987654321a The list posted above is locked in at $170 for the webley kit. I never meant to imply that I was 'raising the price on you mid stream'. I actually posted that the first 10 would receive it at XXX price, in the very first post. I have not know of any place, or anything ive done on here, where I have changed a price or my mind at anyone elses expense. I have always lived up to my obligations.
Now, and everyone please read this, because I answer this question a lot.
I posted this as a webley kit, because its in fact an acurate and mostly seamless reproduction of a 1917 webley flare gun. Its not an EE-3 of any kind, until greebles are added.
The greeble kits, are seperate. Why? There are a couple of reasons.
1: Many want to make their own, or use the real thing on the gun.
2: Most want a real scope
3: There are in fact prop builders on here that are better than I am, and some may want these pieces from them.
4: Because I am taking the time to educate myself slowly on the two greeble kits. And no one wanted to wait 8 weeks for me to get the first (esb) kit done.
Its not that prices will go up because 'you didnt pay fast'.
Its that the time and price its costing me is more than expected. So after I fullfill this obligation, I have to look at actual time and monetary costs, and charge accordingly. I will not be making changes to prices mid run.
Ive invested roughly 3-4k into this project, before my time. If you want me to break it down I can.
Furthermore, I get about 50 pms a day, usually questions that have been answered here. Ill admit sometimes I am in such a hurry, that I do not explain myself properly. Or my typing seems hurried and my thoughts incomplete. Its because they are. Im in the middle of five different things but feel obliged to at least try to answer.
I apologize for that. But I have always thought of the thread as a running dialog. And I expect that because I have read every post, others that are interested have also. I will take that into consideration from here on out.
That being said. If anyone wants off the list, they are welcome to pm me and Ill remove you. If anyone is not happy with the product they receive, feel free to send me a pm and I will make it right. I dont ship anything that I would not be happy to receive.
I dont expect there to be any problems unless I overlook somethign while boxing things up, or grab a wrong piece. But such things happen. (I shipped two left knees to ireland one time).
The molds degraded very fast. Why? Well, one I didnt degass them. So theres a lot of little bubbles and flashing on the small parts. And im not 100% happy with them. Silicone is meant to do limited runs. And though some silicones say 'degasing not required' that is in fact only partially true. Silicone has tiny bubbles throughout. And each bubble has a thin walled membrane. Through stretching and heating, these thin walls break/collapse. When they are deep inside the silicone, they weaken the overall structure. When they are on the surface, they ruin the finish.
The larger molds, such as the barrell are degrading because of the demolding process. When you make a large part, such as this, with no seam line (Im sure theres people that are still wondering how the hell I did that) sometimes it requires a little finagling to get them out. The more you stretch rubber, the more it loses its elasticity. (Think skin and stretchmarks).
So to maintain the integrity of the product, I dont have a choice. I have to redo the mold much more often. Or I can let people receive barrels with a terrible surface finish.
Instead, when I get parts that are no longer perfect, I sell them at a lower price. Because they will need a fill here or there, or a sand here or there. And to most people, an hour of sanding is worth $50. Its a win win situation for me, because I dont throw away hundreds of dollars worth of plastic. (just time, hehe)
To conclude, I make plenty of money. I do not do this stuff for the money. I do it because, well to be honest FP inspires me. Spideyfett inspires me. MOW inspires me. 99centtaco inspires me. This forum inspires me. Having something you have created, consulted on, or helped facilitate live on to have a life of its own. To be discussed, ridiculed, and even charished is something I want. I am doing this for that reason and that reason alone. Well that and I need a hobby, or I go nuts.
It will not hurt my feelings if I do not sell another kit. As long as those that received one, accept it as a good value. If anyone would like to be removed from the list, please just pm me and I can take care of that no problem. No hard feelings.
I hope this clears some things up.
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RUN STATUS:
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Firsts that were paid for, are shipped. I cant make any more firsts until I make the new barrell mold. Its got a scuff that needs to be lightly sanded. Its to the point now where it will get worse and worse. So im going to fulfill the seconds with whats left.
I have 5-6 barrels left, that are good, but I promised good or better barrels with the SECONDS kits.
Anyone signed up on the initial first run will still get the kit at the listed price. When I do a second run, the price could go up. But ill fulfill these when I make the new molds, before that run starts).
The same goes for the seconds, if I am unable to get through them all before Im out of parts.
The prices is for a WEBLEY KIT. Not an EE3.
The greeble kits will be $40 more, and they are not done. Im STILL waiting for packages to arrive to make the parts. When they arrive, youll be the first to know.
The ESB greeble kits will be first.
The ROTJ greeble kits will be second. I have not even _thought_ about ROTJ. So expect a delay. I want to get esb right.
Thanks for your attention and patience.
Mike
.....I made a commitment to you and believe in you skill set....I will patiently wait for my webley kit, and other kits you will offer that will make this into a EE-3....keep up the intensity & look forward to having your work in my arsenal
