Armortek

Dear Friends

It has come to my attention that many of you are concerned that if you place an order with me I will not be able to deliver due to the possibility of going out of business. That of course is always a possibility for any company and the current economic climate is not helping. I will tell you I am having a hard time making ends meet. But if you all continue to support me with even small orders that will not happen. I just need enough orders to sustain me while I catch up on my back log of deliveries over the next two to three months.

For those concerned I hope this post will show you I have product in stock, I just need time to make up your orders.

Here are some pictures of my workshop, this is in a commercial area, I could not produce what I do in a garage. You can see I have a lot invested in this and am not likely to close up shop and take a hike. Sorry the shop is in a mess, no time to clean it and as you can see I have lots going on here.









Here are pictures of some current orders being worked on, in general these do not include the Tiger 1 Stowage Bins, Panther Sets, Tiger 1 and Panther Cupolas or Panzer III parts. There are 32 orders, many of which have some parts made. Items high lighted in yellow have been delivered from these orders.




Product parts in stock available for immediate shipping.
Flags and Tiger 1 88 mm Rounds.



Tiger 1 Stowage Bin parts in stock awaiting assembly , some work already completed such as bin lids shaped. Rivets fitted and soldered in place, these are the parts with the tape on, well over a 500 rivets hand applied and individually soldered. Three bins were completed last week, one has been mailed and two will mail on Monday. There are 17 bin sets, not all small parts are shown in picture. Still have to sort them from bag of mixed parts.


Panther Tool Sets. Most tools are made, three sets being worked on at the moment and will ship some time this coming week. 9 sets total to complete.


Five Tiger I mudguard sets ordered in kit form, have some soldering to do and they are ready to ship.


White cast metal, investment cast brass and photo etched parts that are made and on the shelf ready for delivery in kit form, assembled parts will take time.
Hand tools, tow ropes, jack and start crank.

Jack block, shackles. MG mount and hatches.

Hatches, air filters, mudguards and persicopes.

Travel lock, snow shovel, shackles, jerry can holder, fire ext, tool clamps, antenna parts, wing nuts, eye bolts, pick axe and hinges.

Rifle racks, bin clamps. 88mm container and Panzer IV tools.

SD 250 tools and parts. antennas, ant bases, hammers and cleaning rod ends.

Tiger and Panther Cupola parts, still have more periscopes and covers to cast.


Photo etched parts. These small parts go to make up most of the sets I offer. In most cases I have stock to complete 30 or more sets.
Tiger parts, fire extinguishers parts and Panther parts

Sd 250 parts and panzer IV parts.

Tow rope parts, hand tool parts and Panther Grill parts.


Here are a few items I have made up and ready to mail. These are available for immediate delivery.
Hand tools, tow ropes, jack blocks, MG mounts, hatches, Fire ext, SD 250 and Panzer IV parts.


Will I run out of cast parts, not likely, with the spin casting machine and molds I have pictured below I can very quickly cast any parts needed to fill orders.



Tiger 1 and Panther Cupolas. Molding making rubber and casting resin already in stock. Just need time to make molds and start production.


As you can see from this post I plan to stick around. I, like all of you just need to pay the rent, taxes and eat. Please consider my past services to the hobby and help by supporting me in this ongoing time of need.

My thanks goes to Mark and Gill for hosting this forum which allows me to post my products and enables me with ease to communicate with you all at times like this.

Sincerely
Mike Stannard

A treasure trove Mike!

Your shop looks very organized. Keep up the fabulous work!

Kind regards
Tim

You certainly have a better organized facility, a better business plan and more credibility than the Banks! Hmm, maybe I'm not saying it quite as well as intended?

Can't wait for your next superb pieces parts,

Mike, that's certainly an Aladdin's cave for us armour addicts

Adrian.

It's the Holy Grail for us modellers!
Fantastic Mike love it !!

Matthijs

Hello Mike

Fantastic My order is with you. As i need the parts i have to bite the bullet.

lee

Mike,
Thanks for the fascinating look into your business. I am impressed by your research, organization, quality and extreme variety of items you provide and produce. In fact I am really amazed how you keep all those small bits sorted and going to the correct kit and out to the right people! Hopefully you are not trying to keep all those products moving by yourself?

Wow its hard enough trying to keep my garage organized!

I wish you continued success through the difficult times.
Bob

Thanks for your kind words guys, mates to those in the UK and Downunder. LOL

Bob, I do everything myself, sorting, packing, making parts, assembly and so on, your are right it is not easy. But I have the benefit of British Army training which has gone a long way into giving me good organizing ability. I just wish my brain was as fast and memory as good as it was then, being as fit as I was then would not hurt either. To be able to work 12 or more hours a day with little sleep and some times a hangover would be a pleasure. I still remember times when leaving the WO's and Sgts Mess bar at 6 am and being on parade at 8 am drilling a company of men. Those were the good days.
Mike

Mike,

I would more than happy to further support you fine work. I will see what else I can order and will pay you in advance for it as I have other orders.

Jim Slothower

Hi All
Just recieved my order from Mike everthing just great .What craftmanship!!

Tom Schulze

Yes, I just got a box from Mike, partial of my order. Everything looks great. Just need some time to sit down and work on mine - I hate when work gets in the way!

My parts and Ricks parts turned up this week as well . Mike your Parts are the best . I just have to save up for more . Thankyou . Dale

Just want to reinforce the comments above. My parts for my Tiger and Jagdpanther turned up on Tuesday and what a superbly built set of parts they are. Magnificent craftmenship Mike. With this standard, you simply have to be a successful business and the only way for that to happen is for all of us "Tank Nuts" to support you

Best wishes

Rick Jensen

Hi Guys

My thanks to all those that took the time to reply to this post, it is very much appreciated and I hope will improve my current standing with all members of this forum. To add a little more ammunition to my ability to deliver the goods I have delivered 78 orders since January 2009. I know this is easy to say, but for those that are doubtful you can view copies of my mailing receipts at the link below as proof of this.

http://www.afceremonials.com/folder4/

Over the last few months I have delivered 20 Tiger I Stowage Bins assembled and 8 in kit form. I have 15 to complete which is my current priority and hope to deliver by the end of May, some maybe sooner.

There are 6 Panther/Jadgpanther (Pan01-10) to be completed which I am working on now. These should be complete by the end of next week.

With the exception of the Tiger/Panther cupolas and some Panzer III parts, all other orders are being filled with a couple of weeks, there are some exceptions were a lot of assemble is required.

Thanks to you all for your support and patiences.

New orders would be welcome no matter how large or small as my income is still less than my overheads.

Sincerely
Mike Stannard

Hello Mike.. Thanks for the update. Let us know when the PzIII engine deck tow cable kit and the jack block set that goes over the top of the 'S' hooks are ready ? . Mike now that I have the KT do you have cast brass scale side tow cable clamps to suit the KT . Dale