Astro 3210 group buy?

[recumpence]

Hey Guys,

Yup, another Astro thread.

Basically, I have been talking to Bob and Michele from Astro Flight quite a bit over the last few weeks regarding their motors and possible changes and stepping up production for a better price point and faster delivery time.

The 32 series motors are made by hand. So, buying in quantity does not make for a huge discount. But, it does affect it somewhat. Also, if I buy in quantity, I will have them in stock and be able to ship much quicker to my own customers. So, to that end, I wanted to find out how many people would want "In" on a relatively large group buy.

Here is the scoop;

The 3210 is normally $400 plus $20 extra for black anodizing. However, if I buy 50 of them, I can sell you guys each a motor for $285 with black anodizing included at no extra charge!

I am sure there would be quite a long delivery time on these. I am thinking well over a month, probably 6 weeks or so (just an educated guess).

Now, for those who are interested, here is some additional pertinant information regarding this;

First, I have actually been trying to talk Astro into making large quantity lots for me for a year. They have been burned a couple times from other customers who ordered many motors with various changes and cancelled the order after the huge lot had begun manufacture. Also, as I mentioned, the 32 series motors are hand made. So, they would probably really squeeze there workers to get these othe the door (overtime?). So, a quantity discount is not the same with them as a machine made motor would be.

Second, I have ordered dozens of motors. So, they are beginning to trust my word that a large order would be carried out once placed.

Third, they will not drop ship. All motors would ship directly to me and distributed from my shop. So, you will all have to trust me for this. Of course, I have to trust you guys in your word too because I will have to prepay a few thousand dollars to innitiate an order of this size.

Lastly, this has noting to do with the sensor issue. I have tried to get them to build sensored motors as well as Gary. No go as of yet. So, this would only be related to the standard sensorless 3210s.

Oh, one more thing;

I believe I could mix KVs in this order since they are hand wound. So, I am assuming I could order some 6 turn, some 10 turn, etc and still get the 50 lot discount.


So, who is interested in buying into a group buy?

Matt

[recumpence]

Oh, one last thing;

That price I quoted is including shipping of the motors to me and domestic shipping to those here in the US. So, for US buyers, that $285 is your total, shipping included.

Ovesees would have additional shipping.

Matt

[Tiberius]

Matt,

I'm interested. Can you post a spec or datasheet for the motor, or a link to one?
I think someone directed me to the data before, but it would be handy to have it in the thread.

Thanks,

Nick

[Miles]

http://www.astroflight.com/pdfs/3210WEB.pdf

[RWP]

I am interested and can pre-pay if this helps.

[Tiberius]

http://www.astroflight.com/pdfs/3210WEB.pdf

Thanks Miles,

How nice it is to see manufacturers giving proper data.

Matt, how does the 3210 compare with the 8120? They look very similar.

Nick

[Miles]

Yes, they give exactly the information that's needed - there are a fair number of typos/errors, though...

AFAIK the 8120 is now identical to the 3210. There was a time when the industrial version used higher spec. bearings etc.

[jonny24]

i would be in for one 3210.

[etard]

Nice, I have been waiting for the price to come down on these, I'll take one.

[recumpence]

OK, good! We are rolling!

I spoke with Astro again today about this. Michele told me (if this order happens), the motors would be shipped to me 5 or 10 at a time. The first run would ship in about 3 weeks. The next run a few weeks later. She said they have a backlog this time of year because of the Christmas rush. So, the bulk of the motors would ship in January. Assuming that is OK with you guys, I am fine with that.

Now, here is the best way to handle this;

The order will be for 50 motors. I can afford to buy 20 of them myself. So, I need at least 30 committed sales of these 3210s and I will place the order.

I will need to send Astro 50% up-front and they will ship motors as they make them. As they ship, that credit with them will whittle away untill it is gone, at which point they will charge my card for each batch shipped untill the order is filled.

So, who else is in for a 3210?

Matt

[RWP]

Thanks for doing this!
I am in for 2. When, where, how do you want the bucks?

<Edit> Would like the Kv to be about 100.

[liveforphysics]

Just curious if you had any word about getting some sensors into the motors?

6 motor leads out, sensors in the motors, and 3240-3260 length, and I will buy a pair of them cash at full price right now.

[flyinut]

Matt,
From the small amount of play I've had with mine, I'd say it is a very stout and reasonably priced motor - put me down for one.
>edit< Upgrade: 4 turn 3220

Mark
KHYS/KU42

[recumpence]

I will give my PP address once we are sure we have enough committed buyers to make it happen. I am 80% sure this will happen, though. I am pretty confident.

Luke,

I asked about sensor boards too. For whatever reason, Astro will do almost anything I ask them. I have spent somewhere around $30,000 with them this year. So, they will do almost anything I ask them. They have even sent me test motors at no cost to evaluate. Nice!

Anyway, back to sensors--------- Michele said Bob is apparently having sensor boards outourced. They are due their first test board very soon. So, yes, they are moving ahead with it. Also, yes, a 3240 is possible. I believe they made a 10 inch long motor for a customer at one point. They are willing to do wild stuff at times. They will also do 1/2 inch shafts rather than the stock 3/8 inch for around $60 extra (I just had them quote me on 1/2 inch shafts the other day for my next twin Typhoon build).

Matt

[regmeister]

deleted

[mud2005]

a 3210 anodized black for $285 includes shipping I can hardly believe it. I'll take 1 for sure, wish I had more money or I'd get more. If my buddy who owes me a bunch of cash pays me before this happens I will take more, but I can't count on that happening.
when's the deadline for ordering these?

One question though, I've always wondered about getting a 3210 w/ a hardened steel shaft. I'm a huge perfectionist (spaz?) and I never liked how the set screws dig into the shaft when tightened. I tend to take the pulley on and off mine often while experimenting and it has many circles on it.
Is a hardened steel shaft possible on a 3210? If astroflight doesn't want to deal with it I could even get the shaft myself and cut it to size and grind flats and ship it to astro.
Sorry to be a pain w/ special requests and all, but I had to ask.
If it's not possible I still want 1 motor for sure in black and 10 turn.

I can also pre-pay.

[liveforphysics]

a 3210 anodized black for $285 includes shipping I can hardly believe it. I'll take 1 for sure, wish I had more money or I'd get more. If my buddy who owes me a bunch of cash pays me before this happens I will take more, but I can't count on that happening.
when's the deadline for ordering these?

One question though, I've always wondered about getting a 3210 w/ a hardened steel shaft. I'm a huge perfectionist (spaz?) and I never liked how the set screws dig into the shaft when tightened. I tend to take the pulley on and off mine often while experimenting and it has many circles on it.
Is a hardened steel shaft possible on a 3210? If astroflight doesn't want to deal with it I could even get the shaft myself and cut it to size and grind flats and ship it to astro.
Sorry to be a pain w/ special requests and all, but I had to ask.
If it's not possible I still want 1 motor for sure in black and 10 turn.

I can also pre-pay.

Flats = weak.
Dimples = win.


Barely put any tension on the setscrew when you are in the stage of figuring things out for sprocket placement and RnD. Once you get locations figured out, take the setscrew out, and run a drill down the setscrew hole slightly smaller than the thread ID to get a position marked. Remove the sprocket and drill the dimple in the shaft to match the profile of the end of the setscrew. Re-assemble. Done.

[mud2005]

Flats = weak.
Dimples = win.


Barely put any tension on the setscrew when you are in the stage of figuring things out for sprocket placement and RnD. Once you get locations figured out, take the setscrew out, and run a drill down the setscrew hole slightly smaller than the thread ID to get a position marked. Remove the sprocket and drill the dimple in the shaft to match the profile of the end of the setscrew. Re-assemble. Done.

ok then, I guess I was just doing it wrong I'll take one motor w/ regular shaft, black, 10 turn.
Thanks Luke!

and of course, thanks Matt!

[mwkeefer]

Matt,

Wow... great job with Astro - you weren't kidding when you said you were "working on Bob" for a better price point.

At $285.00 incl s&h to usa - I'm in for at least 1, likely 2 or 3 (will know on addtl motors later but wanted to post my support now).

Prepay not a problem = )_

How should we specify wires/turns or kv/volts/amps - handling 50 seperate emails of specs would get a bit daunting I would think?

-Mike

[drewjet]

At $285 I am in for one. Prepay and delivery in Jan/Feb not a problem. Especially if you can use this to light the fire under his ass on sensors.

[recumpence]

For now, I will keep a mental track of how many are wanted from this thread. Once we approach 30, I will make an exact list that I will post so you guys can correct me on any errors. After that, I can post my PP address and I can place the order.

At this point, it looks like we will be at 30 motors very soon.

I enjoy this because it also gives me a bit more pull with Astro and I am able to tack on extra motors at the discount for my own inventory to be sold at a later date. Man, if I could afford to, I would buy all 50 myself.

Matt

[Miles]

Matt,

Do you normally order motors with the leads exiting through the side of the case, or through the end?

[recumpence]

Ahh, VERY good question, Miles.

Astro seems to always ship 3210s to me with side exit wires and 3220s with rear exit. I think they happen to have 3220 cans with rear holes in stock, so that is what they send. I normally order 6 or 7 3210s at a time, so, I get fresh cans each time.

Anyway, I do not want to confuse the order too much with various options. Winding options are all I want to offer. I do not want to make this too difficult for Astro to fill.

So, it will be;

3210 with black can (all will have black cans)
Either 6 turn or 10 turn
All motors will have side exit wires and standard 3/8 inch shafts. I may be able to get hardened shafts on all motors with an order of this size. I can ask. But, all motors will have the same shafts. My last order of four 3220s came with hardened stainless shafts. So, that may be easy to specify. I will try, but I cannot promise anything.

I appreciate your trust in this. It is good that we are such a close knit community here.

Matt

[liveforphysics]

Sensors?

Astro Bob had said something like he would have those in 2 months, and that was about a year ago. lol

Since you've got an open communication channel with him, if you get the chance to ask, that would be fantastic Thanks Matt!

[Tiberius]

Matt,

Is there info about the axial and radial loads the shafts will take at various speeds?

I guess they are designed for direct fitting of props and you and others uses them with belt drives so they should be good for both axial and radial loads, but it would be good to see some numbers.

I'm reviving my hovercraft project (discussed here on ES some time ago); I've got 6 spreadsheets open right now to crunch the design numbers. Its looking good so far and if it works, then I'll want four motors.

Nick