Locked Down with the Sickness?

Hello again folks.

Well at this time the world is trying to cope with a global pandemic. The impact is just starting. in my state and county we have just gotten shelter in place orders. All businesses are closed except for essential ones.

The definition of essential is rather vague and it seems a lot of companies are being loose with it and staying open. Also, the travel restrictions are a bit odd and it is pretty easy to define essential to your own needs. For the most part I have been a recluse for years now so not really an impact on me.

Things are plugging along. I paint a little more lately and have finished 82 models so far this year for Warhammer and a couple of slot car builds.

I made a new 75mm square base mold and will next make a 32mm X 50mm rectangle that was requested.

In the background I am working on making better car models. I spent a great deal of time crafting the new die design and it is being perfected and built as of now. IF it works, it should allow for the creation of better car models.

In the shop there is a new Phrozen Shuffle XL printer. This has a build plate 3X as large as the Photon. CNC work is done on the backing plates for the mold holding metal. I do have to burn out a drill bit broken off but that should not be an issue.

There is a still a lot of work and spending to be done in the future. To make better decals a digital transfer printer is a must. This is over $3000 plus toner at around $600. Future car models need boxes and getting them is going to cost some cash. I am hoping to hire an artist to make a generic car box design and use it for all cars.

One thing that is on my mind is the current state of things regarding China and their status as a supplier. It is kind of well documented in this blog my thoughts concerning the shifting of so many industries to China. When this happens the imbalance of power regarding profitability results in the rapid decline of domestic producers. The costs associated with operating in a Western democratic society are gigantic with regards to taxes and regulatory compliance. Add to that the distortions with currency valuations and the obstacles are simply too much.

So we are left with no place in the world except as consumers.

It is going to be interesting to see how current events will impact kick starters coming from China. Even more curious is if people pause a bit when rushing to support China suppliers It is starting to become obvious that the government there hid the truth about the pandemic and caused a global tsunami of death and financial ruin.

Or maybe all is forgiven as long as our toys are cheap.

I intend to step up efforts to utilize this makerspace a bit more and reach out to others. We must look out for one another and reject those who do not treat us well. I am working on doing a youtube live stream in the future and showing how to do some design with CAD.

I will post here when I can but have been pushing out more youtube videos on my channel and also posting updates on Facebook.

So please look after yourself and your loved ones. Stay home and enjoy your hobby. Maybe now is the time to look up some solo gaming?

Good luck everyone and stay safe.