Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Ben , I gotta think this version is the perfect way to go for what you have planned , it would save you much time in the disasemmbly.

Thanks for the input!

Well, I received a response from Uskin for my scale bits so it seems the gears of "fate" are turning. I am looking forward to this project!

So strange, ministeam has the kit version costing $15 more than the factory finished D405 so it Must be better!
  In all seriousness it is unlikely they have any in stock.

Mini steam seams to be letting they're stock deplete.

Weird thing with the price, over here the kit usually is a couple of bucks cheaper...nearly not enough to be noticed, but still cheaper.
Also Doug really must have made an amazing agreement with Wilesco, seing his standard TE is $25-30 cheaper than the best prices we can find over here.

I spoke with Susann at Ministeam about the price and she said D405 is on sale AND they have had issues with lost AND/OR missing parts in the D415 kit so the extra cost helps cover the hassle of selling kits. As suspected the D415 kit was out of stock. She did comment Wilesco plans a shipment soon but depending on air or boat this shipment may take some time to arrive.

I would guess people are more likely to lie about a missing piece in a kit in hopes of getting a free spare part.

Ben , I gotta think this version is the perfect way to go for what you have planned , it would save you much time in the disasemmbly.

Well, I WANTED a kit version but out of stock. Susann convinced me to go with D405 because of Sale price And she showed 3 units in stock...got an invoice then an email apologize the 3 units where not (really) there. Susann tryed to upsell me to D406 but I prefure Nickel to brass (personal preference) when she found out I was trying to avoid brass color wheels the D405/1 came up...I said I like black BUT felt the crane combo of D405/1 was over priced but would pay X$ for it...she was by now heavily invested in this sale and except my offer.
    So it seems Bruce's prediction that I would likely rework Wilesco crane before him was prophetic.
  I could have saved even more going used but this will be a special build and I did not want to risk a damaged used model on this particular build.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Quote from: ShadetreeMotorcycle on March 17, 2021, 01:59:28 pm

Susann tryed to upsell me to D406 but I prefure Nickel to brass

You can always keep an eye out for a D40 Nickel & Black 

(Attachment Link)

Ohh, that looks great, they (should) still offer that combo in the D405 range!

I actually had a fun idea for color on my build but the D405/1 kinda killed it.  I really like the color of Uskin raw Bronze/brass castings. I am getting the Uskin smokebox so the front will be diffent then stock then wanted to strip all the paint from the kit and just feature all the nice colors of metal, there would be copper and nickel with a little brass and the Uskin parts are color of bronze...some parts will be polished and some left Matt finish...the only issue with my plan is I (believe) the firebox and area an operator would stand are just sheet tin, if I strip that and leave bare it will rust. If this build goes well I may consider a second build but Fab the firebox from copper or aluminum or stainless...have to give it some thought after I see all the parts disassembled.