9/17/2023
It's been a while since my last update. It's been quite the year so far, new job, two weddings and my wife went back to school.
One of the other changes that has come about is that my material cost has more than doubled in recent years. As a result I've decided to stop selling models wholesale. The other alternative would have been to raise my prices again, but that's something I don't want to do if I can help it. (Wargaming is expensive enough with out me adding more to the problem.) All of this to say the resellers that I have gotten to know and appreciate still have some stock of Xmarx models and you should check their websites before buying from me, but they will not be able to reorder from me for the foreseeable future.
As far as new models go, I don't have anything ready to release but a few ideas in the works. I'm also considering digital sales. I haven't settled on this yet, but I expect that more and more people have 3d printers and this would be a way to get more models released for less cost. Stay tuned for updates.
You'll notice that some models aren't available in the store. Some have been discontinued and others just need the molds replaced. These I'm working on.
I have been spending a little time relearning how to paint. Painting miniatures was what drew me into the hobby over 40 years ago. My new job means that I have time to relearn what I once new as well as trying to get a grip on all of the new painting technics and supplies available. Check out my Instagram page but go easy on an old man as he relearns the craft.
4/8/23
Hello all, just a quick update. Xmarx has gone largely ignored for some weeks now.
I've recently changed jobs, one of my children was married and the other is engaged we should be having a second wedding in the coming months. All of this to say that yes, I am still here and making models but progress has been slow. My new job affords me more time to myself, so hopefully soon I'll get back into a regular routine and get some new pieces released. I have the molds for a new piece ready to go but just haven't gotten around to updating my store.
Keep in mind that my resellers often sell my models for a little less than I do, so save yourself some money if you can and check them out before you buy directly from me.
Yoda's Data (Germany)
1/1/23
As many of you know, 3D printing has come a long way. Some of my older models are showing their age and I've been re-printing some of them and making new molds. The reason the Geo Domes aren't available in the store right now is that I'm re-casting them. The old models looked like this up close:
While no one has complained over the years, I've never been fully satisfied with the finished product. So, I've re-printed them and am working on production molds now. Here is a close up of the master for the large dome:
I'll upload more pictures of the finished models when the production molds are done.
12/31/22
Happy New year everyone! Thank you all for a good year. You all have helped me continue doing what I love to do.
Looking back this has been a less productive year than I had hoped, my day job tends to get in the way of Xmarx. Currently I'm working on replacing molds that have worn out, updating some models that didn't stand the test of time and correcting some models that I could have done better.
As a reminder, you should check my resellers before buying directly from me. Often you can save money by buying from them first, also they have great products from other manufacturers too.
If you're in Europe go to Yodas Data, they've carried my models for years now and since shipping from the US to Europe has gotten so expensive, they can save you a lot in shipping costs.
In the US, both Noble Knight Games and and Ares Games & Miniatures carry my models. They each have a great selection of other gaming and hobby products too.
Thank you again for your support, I'm honored that you are willing to part with your hard-earned cash to purchase my models.
Brian
Xmarx.com
11/24/22
My store will be closed until the second week of December. Enjoy the holidays!
9/11/22
I apologize for the lack of update, I was using a Facebook page to do this but I've recently dumped my Facebook account. Typically during the summer I don't have much time to devote to Xmarx as my day job takes a lot out of me.
I am working on a few pieces little by little. The MagLev train sets are complete and I like they way they turned out. I'm working on a supply yard for the train now (A-hem, slowly)
I think I'll do a plate thingy to go on top also that will take FPG's largest decal too. More pictures to follow.
2/21/21
So Close!
I've poured the rest of the molds I thought I needed to have the Mech Hanger 2 ready to list in my store. Just to be sure everything was good, I figured I'd better put one together (also this will allow me to have pictures of the updated kit.)
I realized that the doors were about a millimeter off... arrggg...
I've reprinted the doors and the molds are curing now, so baring any other setbacks, it'll be ready in a few days.
1/10/2021
The Mech Hanger floor molds are done! The rest of the masters for the detail pieces are complete, so just a few more molds to go and the new Mech Hanger will be ready to go
One of the downsides of the printer that I bought is that the build plate is very small. Therefore I had to print the floor in nine pieces and then assemble them. The first try I made three sections (the same as the first mech hanger version) but I had fits getting them to fit correctly (silicone is temperature sensitive etc.) So, I decided to make a single mold for the whole floor. It's a much bigger mold and it presented some other challenges, but it looks like it worked!
12/16/2020
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back...
So I thought I had the molds for both the walls and the floors done. Over the weekend I made the first castings only to discover that I'd goofed.
I made the floor sections to fit into the wall sections. The idea being that this would give a sort of guide for the individual pieces and make it easier to assemble. Unfortunately, I made the tolerances too tight and they don't fit together without some X-Acto knife work. It's not a ton, but that coupled with a couple of the details looking a bit silly, it's not gonna work.
12/6/2020
First Mold for the Wall sections of the new Mech Hanger completed
11/29/2020
The downside of the printer that I bought is that the build volume is on the small side. So, the new parts were printed in pieces and then assembled.
This done, I mounted them and started on the mold boxes. The wall section will be a 2 part mold. The previous version of the Mech Hanger the walls were 7 separate castings per side, this version will be 1
11/26/2020
I've fiddled with the floor a bit and I think I'm happy with it:
11/20/2020
Some Progress on the New Mech Hanger. I had an FEP tear on the wall reprints, I'm in the process of patching them so I don't have to run another 25+ hour print. The Molds will reveal any flaws. The floor prints have been giving me fits. The orientation of the part makes a huge difference in detail of the piece so I'm having to adjust as I go.
This pic shows parts that are going to be rejected but you'll get an idea of what they'll look like.
This is what the floor is supposed to look like, not there yet...
11/12/2020
Mech Hanger Prints
Learning 3d printing is a process. Just when I think I've got it all figured out, again I am humbled...
The first prints for the new Mech Hanger were good, but not good enough. I'm running tests to tweak my settings and try again.
10/29/2020
Mech Hanger 2.0
I've been working on an updated version of the Mech Hanger.
The goal is two fold, first to make a model I like better. And second to make a kit with fewer pieces and therefore easier to cast and therefore cheaper.
The original Mech Hanger kit has more than 50 pieces, the new kit combines pieces making the molds more complex but, if successful, the casting will take far less time to produce and the new kit will be less expensive.
As soon as I can get my printer fixed I'll start on the masters
10/28/2020
3d Printing Frustrations...
In September of last year I purchased a 3d Printer for myself, and Anycubic Photon S. I was still in the middle of building an addition on my home, so I left it in the box until June of this year.
For a few months now, I've been learning this new technology. While the marketing material portrayed this machine as 'Plug and Play' that wasn't entirely accurate, but hey, being able to print my own masters was well worth the cost of learning a new skill.
Last weekend while printing pieces for an order, the thing stopped working...
This is the second time in 3 1/2 months of actual use that it has broken down. I contacted the manufacturer and was told that it was out of warranty (me letting it sit for months turned out to be a mistake.)
I purchased a replacement part and am waiting for it to ship from China. Hopefully that'll have it back up and running.
I'm more than a little disappointed that it has broken down as quickly as it had but from Facebook groups I have learned that this isn't uncommon. So, if you plan to buy a 3d printer, be prepared to learn to work on it.
8/16/2020
New Stuff! (Free Stuff!!)
If you check the Xmarx Store, I've got a couple of new models listed as well as the replacement for the Turret Control Tower.
Also, I've been giving models away on Facebook and Instagram. I think I'll continue to do this for a while.
To enter for the models give away, simply follow me on either platform (or both) and then tag another person in the comment of the post announcing the give away. It's pretty shameless on my part I know, but as much as I enjoy producing models, if I'm not making any money at it then it'll be hard to continue (Marital harmony and all that...)
Currently I'm giving away the new version of the Turret Control Tower and two pairs of turrets along with it.
8/2/2020
Shipping Woes...
Some months back now I began paying for an online store. This allowed me to incorporate inventory controls so that I could track models that I am reselling and it also promised a good shipping calculator.
Friday evening I got a substantial order ($300ish) this was great! When I looked at the payment, the customer had been charged $60 for shipping! I boxed the order, shipped it off ($20 including insurance) and then issued a refund to the customer for the approximate difference.
I occurs to me that if I had been the customer, I would not have completed the order and probably would not have come back to Xmarx.com ever again.
If you get some a screwy amount from my website, shoot me a note and I'll take a look and make it right. I'm trying to figure out a better shipping system but as for now, it remains unchanged.
