2019.11.3 UPDATE: Mouth: Meet Money

Folks,

I am going to put my money where my mouth is — so to speak.  For those who live outside the insane asylum we call the United States, that means I am actually going to start doing what I have been saying I want to do –for a change.  Come on and I’ll tell you about it.

ON THE BENCH

This is a new product driven industry, and, if I want to stay relevant and make money, I need to make new products.  But what should I make?  This is the biggest problem I have had most of my TMD career: deciding what to make.  I have always felt torn between making things that interest me at the time and making things for the newest releases on the market.  If I make things for the newest releases, sales tend to be good — for a while.  On the other hand, if I make things for the subjects that interest me, sales may not be great, but they have always been steady.  This is because I tend to make more and better items for the subjects that interest me.  Well, as I explained several weeks back, from this point forward, I build what I want to build and, if it isn’t enough to pay the bills so I can stay in operation, then TMD will just go away and I will go back to being just another modeler.

So, here is what is on the bench right now:

I have no idea exactly what I am going to do with this subject yet, but I love the entire series of 38(t)-based vehicles.  I’m especially interested in doing a very early A-B and the Befhels Command conversion.  I may be at this for a while, or I may just make a few things for now.  I’m not sure just yet.  We’ll have to see how it goes.  What I do know for sure is that I am going to start on this tomorrow, Monday, Nov 4, 2019.

ALSO ON THE BENCH

I have also said that, since I do not know how much longer TMD will continue (mostly because I do not know if my new plan will generate the necessary sales), I plan to start making the things I have promised my friends over the years.  Therefore, the following items are now in the serious planning stages:

— A new, accurate trailer for the Churchill Croc.

— A series of corrections and details for the entire series of Hobby Boss German 221, 222, etc armored cars.

— Ladders and additional storage items for the Panther

— A whole slew of small, handy-dandy little resin details, like handles, bolts, screw heads, control handles/levers, etc..

— An interior for the Bronco Staghound series.

— And, possibly, an interior for the AFV Club M5 series and the Tamiya Matilda.

KARL VAN SWEDEN

I did not speak to Karl this past week, so I have no idea where he is at with his masters.  All I know is that he is nearing completion on a list of things ranging from the M4 Sherman, to the M10 all the way to the M113.

IN THE SHOP

When I wrapped up the week last Friday, I only had one order in house.  I have had a good weekend, so there is stuff to do starting tomorrow morning, but I should have everything shipped no later than Wednesday of this week.  Otherwise, I continue to clean up the shop.  Things are starting to look much better.

IN THE OFFICE

All office and web site work is on a temporary hold.  I need to focus on getting new product on the market before I worry about anything else.

THAT IS ALL

Well, that is all I have this week.  Short, sweet and ‘professional’ (sort of).  So, until next week, stay safe and try to build something (preferably something using TMD resin)

–Joe