Hobbyist Haven

Mwentling said:
Has anyone ordered from Hobbyist Haven (https://hobbyisthaven.com/)? They seem to be based in Japan (maybe China) and offer a wide selection of modeling tools. Of course the quality is an unknown, hence my question.
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I bought a few small tools from them but they are too dear. I prefer Aliexpress. I've only had one problem with them in over two years and they did a refund within 24 hours.
 
Masters Mate said:
I bought a few small tools from them but they are too dear. I prefer Aliexpress. I've only had one problem with them in over two years and they did a refund within 24 hours.
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I just wanted to mentioning this. Better look on Aliexpress or Temu. There are the same kind of shops, but then with the save ordering of Aliexpress and Temu. And a short look on the side..... cheaper on Aliexpress.
 
Expect prices to go up 50-60% to cover the tariff and the administration of paying it would be my best guess..
 
Nothing will change for Temu until the United States Congress changes the rules for the tariff “de minimus exception”. Prices at Temu should remain the same for a while if not longer.
 
This is no surprise, or at least I would hope no one is surprised by the price of things to come from everywhere not just China! If you already have tools it is a very affordable hobby.
 
Why would you purchase any tool for your ship modeling. When you can purchase them from an American business Model Expo, Bluejackets Ship rafters or Micro-Mark. Are just three reliable companies that cater to shipmofelers and other hobbies. Support the companies that support our hobby.
 
So far every tool I have has come from micro-mark or Model Expo. I was simply asking if anyone had ever used Hobbyist Haven as they had some interesting micro tools
 
BarrySR said:
Why would you purchase any tool for your ship modeling. When you can purchase them from an American business Model Expo, Bluejackets Ship rafters or Micro-Mark. Are just three reliable companies that cater to shipmofelers and other hobbies. Support the companies that support our hobby.
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Fundamentally, I don’t disagree, especially when I see how the Chinese government is spending all the dollars we are shovelling at them. However, I will say I find frustrating the exorbitant shipping fees Micromark charges to ship to an APO address
 
Ok I agree most of the stuff is made in China and I reside in Australia and you live in the states common sense same product and most items are free shipping
 
So going back to the original question posted by Mwentling has anyone ever order from!!!!!!!

As to where the tools come from; Model Expo, Micro Mark, Proxxon etc. There are no US manufacturers other than Sherline or Byrnes to my knowledge and that circle gets smaller and smaller with time. Frankly the Chinese products are here to stay tariffs or not. If the tool is of good quality and not a danger when properly used so be it. I think this is more critical for the scratch builder. Small hand tools can still do a beautiful job in the right hands!
 
BarrySR said:
Why would you purchase any tool for your ship modeling. When you can purchase them from an American business Model Expo, Bluejackets Ship rafters or Micro-Mark. Are just three reliable companies that cater to shipmofelers and other hobbies. Support the companies that support our hobby.
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I don't think they support our hobby. They make profit out of or hobby. And charging way to much for ordering or the tools. So if you want to support your own hobby, go there where it less hurts your wallet.
So giving an answer to @Mwentling I already did before a few post early, maybe I ordered already at the shop, don't know but I order at Aliexpress and these shops sell through that platform. All I ordered is good stuff for the hobby, cheap and inventive.

Edit: I give an sample. I needed Polyimide Kapton Tape for my 3D printer. Local store in my country that sells this for 3D printer hobbyist charge for a 8 mm and 50 mm roll total amount of 26,45 Euro (that is with delivery cost). On Aliexpress I payed for the 2 rolls just 9,85 incl. delivery. The same product

Polyimide Kapton Tape​

 
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AllanKP69 said:
Wonder what the 40% tariff increase will do to prices in the US if it happens.
Allan
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Quite simply, WE the consumer, will pay those increased prices. Plus whatever additional costs the distributer, and retailer add on.

Having been ripped off by AliExpress, I don't deal with them, but for something like Temu, where it is direct sales, maybe just the 40%, or the website may no longer be able to do business in the US. Trust me, that 40% tariff, the government WILL find a way to extract it from us. Remember, the overseas vendor is NOT who pays tariffs.
 
BarrySR said:
Why would you purchase any tool for your ship modeling. When you can purchase them from an American business Model Expo, Bluejackets Ship rafters or Micro-Mark. Are just three reliable companies that cater to shipmofelers and other hobbies. Support the companies that support our hobby.
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At what. 3 times the price? Sorry, no, the hobby is expensive enough as it is.
 
Micro Mark is a vendor for Chinese manufactured products. From the Web, if it can be believed on this one.....
Most, if not all , MicroMark tools are manufactured in China; the company sources and designs its tools to their specifications, but the production takes place in China.
Allan
 
I find it somewhat interesting that we focus on hobby stores the likes of Micro Mark and Model Expo for our needs. I myself have rarely had the pleasure of purchasing from them. I scratch build so I have invested over many years in tools that worked well and some that were disappointing but never from a hobby store catering to ship modelling. This is not to demean them at all as they do have a place.
I love Jewellers supply houses which most large cities have but one of my favorite places is a nail salon supplies house called Daily Nails and again most cities have these types of places. You may ask what could these people offer? I use a RAM Micromotor instead of Dremel 3/32” and 1/8” shank capable 35000 rpm $350. At the nail salon supplies house I purchased this Micromotor for $69 35000 rpm probably made in the same factory as the more expensive counterpart. it even came with a set of Dymond burs and tiny sanding laps very smooth running virtually vibration free. I also get carbide and ceramic bits from them and they work. I carve both boxwood and pear. What I am trying to say is get out of the routine of purchasing your tools from the familiar places. If you need a quality saw but do not want a powered Scrollsaw look at Knew Concepts Jewellers saws, they are gems. I support buying local when not being taken advantage of; after all is said and done, “Capitalism has to be good for everyone” otherwise it will find an unpleasant end.

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