Detail Associates parts

[Anonymous]

A few weeks ago there was a post asking why
Detail Associates grab irons have been unavailable for such a long time. I have had some 90 degree caboose grabs on back order since last spring, and nobody seems to know why they aren't moving. I have considered bending my own as someone suggested, but my local hobby shops have a pretty limited supply of fine wire and that type of thing.
Two questions: Has anybody heard anything as to why such a leading detail parts company seemingly isn't producing a supply of these? (I would think grab irons would be a part with a significant demand out there) Also, does anyone have a phone number or website address where they can be contacted? (Phone number would be most valuable....that way someone has to answer your question and you aren't left wondering if you'll ever see a response to your message or letter)
Thanks alot.

[Anonymous]

Detail Associates is one of MANY suppliers in this hobby that apparently don't have a clue about how to develop and supply products. Some examples:
Detail Associates P/N 2226- TBD since 1996
Resin Unlimited HO trailer #304- TBD since 2000
How long did we wait for Stewart to finally send some FT's?
How long did you see the Highliners' ad saying " 'A' units coming soon"? (about 8 years!)
If you can't deliver a product within 4 months of its introduction, don't introduce it!!
Just my opinion.

[dknelson]

I don't know anything about Detail Associates (and I have my own problem: a bridge part from Micro Engineering has not delivered to Walthers since March) but some of these manufacturers are hardly factories just tools and jigs in a guy's basement. They get to it when they get to it, sometimes in sequence rather than everything at once. Even Athearn, at least before the new ownership, used to run off a batch of something and then not get back to it for a few years. The Hustler and RDC and crane were that way.

If you notice the Walthers catalog has for some years identified suppliers who are not reliable.

This reminds me of an old MR cartoon: guy at a desk covered with papers. On the wall is a chart "Locomotives promised" (about 10) "Locomotives in production" (one). He is talking to his shop man and saying something like "That 4-8-2 we have been advertising for three years seems to be very popular with modelers. Maybe it is time we start to design it."
Dave Nelson

[dknelson]

I don't know anything about Detail Associates (and I have my own problem: a bridge part from Micro Engineering has not delivered to Walthers since March) but some of these manufacturers are hardly factories just tools and jigs in a guy's basement. They get to it when they get to it, sometimes in sequence rather than everything at once. Even Athearn, at least before the new ownership, used to run off a batch of something and then not get back to it for a few years. The Hustler and RDC and crane were that way.

If you notice the Walthers catalog has for some years identified suppliers who are not reliable.

This reminds me of an old MR cartoon: guy at a desk covered with papers. On the wall is a chart "Locomotives promised" (about 10) "Locomotives in production" (one). He is talking to his shop man and saying something like "That 4-8-2 we have been advertising for three years seems to be very popular with modelers. Maybe it is time we start to design it."
Dave Nelson

[DTomajko]

I have also noticed manufacturers that prioritize their production schedules according to demand.I can understand with hundreds of items,it can be hard to keep everything in stock.Has your supplier tried a different distributor?Also,Tichy sells many kinds of grabs,(sorry,no caboose angled grabs),I use them for almost everything.Also,Detail Associates sells brass wire in sizes from .006" to .052" and a hobby shop handling RC airplane parts would have steel wire in at least .015" to .047".A jig is not difficult to make for bending wire,(I got that from Mainline Modeler,an excellent source for scratchbuilding techniques).I hope some of this helps. DT,PA.