discussion Disaster - bucasso paint stand - paint does not fit!

[pjgtech]

As you may have read on other threads I have just bought a new model making/paint stand.
From Bucasso, looks nice, well priced, well made, etc, etc.

Its one of these, comes in two section, top half and bottom half, they can be joined or separate....see pic:

It arrived, I assembled it, I painted it, all good. At no point had I yet put any of my paints in it.
After letting the paint dry and harden overnight in my garage, I transferred the paint stand upstairs to my study/model making area.
Looked lovely on my desk.....

Then I proceeded to place one of my jars of paint into the stand, erm, no! They won't bloody fit!

Stupidly I should have double checked before ordering, on the Bucasso website it states the stand has paint stand holes of 1.26 inches.
Did I actually do the conversion to metric? erm, no. Its actually about 32mm.
What diameter are the paints I have? (Tamiya, MG, Ammo, Vellejo), erm, all 35mm, therefore the diameter of the holes would need to be 36mm min.

I was bloody fuming, as their website does state suitable for Tamiya, etc. But, this company is actually based in Hong Kong, so I'm now wondering if they have / use different sized paints, pots, tins, etc?

I have contacted them to see if they can do anything, (maybe supply a new paint stand with correct holes), but it may be a case of Caveat Emptor, and my own stupid bloody fault for not checking properly.

I've glued and painted the unit now, so I can't really send it back either, again my own fault for being too eager.
I may as a last resort be able to drill the holes bigger, but TBH the gap between each hole is already quite narrow, so not sure if theres actually enough room to go larger?

The silver lining (sort of) is that the top section is fine and I can still use that to store tool files, paint brushes, pliers, knifes, glue, etc, etc.

So what have we learnt? well, when ordering online, especially from some far flung nation, check the bloody measurements!!!!

Gutted really, as apart from the hole diameter size, its a really nice unit...oh well you live and learn....

 

[Ian M]

Have a look at the units from Hobby Zone. They are good and things fit. They even have a planer app so you can build a system up online.
AND they do brand relevant paint holders. They are a good price too.
https://www.hobbyzone.pl/en/13-stands-racks-and-hangers-for-paints/

 

[Jim R]

What a b****y let down. As a last resort could you cut out the paint racks, cut new pieces of ply and use a hole saw to cut new, correct size holes. Cut 6 instead of the current 7 to fit them across.

 

[pjgtech]

What a b****y let down. As a last resort could you cut out the paint racks, cut new pieces of ply and use a hole saw to cut new, correct size holes. Cut 6 instead of the current 7 to fit them across.

Yep, might be an option, as I said I have contacted them, so will see what they say.

 

[PaulTRose]

Silly question but if tamiya etc are too big what brand does fit?

Just curious

 

[pjgtech]

Silly question but if tamiya etc are too big what brand does fit?

Just curious

Dunno? the diameter of the holes in the stand are about 32mm, so presumably any paint tin, jar, bottle that is smaller than 32mm?

 

[stillp]

The Vallejo Model Air dropper bottles are about 25mm, Hataka and humbrol slightly smaller. What Vallejo do you have that doesn't fit?
Pete

 

[Tim Marlow]

Vallejo model washes and metal colour bottles are about this size. They are bigger than model air droppers and smaller than Tamiya bottles. Could also be these holes are designed for Humbrol and Revell tinlets?

 

[pjgtech]

The Vallejo Model Air dropper bottles are about 25mm, Hataka and humbrol slightly smaller. What Vallejo do you have that doesn't fit?
Pete

I have Tamiya jars/bottles, and AMMO, Vellajo and MG washes, panel liners, etc. See old pic below, although I have a few more than this now, about 25-28 so far. These are all 35mm in diameter, so none of them fit the 32mm holes.

 

[flyjoe180]

Can you get a 35mm circular drill bit Peter and widen the existing holes? The drill bits that you use to drill down-light holes into ceilings. You're only talking 1.5mm either side of each hole.

 

[pjgtech]

Can you get a 35mm circular drill bit Peter and widen the existing holes? The drill bits that you use to drill down-light holes into ceilings. You're only talking 1.5mm either side of each hole.

Yeah, I've looked at that, but theres only about 5-6mm between holes, so taking an extra 1.5-2mm (that would be 3-4mm as holes on both sides), would leave only a very thin 1-2mm between each hole, and its only thin MDF, about 3mm thick, so would make it very flimsy difficult to cut larger holes.
If I have to, I may take those slats out and maybe put a new piece of MDF in there with my own 35mm cut outs (6 per row instead of 7 per row).

I'm waiting to see what the supplier says first, (I've emailed them) if they reply at all, before I do anything else.

 

[boatman]

SORRY to see you have this probs sir but this is just my opinion why dont you just fit the paint bottles in a biscut tin like i have an it certainly works out cheaper an ive used this idea for over 40 odd yrs an not cost me nothing
chrisb

 

[pjgtech]

Fixed It!!!!
So had a look to see if I could make these holes any bigger.
Looked at using a Forster Bit, but as the holes are already cut, nowt for the centre of the Forster bit to centre on, so no good.
Looked at a hole saw bit, but again, needs summit to centre on, tried it anyway and it just wobbled about like a wobbly thing from Wobblesville!
Lastly, thought, hmm, I must have some sort of sanding disc small enough, and looked in my Dremel (clone) box, and yes, theres was a sanding bit just the right size.
So I could therefore effectively ream out each hole to the correct size.

See very short Youtube clip - see linky

Took about 30-45 seconds to do each one, but there were 35 of them, and I had to keep stopping every now and again to let the dremel cool off as it was getting bloody hot!
So now have a paint stand that actually holds my paint, but.... I've already filled it up, so will need another one very soon!
Result....

 

[Jim R]

Well done. Always feels good to solve a problem. Nice you could use the original ply slats.

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Glad that is sorted Peter.

 

[flyjoe180]

The sander did a good job Peter, glad it's sorted for you

 

[Steven000]

Nice fix, glad it worked out have fun

 

[Gern]

Strange that Bucasso picked that size. I've just checked and found the old Revell and Humbrol enamels are 35mm dia so they won't fit either!

Wonder what paints they were designed for?

PS Nice fix. Question now is, are you going to buy another one or will you go for something you know works?

 

[pjgtech]

PS Nice fix. Question now is, are you going to buy another one or will you go for something you know works?

Already ordered one of these.... and yes, I did check the measurements first, my pots will fit ok....

 

[pjgtech]

Just to add a quick note to this thread, as stated previously I have now fixed the issue with this paint stand by sanding out each hole to the appropriate size. I also mentioned previously that I would be emailing the company (Bucasso), which I did at the time.

Its been well over two weeks and I have received no response whatsoever.

I'm not too bothered as I have fixed the issue and its actually a nice stand and very useful, but,..... a warning to any potential buyer that they don't seem to have very good customer service/feedback?