Swanee, thank you for your information about Belair, I had found their website and it was very helpful to receive your opinion before I order.

Cheers, Nerys

Belair are indeed still operating. I have in the past bought a number of model aircraft kits all of which have been top quality. Material quality was A1 and the accuracy of cutting absolutely faultless. Recently I bought a semi-kit of Vic Smeeds Vosper RTTL again the quality was first rate, don't hesitate to recommend them. The usual disclaimer I have no connection with them other than as a satisfied customer.👍👍👍😊

As much of the merchandise we buy in the Western world is of Chinese origin, we cannot describe everything as junk, I've bought many things of excellent quality and no doubt will continue to do so, it's just the way we all associate the words Chinese and Junk.
There is another Chinese sailing craft, the sampan and I've driven through the village of that name near Dijon in France on many occasions.

Cheers, Nerys.

Agreed Colin, I worked in precision engineering for over 40 years and used very expensive British tools, however when your retired and having to pay for it yourself the tools from China and Japan are a great alternative and great value.

No offence Martin, I too have lots of tools from China and I am perfectly happy with the savings I have made over British suppliers, I always bought Snapon when younger, but found that it wasn't any better than the less expensive Draper.
My measuring kit is all Japanese mitutoyo.
I even have a £7.99 digital vernier from Aldi, and 10 years on and still good.
Cheers Colin.

I hope i did not give the impression that all things from China are junk.
It was a play on words (Chines junk boat)

I have had some very good stuff in the past from china and has wondered how they do it for the price.
And i have also had some junk.

Nerys what ever you choosy to do i do hope you do a build log.

Martin555.

12x12. And each holder came with the Instalation key.
Cheers Colin

Thanks for the tip Colin. What size are they. Ie 10x10, 12x12.Thanks.
Peter.
I just paid £15 for a 12x12 holder and one tip from DRG tools.

Chinese junk, I have recently purchased a nice set of 8 lathe tools with interchangeable tips. From Wish.
Having paid the grand total of £10.99 including postage from China. I was surprised to find that they were the same as my friends that he had paid £63 for from Chronos.
Today I tried them out on silver steel, stainless steel, aluminium and brass.
So this Chinese junk is okay by me even though its taken 5 month's to arrive. Must have been on a slow boat from China.
Cheers Colin.

I do believe we all fall into the junk part.One mans junk is another mans gold.
Rick

In reply to Martin saying he has some Chinese junk but no boat , I doubt if there is a house in the country without a pile of Chinese junk.

Cheers, Nerys

Somehow Martin, Chinese junks don't appeal to me. I think I saw one at one of the shows last year. My father made a couple of staic models some years ago and I know they still reside in my sister's house. I expect I'll go for the Starlet, it will be a change to build something quite elegant.

Cheers, Nerys

I have some chines junk but no boat LOL!!

Martin555.

You must already have one in that Junk box you keep referring to Martin.😁

Hi Nerys,
How about making something different like a Radio controlled Chines Junk ?

Martin555.

Hello Nerys,

I should think the Starlet would make a nice project for you. I built one over thirty years ago now and am in the process of tidying her up.

I have looked at Belair's website recently as they do laser cut parts for several classic designs. I suppose the best thing would be to contact them direct. I think I am right in saying that Sarik do a kit for the Star Baby which is a smaller version of the Starlet as previously discussed on another thread. You will run into the problem of casting a lead keel again!

All the best,

Ian