Very nice quality tagstrips...

[Nick]

Were all used to the rather crummy tagstrips that have been around for many many years...

Many of you will have dealt with eBay vendor "alexer1" - - I've used him for years with excellent results...

Recently I noticed he'd been selling a range of ex-Soviet-Military tag strips - very high quality with M3 fixings.

I bought a range of sizes that arrived a few days ago - very nice indeed - a definite cut above the standard stuff - different league really.. Well worth a look...

e.g. http://stores.ebay.co.uk/SOVCOM/Point-To...2200648014

[pwdrive]

They look good, wonder what the insulator material is?

Lawrence.

[Nick]

They look good, wonder what the insulator material is?

Looks & feels like Bakelite...

I might heat one up to check for that "distinctive Bakelite aroma" - the "fishy" phenol smell...

[Radio Fixer]

This is beautiful tag strip as well: http://www.tubesandmore.com/search/node/tag%2Bboards

I have used the P-HTAG-16 and have some in stock. Its fibre glass.

Gary

[pwdrive]

They have a lot of stuff on that site.

Lawrence.

[Skywave]

Were all used to the rather crummy tag-strips that have been around for many many years...

Recently I noticed eBay vendor "alexer1" had been selling a range of ex-Soviet-Military tag strips - very high quality with M3 fixings.

I bought a range of sizes that arrived a few days ago - very nice indeed - a definite cut above the standard stuff - different league really.. Well worth a look...

e.g. http://stores.ebay.co.uk/SOVCOM/Point-To...2200648014

Bit expensive aren't they? And then there's the OTT P & P charge on top.
RS supply 'standard' tag strip at £10.25 for ten! Even if you add VAT and P & P to that, that is still a good price in comparison. If RS are selling them at that price, I reckon I could shop around and get them even cheaper!

As for "rather crummy tag-strips that have been around for many, many years", if they are the common-or-garden variety that you're referring to, I've had never had trouble at all with them - even when they're second-hand and salvaged.

Al.

[Joe]

I quite agree, Al. I was keeping quiet though in case I got called a tight-fisted Tyke.

- Joe

[Skywave]

Yes, Joe - I feared the same: it was not without a good deal of careful forethought and editing that I made that post - and I tried to be as diplomatic as I could muster in the language that I used.
However, having said all that, we all have our own individual budgets that determine how much we can afford to spend on our hobby. Mine is small - not by choice, but by circumstance. If things were otherwise, would I take a different view? Probably not, since one gets set in one's ways as the years go by and in my case, any changes that have arisen have always seemed to be in the wrong direction!
Prudence is an attribute that although hard won is also easily lost.

Al.

[Nick]

Bit expensive aren't they? And then there's the OTT P & P charge on top.
RS supply 'standard' tag strip at £10.25 for ten! Even if you add VAT and P & P to that, that is still a good price in comparison. If RS are selling them at that price, I reckon I could shop around and get them even cheaper!

As for "rather crummy tag-strips that have been around for many, many years", if they are the common-or-garden variety that you're referring to, I've had never had trouble at all with them - even when they're second-hand and salvaged.

Apples vs. Pears. The RS tag strips are the standard paxolin ones and are 123p each (incl VAT)... and the ones from alexer1 (e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190769336424 - similar number of tags) are 89p. Maybe you missed that the auctions were each for multiple items? the sums are similar for other combinations that they have.

The Russian ones are very solid Bakelite (or something very similar - I'm not sure yet), already threaded (M3) with brass inserts & stand-offs and are a different beast entirely in terms of quality - chunky steel, brass & Bakelite; the RS ones are the standard paxolin base and tinned strip. Apples. Pears.

The postage from Russia, 711p compares not unfavourably with the RS standard charge for orders under 20 quid of 594p (495p + VAT) making the Russian ones cost GBP 16.01 delivered and the RS ones GBP 18.24. It may not be next-day delivery from Russia, but its not unreasonable.

However, if ordering from Russia, its would plainly be silly to just order one thing - generally you offset the P&P by buying a few more items at the same time - they always combine P&P so you don't pay it multiple times for multiple items.

So, I'm not entirely sure where you got the idea that they are a "Bit expensive aren't they? And then there's the OTT P & P charge on top."... In the UK, as a not VAT-registered entity, you always have to include VAT (which is generally not applied on the imported items under a certain amount see HMRC's own guidelines at http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPorta...4#P34_3115) and normally P&P - this is the REAL cost of purchasing in the UK/EU. Delivered and taxed, the Russian items are very comparable in price (often cheaper) but of a far far higher quality.

Maybe they're not for you, but they aren't expensive, are very high quality and look good to boot!

Anyway, it was just an alternative for that occasional project where you might want something different

[Radio Fixer]

Same with those from Antique Electronic Supply. They may work out a bit costly but are unusual being flat strips that are mounted on pillars at any desired user spacing. Ideal for amps with large components etc. I needed some as their style fitted perfectly with a radio I was restoring.

Much of the time I use the Pax strip available from RS and Ebay

Gary