Mesh for 1/24

Bas Carwash · #1 03-30-2005, 10:05 AM

Hi there guys,

A couple of weeks ago I had a question about the Scale Racing Car mesh. Here’s the thread:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=382054

After that I posted the thread, Mark (astroracer) Pm’ed me. He told me the SRC stuff was way overpriced and he had some cheaper stuff with about the same quality on his site:

http://www.mas-parts.com/

He offered me a sample and I found that sample in the mail today. I immediately tried it out and I got some pictures of it:

This is Mark's stuff, with some Tamiya stuff next to it. Mark's stuff is slightly smaller.

Comparing the two:
The quality of Mark's stuff is perfect. It looks very clean and is easy to work with. I guess the SRC stuff is high quality as well. Difference in price is pretty shocking actually. Mark's stuff costs $4 for a sheet of 3 x 3.4 inch. SRC's stuff costs $20 for a sheet of 3.5 x 4.7 inch.

But... The SRC has smaller squares then Mark's stuff. It took some pictures with Mark's stuff and it looks a bit out of scale... I'm not sure yet. What do you guys think?

The question that needs to be answered:
Is the SRC stuff way overpriced and maybe more usefull to 1/43 models rather then 1/24 or is Mark's stuff out of scale and more usefull to 1/12 models rather then 1/24???

tardster · #2 03-30-2005, 12:16 PM

Wheres my "sample" piece at...lol Seriouslly though it does look to be just a fuzz bit big, might be ok on a big grill opening but on the smaller areas I think its to big.

glacier985 · #3 03-30-2005, 01:48 PM

I think that Mark's stuff looks just fine. A lot of cars that have bodykits the mesh has big openings similar to that mesh. And I don't think you can beat the price either.

RallyRaider · #4 03-30-2005, 06:04 PM

Looks a bit too big for most 1/24th applications IMHO. But if you're happy with it and the price is right, good luck to you!

willimo · #5 03-30-2005, 06:57 PM

I agree that it looks a tad on the big side. Also, calling the Scale Race Cars stuff "way overpriced" is a bit unfair. The material you have looks like expanded aluminum diamond, which is made from a peice of sheet aluminum that is pressed and sheared to make the pattern (that is why it's not entirely flat, but has an undulating surface). This process is much cheaper than the Photo-Etch used to produce the SRC material. Still, the stuff you have is close and should work in some applications. Thanks for the review.

astroracer · #6 03-30-2005, 09:40 PM

First off I want to apologize to SRC for the "overpriced" remark. It was made in a PM and I wish it would have stayed there. I probably should have mentioned something in the PM about keeping it between us but I didn't; so now I am paying for it. I hope SRC and everyone else will be cool with my apology.
SRC can charge whatever the market will bear for their products which is why I PM'd the original poster to begin with. I didn't want to get into a pissing match on the boards on product pricing. Having owned and operated Machined Aluminum Specialties for 14 years has taught me a lot about costs, retail pricing and what my customers will gladly pay for a product. I have to admit there was a bit of a knee jerk reaction when I saw the price of SRC's screen. As far as the cost of photo etch products goes I am VERY aware of the time and costs involved to make a production run of panels. The "per piece" price is generally very fair.
Once again I apologize for the lame comment.
Regards
Mark A. Smakal
Owner
Machined Aluminum Specialties

Vric · #7 03-30-2005, 10:35 PM

it's a bit big for 1/24. would be great for 1/20.

still look good

willimo · #8 03-30-2005, 10:45 PM

I don't mean to call anyone out. Just making a comment. Anyone looking for a cheaper alternative will probably find this product to be the closest match. I think it looks rather good, better than a lot of stuff out there.

Vric · #9 03-30-2005, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willimo

I don't mean to call anyone out. Just making a comment. Anyone looking for a cheaper alternative will probably find this product to be the closest match. I think it looks rather good, better than a lot of stuff out there.

I agree. If it's a lot cheaper, it worth it

scaleracecars · #10 03-30-2005, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astroracer

First off I want to apologize to SRC for the "overpriced" remark. It was made in a PM and I wish it would have stayed there. I probably should have mentioned something in the PM about keeping it between us but I didn't; so now I am paying for it. I hope SRC and everyone else will be cool with my apology.
SRC can charge whatever the market will bear for their products which is why I PM'd the original poster to begin with. I didn't want to get into a pissing match on the boards on product pricing. Having owned and operated Machined Aluminum Specialties for 14 years has taught me a lot about costs, retail pricing and what my customers will gladly pay for a product. I have to admit there was a bit of a knee jerk reaction when I saw the price of SRC's screen. As far as the cost of photo etch products goes I am VERY aware of the time and costs involved to make a production run of panels. The "per piece" price is generally very fair.
Once again I apologize for the lame comment.
Regards
Mark A. Smakal
Owner
Machined Aluminum Specialties

No Problem Mark,
What most people do not understand is that you get about 4 times as much on a sheet as comparable products. It is less per square inch than any other pe mesh on the market. As for scale it is probably the most accurate for 1/24. Slightly small in 1/20 and large in 1/43. But than you have to address that all mesh used on full scale cars is not the same size anyway. Most mesh however has a ratio that is around .25 solid and .75 open. Most screen materials are closer to 5. and .5 which is why they always look off even when you get the correct size solid portion or correct size hole. Obviously I am not offended so don't worry about it. I make things I want and hopefully customers will like it and purchase them also. It's all good.

Bas Carwash · #11 03-31-2005, 01:47 AM

Well, I think I agree with almost everyone here. Mark, I'm very very sorry for taking over your words. Shouldn't have done that.

I didn't really had an idea that PE was so expensive to make. So now I know... The very meaning of this thread was to make a review (like willimo mentioned) and to let everybody have his opinion about it. I tried to write the story as it was, and tried to stay objective by summing up the positive and negative things about the two... Well, I hope this thread is usefull to everybody.

astroracer · #12 03-31-2005, 06:11 AM

SRC... Thank you for understanding and for the professional response.
Bas... Thank you for the PM and the nice response in the thread.
And thank you to everyone else for NOT blowing this out of proportion. I think you all realize there was no intended animosity toward SRC in any of my messages, whether PM's or public. You all exhibited very professional behavior which is refreshing to see in a forum.
Thank You
Mark

zanthrax · #13 03-31-2005, 02:58 PM

Mesh looks OK, the 1:1 mesh with the small holes is just plain crap. The only use for mesh is to keep dirt (pebbles etc) of the radiators/intercooler.
So you only need mesh with holes a bit smaller than the average pebble.
If the holes are any smaller, less air goes through and it's no longer 'Racing car mesh' it's 'Slower car mesh'.

Damn, I hate that name... 'Racing car mesh'... yuk...

I'm glad I got that of my chest.

willimo · #14 03-31-2005, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astroracer

You all exhibited very professional behavior which is refreshing to see in a forum.

That's what makes AF so great.

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