Price Increase Alert!!!!

[Ddms]

Yesterday I went to my local Tru-Value hardware store to get some ordinary lacquer thinner. The old Sunnyside quarts had disappeared. They only had newly labeled "VOC Compliant" quarts at $12 each. That is not a typo: yes, TWELVE DOLLARS A QUART. The label consisted entirely of fine print, so it looked like they hadn't planned for the change. "VOC," by the way, means "volatile organic compound."

With troubled conscience, I wasted some precious gasoline and trekked out to Orchard Supply, where I found gallon cans of the old stuff for $16. Not that I'd buy any of that terrible high-VOC stuff, of course, but... it will probably last me six to eight months.

Can't say for sure whether the new high-priced stuff will become the rule everywhere, but it looks likely. California always leads the nation in this sort of thing.

[Craig Irwin]

I'm in the auto-body repair busness, and a lot of new rules went into effect back in January. Guys, it's only going to get worse.

[DRG]

The cost of everything is continually rising. It's only natural that it will eventually hits us that build models.

That is one of the reasons that during the next five years I am going to be building a stash of paints, glues and other supplies.

I will also build up a nice stash of models to hold me over when I do retire and am on a fixed income.

[roadhawg]

Great. I'd be willing to bet that the new stuff doesn't work as well as "real" lacquer thinner either. Thanks the the EPA, we now have dishwashing soap that doesn't get dishes clean, "water saving" toilets that you have to flush at least 6 times to get everything down, light bulbs that are half as bright as incandescants and you have to call a haz-mat team if you accidentally break one, and now lacquer thinner that probably won't 'thin" anything. Are we really any better off?

[Darin Bastedo]

Not shocked.

[Draggon]

Great. I'd be willing to bet that the new stuff doesn't work as well as "real" lacquer thinner either. Thanks the the EPA, we now have dishwashing soap that doesn't get dishes clean, "water saving" toilets that you have to flush at least 6 times to get everything down, light bulbs that are half as bright as incandescants and you have to call a haz-mat team if you accidentally break one, and now lacquer thinner that probably won't 'thin" anything. Are we really any better off?

I've noticed that laquer thinner I bought last year was nowhere as good as some old stuff that was many years old, so I am hating to imagine how awful the new stuff is. As far as the haz-mat team for a lightbulb, there was a piece on the news recently about disposal of those CFL's. It is beyond ridiculous the steps they expect you to go thru, and YES, according to the news if you break one it is suggested you might want to replace your carpet! ck this out:

http://www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/homeowner/cflbreakcleanup.htm

I heard tell the Russians found out the CFL's are actually worse than incandescent. Sorta like, over it's life, the Prius might actually have a larger "carbon footprint" than a Hummer.

[charlie8575]

This article rather nicely sums up the whole problem.

http://www.thefreemanonline.org/featured/government-versus-the-environment/

Someday, we might learn....but don't count on it.

Charlie Larkin

[ra7c7er]

Great. I'd be willing to bet that the new stuff doesn't work as well as "real" lacquer thinner either. Thanks the the EPA, we now have dishwashing soap that doesn't get dishes clean, "water saving" toilets that you have to flush at least 6 times to get everything down, light bulbs that are half as bright as incandescants and you have to call a haz-mat team if you accidentally break one, and now lacquer thinner that probably won't 'thin" anything. Are we really any better off?

X2.

[robertw]

I've expected to see lacquer thinner disappear for several years so have been stocking up for several years, buying a can periodically when I would go to the hardware. If my tool shed were to ever catch fire it would be one heck of a blaze but at least I have enough to last me for several years. Been stocking up on incandescent bulbs before they disappear as well. Our hobby may be in greater danger of disappearing because of the banning of the many products we use then the lack of modellers.

Hey maybe I am a hoarder after all......but its for a good reason.

robw

[roadhawg]

Thats a good idea, but I wonder if lacquer thinner has a shelf life. I know gasoline will go bad after awhile, never thought about lacquer thinner....but then again, I never thought I would NEED to.

I think a better idea would be to quit electing idiot politicians that cower down to the environuts....you know, just say NO. You know what they're going after now? Anti-bacterial hand soap. Yep. Congressman Ed Markey, (D-MA), who already wants government to regulate the internet, is trying to ban Triclosan, which is a major ingredient in hand soap. Why? Because some scientist (with a taxpayer funded grant from the government, no doubt) said something like a fly died after soaking in it for 3 days, so it MUST be harmful. Crazy!

As far as incandescant bulbs go, federal regulations about the efficency ratings have made companies pretty much stop making them here, so guess where the ones for sale in Wal Mart are coming from? Yeah....you got it. Again....are we any better off?

[Draggon]

[quote name='roadhawg' timestamp='1301957197' post='44938

Because some scientist (with a taxpayer funded grant from the government, no doubt) said something like a fly died after soaking in it for 3 days, so it MUST be harmful. Crazy!

I have a friend that would say the fly had thoughts and feelings too,, just like us, so we need to protect it. GRRRRR! She was potential girlfriend material about 10 or 12 years ago, and I thank the good Lord I never attatched myself to her. I could imagine my models being built with school glue and being painted with water colors......and watching Michael Flatley instead of Metallica!

[LAone]

wow, well it's no surprise. things are going to get worse and harder for everyone. the "green" thing sounds good, but i know there are cons to it. they just don't want to say them.

after reading the cfl light bulb thing, i think im switching back to the old bulbs. i am not putting my kids in danger to save a few bucks on the electric bill.