_GOTOBOTTOM
General Ship Modeling: Super-detailing
Topics on photo-etch, metal-parts, and all types of additional detailing.
Hosted by Jim Starkweather
1/350 life rafts - Orange Hobby?
Tracklink75
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: January 16, 2011
KitMaker: 14 posts
Model Shipwrights: 12 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 12, 2017 - 07:46 PM UTC
Has anyone used Orange Hobby resin parts? Are they as good as North Star which cost a lot more? Specifically, are the Orange Hobby life rafts any good, compared to those of North Star?
TimReynaga
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
Visit this Community
California, United States
Joined: May 03, 2006
KitMaker: 2,500 posts
Model Shipwrights: 1,830 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 12, 2017 - 11:02 PM UTC
Vivian,
I haven't seen the Orange Hobby rafts, but those from North Star are first rate. My experiences with North Star for both product quality and customer service have been absolutely super, but from what I've seen of both product lines you can't really go wrong for quality!
Tracklink75
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: January 16, 2011
KitMaker: 14 posts
Model Shipwrights: 12 posts
Posted: Friday, October 13, 2017 - 06:19 AM UTC
the thing is the NorthStar set is $26 (incl shipping), for life rafts on a $95 kit... The Orange Hobby ones look similar, form the low res pics on ebay and are $7 shipping incl.


Quoted Text

Vivian,
I haven't seen the Orange Hobby rafts, but those from North Star are first rate. My experiences with North Star for both product quality and customer service have been absolutely super, but from what I've seen of both product lines you can't really go wrong for quality!
TimReynaga
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
Visit this Community
California, United States
Joined: May 03, 2006
KitMaker: 2,500 posts
Model Shipwrights: 1,830 posts
Posted: Monday, October 16, 2017 - 06:22 PM UTC

Quoted Text

the thing is the NorthStar set is $26 (incl shipping), for life rafts on a $95 kit... The Orange Hobby ones look similar, form the low res pics on ebay and are $7 shipping incl.


Wow, big price difference! I might be tempted to go with the less expensive alternative. That said, my experience in the past has been that I quickly forget what $ I spent on a project, but I always regret any shortcomings I perceive in my builds as long as I have the model...

Tracklink75
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: January 16, 2011
KitMaker: 14 posts
Model Shipwrights: 12 posts
Posted: Monday, October 16, 2017 - 06:42 PM UTC
Check it out. Looks same or inferior to North Star?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Orange-Hobby-1-350-German-Navel-Life-Raft-Resin-PE/272858820582?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140131123730%26meid%3Dd22b015431f94182980c6059d73a1231%26pid%3D100167%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D253022259294&_trksid=p5411.c100167.m2940
Harry_at_BFM
Vendor
BATTLEFLEET MODELS
Visit this Community
Colorado, United States
Joined: February 04, 2007
KitMaker: 594 posts
Model Shipwrights: 556 posts
Posted: Monday, October 16, 2017 - 11:05 PM UTC
I got some from Freetime Hobbies for $9.00.

These must be really special for $26.00???????????????
Tracklink75
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: January 16, 2011
KitMaker: 14 posts
Model Shipwrights: 12 posts
Posted: Monday, October 16, 2017 - 11:49 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I got some from Freetime Hobbies for $9.00.

These must be really special for $26.00???????????????


North Star sells them on eBay for $16.20 (plus $10 shipping from Ukraine) or on their own site for about $15 plus about $8.50 shipping.

Free Time charges $13.99 plus shipping and they're out of stock.
 _GOTOTOP