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Post by pcbpoppy on Jun 1, 2019 6:15:27 GMT -5
Is anyone currently producing Mi-Jack intermodal cranes at a reasonable price point? I know that's a loaded question but any suggestion would be appreciated.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2019 9:39:14 GMT -5
Look here ; unfortunately I am afraid it's not a "reasonable" price in Your eyes ! |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2019 1:46:05 GMT -5
But You can look there (or elsewhere for the same item), if it fits Your requirements ... And then I found an article about a "self-built" crane. |
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Post by pcbpoppy on Jun 3, 2019 7:23:30 GMT -5
Thanks alberich.
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Post by ProgressRail on Jul 22, 2019 6:23:08 GMT -5
Simply put, no; not at a reasonable price anymore. I purchased that exact Mi-Jack crane from that designer/creator through his Shapeways page just a few year's ago for $60.31. As of now, he has more than doubled the price + up to $147.04 and is still only in smooth fine detail.
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Post by dazed on Jul 22, 2019 10:26:48 GMT -5
Simply put, no; not at a reasonable price anymore. I purchased that exact Mi-Jack crane from that designer/creator through his Shapeways page just a few year's ago for $60.31. As of now, he has more than doubled the price + up to $147.04 and is still only in smooth fine detail. Keep in mind that Shapeways has had (at least) two significant price increases over the past couple of years. So to say the creator is solely responsible for raising the price is likely not accurate. To the original post, one other possibility might be to modify an N-scale Mi-Jack. Even using it as-is probably wouldn't look too out-of-scale. Might want to modify the lift mechanism to be closer to the width of a Z-scale container, and the trailer arms for length. Might not be 100% perfect but it would have the right look I think. And the price is better, especially if you can find one used/cheap on eBay. Here's a good eBay auction that show a lot about the parts and has an assembly diagram. (not the lowest price...just a useful auction to see what your options are) www.ebay.com/itm/N-Cornerstone-933-3222-MI-JACK-Translift-INTERMODAL-CRANE-Kit-Opend-1994-Walther/233258938206?hash=item364f50ef5e:g:HkwAAOSws59dBcjL |
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zjoop
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Post by zjoop on Jul 22, 2019 12:36:03 GMT -5
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Post by dazed on Jul 22, 2019 15:35:54 GMT -5
Please read again, as I stated....not the best price, and price not being the point of the link regardless. And if you think buying direct from Walthers is a good idea then I don’t know what to tell ya. Just get ready for crazy shipping charges and more junk mail than even the most aggressive political campaign would feel comfortable with. |
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Post by ProgressRail on Jul 22, 2019 17:09:37 GMT -5
Keep in mind that Shapeways has had (at least) two significant price increases over the past couple of years. So to say the creator is solely responsible for raising the price is likely not accurate.
It's the same exact crane from three years ago; no improvement's to design, not a single improved build_finish/material option such as brass, nothing. But yet somehow warrant's an $87 price hike? ...Yes, it is very accurate to say he is solely responsible for raising the price of this one specific item to $147 from $60, regardless of Shapeway's fees. Unless of course, it's all a mistake and he doesn't know it? ...maybe he meant to set the price to $47...   |
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Post by dazed on Jul 22, 2019 18:43:40 GMT -5
Keep in mind that Shapeways has had (at least) two significant price increases over the past couple of years. So to say the creator is solely responsible for raising the price is likely not accurate.
...Yes, it is very accurate to say he is solely responsible for raising the price of this one specific item to $147 from $60, regardless of Shapeway's fees.I'm not dancing around anything, just stating fact. A LOT of Shapeways products increased significantly in price...some well over the percentage you are talking about. Now, do I KNOW that he hasn't increased the price otherwise? No...but saying he is solely responsible is just plain wrong. I know enough folks operating in the Shapeways realm to know that they are suffering because of Shapeways' policies to the point that the MRR contingent within Shapeways is leaving in droves. There were a few items created at my behest that went to that pesky material known as "unobtanium" overnight. They were unit trains cars and now I'm stuck with 1/4 of what I need. So yeah the answer is...put your money where your mouth is...if you think you're getting ripped off then you probably are...just don't buy the product. Now, if you want to talk about AZL then yes, absolutely it can be argued that they play these games. Refusing to post MSRP's, the whole nine yards. We try to support AZL and start expressing interest in the Maxi-I's and the price mysteriously creeps up and up and up. To the point that now I'll likely buy two instead of 8...it's their prerogative to set the price however they want, and it is our prerogative to not play that game. They did it with the Amtrak Superliners and P42's and it seems like they realized at the last minute that their price increases had priced a lot of people out of the market and then boom they hit the streets at a MUCH lower price. And you can see the impact of those pricing games as times goes on....note MBK's bailing out of their standard order, another dealer that started getting inflated shipping bills, etc. I'm sure MBK grew tired of having to fire sale everything. |
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jul 22, 2019 20:09:33 GMT -5
Now, if you want to talk about AZL then yes, absolutely it can be argued that they play these games. Refusing to post MSRP's, the whole nine yards. We try to support AZL and start expressing interest in the Maxi-I's and the price mysteriously creeps up and up and up. To the point that now I'll likely buy two instead of 8...it's their prerogative to set the price however they want, and it is our prerogative to not play that game. They did it with the Amtrak Superliners and P42's and it seems like they realized at the last minute that their price increases had priced a lot of people out of the market and then boom they hit the streets at a MUCH lower price. And you can see the impact of those pricing games as times goes on....note MBK's bailing out of their standard order, another dealer that started getting inflated shipping bills, etc. I'm sure MBK grew tired of having to fire sale everything. Have you ever considered switching to decaf?  |
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Post by dazed on Jul 22, 2019 21:45:49 GMT -5
Have you ever considered switching to decaf? Meh, that’s sort of like drinking non-alcoholic beer. 😁 |
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Post by ProgressRail on Jul 23, 2019 6:11:41 GMT -5
I believe you are getting off-track here a bit... I have never once noticed AZL, or dealer's, cherry_picking through their inventory then doubling the price + on specific items; if anything their prices get lowered or stay the same, never doubled up on +. Cubbin doesn't do it, Rob doesn't, Anthony doesn't do it, and we all know M.B.K definitely doesn't do this. At any rate, I sent him a message asking what's up with his ridiculous price mark-up/increase on that particular item [mi-jack crane] while the vast majority of his other items have all stayed the same; and yes, even factoring in for shapeways price increases/fee's. It's just really disappointing to have something that can be readily available at any time for a reasonable/fair price, and was, get ruined because of his mark-up_greed; but, that's his reputation, not ours.
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Post by dazed on Jul 23, 2019 7:27:17 GMT -5
I believe you are getting off-track here a bit... I have never once noticed AZL, or dealer's, cherry_picking through their inventory then doubling the price + on specific items; if anything their prices get lowered or stay the same, never doubled up on +. Cubbin doesn't do it, Rob doesn't, Anthony doesn't do it, and we all know M.B.K definitely doesn't do this. I mean, you are the one that brought up AZL, not me. [EDIT: I realize now that you were using AZL as an example of why the Mi-Jack's price was jacked way up. My apologies.] And I wasn't referring to the dealers doing that. I was referring to (one of the products you mentioned) the Maxi-I cars. AZL has seemingly bumped the price as it became clear there was growing interest. |
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Post by ProgressRail on Jul 23, 2019 7:46:26 GMT -5
But wait, there's more... He actually does have what he is labeling a "revised" Mi-Jack crane; it's a great bargain [insert sarcasm + eye-roll here] at only $199.80 in smooth fine detail plastic. [btw...that's the exact same material_build my original non-revised $60.31 crane was]. And, he doesn't even have a product description of exactly what was revised from the original. However, he does have another material option at least: MJF PA12 gray plastic [from what I understand is very durable, but not as detailed; similar to delrin plastic] for $94.77.
*For those who also model in n_scale...he also has one listed for only $391.17.......
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