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Plastruct Refinery

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  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 660 posts
Posted by hbgatsf on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 8:17 AM

HO-Velo

      

 

 
What did you use to represent the hoses in this picture?

Rick

  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 660 posts
Posted by hbgatsf on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 8:13 AM

Ray Dunakin

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. I got Chrome this morning and was able to successfully place my order online. I've already received an email saying it's being shipped today. 

 

They really need to do something about their lack of customer service. Either take down the phone numbers and other contact info from their website, or put someone to work answering.

 

Did you get your order?

The issue with customer support has not been resolved.  I have been trying to contact them about product information that I brought up in another thread and can't get through to them, and they don't return calls or answer emails.

If you got your order I guess I will just pull the trigger and hope for the best.

Rick

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Monday, May 29, 2023 1:09 PM

NorthsideChi

Regarding some of the discussion about plastruct / evergeeen ownership, it's the same company ownership at the same business address according to the State of Illinois business services website.  It's easy to look up considering I need to file my annual report for LLC renewal with the state every year. 

 

This is true.  However, they are both operated separately.

  • Member since
    July 2021
  • 194 posts
Posted by NorthsideChi on Monday, May 29, 2023 11:16 AM

Regarding some of the discussion about plastruct / evergeeen ownership, it's the same company ownership at the same business address according to the State of Illinois business services website.  It's easy to look up considering I need to file my annual report for LLC renewal with the state every year. 

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • 216 posts
Posted by KemacPrr on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 3:10 PM

Plastruct eventually sold both ABS and styrene in most of their product lines. You have to remember that Plastruct was originally a supplier for industrial models not model railroaders. Thats why their valves and other items are not real detailed. I've seen models of refineries. chemical plants and trash to steam facilities made with their products. Some were very large and expensive. That was their original customer base not us. They still exist as a seperate company owned by the same family that owns Evergreen. ---  Ken 

  • Member since
    February 2008
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Posted by maxman on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 9:17 AM

Overmod

Isn't Plastruct ABS while Evergreen is straight styrene?

 

Not necessarily.  Depends what it is.  Look through the Plastruct catalog and you’ll see they offer(ed) what I think they called fineline items that were white.

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • 1,162 posts
Posted by PC101 on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 7:20 AM

I have Plastruct from City of Industry, Ca. which is white styrene and some from Des Plaines , Il. that is gray ABS.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 6:26 AM

Isn't Plastruct ABS while Evergreen is straight styrene?

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 5:23 AM

KemacPrr

Everegreen purchased Plastruct about 1-2 years ago. I believe they have kept the two companies seperate . ---  Ken  

That is my understanding as well.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • 216 posts
Posted by KemacPrr on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 11:57 PM

Everegreen purchased Plastruct about 1-2 years ago. I believe they have kept the two companies seperate . ---  Ken 

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: California
  • 2,388 posts
Posted by HO-Velo on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 8:55 PM

Hope Plastruct remains in business as their line of industrial and architectural materials would be sorely missed by many hobbyists.  I can only guess they've lost professional architectural and industrial scale modeling sales over the years due to computerization.  

Regards, Peter

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Sandy Eggo, CA
  • 1,279 posts
Posted by Ray Dunakin on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 3:30 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. I got Chrome this morning and was able to successfully place my order online. I've already received an email saying it's being shipped today. 

 

They really need to do something about their lack of customer service. Either take down the phone numbers and other contact info from their website, or put someone to work answering.

 Visit www.raydunakin.com to see pics of the rugged and rocky In-ko-pah Railroad!
  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 2:04 PM

Try this website:

https://plastruct.myshopify.com/products/94500-gc-104

Could be how Plastruct handles retail orders.

If it takes credit cards, you would be protected if the card gets charged but nothing gets delivered.

My belief is that both Plastruct and Evergreen are both small operations.  That is no excuse for not answering the phone or emails, but in this day and age there could be a host of reasons why.

Oh, and the webpage above has a 2023 date at the bottom.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 10:09 AM

Ray Dunakin
What I need most is their "Dark green, super fine gravel" (94500/GC-104)

Sorry, can't help.  I never knew they even made anything like that

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 8:16 AM

This morning they sent me an email that there was still something in my cart, but it doesn't like my address.

You might try a different browser.

Ray I love your old mine youtube videos. 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Sandy Eggo, CA
  • 1,279 posts
Posted by Ray Dunakin on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 12:53 AM

maxman
What part or parts from plastruct are you looking for?

What I need most is their "Dark green, super fine gravel" (94500/GC-104)

I use it to make ocotillos and other plants that can handle constant exposure to the elements on my outdoor layout. I've never found anything else that could work as a substitute.

 

 Visit www.raydunakin.com to see pics of the rugged and rocky In-ko-pah Railroad!
  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Monday, May 8, 2023 11:42 PM

Ray Dunakin

Has anyone been able to order anything from Plastruct recently? I've been trying to order something but their website gives me an error message everytime. For over a week I've tried to contact them but no one ever answers the phone or returns my calls or emails. I also tried contacting Evergreen, with the same results.

 

What part or parts from plastruct are you looking for?

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, May 8, 2023 11:35 PM

I just did a test. I put one item in my cart and made it all the way to where I would have put in my credit card information to finalize the sale.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Sandy Eggo, CA
  • 1,279 posts
Posted by Ray Dunakin on Monday, May 8, 2023 8:36 PM

I don't even get that. I just get a message saying, "There's a problem with our checkout. Refresh the page or try again later."

 Visit www.raydunakin.com to see pics of the rugged and rocky In-ko-pah Railroad!
  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, May 8, 2023 6:01 PM

I just tried the website and it says it can't ship to my address. 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Sandy Eggo, CA
  • 1,279 posts
Posted by Ray Dunakin on Monday, May 8, 2023 3:39 PM

Has anyone been able to order anything from Plastruct recently? I've been trying to order something but their website gives me an error message everytime. For over a week I've tried to contact them but no one ever answers the phone or returns my calls or emails. I also tried contacting Evergreen, with the same results.

 Visit www.raydunakin.com to see pics of the rugged and rocky In-ko-pah Railroad!
  • Member since
    October 2014
  • 4 posts
Posted by North on Friday, January 29, 2021 11:53 PM

I ordered 223 dollars worth of stuff from this " new Ownership" on 9 Jan. After 2 weeks, nothing shipped, no response. I emailed them 3 times, phoned twice, no response. Phone says mailbox full. On the 26th filed a complaint with my credit card. I think the new owners are cons.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Sunday, December 27, 2020 4:25 PM

My spare parts box has lots of plastic sprues with a few extra parts attached.  More than once I've taken the parts off and tossed them back in the box.  Pipe runs on my layout are mostly just leftover sections of sprue.  Nice clean rounded corners.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: California
  • 2,388 posts
Posted by HO-Velo on Saturday, December 26, 2020 2:09 PM

Chuck, My pleasure and thanks for the nice comment.

Actually the color choice for my storage tanks and wharf valves was based upon the oil refinery I worked in.  I'd say there's little physical difference between today's common valves and those in service during the 1920s.  

Tichy HO and N scale brake wheels work well as valve hand-wheels with brass wire for the stems.  A rising stem denotes a gate valve, rising handwheel a globe valve.  

Btw, sent U a PM.

Happy hydrocarbon equipment modeling, Regards, Peter

 

 

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • 152 posts
Posted by staybolt on Thursday, December 24, 2020 11:35 PM

Thanks, Peter, for your elucidation! Just what I need to make a decision. Looks like you may have used the "gate valve" or "control valve" and then added nice detail with flanges and brake handwheels, as you say. I presume you're simulating 'no spark' bronze valves from the color of the paint you used. I'm using 'dulled down' and 'dirtied' brass tubing for my 'no spark' delivery pipes to fill tanker trucks. From what I can see in your fuel wharf (?) photo, great modeling work! 

         -Chuck

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: California
  • 2,388 posts
Posted by HO-Velo on Thursday, December 24, 2020 9:05 PM

The Plastruct valves are not detailed.  Their small dia. 'piping' is plastic sheathed metal wire that the slotted valve bodies snap onto, makes for nice clean bends.  The valves can be made to look more realistic by adding rolling stock brake handwheels and scratch built flanges.  Regards, Peter

      

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • 152 posts
Posted by staybolt on Thursday, December 24, 2020 5:35 PM

Hello Everyone,

I thought I'd hop on this thread since I'm thinking about using Plastruct tubing and fittings in a rail-served small bulk oil products dealership. I'm planning on using some above-ground piping with in-line valves between the unloading track, storage tanks and pumphouse. I called Walthers about their piping kit. The smallest size tubing in it is a scale 7 in. in diameter. I need 4 in. and 8 in. sizes. Plastruct, however, has those sizes.

I also called Plastruct (yesterday), not about the ownership subject, but to get some info about the various valves they sell. The new owner evidently needs some  more time to get up to speed on familiarity with the Plastruct line so the employee I spoke with couldn't give me much info about the valves. My modeling era is the 1920s so I'd like to find a valve design that was likely in use during that period. The Plastruct website uses what look like drawings of their valves, but the images only show the side view of a given valve. The "control valve" and "Saunders valve" appear like they might be good candidates for me, but I'm not sure. I'd prefer one that has a spoked handwheel since I've seen mostly that type (as opposed, say, to a disc design) in photos from the 1920s that happen to include a view of a valve. Photos of the Plastruct valves taken at an angle would help, but the guy I spoke with didn't know of any such photos the company has. 

Anybody familiar with Plastruct's valves and/or know where I might find photos?

         -Chuck

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Sunday, April 12, 2020 7:30 PM

Here's what's on each site:

 

 

York1 John       

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Sunday, April 12, 2020 6:43 PM

richhotrain

 maxman

are you saying that I'm a prevaricater?Sad 

No, not at all, Pinocchio.

 Geppetto

Are you sure?  I feel my strings being pulled

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