Just a little update.
Recovery is progressing well. I was able to remove the hard plates from the back brace two weeks ago and just use the soft portion. I still have another two weeks before I can get off the soft brace. I am back at work, but with the 10 pound lifting restrictions, it isn't going very fast. Still tired and weak from the surgery so I don't get as much done in a day. Add in the back brace resrticing movement (and making sitting uncomfortable), also keeps production down. I am off the pain medicine, but still taking Iburofen for stiffness. THe numbness is still rpesent, and I had a minor scare last week. I had a leg cramp (up in the thigh) and the next day, I was in pretty good pain from the leg numbness. I talked to the doctor and the the concensus is that we will wait until my appointment in two weeks and re-evaluate. He put me on a nerve medicine and it seems to be helping. In two weeks, if the doctor thinks it is neccessary, I will get another MRI to check the recovery. THe doctor doesn't seem to concerned yet - he did say that I wa snot a typical case. It was a double herniatio, with one being over a year old. With the amount of disc material removed and the long term nerve pressure, my recovery will be a little longer and more difficult than the normal case.
Now, as far as the projects I have going.
LEGO saber: With the exception of reboring the emitters to fit the different blade types, and the adapters, all the machining is finished. I have the colored blades in hand and I have already measured them (6 different colors and there are 4 different blade diameters - the sizes are not too consistent between the colors). The clear blade material has been ordered and I am just awaiting it's delivery (I expect it any day now). When it comes in, I will get it measured and model up the adapters I need for those who are getting clear and colored blades. Because of the lifting restrictions, I cannot change the chuck on my lathe to hold the large sized emitters. The chuck weighs 30 pounds and I have to twist and turn into the machine to change it so I cannot do that at the moment. Once I can get teh chuck changed, I will have the info I need and get the emitters rebored and adapters made.
Concept saber run: As with the LEGO sabers, I need the large chuck to begin the work on these. I have a habit of machining the outer body sections before I do the inner components or greeblies/accessories. It's just how I work and it helps me avoid issues in fitment. I have done a couple of the parts so far, but it is on hold until I can get to the point where I can change chucks.
Obi pommels: As with the LEGO and Concept sabers, one part of these need the larger chuck to complete. I have gotten some work on these completed, but with 80+ of them, they are going to take a littlw while to complete. I hope to get some more work done on these this weekend barring not falling behind onmy regualr workload and the holiday coming up.
Black Mamba: Yes, I posted another job to get teh ball rolling. With the price of these, I figure I would need a few weeks or more to fill spots. This run won't start until after the first of the year (barring not needing a second round of back surgery) and I will start with the spine components which are mill only. So I can work on these while I am doing other parts ont eh lathe.
Future plans: I do indeed have some projects to announce, and they keep piling up right now. I don't expect to announce anything until after teh first of the year. Timing will depend on how the medical issues go down, and how soon I can wrap up a few of the outstanding jobs I have.
I'd like to thank everyone for their patience, and I apologize that some of these projects have taken longer than expected.
Erik