Folks,
I threw a track this week, then the REMFs showed up and… Well, let’s just say things went sideways. Hit the ‘read more’ button and I’ll give you all the details.
THIS WEEK
I was doing really well this week — until I threw track (threw my back out) Monday afternoon. The COVID break has made my crew lazy, so it took two days to get things back together. During that time, I either had to stand, which means no mastering got done, or I had to late flat on my back. Still, it could have been worse: I could have taken longer to get back to good.
No sooner had I got moving again than the REMFs (Rear Echelon Moth—er… anyway…) came and changed all my plans for next week and December. BB (a.k.a. ‘she who must be obeyed’) informed me that I was going to be dead-lined (down, not working) next week to spend her holiday off work with her and my in-laws. The good news is, I love my in-laws, so we’re good on that end. The bad news is, I won’t get much work done.
So… Change of plans. The next NEW PRODUCT release date just got pushed to Dec 3 (sorry). To make up for that, my December ‘vacation’ is going to get cut in half. Now, I will will start on Dec 10+. The idea is to release everything I have for the Panzer I at that time, as well as some ‘by request’ items I have been working to finish. Then, I will stay in the shop just long enough to fill any orders that the Dec 3 releases generate. As soon as that rush of orders is filled, I will shut down for the rest of the year.
AN AREA OF RISING CONCERN
I apologize, folks, but my shipping rates are going to go up on Jan 1. I have no choice. The cost on my end — even with my discount — simply cannot be ignored any longer.
OPEN ORDERS
As I write this, I have 2 open orders, and I have poured the molds to fill both. If those pulls look good, they will ship today. So, unless something comes in before I post this, there will be no open orders at that time.
CUSTOMER ISSUES
As far as I know, I am on top of all customer service issues so, if you have a problem I have not addressed, please let me know because you’ve gone ‘stealth mode’ and are flying under my radar.
A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
I have posted a special announcement to the top of the blog page. It is about my plans to take the month of December off to make masters. I will amend it to reflect the change in plans caused by my thrown track and change of orders from the REMFs.Please try to find time to read the announcement.
NEW PRODUCTS
I did manage to work on a few new masters. There are things very close to ready. I just need to make production molds. So, the Dec 3 NEW RELEASES target date should be good.
ON MY BENCH
I will have several more Panzer I items ready on Dec 3. I will also have something for the very early Tiger I’s and a set of pins and chain for projects like spare Panther track links and U.S. armored fuel/oil/water covers.
ON KARL’S BENCH
There is nothing new from Karl about his masters. I’ll let you know when that changes.
THE SHOP
The shop is in decent shape, but I still need to clean up a bit.
THE OFFICE
The office is in good shape now. I managed to get it cleaned up yesterday. I’m now ready for company 🙂
ME
I am finally feeling like I am back to my pre-COVID self. I was surprised that my back got better so quickly, but it may have had something to do with the fact that I have lost 28 lbs in the last 6 weeks (strict Atkins dieting). I think the weight loss has even helped with my respiratory issues. So, all-in-all, things are very good for me. I pray they are the same for you.
THAT IS ALL
OK, that is all I have — for now. I will have more to share next week, as well as the first of the new masters. Until then, stay safe and try to build something (preferably something using TMD resin).
Joe
have you heard of USPS Global post supposed to be cheap but takes a little longer