AE Parts Question
10-25-2006, 11:21 AM
#1
AE Parts Question
I've noticed that he new AE parts packages don't show the US flag up top anymore and have a new blue/white design. On the back (B4/T4 plastic parts) they still say "Made in the USA" in bold, but also made in China in small print on the lower left. So which is it??? Are the parts still US made or over seas now that teh are part of TTR?? Just curious...thanks.
10-25-2006, 09:51 PM
#2
Tech Initiate
all team ass. parts are now made over seas. but since there are usa design and some will be TTR design depending on the car you buy the packages are simialr now. but since thunder tiger bought them i expect all packaging to change. yet any team ass. design will be from the same people and they will be usa but the will be built, manufactured, and packaged in china.
10-26-2006, 10:17 AM
#4
Tech Initiate
"Made in USA" doesn't mean as much as it used to these days IMO. A lot of stuff, if sourced properly and monitored for QC properly (which a lot are now) from overseas is quite good these days. Pretty hard to screw up cnc'd parts or molded parts anyways.....
10-26-2006, 11:03 AM
#5
Originally Posted by johnnyboydh
"Made in USA" doesn't mean as much as it used to these days IMO. A lot of stuff, if sourced properly and monitored for QC properly (which a lot are now) from overseas is quite good these days. Pretty hard to screw up cnc'd parts or molded parts anyways.....
10-26-2006, 04:43 PM
#6
Tech Regular
iTrader: (3)
Originally Posted by johnnyboydh
"Made in USA" doesn't mean as much as it used to these days IMO. A lot of stuff, if sourced properly and monitored for QC properly (which a lot are now) from overseas is quite good these days. Pretty hard to screw up cnc'd parts or molded parts anyways.....
Molding is the same way. How much regrind is in the plastic? How fast are they cycling the mold? Are the parts coming out 1/2 a degree away from being like a chocolate bar that's been sitting on the dash of your car......
"if sourced properly and monitored for QC"........... says it all. IF.......
10-26-2006, 04:52 PM
#7
I ordered some parts from the US a few weeks ago (i'm in the UK). I opened up a pack of wishbones and they are definatly different to the 'standard' plastic ones. The material is lighter in colour, lighter in weight and has excess material where the parts are moulded together.
I'm hoping the characteristics (flex) is the same as the 'old' plastic. But i can feel in my hand that they are not. They have a cheap feel about them.
I'm hoping the characteristics (flex) is the same as the 'old' plastic. But i can feel in my hand that they are not. They have a cheap feel about them.
10-26-2006, 05:12 PM
#8
Tech Addict
You just described the Carbon parts. Are you sure you aren't just used to the Composite stuff?
10-26-2006, 05:16 PM
#9
No, i've ran associated long enough to know the difference between plastic and graphite. This isn't graphite, their graphite parts feel heavyer than this !!
ALL my parts are like this (wishbones, shock towers, U braces, hubs etc), they are supposed to be the standard composite parts, all came in NON factory team packaging and all have the same looks and feel. They look very different to the normal plastic as it is alot lighter.
ALL my parts are like this (wishbones, shock towers, U braces, hubs etc), they are supposed to be the standard composite parts, all came in NON factory team packaging and all have the same looks and feel. They look very different to the normal plastic as it is alot lighter.
10-26-2006, 05:24 PM
#10
Originally Posted by AndyMoore
Lower grade materials/metals and casting instead of machining are two examples of why out sourcing overseas isnt always a positive. Had I know that AE had gone this route, I would NOT have decided to switch back from Losi. I honestly think its pathetic for them to have done this, TTR owned or not. The sole reason for the switch was larger profits, which is easily seen in the lack of a price drop on kits. Im not saying that they shouldnt try to run a successful business, but if youre going to outsource with lower quality then at least price it as such(instead of pricing as if it were "assembled" in the USA).
When T.T. purchased Ae they also received Ae`s private formula so they too could produce the plastic for Ae parts and maybe even future T.T. parts...
10-26-2006, 05:25 PM
#11
How can i forget when my entire car is made out the suppositive same material? i get the SAME replacement parts and they are very different??
10-26-2006, 05:29 PM
#12
Just telling you Ae plastic was a big part of the price T.T. paided when they brought the company....
I`v purchase parts in these so called new bag`s and have not notice any change in the quality of the parts...
I`v purchase parts in these so called new bag`s and have not notice any change in the quality of the parts...
10-26-2006, 05:32 PM
#13
Oh no, don't get me wrong I understand that. But the material is definatly different.
heres a picture:
http://paulrotheram.doughtyuk.net/misc/STA41360.JPG
the front is the 'new' stuff, the rear is the old stuff.
heres a picture:
http://paulrotheram.doughtyuk.net/misc/STA41360.JPG
the front is the 'new' stuff, the rear is the old stuff.
10-26-2006, 05:38 PM
#14
Originally Posted by Vegaspilot
Well that kinda sucks.
10-26-2006, 05:43 PM
#15
Well, I just did a rebuild with the new bag parts ..
already 3 club races and 3 days of practice in between...
I`v have not notice anything different in the parts performance...
already 3 club races and 3 days of practice in between...
I`v have not notice anything different in the parts performance...