Friends,
I had a split week. Some things went very well, and some things played the role of ‘wait-a-minute’ vines. You know: those vines that always seem to reach out and snag you, holding you up for a minute while you cut your way free of them. Anyway, hit the ‘READ MORE” button and I’ll share the details with you.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
In many ways, this was a good week. The puppy is growing fast. She is going in and out the doggie door on her own now, so she doesn’t require constant attention. I also finished nine (9) new masters and made great progress on two more. I even managed to put in an appearance in my other major point of focus in my life. So, this was all on the ‘good’ side.
However, there were some things that slowed me down this week. First, my middle brother was visiting from Arkansas, and while that is ‘good’ because we love each other, it was not so good in that he distracted me a bit this week. One of his three visits included my younger brother who came to hedge-hog my back yard with his heavy equipment. He also removed the tree that had fallen into our pond. Then, we had a visit from Dave Hobbs Thursday. Good visit, solid work done, but a day used up on me. Finally, we had another bad storm, and while it did not affect us here at TMD, it did cause the schools to close. That left BB at home and, well, I’m never that focused when BB is home from work 🙂
OUTSTANDING ORDERS
I struggled to get the orders out this week. I needed to replace several molds, and I still have one order holding on a mold. I also had some larger orders. One of those is still in the shop waiting to be shipped. Still, when I turn off the lights today, I should only have those two orders still waiting on me. If things go well, I hope to have those two orders shipped by Tuesday next week.
NEW RELEASE
As I said, I finished 9 masters this week. However, because of the things that happened this week, I did not have time to get the production molds made. Nor did I have the time to write the listings for the web store or take the pictures. So, rather than make a mess of things by trying to push these new items out, I am going to hold them until everything is ready. Still, I am close to the next big release of TMD goodies.
ON THE BENCH
The following are all still on my bench and making progress.
— A set of light guards made closer to scale (finished)
— 0.5 mm bolts with washers (to replace hull details) (finished)
— Detailed spare track holders w/individual links (finished)
— Turret canvas retaining loops (finished)
-– A general details set for the exterior hull (finished)
— Medium size footman loops (finished — 3 new sizes!)
— .05 mm Nut and washer detail set (finished)
— Tools with cast-in straps and footman loops (working)
— 1-piece canvas mantle cover (working)
-– Foul weather hoods, erected and collapsed
As soon as all of these are on the market, I am going to pivot to the M-18 interior and return to the IBG 7TP.
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 total wreck. In fact, if things get much worse, I am going to have to just take a day to clean it up or things are going to come to a crashing halt.
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 almost wrote that JOE’S CORNER post, but I was still to angry with some aspects of our hobby, so I decided to hold off until I am in more control of my temper. I am a slow learner, but, after 56 years, I have finally started to learn not to speak (write) in anger.
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