10.2.2026 JOE’S CORNER: Why I Went R.O.A.D. On You Guys

Friends,

I owe you all an apology.  I went R.O.A.D. (Retired On Active Duty) on you, and I am sorry.  Now, since I am aware that there are customers who do not like to read about this sort of stuff in my updates (one of you called it ‘naval gazing’), I am going to explain in a JOE’S CORNER post — for those who do.

I have been struggling since 2020 and the COVID mess.  I had just gotten TMD back on very good footing when COVID was forced on the world. I was cranking out a lot of good stuff that was being well received and the company was making money.  COVID destroyed all of that, which had been the result of more than a year’s hard work on my part.  That really angered me.

Then I had a series of health issues.  They were not life threatening, but they were serious enough, and lasted for a while.  I still have them, but they are under control now.

On top of all of this, I snapped at an offer to try something else, something I had been wanting to do for years.  As it turns out, I’m not as good at it as I thought I would be.  Either that, or my refusal to compromise my principles (what few I still have) is not as ‘marketable’ today as it may have once been.  I’m honestly not sure.  That said, I started a daily web/podcast some four years ago a,d I honestly can’t give it up.  The show prep takes up a lot of time, and then the show eats an hour every morning.  I have cut back to 2-3 days a week now, but it still takes up a good chunk of my time.  That said, I’m not going to quit as I have an audience of some 400+ world-wide, and I hear from them.  Somehow, people say they benefit in a substantial way from what I am doing, so I will keep going with the shows.

Finally, I am burned out on TMD.  I’m not sure if it is an unhealthy preoccupation with 3D printing, or that I’m bored.  All I know is that I went ROAD on you guys and I owe you all a BIG apology.  I still hear from you, and I know that many of you still like my humble resin offerings.  So, I am getting back in the fight (so to speak).

MAVERICK IS RE-ENGAGING!

I have figured out what I want to do next, and how to do it.  I’m just not sure if I should share this information, as I always seem to talk a big game, then fail to deliver.  Maybe I should try to learn from the past (for a change) and just do what I can and mention it AFTER I do it???  Yeah, let’s do that!

So, just know that, God willing, I will soon start putting out new products again.  Watch for those announcements.

ONE THING I WILL TELL YOU!  I “THINK” I SOLVED MY FOREIGN MARKET PROBLEM

As soon as I have re-worked enough of the current product line, I will be opening an EBay store.  From what I can tell, this will actually make my products more affordable for those outside the U.S.  For those inside the U.S., the web store will still be the best way to go.  Again, God willing, the EBay store should be opened by the end of the year.

OK, that is all I have — for now.  I’ll  try to get the next UPDATE out next Friday (Oct 9, 2026).

Stay safe,

–Joe