BOLTMAN

My Feedback: (1)

I have e-mailed Robart using the contact page on their website, once 5 weeks ago and again a week ago asking the same question about some retracts. Both times I got an automated response saying they would get back to me in 72 hours but I still have not heard a thing.

Anyone know a better way to contact them, eg an e-mail address? ( Note I am in Australia so calling is not so practical )

91zulu

My Feedback: (2)

Try Shindin. His retracts are much better than robarts and he is easy to get to. Guess Robart don`t want your business.

http://www.shindinmachine.com/

Boomerang1

I buy my Robart bits through Tower, even specials which aren't on the Tower site.

They seem to have Robart's ear & have always got back to me with the answers I need.

John C.

BOLTMAN

My Feedback: (1)

The project I have taken on is built around a set of Robarts.

BOLTMAN

My Feedback: (1)

John I am chasing some technical info that I am doubtful that Tower will be able to provide.

curtusua-RCU

My Feedback: (91)

I have the same problem... no response and emailed twice.

Walt Thyng

My Feedback: (9)

I happen to know that Robart had to dismiss their customer relations person and haven't been able to get a replacement. Try calling their phone number and ask for "Eric." He's like the plant manager.
Walt

Luft-Gangster

Go to the Robart web site. Find your retracts. Click on the orange block with "Dimesion Drawing" in it. and you will get a pdf drawing of the gear. Example of the Top Flite 622-5 for the giant P-51 for this link. http://www.robart.com/catalog/secure...ings/622-5.pdf
or attached pdf of same.

alanc

in the absence of a robart reply, post your technical want on here, plenty of us have robarts, we may be able to help.

samparfitt

My Feedback: (43)

Boltman,
Try emailing Eric directly:
[email protected]

I've found Eric, as well as the rest of the crew, very helpful.
Of course, I can also call them, which makes it easier.
Last year, while at Fond du lac, I had trouble with my P-47 gear ( and after only 300+ flights!) and they had spar parts, etc that I could buy to fix them.
I find the people at most small businesses to be friendly and helpful.

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

Mick,
I am, maybe was an agent for them and I get the same lack of resoponse. I placed an order back in Oct for a customer of mine and it did not ship till late Jan but went astray in the post. Robart refused to even instigate an search through USPS. Refused to refund or even communicate on the matter. In the end I lodged a paypal dispute but still have a very pissed off cusomer that I have to refund.


When they changed hands they improved dramticaly but are now worse then before.

I'd suggest contacting your cuz as he has contacts with them and see if he can pull a few strings for you.
Simply not good enough.

cheers
Peter

BOLTMAN

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I will try e-mailing direct and see how that goes.

Cheers!

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

good luck mate!! When are you guys coming to Brissy for a visit?

chris923

My Feedback: (53)

Phone calls work the best to Robarts. I have alway been taken care of, and my calls returned promptly. Emails can easily be forgotten about.

Chris923

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

mmm phone calls at international rates tend to be bloody expensive .....

chris923

My Feedback: (53)

If you need the product or the info bad enough, you do what it takes.

Chris923

Twin_Flyer

My Feedback: (4)

What about using Skype and buying some Skype-out minutes?

Probably a lot cheaper then a standard phone call...

Bill S.

Check6

My Feedback: (427)

Hi Boltman,
If you tell me what you need I'll make a phone call for you. They are very good at answering and sending the parts. Eric is very reliable.
Thanks,
Fred
Check6

91zulu

My Feedback: (2)

Thats nonsense . It should not take an overseas call for Robart to respond. How some of these companies stay in business is beyond me.

BOLTMAN

My Feedback: (1)

Guys,

Thanks for the input, I have e-mailed Robart at the address that Sam has provided above & will now give them a chance to respond to that.

For those of you who are curious, here is what I am chasing.

I am currently working on a project that I have acquired part done and it is designed and partially built around these - http://www.robart.com/products/6-mai...5-14-wheel-max

I am worried about what weight this model will come out at, so I would like to ask, what is the limiting factor from an engineering point that determines the maximum weight rating of 40lbs? Is it the unit itself or is it the leg?

I would only be using the unit, not the leg as I need to use a 6” wheel. I would be using these legs - http://www.robart.com/products/58-di...t-5-12-6-wheel
This states that the leg is rated up to 50lbs which would cover my expected final weight.

Any advice you can offer will be appreciated.

Thanks

Mick

chris923

My Feedback: (53)

How do they stay in business? They make good products, they stand behind their products, they make products that no one else makes, they offer their products a a price modelers are will to pay.
When modelers find another vendor, with the same or better products at a price modelers are willing to pay, they will go out of business. That is the "free enterprise" system and econ 101.

Chris923

BOLTMAN

My Feedback: (1)

Hi Pete!

No plans for a Brisvegas trip any time soon, but I am being hassled by a few people to go to Tin Can Bay warbirds. Any chance you might make that?

Cheers

Mick

91zulu

My Feedback: (2)

About the good products part, guess you never tried or seen Sierra or Likes Line or Ultra Precision or Shindin or Barton retracts. The problem with Robarts is the retracts frame for the large heavy planes is made out of the same material that the 40 and 60 size retracts are made out of. Have you ever seen a set of Sierra retracts or Shindin. If yes which do you think is stronger. Yes Darrel stuff is pricey but I find Shindin prices is just the same as Robarts in a few cases cheaper but built a hell of a lot stronger.
Robart is a bigger company than the rest and advertise every where so everyone goes there first for retracts. I did the same thing untill I see what happens to Robart gears when installed in large planes..


Boltman I know you think you are stuck with the Robart retracts, but now hearing how much your plane is likely to weigh I suggest you go with something stronger. Lenny at Shindin could make anything you want to your specs and it will be about the same price as Robart and a hell of a lot stronger. It will not hurt to send an email with pics and get a quote. Those Robarts has a rep of failing when it comes to heavy planes.

BOLTMAN

My Feedback: (1)

Just for the record, I did e-mail Lenny @ Shindin and got no response from him either...............

I did not mean for this to turn into a bash of anyone's products or services, I just wanted to know if there was a better way to contact Robart which Sam has kindly provided.

Cheers

91zulu

My Feedback: (2)

No I am not bashing Robarts at all. I was just point out the weakness in the gears that are made for the larger planes. The framing do deform if you happen to have a hard landing. I have seen my friends Pica P51 gears bend on a landing that was less than perfect. The retracts are similar to the T6. Guys usually mod the retracts with a frame from Sierra because once it twist it will always deform from then on, even on good landings. Also a the Pica P51 was no way near 50 pounds. Most cases under 32 pounds.