General Product Comparison Education

[RodBurNeR]

Hey all, firstly I don't want to come off like a know-it-all. I am composing this thread because I think we all need product information and comparison.

The more we know in this hobby about what is available the better I always say!

Please feel free to post pictures and descriptions of after market parts you have used or own in your home. I know many are not quite sure of who makes what in this day. so

I think sharing the information is beneficial.

What parts are you in love with and why? Do you have the same type of parts, but made by two different companies? If so, please show what they look like, so we the consumer/hobbyist can make up our minds on what to buy.

Thanks for reading, please no flaming.....this is for educational fun!

[Darin Bastedo]

Here are a few of my favourite detail items. I tend to use aftermarket parts like a good chef uses salt. a little goes a long way...

Detail Master Wire wheels:

Model Car Garage Ditributor Kit:

Pegasus Hela wheels, Detail Master Exhaust tips & license plate frame:

DB Designz / Reliable Resin Ford GTX1 Resin body. (I may be biased on this one. I mastered it.)

[RodBurNeR]

One of my favorite detail items is valve covers! I am very fond of the ones that Bob Dudek makes. The machine work IMHO is untouchable and they are so clean that

I am proud to show them without polishing.

Here are some that I have here. The only set of valve covers I have that are not made by Bob are in the photo of the Ford 427 painted blue. I am not even sure who made them, but i had to work on them a bit to get some shine on them.

Chevy small block finned

Hosted on Fotki

Chevy 348 or 409 finned

Hosted on Fotki

Chevy small block bowtie

Hosted on Fotki

*i scratched one oops* Chevy 348 or 409 bowtie

Hosted on Fotki

Ford small block

Hosted on Fotki

Chevy big block bowtie

Hosted on Fotki

*unknown maker* notice the file marks, i did these about two years ago before i knew how to polish

Hosted on Fotki

one thing other than the fine machine work on Bob's covers I like, is that they have indentations where the bolts go. it's easy to get the dremel out and drill holes

and actually "bolt them on" this is not the best pic, but i painted the heads of the bolts red.

Hosted on Fotki

what valve covers do you have?

Edited August 31, 2007 by awbcrazy

[Steve H.]

Detail photo etch... Model Car Garage.

Resin... Modelhaus, Replicas and Miniatures of MD.

All three companies make excellent products. I'd buy anything sight unseen from them.

I'm also partial to Arrowhead distributors, along with other items in their line (metal rim and resin center wheels, for one).

Pegasus wheels, Aoshima wheels (when you can find them!)

[RodBurNeR]

Detail photo etch... Model Car Garage.

Resin... Modelhaus, Replicas and Miniatures of MD.

All three companies make excellent products. I'd buy anything sight unseen from them.

I'm also partial to Arrowhead distributors, along with other items in their line (metal rim and resin center wheels, for one).

Pegasus wheels, Aoshima wheels (when you can find them!)

i would agree on Modelhaus products. i would also agree on Replica's in Miniature products. we know when we buy their stuff, it's going to be better than we expected.

unfortunately i am also a "touchy feely" kind of guy and would not buy anything from the rest unless i have seen it in person before or have a good photo to go by. as for Pegasus, i will buy stuff without seeing it, but only their wire wheels and that is if i know what model number they are.

i have been fortunate enough to use some of the above mentioned so here are some photos. i bought all items without seeing in person.

arrowhead distributor...this model is really not the best example, but i have not used one of theirs since about 2003 when this was built.

Hosted on Fotki

Replica's in Miniature distributor, i like the caps are pre-drilled and seperate from the base. the detail is great too.

Hosted on Fotki

a real 1:1 distributor, tell me which one looks closer?

here are some nice bumpers i got from Modelhaus without seeing before hand.

Hosted on Fotki

Hosted on Fotki

Edited August 31, 2007 by awbcrazy

[raisin27]

Not trying to be diplomatic or anything here..........but for my engines I like to use the Replicas & Miniatures of Maryland pre drilled disributor cap on an Arrowhead (or similar) alluminum base.

Raisin

[novadose71]

I ordered 8 sets of wheels and a hood from Time machine resin last December. The parts sat in their bags until I got some Modelhaus parts a month ago. I then put all said parts in Westleys Bleche-wite tire cleaner for about 28 hours. While rinsing I noticed one, and only one, Time Machine wheel got soft like a Tootsie roll(yummy:). I contacted them, explained my mistake, and the only question they asked was for a shipping address. They sent me a full set of 4 wheels, and I had them in three days, faster than my first two orders. This is what customer service is and always should be. I would never hesitate to order from them again, already working on another order. Very nice stuff from both companies. Here's what I got:

BTW Time machine DOES NOT use mold release on their parts, you only need soap and water to clean them, so don't use Westleys on them.

Modelhaus '68 Cutlass 442 conversion kit Bumpers,grille,hood, and taillights All chrome is real nice too.

Time Machine 68 Camaro Dana hood, and miscellaneous wheels