Finney7
Welcome to Finney7, the re-release of the Martin Finney range of 7mm kits. We now have most of Martin's models in manufacture and are starting to add designs of our own. We are also designing some new chassis for some of the kits to bring them up to modern expectations. We consider that no work is required to the upper works.
The web site features some photographs of locos built from our kits. We hope you enjoy these fine examples of superb craftsmanship. Our thanks to everyone who supplied us with the photographs.
So, you may ask, what’s happened since our last “News” which was over a year ago? As a one liner we’ve all been so tied up with trying to get new kits sorted and the existing ones packed and sent out that the Web Site has taken a back seat. We have every good intention of keeping it up to date but won’t make promises we may be unable to keep!
As we all live about as far from one another as it’s possible for five people in England and Wales to be we only ever get
together at exhibitions so this year we met up for an AGM where all the niggles and problems were laid on the table (of a train on the Watercress Line, but
that’s another story) and we made plans of how to push things forward. Here’s a bit of background about the delays in bringing new kits to market.
As you will probably be aware we have been working on introducing some
additions to the range for quite some time now. We’ve given anticipated availability dates in good
faith but in every case, these have not been met. We’re letting you know the reasons for these delays and what we’re doing to correct them.
We hold our hands up in recognising that we’ve been far too optimistic in proposing availability dates for new releases and the re-release of a few of the original Martin Finney kits.
None of us had been involved in kit manufacture before we took on the Finney range (some of us still have demanding full time jobs) and we’ve learned a lot in the last few years.
A “baptism of fire” doesn’t really do it justice!
A major concern and one which affected some other kit manufacturers was the decision of the company manufacturing our etches to
cease production at very short notice.
Putting on one side an argument with the administrators which was resolved after many hours work on our part, we had to claim and collect all our masters and even then,
at least one of these was missing. We then had to locate, introduce ourselves and test out a new facility which after a few hiccups along the way is now able to produce
etches to our high-quality requirements. This, coupled with a good pre-ordered supply of castings allowed us to continue to supply our established range of kits.
We’ve also had problems in sourcing lost wax brass castings. We have tested out a number of companies and all have, so far, fallen short of the quality we demand.
In each case the production of the test pieces to prove quality has taken months before we’ve had to declare a failure. We simply won’t accept second best.
However, we are delighted to say that the latest test pieces we have received from a new supplier are of the very highest quality and will satisfy the most demanding of kit builders.
The down side is that there is a delay in scheduling our work into production, but we are hopeful that once a product stream is established, the required castings will flow to
meet our continuing demand. After that test builds have to be completed and instructions written.
Bearing in mind our past experiences with trying to pull all the strands of new kit production to a successful conclusion we’ll not be proposing even “hoped for” dates for the new
releases until at least we have all the required components in place. Nevertheless, we feel at last that the light at the end of the tunnel is not a train coming in the opposite direction!
If you have an interest in our forthcoming new releases, please keep a look out on the Gauge O Guild, social media, Western Thunder and our web site.
Despite what may appear to be the rather negative comments above we’re more optimistic about the new kits than we have been for some time. This meeting also gave us the opportunity
to consider an item which, it’s fair to say, we’ve been struggling with for some time. That’s the supply of kit components which demand a disproportional amount of time and effort.
As modellers ourselves the partners in Finney7 recognise the value of making castings and component parts of kits available and we have been pleased to do this very much on an informal basis.
However, it has become clear that such a service is both costly and time-consuming for us to manage and it is difficult if not impossible to provide this service in a timescale the customer expects.
This situation is further complicated by delays in sourcing parts as we purchase only those items needed to make up complete kits.
We have therefore made the difficult decision to create new terms and conditions for the supply of castings and component parts. With immediate effect the minimum order value will
be £20 and we will only be able to supply complete sprues of castings or full sheets of etches. Delivery will be 6-8 weeks from the date of order.
We regret the need to make these changes but we will, forthwith, have a formal and easily understood process for the supply of parts outside the core business of supplying complete kits.
Furthermore, this will enable us to continue the service of making components available.
We’ve continued our attendance at the GOG Shows and as ever enjoyed meeting new people and those we see every few months. We attended the ice box that was the Guildford Christmas
Trade Show too. Most recently we were at the Kettering Show in the spring and then the new Kempton Park Show which was very well attended and seems to have found its feet quickly
as it’s only the second year for that event. For anyone who’s been unable to attend previously it’s well worth the effort. It’s a great location with plenty of room and parking,
and the facilities are among the best.
Those with a SR/ LSWR interest will shortly see that we will be adding a few new instructions in our much-improved house style for the
T9s, L11 and tenders. These have been missing from these pages until now, once again down to time pressures on other aspects which we considered more important, but work is now ongoing
to resurrect them from the pile of outstanding jobs.
So, we attack the remainder of the year in a better situation than we did at the start. We look forward to seeing many of you at future shows. We’ll be at "Guildex", Stafford, on
7th and 8th September, and then at the SVR "O Gauge Get Together" on 19th and 20th October. We hope to see you at one or the other.
Well, where does the time go?
We've been busy at Finney7 and the exhibition diary is full, so we hope we'll see you at one or more of these events.
The first for this year as far as we are concerned was Kettering, which was really busy.
Occasionally we had visitors three deep inspecting our wares.
It was really rewarding too to see some splendid models brought in by our customers.
In the meantime we've been stocking up and our kit availability is at an all time high.
This has been achieved despite interruptions to supplies caused in large part because our preferred etchers ceased trading.
We've found an alternative, but costs have increased significantly.
In fact brass etches have increased by around 50% and nickel silver etches by between 79% and 95% depending on the size and thickness of the etch.
We regretfully have no alternative but to increase our prices from 31st March, although we will keep the increases as low as we can.
Our kit levels are now such that it's impossible to carry all of them to every exhibition, although we'll continue to bring one of every kit to each exhibition
we attend. To be certain of us supplying your preferred kit, a telephone call or email to Richard will make a reservation.
The good news is that work has continued in the background on the 94XX and the B1.
Due to the difficulties outlined above there have been some significant delays but we're getting there.
We'll not make a forecast yet about availability, though.
What we can say is that they'll be worth waiting for!
Firstly, the exceedingly good news. The Calender is now updated and we are going to some shows!
We are looking forward to seeing you at these shows.
We are aware that a number of our customers have been waiting for Collett 4000 gallon tender springs and axleboxes.
We are happy to say that the new patterns are now with the casters, and we should have the castings available shortly.
We would like to thank customers for their patience, and ask them to contact us to confirm their current address if they are awaiting the parts.
Now to the bad news. We have kept our prices unchanged since we took on the business.
Unfortunately our production costs rose significantly over the past year, and as a result we will have to increase our prices accordingly.
The current prices will be held until the end of the Kettering O Gauge Guild show on 5th March, but will change immediately after.
All the orders received by 5th of March will be honoured at the old price, even if delivery is at a later date.
At last, we are getting out to a show! Finney7 will be attending the trade show at Royal Wootton Bassett Memorial Hall on Saturday 4th December 2021. We will only have limited stock with us, but if you order by 24th November we will be able to set your order aside for collection on the day. Tickets are limited due to Covid regulations and we advise that you take a look at their web site for full information.
It's been a difficult time for all, both individuals and businesses, as the Coronavirus pandemic shows no sign of abating. We have not been immune from the effects of this as we have suffered from interruptions to our supply chain. Indeed, we lost some 6 month's work of development and production with new castings that we are still working to get back.
In practical terms, we were unable to release the rest of the GWR range when we expected to, and those that have been released are still missing a few sprues. We are working assiduously with our caster to get these out as soon as we can, and thank customers old and new for their patience in waiting to complete the kits. This delay has been as frustrating for us as it must be for you.
We now have available the City, 3232 Class, Stella and Dean Goods, although the missing sprues (which in the main cover firebox fittings and final detailing) will be sent on later when we get them into production. The instructions will be missing information on the castings on these sprues but will be corrected.
In respect of new kit development, there has been a lot of design work going on behind the scenes. The 94xx and B1 are in a position where we need to productionise the castings and write the instructions, and while we don't expect anything to happen quickly in the current environment, the end is in sight. We are also working on new chassis for the Aberdare and 28xx, as well as development work on a number of other kits for future release.
