Basic Scratchbuilding Supplies - Where to Buy?

[C855B]

The closest LHS isn't exactly "L", it's an hour away. I was in need of less-common Plastruct bits for a project, and K&S music wire in a couple of sizes. After a frustrating online search for one place to order both, I ended-up at trainz.com, not one of my fave vendors... shipping offers one choice, my least-preferred shipper, and unnecessarily expensive versus other options. Also, the specific Plastruct truss I needed was a lucky find, other sizes weren't in stock, so they are not going to be a reliable source. Anyway...

Does anybody know of an online vendor offering a full line of not-scale-specific scratchbuilding supplies? Plastruct especially, plus Evergreen and K&S wouldn't hurt, either. Area LHSs are not good about stocking Plastruct even if I do make the trip, and I dunno about you guys, but phoning for stock checks has never worked for me, you invariably get some lackey who doesn't care, says "we have it" just to get off the phone, and we then discover we have made the 1- to 2-hour drive for nothing.

[MK]

Towerhobbies.com

They have all three.  I'm not sure if full line but they do have an extensive selection for all 3 brands.  And if the parts are small enough (they usually are for these things),  their Parts Saver shipping is only $1.99.

[C855B]

Nice resource. They are quite thorough with Plastruct, so I will bookmark them.

Thanks!

[MK]

They are very reliable and customer service is second to none.  I've been buying my R/C stuff from them for over 20 years.

[Hedron]

At the risk of sounding obvious, there are several hobby shops active on A Certain Auction Site with pretty good selection, especially for odd bits and pieces. It's basically a poor man's storefront, if you will, rather than an auction. I say this because I've recently had good luck sourcing things there that I have searched in vein for both locally and online, even at the bigger standalone online hobby vendors.

[C855B]

Not obvious, although I tried there first. Unfortunately, my experience finds that eBay is good for some things, but when you're needing a very specific item I've found it tends to come-up short. Same goes for Amazon.

[Spades]

For mesh and other supplies.  https://store.spruebrothers.com/

[Point353]

The closest LHS isn't exactly "L", it's an hour away. I was in need of less-common Plastruct bits for a project, and K&S music wire in a couple of sizes. After a frustrating online search for one place to order both, ...
Does anybody know of an online vendor offering a full line of not-scale-specific scratchbuilding supplies? Plastruct especially, plus Evergreen and K&S wouldn't hurt, either.

Did you try Walthers?
They sell all three product lines.
See if they show the items you wanted as in stock.

[MK]

Walthers will hit you with big time shipping charges.

[Point353]

Walthers will hit you with big time shipping charges.

Was waiting for that comment.
How much does a two-hour round-trip drive to the "LHS" cost by comparison?

[MK]

$1.99 shipping from Tower.

[Point353]

$1.99 shipping from Tower.

It depends upon whether or not Tower has everything the OP wants in stock.

It also depends upon whether or not all of those items qualify for the parts saver shipping rate.
Not all Plastruct or Evergreen products appear to qualify for that rate.


Does Tower sell K&S products? They are not shown in the brand listing: https://www.towerhobbies.com/listings/FullBrandDirectory.html

[C855B]

I didn't even think about Walthers as a "primary" online source, maybe I dismissed them out of hand as a MSRP sort of place in my routine MRR purchases. Didn't know about their shipping charges, but I was not happy with trainz.com's ridiculous shipping costs, either.

Walthers did indicate in-stock on the unusual Plastruct truss I was looking for. Didn't check the K&S stuff, it was pretty vanilla and I would be more surprised if they didn't have it.

[Point353]

Another possibility to investigate would be Walmart.
Their site acts as an online storefront for various resellers, including trainz, and many of them seem to be offering free shipping.

[TLOC]

I purchase from Walthers 3-4 times a year. I usually buy more then $150 worth and standard USPS shipping above that price is free.  Go to the Walthers site, fill the shopping cart and there is a calculator there for shipping and taxes. Fill it in and viola you know what the taxes are and have choices for shipping. Walthers in my mind over packs stuff using the air filled plastic pillows and I never have had an issue with Standard shipping. I do not belong to any Walthers clubs but get their Friday emails.

I purchase from MBKliens maybe the same as Walthers depending on need. Prices are very good but I only buy with the free shipping email they send out. I do get the email notices. I have purchased nothing this year so I do not know if MBKliens is now charging taxes but in past years they did not to Wisconsin.

I only buy in stock items from either place and allow no backorders. I have been doing this for years. My experience.

TomO