Monday, March 4, 2024

Stormcrow Kickstart

Okay...time to try out the new business model.  

Kit Proposal:  The Classic Stormcrow

The kit will be based on the classic 3050 Artwork seen below...minus the silly little arms.  The kit will come with vents for the area over the cockpit as well as missiles as an option.  I also plan on trying to cast the cockpit in clear resin...no guarantees there.  Casting in clear is more difficult than regular resin. 

If you want to fund this kit I will send out invoices that will require a non-refundable deposit.  This will get the construction going.  Once the kit is ready to be molded/cast the remaining balance will be due. 

Despite the hugely increased cost of material, I am going to try to keep the price-point reasonable...$150 plus shipping.  To do this I am going to need a minimum of 15 invoices/down payments (kickstarts?).

If you are interested please message me. Full terms and details will be laid out in the invoice.



Friday, February 23, 2024

New Business Model

I am leaning heavily towards changing my business model.  The greatest hurdle has always been figuring out what mech the community wants.  Some mechs will have high demand and low sales...others low initial demand but higher sales. 

The change I am considering is this.  I will offer up a kit with a two part pre-order.  The pre-order would go out and require a non-refundable 10% deposit.  If there are enough pre-orders then the kit would go into the "build" phase.  Once the build is complete the remaining 90% would be due to cover the molding/casting like I do it now.  I think this would really help me cut down on the time I spend building mechs that don't sell.  Of course, if I am unable to produce the kit, the 10% would be refunded.  To do this I would have to provide you with a more clear design than my usual, "trust me" approach. 

Thoughts?

Thursday, February 15, 2024

SRM Carrier

 The SRM carrier kits are going to begin shipping this week!

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Happy 2024

It is my hope that we can make 2024 better than 2023 turned out to be.  Invoices for SRM pre-order will go out late this week.  


Happy New Year!

Monday, November 6, 2023

Time Flies

I am amazed how time flies and how bad I am at updating this site.  Unfortunately, this page doesn't get a lot of traffic anymore. Having spoken with several others I know who have business websites it seems people cruise social media sites more than they do websites.  In fact, I saw a post on Facebook recently where someone was amazed that a model FB site had a huge website with tons of resources. I have been a subscriber to that website since the early 2000s. Sadly, I have fallen into that trap too...briefly looking at social media sites rather than websites. 

The Highlander is available for sale.  It is a bit larger than 1/60 as it was originally designed as a client commission and he wanted a big Highlander for his office. The cost is $235 plus shipping but it is a big kit...about 11" tall (about 28cm).


I am currently trying to get funding together for a Hunchback kit.  It would be a Star League Era Hunchback...not the current bulky MWO or Catalyst design.  Below are some designs I am using for a base for the kit.  Mine will have bulkier arms and slightly beefier legs and have the classic AC in the shoulder.
 

If you are interested in the Hunchback, please e-mail me and let me know.   More later folks!


Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Not much change...

Not a lot has changed since the last update.  I am doing Highlanders in batches of 5.  Once I get the current 5 orders done I'll move on to the next 5.

I've been asked what my next mech is and honestly, I don't know.  After the Highlander I can say most heavy and assault mechs are off the table.  They are just too expensive to produce and there isn't a lot of "meat on the bone" for me. 

The economy is playing into it as well. As much as the media loves to tell us everything is getting better, I don't see it.  Gas is still up, my grocery bill is about 30% higher, utilities are up, etc.  In talking with customers overseas I know they are dealing with the same issues.

That being said, it makes it hard to get folks to commit to a $150 model let alone a $225 model. 

Maybe I'll get lucky and a commission will come in.

Keep on building, folks!

Sunday, July 9, 2023

Long Time, No Update

 Hi All,

I've been dealing with the death of a close family member.  Jess and I are just a mess at the moment...just kind of existing in a fog. 

All but a couple of the Vindicators are done and ready to ship.  There are a couple international orders to take care of but that is it.  Huzzah and thanks for supporting this mech!

Next, the regulars have talked me into molding the Highlander I am custom building for a client.  Now, it is going to take a lot of rubber to mold and resin to cast.  This is a big mech...about the same size as the Armorcast Atlas.  There are so many folks interested that I am doing a randomization for small batch pre-orders.  Once I compile a list of those that are a 100% Yes I will enter all the names in a spreadsheet and then randomize the names and just work through the list in small batches. 

If you are interested in the Highlander, please let me know by e-mailing me here