I would never consider doing such a thing unless I won the lottery. And I don't mean a 2.5 million, more like a 100 million plus. I think the real harm is that the large players in the industry still

Exactly. Andy

Of course there are some who believe you have no right to ask for a product, or even a version of a product, if you're not willing to front for the tooling and production costs. If I were that wealthy

How so? If not for the basement (and traveling show) operators, 75% of the geographical market wouldn't be reached at all. Andy

If EXR succeeds with this new scheme, certainly others will want to follow. I'm more concerned that others will follow without waiting to see if it succeeds, or follow even if it fails. Andy

The abundance of pretty good prototypical RTR models makes it very likely that even a rabid freelancer has a prototypical model somewhere on their layout. But without intent, and without knowledge, it

I define prototype modeling as a desire to model after the prototype. The amount of money, time, and skill a person has to pursue that end may determine his level of success, but even at a low level,

I use to pile my picnic basket with detail parts on my annual DPH pilgrimage, but the last few years, it ends up being filled with freight cars. One of the few places where you can browse a substantia

If you ask almost *anyone* in Cincinnati who knows me or has even heard my name, they'll probably tell you I'm one of those damn rivet counters. But if you saw what I bought in the past 3 months - for

As far as I'm concerned, a wannabe prototype modeler is a prototype modeler. To what degree he adheres, etc, is subjective anyway, but I think you are one if you say you are. Because those who aren't

We'll see you there, probably around 4 pm local time. Andy

6% by head count. Wonder what it is by $$ spent. Andy

I've been prototype modeling for 38 years, and actively RPMing (as in going to RPM meets and talking and fraternizing etc) for 17 years, and just about every minute of it has been fun. I enjoy researc

One reason it's difficult to sell a successful well-stocked store is, well, it has a lot of inventory which means the asking price is going to be pretty high. The original owner has built that asset b

Not 20 years, maybe 12-13. The article was before the PS-1 when they were "just" a coupler company. I was impressed that they truly did everything themselves. The manufactured their own packaging, inc

Very well. There was an article in MR about 20 years ago that told the story, which I expect is continuing. You can't wander in with a wad of cash and wave it around and start up a company like Kadee.

I think that goes without saying. They've always been exempt from the me-too business model, and I hope they continue to be. Andy

Wouldn't it be great if you could convince dealers to do that? It's pretty common in the resin kit biz... if I bought a Sunshine or RYM kit at a show, it didn't become a specific SKU until I bought it

I'm with you on this. Some innovation and automation are in order, and most of the larger manufacturers are stuck being the tail to China's dog. The decision to go there may have been a no-brainer in

While the problem belongs to all of us, the solution is in their court to be discovered and exploited. Assuming they're looking for a solution, and not just repeating "that's the way it has to be". It