The Vlogsmith - Hand Forged Dice!

Holidays Update
over 6 years ago – Sat, Dec 21, 2019 at 12:20:16 AM

Hey folks!

I hope things are well for all of you. I'm chugging along the many orders of dice, working mainly on the steel dice at the moment.

I'm letting you know that I'm stopping production for the holidays and will pick up promptly on the first. This also means I wont be able to answer questions as quickly.

Please enjoy this holiday and have a great new year!

-Gil

It's GO TIME!
over 6 years ago – Thu, Nov 21, 2019 at 12:41:42 AM

Hey friends!

Good news. (maybe the best news all year) The electrical grid is fixed and the Press is operational!

Just look at this man's joy! (OH, that's me)

What does this mean? I'll be working very hard in the coming weeks and months to get these dice forged and finished so that I can ship them to your door. 

Even after I'm done with fulfillment I can then begin the process for getting an inventory together for the upcoming website and online store!

Early this day I was playing with a friend and we used the 30 ton press to squish this large piece of spring steel in mere seconds. Check it:

Anyway I'm really excited and I'll keep you all posted with any new developments as I get them.

Full steam ahead!

- Gil

Delays. Press and dies.
over 6 years ago – Sun, Oct 20, 2019 at 09:09:11 PM

Hey folks!

This is a quick update letting you all know where I'm at right now. The hydraulic press is NOW finished but because Murphy's law is a thing my truck has died and I am now without a vehicle. So I am left with the choice of either getting a new vehicle or the press. The delay in getting the press (which I was led to believe I would be receiving back in February) is basically what caused me to be in this position, in addition to the ten percent cut that both Kickstarter and Backerkit took and the $30,000 I owed in taxes after the Kickstarter finished.

Being without that crucial piece of equipment for 8 months held up my entire production. I'm currently working on getting a vehicle. However this unfortunately means that the production on Kickstarter rewards will be delayed. I want to thank you all for your understanding and support.

I will get all of this done it's just going to take longer than anticipated.

Here's the finished press! I went over on Tuesday this past week and checked it out. it has a lot of neat features and I'm really excited to get going on it!

That's where I'm at. Thank you for being patient.

-Gil

Press news, t-shirts and shop update!
over 6 years ago – Sun, Sep 15, 2019 at 11:30:50 PM

Hey folks, wanted to give you an update of things as of now.

The hydraulic press manufacturer had a few hiccups (which I was expecting to be honest) and the press is said to be coming mid September (this month). Apparently it had to do with the servo. So I've begun clearing out a space for it to be ready to receive and begun making tooling!

As far as the shop goes I've been adding equipment all over the shop to help me in my endeavors. I recently added a massive 1000 pound steel table to have my post vice and belt sander mounted to it so that they don't move while in use. I've purchased 4 propane tanks so when I work long days I wont run out of fuel. I've even got my old Oxy-Acetylene torch refurbished and certified operational.

Next up, t-shirts! They will be in my hand very soon and I've begun the process of sending out packages of those who only ordered the individual non-dice related swag. 

As you see they have all of the different types ready to hand to me and then on to your smexy body.

That's it for now, everyone. I'll let you all know when the press arrives! Be sure to follow me on twitter for minor insider pictures and updates. 

-@GilTheVlogsmith

Press update!
over 6 years ago – Tue, Jul 30, 2019 at 02:00:48 AM

Hydraulic Press update, everyone!

Alright its been a moment and I've had my share of life events thrown at me since our last update.

Where to begin? The museum I volunteer at burned down on July 4th (we're thinking stray fireworks) and are currently in the process of clearing it out and rebuilding it. We lost a lot of hand tools as well as electrical ones. Anvils and Forges are okay, however, and as one of the members of the OC Blacksmith Guild I have been tasked to help out as much as I can.

I also have a new kitten that was seemingly dropped off and abandoned at my shop. Her name is Damascus as she is adorable. Eventually she will be the shop's mascot and I'll have her with me while I'm working.

Now on the shop stuff.

Good news is the press is getting closer to completion but it is till at least a month away. What this means is all of the forged dice will have to wait as I have no means to work at a quick pace right now. I hope you are all patient with me as I get news of the hydraulic press and its final stages. Can't wait to go full steam ahead.

You might ask "Well, Gil, why not get a different brand of press? Go with a different company?" 

That is a valid question, however I am vendor locked when it comes to the press I need. There is literally no other company that has or is currently making this type of press with the ability to have three modes of hammering and the specs I need.

In talking with the manufacturer he says that the first of the three he's working on will be ready at the end of August. You can follow him on instagram at @CrainAndrew 

Here are some progress shots he has shared with me!

now on to the other tiers!

Stickers, anvils, and coins!

The coins came in and I must say they are everything I wanted in them! Good weight, clear mint, nice color.

Check them out:

The anvils and stickers are ready also. For those who only ordered the individual coins, and stickers, and figures, they will be going out as soon as I am able to after GenCon (July 31-August 4)

Alright folks! Thanks for taking time to tune in and read.

Hopefully new developments soon!

-Gil the Vlogsmith