Friz,
Your position on my "douchebaggery" really is pointless. I've gone to great expense to get these yokes made and all the rib poking you direct at me isn't going to make the project come to a close any more quickly. The yoke project WILL come to a close and the controller will be a *perfect* reproduction part. Perhaps there's a little OCD and over-engineering in the mix, but my reputation for making quality parts is far more important to me than anything else. Sure, I've blown through the latest completion date but with good reason. You do bring up some good points, but like I said before, it's pointless. Enjoy your spotlight. Trying to take down the only guy on the planet who'll EVER make these yoke controllers available is a worthy challenge, eh?
In my eyes, unless you've either prepaid for a yoke or have at the very least contributed your own money into making the hobby better for all of us, your ball busting carries little weight with me. It's a mild annoyance at worst, but I have to admit that I can see the humor in many of your comments so it usually doesn't phase me in the least. I understand that you think I'm a --cream-filled twinkie-- (that might be the first time anyone has called me that), but I really don't see the reasoning behind why you even care. Of course, that's assuming there's some other agenda aside from just having an opportunity of creating a little drama on the forum. :-)
Note: If you
have contributed to this hobby in some way, please accept my apologies for not being aware of said contribution. Honestly, I don't know of a single project you've been involved with, but that doesn't mean you haven't done anything productive.
I have always maintained that if anyone who has a pre-order cannot or does not want to wait any longer is free to get a full refund at any time. I'm not holding their money hostage. The large majority of the pre-orders have held on for the long haul and I appreciate their patience with my slow-going progress. I can only assume that this patience they afford me is a result of their trust that I will see this project through to the end and provide them with a quality reproduction controller. I can also assume that this trust is based on the fact that I have created MANY reproduction parts in the past, all of which have withstood critical scrutiny with a superior passing grade. That little bit of trust goes a long way with me in believing that what I am doing is a worthwhile endeavor and, more importantly, why I continue to dump money out of my own pocket to make sure every last detail of this controller is perfect. I mean absolutely disgustingly perfect. LOL
Really, I am sorry about the delays, everyone. I am working my rear-end off to make these available ASAP (ie: BEFORE Christmas!!). What good comes from distracting my work by defending myself here? Anyone who contacts me directly will get an answer to their questions about this project or they can just go read the project blog which I've been trying to keep updated as much as possible. It's not like I'm not around or have disappeared with pre-pay money.
I really hope this doesn't turn into another pile-on-dave thread. It's definitely leaning in that direction with Friz spearheading it. If you guys don't like the delays, why not offer to help me in some way? As unfortunate as it may be, poking at me won't make me work any harder. Though, I don't mind the attention. :-)
Anyhow, all of that said, everyone keep watching the forums. I'll have an official posting about the completion of this project shortly. I know I blew right past the last completion date, but it's all for good reason. You'll see when you have closeup pics to drool over. :-)
Dave
I'm it's more of a convenient "reason" why yet another deadline (it's been 3 years now) has come and gone. But what do I know.... and no one listens to me anyway (see under my name to the left). But whatever... as long as the guy keeps handing out free crap, people will come to his defense. I'm the bad guy for pointing out his douchebaggery... but that's OK... I've been the bad guy before... I am used to it.
Now don't get me wrong... Dave seems like the nicest guy in the world... but that and a buck will buy you a double cheeseburger at Micky-D's.
Go back through the guys statements on this project and you'll find more BS than I care to recant. I mean at one time all that was holding the project up was the powder-coat. That's it. It was 99% complete over a year ago. Whatever. 
EDIT: BTW - I am in an especially ornery mood todays as (A) The Steelers lost to the lowly Chiefs... (B) San Diego is beating the piss out of Denver... and (C) New England looks like they'll win unless they choke bigtime (not a first, but likely not to happen).