Hello all. About what I'm writting here I have very mixed feelings. The short version is I have to scale back a bit; I'm going to have to limit my work load to 10 orders / month. Here's why; Over the past 3 years I've been putting out 4-8 bows per week and doing it all by hand. (With the exception of my band saw my lam grinder, and a dremel tool for roughly shaping nocks) All that rasping and sanding has taken a toll on my arm and shoulder hindges. Perhaps they are getting a bit worn from constant movment, I tried palm sanders but they are slower, and leave swirly patterns. Anyhow I don't want to quit, I want to keep doing this but I need to slow down. Lately I'm not living up to my own expectations and it's mostly due to the discomfort. I don't know how long I'll have to scale back, but hopefully things will get better with less use. I have tools that I overuse and I have to replace but I can't replace parts of my hands and arms.
I understand it's a messed up time to spring this on everyone with Christmas 5 months out, but It's either slow down or hang it up. That's what my shoulder joints are telling me.
So with the begining of each month untill furthur notice, I'll take new orders but I'll have to stop at 10. To those that are understanding, thank you.
-Mike
good luck with the arms and im sure all us guys will understand as we get older we seem to wear out just as tools do
take care of yourself
Sorry to hear this Mike but you need take care of yourself, we need you to keep making bows for many years to come! hey when I have kids I will order their first bows from you so please slow down but dont quit!
I hope a prayer helps on you healing :pray:
Mike, you need to take care of your health first!
Good luck and we hope that you can continue your craft.
Mike I am sorry that you are experiencing such pain.
Take care of yourself and I'll keep you in my prayers.
God bless,Mudd
Remember when you prepared your business. Goals spelled out which you've reached with top quality items, excellent prices, & tremendous customer service. Always glad to see numbers of folks Maddog happy. Public admission & time off is no less consistent with your forthright manner. Take a good break, come back strong! Best to you Mike.
Boy are you going to get a rush of phone calls on the first of each month :biglaugh:
Take care of your self and i think this is a good way to slow down that way you dont build a long waiting list. If someone misses one of those ten slots they just call back on the first and get in, good thinking. Hope the joints start feeling better.
Mike, my son loves his bow !! I tip my hat to you knowing your limitations and putting your own physical health first.
Take care of yourself Mike, being able to continue doing what you love and taking care of your physical well being is priority. Your situation is completely understandable.
Mike, take care of yourself thats most important, and thanks again, my nephews love their longbow pups
Mike you take care of yourself. We will be here when you get going at full strength or be very patient at whatever you can do. My little girl Ava loves her bow and you are a good man :campfire:
Mike, Sorry to here that. But slow down is much better than hang it up.Good luck!
Mike, I know where you are at! It is no fun when you are hurting. When I was building the Black Rhino bows I had to have both hands operated on for carpal tunnel.That hand work is hard on hands and shoulders.
Take care of yourself.Good Luck!
I know you don't like turning people away but I think you find they will wait and all will work out for you. It will just be change of pace that you need to get used to and when you get to feeling better ease back into it, if and only if it's needed. Nothing wrong with a little overtime around Xmas time to catch up but again only if needed. Take care of yourself, you have talent and my boy has really enjoyed one of the bows you made him, he will need another after he outgrows it you know! Chris
Hey Mike, there's nothing wrong in listening to your body because if ya don't you'll regret it in the long run, us trad guys-n-gals are the patient type anyway so I'm sure they'll understand.
Totally understandable Mike.
Would you be interested in taking on an apprentice at all?? Maybe find a hard working young guy in your area to take over a lot of the leg work of bow building, with you giving a watchful eye of course.
Mike, sorry to hear your situation. I'm not sure if this will help in the future but I use a air filled drum sander to do alot of my shaping. I dont even use a rasp. I hope you start feeling better.
Terry
thanks everyone, I have to mention, those that have things on order from me will still get there bows on schedule or close to it so don't worry.
-Mike
Hang in there Mike and take care of yourself. Glucosamine helps my ailing joints. Hope you get the break you need.
Bud
All the best to you Mike, sorry to hear that, take care of yourself first :)
Also my daughter loves the pup, thank you very very much :clapper:
(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m635/jackdynne/iphone%20uploads/2728f41a.jpg)
You make a heck of a bow Mike. Sorry to hear of your health problems. Takes a real man to understand when it's time to take a step back and recover. Take care.
Mike, Great bows. I love my Maddog recurve. Hope you get well. Take care of yourself. Don
Your rep for perfection is untouched. Your integrity towards our community is appreciated Do what is best for you
Mike you are 100% right, can't replace the shoulders. Do what ever you need to make it work. I hope they calm down with a little rest...
As mentioned above Glucosamine helps also Fish Oils (omegas), Turmeric and Ginger root help my shoulders... Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory...
Thanks Johnny, it's pic like that, that makes it easy to get back out there and get to work. I like making those pup bows the best. Lots of purpose behind them.
Well, "Space Balls" is on, gotta run.
Mike, health first. The rest will follow.
I have brought back to the top a thread I started thanking you and some others. Take a look. You are doing great work.
Well Mike since you like pics here ya go!
(http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy346/americanhunter7/1311931856.jpg)
(http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy346/americanhunter7/1311931937.jpg)
(http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy346/americanhunter7/1311932038.jpg)
She's a SATISFIED Customer for sure :thumbsup:
Thanks to you Mike she wants to shoot everytime she comes out. Thanks to TGMM, vermonster13 and my fellow TGMM family for all you do, but especially THANKS to Mike Mecredy and Maddog for doing such a great service to the traditional archery community by getting the youth involved.
Mike, maybe you want to look at just making kids bows and still set a limit. Just a suggestion. I think you are most famous for your kids bows. We need you making them!
Mike. As I walk in your shoes somewhat, I know how hard it is to give up what you love. Take care of yourself first, and all other things will take care of themselves. I wish you the best.
Mike... wise decision... take care of yourself... hope you're feeling better real soon. Thanks for what you do! You're a blessing to many. My son is really enjoying his "Pup"!
Mike, take care of yourself, eh. All the best.
Nothing wrong with slowing down.
Better to do that and be able to put extra attention into each bow. :thumbsup:
Cole loves his!!!! Glad to hear you are taking care of you first! That's how it should be! Best of luck!
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b147/Palmer234/ColesBow009.jpg)
I'll tell tnpaw and AWP Mike. Hang in there brother and God Bless you. You build some really nice bows Mike.
Take care. You are making a sound choice!
my shoulder wakes me up every day take care of yourself first saw one of one of your kid model bows at a shoot here in ca very nice indian clubs are agreat rehab exercise for the shoulders and have kept me going that and some pain killers to be honest thanks for your service to our country
I imagine you've seen a doctor about your pains, hope so. Have you gotten some exercises to do for therapy ? If so do 'em, and quit before the pain if ya can. Good luck, and take care of yourself, no one else can.
Gotta take care of yourself first. Ive heard nothing but great things!
Nope, no Doctors.
No Docs :pray:
Thanks Mike, take good care of yourself.
Take car of yourself mike. You make great bows so try not to stop just slow down. The ones that really want one will wait for it. I know I will.
Thanks and take care.
Jeff
Hey no worries, they are worth the wait if needs be!! Take care.
QuoteOriginally posted by joekeith:
No Docs :pray:
I agree 100%. Just to make sure.
Best of luck to you Sir!...and THANKS for all your efforts on the kids bows. :clapper:
I second the apprentice idea. A great way to pass on and learn skills and values. And remember, it doesn't have to be youngster. There are plenty of old English majors out there who'd thunk they'd died and gone to heaven to learn a new practical skill making something beautiful. Would love to see an apprenticeship system revived in this country.
And yeah, see a doc. Just because they're always there when illness and injuries happen doesn't mean they cause them. :D
Mike take some Good Quality Fish Oil! Works like WD-40 on the joints! :goldtooth: . Yes consider an Apprentice. Hec I was one 26 years ago to get into The Sheetmetal Workers Union! Four Year Program! :biglaugh:
Mike- You don't have to apologize to anyone, when your body says slow down it's best to listen to it. You can only do, what is best for you which will be best for your output of the great Bows that you make. Take care of your body and it will take care of you, I know it's overstated, but it's true. You keep making the Great Bows you are known for, everyone will understand.
Butch L
Actually, 3 years ago, the first time my shoulder aches happened, I went to see a Dr. and me said, it was inflamation due to over use and to take a week or so off. I did and it worked, but after a few months it comes back. My insurance company paid that man $256 for 5 minutes and to tell me to take a week off. I don't like to get Dr. paid for doing nothing, it's like feeding the bears at the campground.
I feel your pain, Mike.
From January to March, this year, I made bows 7 days a week, sometimes till 10pm, so I could go on a long trip. Sometimes in the morning, I couldn't close my fingers, or raise my arms above my head. I went through the shoulder thing over 10 years ago, and It took about 3 years to get better. I think I just learned to avoid stressing it so much when I worked. Work bench height and the right tool handles helps a lot. Also, air tools and small sanding drums on flexible shafts, helps relieve the pressure on my fingers and joints.
Chuck Jones
Sorry to hear it Mike. Pray for you to get better!
K
Well, I hate to hear that you are in pain bro. Maybe if you charged more for your work you wouldn't be putting 4-8 bows out a week. LOL.
I hope you get to feeling better soon. The best to you and yours. Good day and God Bless.