A message from Maddog Traditional Archery

[Mike Mecredy]

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

[b44mag]

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

[Pon]

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  

[Kevin Winkler]

Mike, you need to take care of your health first!
Good luck and we hope that you can continue your craft.

[Mudd]

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

[straitera]

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.

[wtpops]

Boy are you going to get a rush of phone calls on the first of each month    

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.

[joe vt]

Mike, my son loves his bow !! I tip my hat to you knowing your limitations and putting your own physical health first.

[jamesh76]

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.

[GREATBROWNKNOCKEMDOWN]

Mike, take care of yourself thats most important, and thanks again, my nephews love their longbow pups

[wapiti792]

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  

[legends1]

Mike, Sorry to here that. But slow down is much better than hang it up.Good luck!

[vintage archer]

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!

[ckanous]

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

[Eugene Slagle]

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.

[USN_Sam1385]

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.

[T Folts]

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

[Mike Mecredy]

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

[Bud B.]

Hang in there Mike and take care of yourself. Glucosamine helps my ailing joints. Hope you get the break you need.

Bud

[JohnnyWayne]

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