Why we use VMAR brand hardware in our ARF products.

Question: Why do you use VMAR brand hardware in VMAR ARF products?

Answer: Well, there a bunch of reasons. We are pretty flexible and have used alternatives with mixed results. Around 2000 we used an American source for plastic clevises. The quality was acceptable but we found that the metric sizing was not quite what we expected in the way of a match to our metric sized rods. Secondly we took a lot of flak from people who wanted a metal clevis and from everywhere outside the Americas market that wanted European or Japanese hardware. Lastly, there was confusion on the part of buyers who thought all of the hardware came from one Brand Name supplier when in fact it did not. We clearly stated this in our ads and on the box art but unfortunately some folks were confused anyway and complained loudly when they did not get the hardware that they thought they would be getting.

So... we made a decision to make our own hardware, all of it! This did the following for us:

  • Allowed us to design hardware that worked well for VMAR models. Our control horn is a good example. Our horn design was simple, easy to install, nearly fool proof and extremely reliable. We are still using it today and are flattered that other manufacturers are now making horns with a similar design.
  • Allowed us to control the metric to metric fit that we needed between our metal clevises, threaded studs and plastic inner (long) rods.
  • Ensured a steady reliable supply. There is nothing worse than having a thousand ARFS ready to ship except for some small piece of hardware coming from overseas.
  • Allowed us to avoid battles between us and modelers with rather strong opinions about the design and quality of various European, USA or Japanese hardware components.
  • Allowed us to control and steadily improve on the quality and change designs more readily. When you have access to CNC, presses and casting equipment you can pretty much make whatever you need whenever you need it. Our new three line safety stopper for our fuel tanks is a good example. With the metal overcap that wraps down the side of the tank neck, our safety stopper has greatly reduced the chances of modelers overtightening the cinch screw and expanding the stopper to the point that it splits the tank allowing fuel to leak everywhere. .
  • Allowed us to control costs and keep our ARF's priced right for todays market. Our universal servo tray is a good example, this tray is very compatible with all popular standard sized servos. Nobody else could supply us with a tray that worked well for Airtronics, Sanwa, Futaba, JR and HiTech. Each source had their own tray, some worked with other brands of servos, some did not... with our own tray we are good to go with pretty much any servo a modeler might have without having to raise the price of our product.