I had some business near the local Rockler store today and dropped in for a visit. I haven't been in there for awhile. A lot more tools there now.
When I walked in the door, therre was the big, new Delta table saw. It looked nice and cost about $3,300. What was most interesting to me was a signt hat screamed out, "New Unisaw BUILT IN AMERICA!"
I thought that was interesting that US manufacture was considered a marketing point. Also, I didn't know that they still built saws here. I thought they went offshore. I wonder if they finally figured out that many people weren't going to buy a chinese copy of a unisaw.
Another interesting display was the Festools. Talk about getting tool envy. I saw the Festool sliding miter saw. I looked at the price and it said $130. I thought that this could not be right. I looked closer and someone had bent the little sign showing the price. I straightened it out and it said $1300. OK, that is more like it. Obviously somebody's idea of a joke. I was about to buy it even if I already had a miter saw.
Another thing that became obvious looking at the Festool catalog. You can spend a $1,000 or more for a basic tool. Then you can spend $20,000 for accessories and consumables! They getcha coming and going.
I drooled a little more, grabbed a catalog and went to my next appointment. Gotta go eat now. My honey is making up some of her world famous barbecued chicken pizza..