Customer FeedbackWe always ask permission prior to using any customer comments! Text shown in Italics has been added by Kalama Precision – We wish we had the time and space to add all the wonderful compliments from our customers – here are only a Few! If you have a Model related website you would like linked to ours, please feel free to contact us! Email received August 13, 2010 Hi good people at "The Small Shop". Email received July 28, 2010 Compliments to you on the pronto shipping and on the quality of your Bug. I am a happy new customer.
Email received April 5, 2010 I'm glad I purchased the Hold and Fold instead. It's quality is even better in person (photos on the website don't do it justice). Talk about precision machining and versatility...it's sure to run circles around the Etch Mate.
Email received January 25, 2010 I have already been using "the Bug" repeatedly and it is just fine - my ship's railings are finally looking like railings rather than the bundles of bent wire that tended to be result when I used pliers!
Email received December 28, 2009 I can't believe how fast the RTH got here! That is amazing coming from Washington. I guess you guys must have worked the weekend. Well thank you very much. Email received November 18, 2009 You guys are top notch, many in this hobby/business could learn from you!! I bought the second PE holder for a buddy in the UK for Christmas (dont tell him haha). Email received August 26, 2009 Julie, I received the tools today. I am very impressed by the quality of these tools. I have a few brand-x tools that will be posted on EBay today. Hopefully some sucker will buy them. I will not buy photo etch tools from anyone else, ever again. I will recommend you to everyone I know who models. Email received August 8, 2009 Yes, the package arrived here on Wednesday. To be honest I can sum up this
whole transaction in just one word...OUTSTANDING!! Your Website is crisp,
clean and well designed. The ordering and payment process is straight
forward and worked flawleesly. The five inch hold-n-fold is just
outstanding...very impressive! The order confirmation, shipping and arrival
confirmation e-mail notification process you have set up is top notch.
Overall an A++. Email received July 30, 2009 Thank you very much. It was a surprise to get a (partial) refund for shipping on my second order. That’s a first for me who has bought hundreds of items on the internet. Email received July 10, 2009 Delivery received and I am thrilled out of my mind. I have tried the Bug out on aluminum and brass raw metal for some cool results. Email received June 14, 2009 Started using them right away. Easy to use with excellent results. Makes me wonder why I didn't buy these tools sooner! I liked that the simple instructions worked, and that the 4" Mk IV doesn't move at all while you work. It's easy to position various PE pieces. I've never worked with extensive PE folding before but managed to fold a 13 piece PE storage bin for a 1/72 scale Sherman! I used the
Rolling Set to form the curved headlight guards. Awesome results. In the past, I would have skipped the PE altogether. --Frank, VA Beach Email received May 14, 2009
I found your products on a link from Gold Medal Models, I mostly model 1/350 ships, I subscribe to Fine Scale Modeler and was about to upgrade my Mr.Foldit to an etchmate c3 when (fortunately for John and us) I discovered your great products, my Mk 4 It's the best! I plan on ordering a Bug for my modeling buddy...a happy modeler John Email received May 4, 2009
I first became aware of your products when I picked up some back issues of AFV Modeler at my local hobby shop. Issue 10 had a review of the hold and fold, and issue 14 had a review of the rolling system. The local shop didn't carry them so I searched Squadron and Internet Hobbies and was disappointed that they carry little or nothing in the way of tools to work with PE. So I searched and found your website, placed my order. I was amazed and delighted at the speedy delivery of my order! At last I have a means of accurately holding and bending these tiny detail pieces. Email received April 10, 2009
My Bug arrived today and this tool far exceeded my expectations. I just started building the Blair Line HO Street Elevator and made my first "bend" with great success. Post on ScaleAutoMag.com February 11, 2009
I got back into the hobby after several decades away, primarily because of all the cool details you can add with photoetch. While I'm far from experienced with it all yet, I got a Kalama 4" Hold and Fold, and really like it. One of the first things I folded was the wiper arms for my DTM CLK Mercedes, and it made a very stressful job (to me) simply enjoyable. I have used the hobby knife and razor to fold some parts, but the tool makes the process a lot more fun. Email received January 25, 2009 I received the 5 speed folding tool yesterday. I found your products while surfing the internet and I was looking for a replacement for the Etchmate C-3. I model mostly 1/72, 1/48, and 1/32 scale aircraft but last summer at the Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in held here in Oshkosh every summer I found a book on German WWII armor, I got a few 1/35 scale half tracks with the cannons they pulled. I regularly read Fine Scale Modeler and Amazing Figure Modeler. I have had a chance to use it already and I am quite impressed with it, much, much better than the Etchmate C-3. Email received January 16, 2009 Hi, Email received January 14, 2009
I read about your tools on several forums, Agape Models and Fine Scale
Modeler. They led me to your site and then I went thru all of your Reviews that you have linked. Bill S. Iuka, MS Email received January 7, 2009
Hello, Email received December 22, 2008 I model N-Scale (1/160) trains. I found your company doing a google search for photo-etch tools. I don't regularly read any specific magazines. I do however visit and participate on the following web forums. I'll be using my 5 speed and cut off set to build a Canadian National caboose kit from Athabasca Scale Models Limited This is my first photo-etch build. I'm planning on doing a write up of the build, if you would like when I'm finished I can send you a link to it. I do have to say that your 5 speed is one of the best tools I have ever had my hands on. When you can hold something in your hand and feel the quality and attention to detail that is a good thing. Some products just give off a feel that tells you what the company stands for and how it runs it's business. This is one of those products. I can't begin to tell you how happy and impressed I am with it. Also the customer service you provided was the best I have ever seen from any company I have ever dealt with. Thank you again for the follow ups and email to make sure I got my order.
Email received December 20, 2008
I received my "Bug" today, and can't wait to use it. It looks to be a superbly engineered, & manufactered tool which should last a lifetime. I primarily model N & Z gauge trains. I heard about the Bug on Reynard Wellman's website,Micron Art, and look forward to adding some etched brass, and stainless details to my layouts. Thanks for the super fast shipping ! Email received December 1, 2008
Thanks for the quick turnaround. All to many web based products are quick to order but take forever to ship. I'm looking forward to using my new Hold and Fold "5-speed" workstation. Email received November 5, 2008
Purchased an old all-aluminum model from you back at an IPMS nationals 6 or 7 years ago, I build everything in all scales. I purchased one of your smaller PE units for a friend to keep him from borrowing mine! He's new to photoetch and this will keep him occupied until he's ready for a larger one. Processing and shipping went quickly and smoothly. Email received October 14, 2008
Just thought I'd follow up with you. Got my "Bug" on June 12, and was so impressed I wrote to you then about the tool and the SERVICE. That's such a lost element today. How refreshing. And with a sense of humor as well. After that I ordered the four inch hold & fold, the small & large Cut off stations and the rolling set. I've just got back to the bench after a busy summer to use these items and I have to tell you, the dreaded PE work is now enjoyable. 1/700 ships rails, radars, man does that stuff look good now with fewer hassles for the big carpenters fingers and 68 year old eyes. The 1/350 stuff is so much more realistic. The rails were so strait I had to deliberatly bow the top rails down so the look like the rails on the ESSEX I served on. Thanks for your products and service. I will reference your stuff any time. Email received September 17, 2008
Dear Julie The putty is Apoxie® Sculpt by Aves Studio this stuff looks great to work with, less sanding, oh, thats music to my ears! Looking forward to hearing from you, about how to order, and where. Many Thanks! Please keep me in mind for any future products!Sincerely, With Best Regards, Craig Craig builds 1:350 scale US Naval Warship models. He purchased an 8" Mk R; 5 Speed; Rolling Set and Large Cut-off set Email received September 16, 2008
Hi Julie Email received September 11, 2008
Hi Julie Email received August 6, 2008
Howdy Gang, Email received July 21, 2008
I will primarily be using this tool for working on etched metal details for 1/48th scale models. By the way, I am very impressed with The Small Shop's service. I ordered my "Bug" on Friday and it arrived today (Monday) here in Tennessee. Email received July 19, 2008 Amazing! Received and tried out within a few hours of getting it. It works as advertised!
The toothpick is pointing to a piece I just bent with the Bug near the parts and cockpit of my FW190A-5.
I am more than 100% satisfied and highly recommend the Bug. Email received June 27, 2008 I decided to buy your product after it was highly recommended on the www.modelwarships.com site. Thanks. This thing is so well made I believe I will be buying additional tools in the near future! David Y. Email received June 27, 2008 in response to our request to add David's email to our feedback page Hi Julie,
No problem using the comments. I meant them! I typically model in all genres including 1/48 and 1/72 aircraft, 1/35 armor and 1/350 and 1/700 ships. Of late, I have been orienting my building towards naval subjects. Everyone likes to look at ship models!
Thanks again for your marvelous and reasonably priced products. I have grown increasingly weary of overpriced tools made with cheap materials. Thanks to you, I can now get the quality tools I crave that allow me to produce quality results!
David Y. Email received June 24, 2008 Dear Small Shop,
Got your delivery as promised, and the little "Bug" works great. Also the cut off set.
For almost 50 years, I am a collector of 1: 1250 model ships, mainly warships. My collection consists currently of 1500 models.
Through the addition of free time caused by my retirement and my wife's illness, I have started recently to assemble plastic model kits in 1:350, 1:450 and 1:700.
The "Scalehobbyist" has been very helpful with my new venture. They forwarded to me a website about photo etching, and that website had a detailed article about your products, with reference to your website.
Without your tools, I was ready to give up on photo etch parts. But now it is fun and exciting.
Working with Photo Etch on Aircraft Resource Center Email received June 12, 2008 Thank you for your prompt service. "The Bug" was recommended by someone on a Fine Scale Modeler site. Got my Bug and the PE cutout kit today (ordered online on the 10th, recd on the 12th) and already tried it out. WOW, this thing really helps my 68 year old eyes do the job.
Outstanding product, outstanding service.
Email received June 4, 2008 I build craftsman resin steam era freight car models in HO scale. More and more the kits are including etchings, brass or stainless. Bending some of them accurately without a tool is difficult. I think the "bug " is going to do it for me. I tried it on bending the stiles on a ladder and the 2" length was just right and the way the tool held the ladder both for filing the sharp bits off and for bending worked just right. I think I'm going to be happy with my Hold and Fold "Bug".
Email received May 22, 2008 Hello,
I model 1/35 scale armor 90% - 10% 1/48 aircraft.
Thanks for your wonderful customer service & fast shipping.
Tom bought the 5 Speed, Standard Cutoff Set & Practice PE Email received May 13, 2008 I really like the tool and the workmanship is very very good. I wish there were more American manufacturers producing this good quality instead of goods from offshore that are so so and worse. Jim bought the "Bug" Workstation Email received May 6, 2008 Thank you very much! Very happy with this handy little tool.
Cheers,
Chris Chris bought the 2" "Mini" Workstation Email received May 5, 2008 Thanks so much for the speedy shipping and great communications. I wish all companies had such good customer service! Brian H Email received May 02, 2008 Thank you for the fast delivery time on the order. I appreciate the
great service and products, people are fast to complain but not always
so fast to compliment when it is deserved. Take care, Email received April 26, 2008 Hello, Thank You Email received April 26, 2008 I just received your "Bug" photo-etch tool that I ordered earlier this week. First, thank you for the very fast service! In answer to your (survey) question, I saw the Bug demonstrated last Saturday at the IPMS Region 4 show, at Kirtland, OH, during a seminar on using photo-etch sets. I was very impressed with the quality of workmanship, ease of use, and versatility of this little tool. There was a vendor there who had a few for sale but was sold out by the time of the demo. Therefore, I placed my order with you as soon as I could. Thanks again, Email received March 28, 2008 Greetings, Email received January 19, 2008 Hello, I just wanted to say, that I am still amazed, at not only the quality of your products, but of your service also. I've been modeling for almost 50 years now and have dealt with many companies over those years, and must say that yours is one of ,if not the finest I've ever had the pleasure to do business with. Thank you for bringing back that type of feeling into our hobby, it's been sorely missing. I love my brass assist, and could NOT believe how quickly I received it. There were updates sent letting me know the status at all times, WONDERFUL! I just wanted you to know it's service like this that make modeling the hobby we love so much. Reminds of the "good ole' days" of the neighborhood model shop. Anyway enough ramblings from another old man, again, thank you for the service! Sincerely Bob L R. Email received September 27, 2007 Hi Julie, I've been using the bending tool for a couple of months now. It has really sped up my photo etch work and given me much more precision in bends. I am getting my money's worth, Thank You! Email received June 26, 2007 Hi Julie & Sam, This is to advise you that I received the "8 INCH Mk 'R' HOLD & FOLD MULTI-HEAD WORKSTATION". Thanks again, Email May 24, 2007 Dear Julie, It is here, right in front of me, and it's just a beauty! Thank you ever so much for the super fast service. I suspect I'll be back for something else in the not too distant future ... With kindest regards, Steve bought the 5 Speed Workstation Email April 12, 2007 Sam, Thought you might like to see the results of using the Hold & Fold I bought a couple of months ago. The pictures are of scratch built fuel tanks for a 1/8 scale Ferrari F40. As you can see from the two photos of the engine frame, the two tanks mount on either side of the engine and just forward of the rear wheels. You might notice that the completed tanks are slightly different from the construction photos because of last minute changes needed to eliminate interference with the body frame. Each tank is approximately 2.5" long, 1.5' wide and 2" high, but complex in shape since the frame underneath the tank slopes from center to edge and rear to front!!! The workstation gave me very clean, square edges despite the fact the bend lines were merely scored in the 0.010" brass sheet. I think it's virtually impossible to get such clean lines any other way. I am, needless to say, very happy with my purchase. John Haddock - John bought the 5 Speed Workstation Email March 28, 2007 My order just arrived, and I’m ecstatic with the two items! (Steve bought both the BUG & The 5 Speed) I first saw a review at the like below on your tool. Review of The Bug on Perth Military Modeling Website I was ready to order a Mission Models unit because I saw one in a Chicago area hobby shop-and thought they were the only one! I am sure glad I took a little more time and researched folding tools. Steve Misah The Small Shop Hold & Fold products were invented in 1998 by Pete Forrest. Mission Models even sold Pete's Hold & Fold tools. March 2002 - Hold & Fold tools for sale at Mission Models – Unfortunately, Mr. Forrest was unable to keep up with the demand as he was busy improving on his invention and also inventing even more tools. Mission Models took advantage of the situation and seized the opportunity to introduce a competing product, the etch-mate, basing it largely upon the original hold & fold concept. Reply from Steve on March 29, 2007 to use the email above. You have my full permission. After using it last night, you also can forward my name as a reference. My email can be posted for this use. Contact Steve I have been a model railroader for 30+ years and the community is just now getting etched detail models and products. I used your products on a new HO scale fire truck made by Micron Art last night. It was SO FUN!! Keep in touch! Steve Masih Email March 13, 2007 – Tool received in Ottawa Canada in 3 business days – Global Priority! The Hold 'n Fold arrived in this morning's mail in pristine condition - first ladder folded perfectly after crumbling three sets of rails before. Look forward to working with it. Thanks for the prompt service. Regards Emails February 3 4, 2007 I received my order today (5-Speed Workstation, PE Cut-Off Set, and Practice PE Sheet), thank you very much for such speedy service! Michael's order was placed on 2/1/07 and received on 2/3/07. We love Priority Mail! I'm very pleased with my purchase and the extreme quality of your products. I will be posting some pics of my tools with a link to your site shortly and will send you an e-mail so you can check it out :) Regards Michael A. Michael is an avid model car builder. Email January 8, 2007 Hi, Thanks again, Email September 14, 2006 Julie, I received the "kit" in the mail yesterday (thanks for the incredibly quick service) and am very pleased with the three tools. These are great ideas and very unique. The "Bug" will be the most frequently used. As a builder of 1/43rd F1 cars and the array of photo-etched pieces in those kits this will be an I'm going to bring the tools to our October model club meeting and show the folks what you offer, with my highest recommendation. Thanks, Additional Email from Bill That would be fine to use my comments. Your array of tools modeling gadgets are really unique. "I love the PE Parts Cut Off Set and the clean, precise way it clips photo-etched pieces from the tree." I'm also looking forward to using your "snow" compound but plan on using it to replicate "salt" as in a salt-flat racer. You just have to make sure you don't sneeze when you use it! I also build in 1/24 and occasionally larger, such as 1/12th. I'm also going to recommend to our club webmaster that he add your web site to our club site: KC Slammers (WOW – there are some great models in their gallery) Thanks for your great ideas and products. Your products are well designed and very useful. Bill Email July 3, 2006 – PayPal order received June 29, 2006 Hi Julie, Thanks for following up. I received the kit (Bug Kit) on Friday so you must have made I have already used it and am very satisfied. I researched a lot of these products before deciding what to get. Yours seemed to have exactly what I was looking for and at a reasonable price. Happy to say, I still think so. Regards, Bob Elton Email June 30, 2006 Hi, Julie -- My order arrived today, and I must say -- those are excellent tools. Superb fit and finish -- exactly what I wanted. I have a couple projects on the workbench, and I'll put them to work immediately! Thanks for the great service, and you'll probably be hearing from me again for one of those rolling tools. Rob Geiger Email June 8, 2006 Julie and Sam, The new Hold & Fold and Brass Assist arrived today---all safe and sound. I have an older H&F from years ago, a 2" version, that I have out-grown. Boy, have you ever improved an already outstanding product. The screw-adjust is much easier to handle, the "fingers" have improved design, and I really Regards, Email May 18, 2006 Pete, During the IPMS Seattle Show in April, I purchased the "Bug" etch station. After I got home, I couldn't wait to try it. I was awe struck! You gave myself and another gent a demo on using the tool that was pivotal to my success with it. I quickly and cleanly folded boxes and other items that I thought I would never be able to do. The thought of the expense to purchase a bending tool was difficult. She who must be obeyed insists on an inspection on my return from a trip to the hobby shop or contests/ swap meets. The minor expense ($40) for the "Bug" exceeded my expectations and passed her inspection too! I worked with it for a couple of hours and was confident enough to give the miss's a demo. She thought it was great and gave me a list of projects that she wants in the display case. She also says that it is the best tool I have ever purchased. And I have a lot of tools. Thank you for the taking the time on instructing me how to properly use the tool, and for taking the time to design and make a truly excellent product. I work with high end marine grade, clear anodized aluminium. Your products are the standard to which all others are trying to compare in design and quality. Keep up the excellent work and thank you again; Drew Hatch Email March 14, 2006 Dear Julie, You were absolutely right when you wrote that I'll be happy with the station! That's it. I admired the 5-speed instead of starting working in the morning (I unpacked the parcel at work after visiting customs). Late in the evening I did first tries - it works excellent! It's a real time saver and it allows to work with comfort and dramatically improves the quality as well. The 5-speed - that's quite something and a good value for money! The same words about the Cutting Kit. Poor-poor carpet gnomes - they will be starving to death from now. :) The transparent holder is very handy and it really secures tiny parts from flying away. As a slight improvement I polished the splayed side. (Note: This is now done on all press bases – Thank you to Kirill for the suggestion) In conclusion I may repeat again and again: It's really a perfect tool! As more time I spend working with it I realize how handy it is. I’m afraid of those tiny PE parts no more. And it's a real challenge to devastate PE frets and place all details on a model. When I did this for the first time, I was amazed with the 5-speed and with myself. Many thanks to The SmallShop and personally to you, continue doing your wonderful work! Kirill Pataki (A special Thank You to Kirill for suggestions on improving the website!) Email March 1, 2006 Brookhurst Hobbies got a nice restock on the 5-speed workstation kits- a buddy and I each picked up on this last weekend. It's beautifully made. I also consider it an exceptional value. Immediately realized it's a scratch-builder's dream after playing with some brass and copper scrap sheet. Used the rolling set as well and was very pleased with the quality of machining and ability to produce precision shapes. Even made a tiny hinge. Also picked up the Snow-Coat/Ice coat kit and plan to use it for a surfaced K-19 submarine diorama. I'm looking forward to plenty of expanding the scope of my scratch-building with these tools as well as making more use of the PE kits widely available. Really glad all of the extra functionality is built in to it, for example, the contours and shapes on the upper surface. It's very unique in that regard. Congratulations on a great product. I hope you enjoy much success from its sales. P.S. Any plans to manufacture the "Nutter" as seen on the EU site? We now manufacture the Nutter – please see ordering page for more information. Tom Naylor Email November 28, 2005 - Order placed Nov 23 the day before the Thanksgiving holiday and received Monday Nov 28. Julie & Sam, Thanks again for the fast service. (order placed Nov 23 the day before the Thanksgiving holiday) Steve Jantscher Steve ordered a 5 Speed Kit w/Brass Assist + a Bug – his last email stated he uses the Bug more than any thing else – “Small size, big idea!” You can learn more about Steve’s model building by visiting his club’s website and select “Meet the Members” - His “Wall of Doom” is a sight to behold! Steve has also submitted some of his models to our customer display page. Customer Display Page. Customer display page is now under construction. Posting to Aerodrome Forum August 27, 2005 As it happens, I'm in the midst of a PE how-to and how-come article for my editor now (it's only about two months over deadline, which is pretty good for me). But the best part has been getting to try out all these tools for bending, folding, curving and curling. IMHO, Hold & Fold is the hands-down winner on all counts. Their tool for making round bends and cylindrical parts, the Brass Assist, is outstanding, and their little 2-inch "Bug" folding tool, I find, is the most useful of all the tools I've used so far for handling PE parts. Those of us who model aircraft in 1/72-1/32 don't need big folding tools that cost a small fortune. And even better, the four-sided Bug is also the least expensive of the folding tools. Oh, and despite what you might have heard or assumed from the marketing campaigns, Hold and Fold was the original. The Etchmate's folding tools are nice, though expensive, as are most of these things. However, for making curves and cylinders, especially small ones like cooling jackets, the same company's Multi-Tool is just not in the same league as the Hold and Fold Brass Assist. TOM
T.E. Bell Email March 11, 2004 Thank you for the the quick delivery and excellent service. The Hold and Fold tool works great! Mike Casullo Email Feb 27, 2004 The H&F got here today and all I can say is WOW! Light years ahead of the old H&F. And that's because the previous model was top-notch. And delivery time, excellent. Thanks again and hope to do business with you sometime soon. Satisfied Customer! J Segundo Email Jan 4, 2004 Your companies great tool arrived today!! I can hardly wait to get using it. Again thanks for your help. Original Hold & Fold Model I just thought you would like to know that it made an almost insurmountable task much easier. I am finishing up a Pavla Kit of an H-13 (Mash Helicopter) in 1/72 scale. The majority of the kit was photo etched, including the tail boom. Your tool was easy to learn, and easy to use. It was versatile enough to do some folds I had no idea I could actually do. It helped me to finish a kit that was about to go onto the limbo shelf. It is a great idea. I'll be raving about it as I show off my finished kit at the next Model meeting. I'll be happy to get back to plastic kits again, but will have no second thoughts about adding photo etched and scratch parts anymore. Keep up the good work Barry Brown |
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