Estes "BT-55" body tubes

[dlazarus6660]

I just bought a package of Estes BT-55 body tubes for a new project and when I looked closer to the tube inside the bag all three were spliced together from two seperate length tubes?:y:

What going on here ESTES? No more 18" BT? No label to warn me of what I'm buying?

I can splice my own if I wanted it that way!

Anyone else notice this?

 

[RoyAtl]

I just bought a package of Estes BT-55 body tubes for a new project and when I looked closer to the tube inside the bag all three were spliced together from two seperate length tubes?:y:

What going on here ESTES? No more 18" BT? No label to warn me of what I'm buying?

I can splice my own if I wanted it that way!

Anyone else notice this?

Can you post photos? I've never heard of this, ever. If you have a good enough camera, try to take a picture of the inside of the tube so we can see what's going on.

 

[hcmbanjo]

Two questions -
Was the BT-55 tube package factory sealed when you bought it?
I ask because my LHS will open up a three pack of tubes, bag them up as singles and sell each separately.

Was the "splicing" done with a coupler?

If they came this way from the factory I'd be ticked too!

 

[dlazarus6660]

See Pic's

Yes the package is factory sealed, I checked for that after I notice the splice tube and they are half yellow half white!

I looked on the package.

It reads!

MADE IN CHINA

Go figure!

 

[Gillard]

See Pic's

Yes the package is factory sealed, I checked for that after I notice the splice tube and they are half yellow half white!

I looked on the package.

It reads!

MADE IN CHINA

Go figure!

Thanks shocking. I'm sure that Estes wil replace if you send them the photo of the tubes. Makes you wonder what sort of quaility control they have in place in the factory.

 

[tbzep]

:eyepop:
I'll stick with BMS and SEMROC for my tubes.

 

[RoyAtl]

See Pic's

Yes the package is factory sealed, I checked for that after I notice the splice tube and they are half yellow half white!

I looked on the package.

It reads!

MADE IN CHINA

Go figure!

Very interesting. I'd bring this to Estes' attention, as I don't think this is how they intended their product to be presented. They probably get a few thousand packages from the container from China, and can't inspect each and every one.

I'm sure they'll send you a new pack.

 

[dlazarus6660]

Thanks for the advice Men!

All is well, I did just that and went and contacted Estes.
They asked for pic's, I sent them some and they are replacing the tubes.
Here is the note they sent me back.

"Daniel,

I'm sorry what a weird way to sub out a body tube I'll enter a warranty replacement for you, I called shipping and we have the normal 18" brown tube. Please allow 10-14 days for shipping.

Christine"

They did not ask for the tubes I have to be returned to them. I will return them if they pay for shipping.

All is right with the world.

Over and out!

 

[Zeus-cat]

I thought most of Estes stuff has been made in China for years.

I doubt Estes will want the tubes back. The shipping costs would be more than the tubes are worth and there is really nothing they can do with them.

On a somewhat related note, I just had a customer reject $50,000 worth of parts. I told them to scrap them as it wasn't worth it to have them shipped back as my Quality guy didn't even want to look at them. :bangpan:

 

[sunward]

I thought most of Estes stuff has been made in China for years.....

the tubes are made in the US and then shipped to China for packaging in kits and tube packages.

Strange as every part has an item number. It also takes a long time to glue tubes together. Either the factory got desperate to fill an order or Estes tried to pull a fast one.

Interesting to see if this happens again.

BTW, tubes are also available from Sunward. ( Website is being upgraded this weekend so it may be down. Call if you need something)

 

[Ironnerd88]

Wait...

We make the tubes here, then ship them to China for packaging? That's just weird!

Everything about this thread is weird.

I need ramen

 

[sunward]

Wait...We make the tubes here, then ship them to China for packaging? That's just weird!...

yes. But that is what happens.

 

[dlazarus6660]

Wait...

We make the tubes here, then ship them to China for packaging? That's just weird!

Everything about this thread is weird.

I need ramen

Some cars are made in Japan and assembled in the U.S.
What is so weird about that? It cost a lot less to import them in pieces than a complete package.

Ramen? Chinese noodle soup? Chicken flavor?

BTW...I brought these tube to the local club launch and all were shocked!
They also said to hang on to them so when Estes goes out of business they would be worth more. Yeah right!

 

[Evo666]

The joined tube is similar to the balsa they are now using. I starting building a baby bertha and noticed I was having trouble sanding and cutting through extra balsa area.