Kickstarter Surveys are going out!
about 11 years ago – Sun, Apr 28, 2013 at 07:49:56 PM

Hi backers! 

1) I will be sending your Kickstarter Surveys TOMORROW (Monday, April 29)!

I am using the BackerKit Pledge Manager for this project because it will allow you, the Backer, to help me save time by updating and confirming your own backer info such as: 

The Haas ST10-Y Has Landed!
about 11 years ago – Fri, Apr 26, 2013 at 04:45:47 PM

Hi Backers! 

It's here, it's shiny, it's huge, and it's hungry for metal! 

Current Project Status: 

The machine has actually been on the floor for about two weeks, but it took us some time to put together this video. Here is where things stand at the moment: 

• Machine has power
• Machine has air
• Most of the tooling has arrived, but I'm waiting for a few critical things that I need before programming starts (see the next bullet). 
• A 43lb. box that contains my collet chuck (the thing that will actually clamp the material while it's being machined) was on a train that derailed in Arizona. I got a UPS notice that said, "Delivery Exception: Train Derailment." At this time it's not clear how bad the news is. The chuck was made-to-order so if it's crushed under a boxcar or at the bottom of a river or something...it could cause a delay. Fingers crossed.
• I've been testing the machine on the tools that I do have, just some basic functions like facing, turning, and parting off. The machine has 3 jaw chuck on it already. It's good for general workholding but not for the precision work we are going to be doing. Here is the joke, the machine was delivered with no chuck jaws...the part that bolts to the chuck and actually holds the work. Selway had to order another set from the manufacturer, which arrived about two days ago. 
• I've also been learning to use the barfeed. It's essentially a completely separate CNC and it's quite complicated, so I've been spending some time figuring out how to make it do what I want without destroying anything important. 

Surveys (used to gather your shipping information) will be sent out some time this weekend! Please fill it out as soon as possible because the next phase (BackerKit invite) cannot be completed until the surveys are filled out! 

Cheers,

Jason

Checking Your Amazon Account Status
about 11 years ago – Mon, Apr 22, 2013 at 04:04:02 PM

This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.

Thank you video!
about 11 years ago – Mon, Apr 22, 2013 at 11:41:47 AM

Hi all,

Check out my new thank you video from Chris Whitmore and Adam Behrmann at Whitmore Productions. These are the guys behind my KS video and the "maker profile" about me and my flashlights. Thanks to them as well! 

Current Project Status: 

I'll have another update coming soon, but just wanted to touch base. 

• Material has been ordered and should be here late this week or early next week
• The machine is on the floor, powered, hooked up to air, set up by the technicians from Selway Tool, and almost ready to start running. 
• I need to schedule a few hours of training on the machine. I've run a lathe like this before, but the barfeed is essentially its own CNC machine and I want to make sure I know how to use it before I break it.  
• Tooling has started to arrive but I don't have everything I need to start the programming and cutting metal quite yet...hopefully by the end of the week.
• Amazon is still collecting funds, one surprise is that about 10% of the payments have NOT been collected because of declined/expired credit cards. Hopefully those payments will come through by the end of the week when I close out my Amazon account and collect the funds.  
• Surveys asking for your mailing address will go out after that happens
• Then you will get an invite to BackerKit where you can set up an account which will put you in control of things like your mailing address, should that change between now and fulfillment. 

That's all for now and thanks again! 

Jason

Prometheus + BackerKit = Fulfillment!
about 11 years ago – Tue, Apr 16, 2013 at 08:24:24 AM

Thanks for making the Alpha Pen a reality! Without you, this wouldn't be possible!

An official "thank you video" is forthcoming so I'll get to the nitty gritty :) 

I'm excited to tell you, In order to make the fulfillment process as smooth as possible, Prometheus Lights has partnered with Ro and Max at another start-up called BackerKit ! They were actually awesome enough to stop by my shop (below). 

Now that our campaign has come to a close, I want to give you a heads up on the NEXT STEPS:

• 1. I will send your Kickstarter Surveys (about) 2 weeks after the campaign end date! It takes Amazon 2 weeks to check all your info, that is why I need to wait to send the surveys. Also, Kickstarter only allows us to send the surveys out ONCE, so please check your inbox and/or spam box OR the easiest thing is to just log into your Kickstarter account and you will see a notification to fill out your survey! You will be asked to confirm your shipping address, and depending on your reward tier, I might need you to answer a question or two for me! If you don't fill out the survey, you won't get your reward...that means it's mandatory :)  
•  2. Once I have received the majority of Kickstarter Survey responses, I will send an invite email with a special sign-up link to our BackerKit pledge manager. We are using the BackerKit pledge manager for this project because it will allow you, the backer, to help me save time by updating and confirming your own backer info such as: Verifying your current reward, selecting which additional items you want if you have pledged over your reward tier in Kickstarter, and updating your shipping address any time just in case you move later (the Kickstarter Survey doesn't let you change your information once you submit it). Signing up will put you in control of any changes to your personal information and pledge. This makes tracking your order easier and faster for us and you! I know, cool right? :) 

Jason