Hi Folks,
So, last week, I told you that I was back from a ream about a storm. Well, this week, we’re expecting a storm. However, I don’t have time for storms. I am busy trying to learn how to become a ‘professional.’ Come on, I’ll explain.
BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL
As I explained last week: I want to treat this next (and last) phase of the TMD story as seriously as I can. In the past, I have always been a modeler who just played at being a ‘businessman.’ Well, for however long I have left, I want to see if I can’t be more of a businessman who plays at being a ‘modeler.’ Put another way; I want to see if I can grow up and start treating things around here more seriously — like a professional. The problem is, I have been slouching for so long, standing up straight again is hurting more than I had imagined it would. Oh, well. I don’t have time for pain, either.
ON THE BENCH
I have been looking at the list of suggestions you shared with me a few weeks ago (you can still find that post if you scroll down the TMD Face Book feed). I have also started to go through my product planner. My goal for the moment is to start cranking out as many of the smaller, multi- and repeat-use items as I can. You know? The small, $5 sets that can be used on almost anything, or is needed every time you build a certain type of vehicle. If all goes well, I hope to ‘SPAM’ you with close to a dozen or more of these type of resin products by the end of this month.
After that, I am not sure what I am going to do. I am currently torn between working on products for a kit I decide I want to build and working on products for the newest and hottest kits on the market. So, as of right now, this means I am going to flip a coin between the Panzer 38(t) family and the TAKOM Tiger II, Panther, M3 family and the MINIART M3 family. I’ll be sure to let you know how the coin toss goes.
KARL VAN SWEDEN
I wish I had two or three more ‘Karls’ working with me. Not only is he a great pattern maker, but he’s become an even better friend.
Anyway, I know that Karl has a lot of good stuff on his bench, and he is getting very close to being finished with most of it. However, until he ships the next round of Karl goodies, I’m just not going to discuss his projects. That wouldn’t be ‘professional.’
DAVE HOBBS
I don’t have a lot to share with you on this front — yet — but I can tell you that Dave will soon have his own page here on the TMD Blog page. We’re going to be imaginative and call it DAVE’S CORNER. If I understand his intentions correctly, Dave plans to use his page to post information that will help you build specific versions of your favorite armored vehicles. I believe he will also be cross referencing a lot of this reference material with the corresponding TMD products. Dave is supposed to be here next week, and I’m sure this will be part of our discussion. We’ll just have to wait and see what he does once he gets going.
IN THE SHOP
I managed to clean the shop up — mostly. Starting late next week, I hope to begin the process of labeling and filing everything in what will then become its proper location. This will include masters, sub-masters for replacing old molds, instruction sheets and packing headers, as well as miscellaneous supplies and equipment. The goal here is to get the shop where it looks as ‘professional’ as I am trying to be.
IN THE OFFICE
I am not going to have much to show you on this front for a while. I apologize for this. There will be progress being made. It’s just not going to be the type of thing you will notice on your end. However, one thing I do have that I will share is the new photo booth. Watch for pictures on Face Book later this afternoon or evening. I’ve already tested it and, without taking any additional classes or instruction, it has already helped me take better pictures — which is something we all know I have needed to learn how to do.
THAT IS ALL
OK, that’s all I have for this week. Until next time, stay safe and try to build something (preferably something using TMD resin).
Joe