for hardware (fastners, etc,)

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #5 on:** April 11, 2021, 05:27:13 PM »

Okie Air Products for wood, control horns, carbon fiber push rods, CF push rod ends, building pins, etc. Russell is a good guy. He took over for Tom Morris.

Howard Rush · « **Reply #6 on:** April 11, 2021, 11:56:06 PM »

MBS and Jim Lee in Kansas: https://mbsmodelsupply.com/ , http://www.leemachineshop.com/ .

gene poremba · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2021, 03:07:41 AM »

RTL Fasteners. Watch for their specials and stock up!.....Gene

Steve Dwyer · « **Reply #8 on:** April 12, 2021, 06:30:45 AM »

Other alternatives to Aircraft Spruce for Randolph paint (an excellent alternative to Sig and Brodak) is Wicks Aircraft and Consolidated Aircraft.

Steve

Steve Dwyer · « **Reply #9 on:** April 12, 2021, 06:38:53 AM »

A source for new packaged OS engine parts is Bobby Brooks on E bay or: shtterman@aol.com

Steve

Angelo Smyth · « **Reply #10 on:** April 12, 2021, 07:52:23 AM »

www.rcjapan.net

Excellent service from RC Japan - especially for OS engine parts. Even thought this stuff comes straight from Japan, they are diligent when sending out. Excellent communication as well.

Angelo Smyth · « **Reply #11 on:** April 12, 2021, 11:28:44 AM »

As far as American suppliers go, I get some pretty light fiberglass from www.thayercraft.com

For composites, I like www.sollercomposites.com

dave siegler · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2021, 01:54:15 PM »

Wag- Aero is local window pickup for Randolph dope, epoxy no shipping charge

Speedy metals no cost for small orders also local free pickup

All HW I can get locally.

Balsa USA I can drive up and handpick from them.

Local Hardwood supplier (Kettle Moraine Hardwoods) for rock hard maple and plywood.

Menards has usable bead foam.

Tom McClain · « **Reply #13 on:** April 12, 2021, 04:07:43 PM »

Are there any engine tune places left besides Randy?

wwwarbird · « **Reply #14 on:** April 12, 2021, 07:38:22 PM »

Quote from: peabody on April 11, 2021, 02:02:17 PM

Everything on Tom's list is available in one stop: Brodaks

Ah, no it's not.

Dave Harmon · « **Reply #15 on:** April 12, 2021, 10:19:53 PM »

Quote from: Angelo Smyth on April 12, 2021, 07:52:23 AM

www.rcjapan.net

Excellent service from RC Japan - especially for OS engine parts. Even thought this stuff comes straight from Japan, they are diligent when sending out. Excellent communication as well.

Yes indeed!
I have bought a lot of mostly R/C stuff from RCJ....great customer service and excellent email English.
Usually I get 5 day service from Japan.
Much of the time with their discount and the money exchange the prices are about a twofer.

edit....wait....you already said that!.....gasp...

George Grossardt · « **Reply #16 on:** April 13, 2021, 07:13:35 AM »

This is really helpful stuff. Thank you.

Joe Ed Pederson · « **Reply #17 on:** April 16, 2021, 04:54:54 PM »

It’s been said before, but we are truly blessed to have so many cottage industry suppliers like Randy, Jim Lee, Oakie, RSM, etc.
It would be great if there were enough modelers to keep all the local hobby shops we use to have, but nothing stays the same.
I got some very decent balsa from Sig a month ago, and Oakie is a supplier that you can count on every sheet you order being excellent quality and everything you payed for.

Joe Ed Pederson

George Grossardt · « **Reply #18 on:** April 16, 2021, 05:22:41 PM »

Quote from: Air Master on April 16, 2021, 11:33:58 AM

I know it is old fashioned, but I buy all I can from my local hobby shop.

Be glad you have one that you can buy stuff at. Our Hobby Town sucks. The only thing they know is RC cars. And they have a bad attitude on top of that.

ray copeland · « **Reply #19 on:** April 16, 2021, 05:49:30 PM »

After seeing this topic i ordered some parts from RC Japan on the 12th. I received them today! That was 4 days. I do buy mostly from our guys , this was a trial and it worked out great.

Tony Drago · « **Reply #20 on:** April 16, 2021, 07:38:18 PM »

Quote from: George Grossardt on April 16, 2021, 05:22:41 PM

Be glad you have one that you can buy stuff at. Our Hobby Town sucks. The only thing they know is RC cars. And they have a bad attitude on top of that.

George. If your talking about Hobby Town USA, They all suck.

GallopingGhostler · « **Reply #21 on:** April 18, 2021, 09:08:34 AM »

Quote from: Tony Drago on April 16, 2021, 07:38:18 PM

George. If your talking about Hobby Town USA, They all suck.

HobbyTown in Kansas City, MO seems to be decent. Granted, they don't have all the aircraft supplies, but their employees seem decent. I gather that some of the locations, just like in all stores, don't have knowledgeable, helpful and courteous employees. Attitude makes a big difference.