We have been in business for over 10 years, and have sold over 21,000 models to >3200 high schools, colleges and universities. Thank You! |
Foster Manufacturing Company 1504 Armstrong Drive Plano, Texas 75074-6027 Phone/FAX: (972) 424-3644 |
Pat Foster--Owner Web Site http://www.flash.net/~fmco E-mail fmco@flash.net 2007 |
1. What woods are used in your models?
All are hardwoods, selected for grain and color. Woods which are normally used are red oak, white oak, hard maple, cherry, walnut, padauk, satin wood, mahogany, purple heart, jatoba, and ash. For the solid cross-sections #102A and #103A, I use Finland Birch plywood--it has very thin plies, plus a dark glue is used, making the sections more visible. A 5/32" plywood is used for the thin washers in #104.
2. How did you select the size for your cross-section models? They are a bit small to be seen from the front of the classroom.
These were designed to be handled by teachers and students. I made several sizes of prototypes, and any models larger than those offered are difficult to hold.
3. How long does it take to get an order filled?
I ship UPS Ground, so it generally takes a week or less for you to receive your shipment. For destinations within about 500 miles of Dallas, the shipments usually get there the next day. For shipments to Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico, I will ship USPS Priority Air Mail. For other destinations, such as continental Europe, request a shipping price quote for UPS air shipping.
4. Can you provide the Intersecting Planes Model #107 with holes in the planes so I can use string to show lines on a plane?
Yes, I can. However, this would be an operation which would require another shop to fabricate the planes with all of the holes. The cost for equipment setup and fabrication would be such that I would have to have a large number of orders to make this worthwhile. I have also had requests for etched lines forming grids on the planes. Same answer. The cost would probably be a lot more than you would want to pay.
5. Wouldn't the models be less expensive it they were made of plastic?
Yes and no. If I could be guaranteed of selling a large number (thousands) of any given model, it could be done in plastic, and sold for less. I specifically looked into making the Shells model in plastic. The result was that I would have to sell them for about $5.00-$10.00 more than the current price of the hand-made wooden model. Most of the price would be in paying off the cost of the plastic molds and the interest cost of the loan required to get the molds designed and fabricated.
6. Why is the Intersecting Planes model make of acrylic plastic rather than Lexan?
Even though acrylic is more brittle than polycarbonate, it it more forgiving around solvents, especially rubbing alcohol used to remove permanent overhead projector marker lines. Polycarbonate will cloud up when most solvents are used. So, it was a choice of more user-friendly vs bullet proof. I picked the user-friendly.
7. Do you make custom models?
Yes. Several models which are now cataloged started out as one-time custom projects.
8. Do you have a guarantee on your products?
Yes--your satisfaction with the product. If you are not satisfied with any product, return it for a refund or an exchange. Out of over 13,000 models shipped, I have had about 30 returned for various reasons--wrong models put in shipment, shipping damage, teacher decided that he did not like the model, and loose clock hand attachment.
| If you have any questions, or if you need a model to help present a concept, please give me a call, write, or send and e-mail. If a custom model can be developed so that it has a wide appeal, I can usually give you a much better price than if it is a one-time project. |
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