I just finished compiling and posting another round of test results (two more also came in the mail today and I'll be scanning and getting those ready, too).

Once again, I will say that every one of the testers in the Merry Band has done a fantastic job putting this new material through its paces and giving me very useful feedback. I really, really appreciate it.

I also wanted to thank all the generous people who suggested ways to help defray upfront costs on the material production. You guys are the best. I'll think about that, too.

The final decision about whether to go ahead right now or try to do another round of tweaks before going into production will be made when I talk to my production team next week. I'm leaning toward doing a run, given the feedback I'm getting, but I'll see how long it will take and how much another run of tests will cost, given the tweaks I'm considering and how much improvement it might make in the finished product.

In the meantime, enjoy another batch of fantastic carves. Even if you don't want to read the test results, the images are well worth a peek. :)

Tan Material Sample Results - Round #3

Webfoot

Even if you don't want to read the test results, the images are well worth a peek. :)

Agreed! You certainly picked a group of carvers that can carve excellent images. They also provided excellent feedback.

From the test results (and feedback) it appears that you will be doing another test run. Do you have an estimate as to when this will be done?

From the test results (and feedback) it appears that you will be doing another test run. Do you have an estimate as to when this will be done?

The jury is still out on this. Depending on costs and timing of another round of tweaking, it may be more expedient to go ahead with it as it is and try and refine it for the next time around. It seems people are liking it well enough that I have a feeling it will disappear faster than the OZ Kut did.

Incidentally, someone asked about the OZ pile and how long it took to go through it. There were actually three runs of OZ. Two shorter test runs with minor production tweaks along the way and one full production run. They were very accommodating. I can't do that with this manufacturer. It's a full on production run or nothing. And if I do much more messing with formulations, sizes, thicknesses, etc., they'll want an even bigger run than I'm already looking at, so I have to balance how much difference the tweaks might make against the cost and risk factors of having to go with a much larger purchase as well as increasing the final cost of the product, since every change I make increases the cost at this point. Incidentally, it looks like with things as they are, and depending on how much shipping costs, the price should come in comparable to OZ, if I did my calculations properly.

More than you really wanted to know, right? If I go with the formula and basic extruder setup as it is (which may mean leaving the pebbled side on the back this time around - I'll try to negotiate that - although PZ Kut had a wrong and right side, too, and MZ, NZ, and OZ all had a better side as well), and I've already negotiated a .26 inch thickness without too much additional cost, then we're looking at a lead time of about 8-10 weeks. Additional testing would probably add another several months to the process, if past experience is anything to go by.

So, can we live with it as it is for a while? How much value do we add by more minor tweaking (which will also increase the cost of the final product)? What do you think - any pearls of wisdom for a puffin?

Webfoot (wracking her little feather brain with so many decisions)

The tan stuff is a very good replacement for OZ, and as such I'm happy with it as is. I really don't think more tweaking is required. And I only carve on one side anyways, so a pebbled side is a total non-issue.

my $.02

I really really liked it. I've carved images on 2 other materials since carving on the test material and found myself wishing for a piece of the tan material instead of what I was working with. I'd buy some as is.

dp

we're looking at a lead time of about 8-10 weeks. Additional testing would probably add another several months to the process

I'm sure there are a few OZ carvers out there with a bit of a stash, but I know most of us are definitely starting to squirm. To me, this carving material is much better than OZ. It's like OZ, without the pain. Totally holds up detail just as well, but is much easier to carve. PZ and good pink are before my time, but I think this might be the best material I've tried. Even as it was for the sample- thin and curling (of course the final product will be thicker, without the curl).

We'll all have some slight adjusting to do no matter what the new material is like, so I really think this stuff is a winner as is.

Having now played with this material twice and feel good detail is possible, my two cents would be to do a production run at .26 inch thickness and let everyone interested play with the material and learn how to adjust for their particular carving style. For me it will be adapting to slightly more elasticity with tiny cuts. I can see enjoying carving with the material more and will be sending pre-order money when Webfoot is ready.

Agreed! You know how I feel, Webfoot!

play with the material and learn how to adjust for their particular carving style.

I think this is the key. With the variety of transfer types, carving tools, and individual preferences, no single material will be 'exactly' what every person finds ideal. But I think this beige material is very close to covering the most of what most people want, especially if they are open to trying small tweaks in the way they have used past materials.