Friends,
I am happy to report that I have had another very good week. I don’t have anything new this week but, unless something happens, I will have the rest of the exterior M-18 products ready next Friday, March 25. Hit the ‘READ MORE’ button and I’ll share the details.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
This was a big week. First, you guys over-ran me with orders this past week! It was almost like being hit by an aid raid, only, in a good way. THANK YOU! Next, our youngest son came to visit for the week. So, even though BB had the week off for spring break, she didn’t have as much time to babysit Annie for me as she might have. She spent it with our son, and I don’t blame her. My in-laws also came to spend the day Thursday. So, on a personal note, this was a busy week.
All that said, I still managed to make the instruction sheets for the new products; fill a decent sized dealer order; fill all but 3 of the orders that came in since the new releases and I worked on several new masters. It sounds shallow, but I’m proud of myself.
OUTSTANDING ORDERS
After I released the new M-18 items, I GOT SLAMMED! Don’t get me wrong: I greatly appreciate the business. It’s just that it’s been a long time since I had this much of it — and it felt good. As I type this, I have 3 open orders. One needs a new mold and the other 2 were too large to fill before the Sabbath came. I’ll have all three of these orders out of here on Monday. This still leaves a lot of room for more orders, so, if you need anything, this is a good time to place an order.
NEW RELEASE
I’m working on what should be 9 more new products next Friday — most of them for the exterior of the M-18. I’ll keep you posted.
ON THE BENCH
The following are all still on my bench and making progress.
— A set of light guards made closer to scale (almost) — 0.5 mm bolts with washers (to replace hull details) (finished)
— Tools with cast-in straps and footman loops — Detailed spare track holders w/individual links
— Turret canvas retaining loops — 1-piece canvas mantle cover
-– A general details set for the exterior hull -– Foul weather hoods, erected and collapsed
— Medium size footman loops
I am going to do everything I can possibly do to have all of the remaining exterior details ready for release by March 25.
ON KARL’S BENCH
I can now tell you that Karl is very excited about the new Miniart U.S. 1.5-ton 4X4 trucks. He is looking at how they can be upgraded, as well as how he can update the Hobby Boss and Tamiya CCKW’s. I have no idea what we will see from him — or when — but I can tell you that I have not seen him this excited and motivated in a long time.
THE SHOP
The shop is now a wreck. I hope to get some cleaning done this coming week, but I will not let anything slow down the work on the remaining M-18 masters.
THE OFFICE
The office is a full-on disaster, but there is no hope of cleaning it up until things change with Annie.
ME AND MY WORLD
I spent a great deal of time thinking about me, where I am in my life (I just turned 56) and where I want to go from here. The majority of that time thinking was about TMD and what I want to do with the company. DON’T WORRY! I’m not going anywhere, but I do have to figure out how to change with the times. I still have a ‘JOE’S CORNER’ post forming in my head, and I’ll write and post it when it’s ready. I’m just not there yet.
THAT IS ALL
Well, that’s all I have for everyone this week. Hopefully, this last week will be the start of a much-needed and long over-due turnaround here at TMD. Anyway, until next time, you stay safe and try to build something (preferably something using TMD resin).
–Joe
Awesome!