Darren Roberts Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 I've found life has ebbs and flows and different seasons. I've been doing Steel Beach for over 15 years now, and have enjoyed it greatly. I've viewed it as an extension of my hobby, not something to make a living off of. But I've reached a season in life where things are going to get quite hectic. I'm selling my house in a couple of months and have to clean everything up, which means stopping production. So, I've decided it's time to shutter Steel Beach. Maybe in the future when things settle down, I can re-evaluate the business. For now, it's time to focus on other things. To all of you who have supported me through these years, I really do mean it when I say your business was appreciated. Thank you! For those who were critical, I also want to thank you. You pushed me to make a better product and learn to improve. Unfortunately, my mediocre skills at scratchbuilding got in the way most of the time. For now, the plan is to cast until my current inventory of resin and/or other supplies run out. Thanks for 15 fun years. It has been a pleasure! Cheers! Darren Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 I’m sorry to hear that. Your stuff was first rate and filled a needed gap. Hope you’ll still stick around ARC and best wishes with all you have going on. John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jpk Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Sorry to hear. Your items filled a niche that other resin producers did or would not. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Sorry to hear that, but thanks for all the cool stuff you produced and I wish you all the best during the hectic season ahead. Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grand Toad Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 (edited) Best wishes. I guess I discovered your products too late. I’m just glad I was able to get the F-14B update. Edited February 16, 2020 by Grand Toad Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 I'm glad your doing what needs to be done for you and yours. Don't put off till later stuff you want to do with your life. Sometimes later doesn't come or comes in a way you couldn't foresee. Going to have to go through all your remaining stuff on SB and The48ers and grab some stuff before it disappears for good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gary F Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Darren, That Vigilante of yours says otherwise about your 'mediocre' scratch building skills! But best wishes for the future. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Darren, PM sent. Other than Sprue Brothers, do you supply any other vendors? I was just fixing to place an order at the end of the month, and now two of the four items I want are OOS. Argh! K/r, Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted February 16, 2020 Author Share Posted February 16, 2020 Besides Sprue Bros, you can find items at The 48ers as well as a limited number of items at Aero Spezial. I'm not sure what he has left on that site. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spruemeister Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 Best wishes to you and your family in the future, no matter the path you choose. Your decision is a reminder to us all that our hobby is no where near the size of our real lives. The rewards of taking care of that life go beyond our days here and last longer than the impact of resin bits and Tomcat kits. And if if you bring the line back someday, it will be that much better with a renewed enthusiasm. Keep building, as I know you will. I look forward to seeing you again soon. Rick L. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wafu Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 (edited) A loss to the aftermarket but this is a hobby and family should alway’s come first. I have enjoyed using your resin to convert the models I’ve built, great subjects. Thanks for your contribution to this hobby of ours. Edited February 16, 2020 by Wafu Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zerosystem Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 (edited) That's a serious downer Darren. I'll miss seeing the new details that come out of that workshop. The 1/48 and 1/32 US Navy parts really hit a niche that many others failed to tackle at a price for those of us who just like to build. I'm pretty sure that my 15 Tamiya cats have at least 1 Steelbeach set to go with. I hope things get settled and that you get the bug to start again all the sooner. -Peter Edited February 18, 2020 by zerosystem Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Djack Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 Sad to hear SB is shutting down, but I do understand life gets in the way! Thanks for all your products alongs the way. I was mainly paint masks and some decals for me along the way. Are you staying the KC area? David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted February 18, 2020 Author Share Posted February 18, 2020 Thanks for the kind words. I'll let life settle down and the re-evaluate my time. I may get the itch again and jump back in. For now, I can work on other projects that need attention. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted February 18, 2020 Author Share Posted February 18, 2020 30 minutes ago, Djack said: Sad to hear SB is shutting down, but I do understand life gets in the way! Thanks for all your products alongs the way. I was mainly paint masks and some decals for me along the way. Are you staying the KC area? David Staying put. The plan is to downsize with one in college and the other halfway through high school. We'll rent for a couple years until the second one goes to college, then look to buy a house. That frees us up and we don't have to stay in the school attendance area. I love KC too much to move away! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Whiskey Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 Well shoot......... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hooker169 Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 8 hours ago, Darren Roberts said: I love KC too much to move away! Especially with that fat SB ring weighing you down!! Signed, A jealous Pats fan😢 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ben Brown Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 Sorry to hear you’re shutting down. Best wishes! Ben Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BillS Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Darren, Even though you won’t be producing Steel Beach products, I hope you will still be present around the modeling forums. Your such a positive and friendly force to our community! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Darren, sorry to hear about SB but understandable when priorities shift or change. I like how you've made products that were mostly overlooked and helped fill a void. Best wishes on a safe and hectic free move. -Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
goondman Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Nothing mediocre about your skills Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 That's very sad news for us. Best wishes to you and your family. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hooker169 Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Good luck with the move and we hope you come back to producing great resin products sometime in the future. I literally just finished putting your ECM Blisters on my Revell Tomcat 5 minutes ago. Top notch stuff for sure! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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