So it's been kind of quiet lately ... tool semi review

[pyotr filipivich]

Project for the week is to run the Ethernet cable from the front room into the middle room so the computers can get moved. Involves drilling holes in lath and plaster walls. Wee.

But the real point of this is to comment on Bridge City Tools "hand powered table saw." First thing up on this video

Which has a link to the Bridge City Website.

for the Jointmaker Pro V2(tm, pat pend, nil obstat, etc).

The basic idea is that by holding a Japanese saw blade in place and then pushing a sled with the board over it, you get all the functionality of using Japanese saws, without the problem of not having the time to master the skills necessary to be a master of the saw. In short: the skills are built into the machine. Yeah, yeah, and all the usual. "Just take my money!"

On second thought, the base unit is on sale for a mere $799.00 (Regularly $1181.99) With the accessories total cost is $1972.95 (Regularly $2575.94.) Boy do I want, but I already tapped into the retirement fund ("it was just sitting there.")

From the reading, this is a high end, precision machine. Starting at $800, it is one of those machines you really need to use a lot to justify the purchase. I mean, for a weekend hobbyist - well we're not in it for the money anyway. But as with all Expensive Fine Tools(tm), the question isn't "How often would this have been handy to have had?" so much "If I had one, how often would I be able to use it?"

As I look at it, watch the videos, etc, it seems Just The Thing for someone doing precision cuts, or angled cuts in very thin woods. It is also quiet, so you can cut boards without waking up the rest of the house, the neighbors, or disturbing a sleeping shop cat. As I said, I want one, but I'm going to have to wait for my rich uncle to get out of the poor house.

tschus pyotr

[krw]

I've looked at that in amassment for years. Amazed that anyone would drop that kind of money on that contraption. Bridge City has some pretty tools but their purpose is really to fill display cases. I guess it's no worse than collecting stamps.

OTOH, Bridge City does have some useful setup tools, though on the pricey side. I have a couple, like the Kerf Makers.

[Scott Lurndal]

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The small HP-8 mini block plane is reasonably priced ($79.99); the depth skids are pretty cool.

[krw]

Want a chopstick maker for $290 ($500 w/accessories)? Ten chopstick blanks RE a rock bottom $30 - $3/chopstick. Think of all the money you could save making chopsticks!

Most of their prices aren't all _that_ bad anymore, when compared to companies like Woodpeckers. The full size plane is $800 but at one time they had planes well over $1000, upwards of $2000, IIRC.

OTOH, your $80 mini-plane is $300 in blue. That'll make it work so much better.

[Leon]

While Bridge City tools are pricey, not so much since the owner, Mr. Economackey sold out to the new group.

I have a kerfmaker and boy is it a lot less expensive not!!! LOL.

I also have a Squivel! First of any of the commiserative tools. It is a trisquare with a penny hidden inside.

And I have a 4 piece set of their rules and an angle gauge. The rules and angfle gauge are probably 27 years old...

[krw]

Now or not? IIRC, I paid more than $55 for mine.

Had to look that one up.

[Leon]

Sorry, Now. Purchased Nov 2009. $72 for early order.

Did you find that one internet? I just did a quick search and came up with nothing.

I don't use it but hope it will be worth $1,000,000.00 soon!

[krw]

Yeah. Their whole art history.

I don't think you're quite famous enough (and still alive).

[pyotr filipivich]

[e-mail] on Fri, 04 Dec 2020 14:10:25 -0500 typed in rec.woodworking the following:

[... snippage]

Yep. As my father said about objections a donation from a tavern owner was 'tainted money': "Twice Tainted - t'ain't yours, and t'ain't enough." But it is their money, so I suppose they can waste it on fripperies.

On the other hand, Many Years ago, there was a freeze in central California. Popped the freeze plugs on the boss's son's car. (I didn't know they even existed.). They could get all but one back in, but that last one, obviously required a Factory Tool. Said tool was available.: "only $160." (~1200-1600 today). Nope. They spent the rest of the day trying to get it back in, gave up and bought the tool. Not many years after I heard that story, I needed to replace the wheel on the company issued trailer. Dual axle on bogies. Meaning that if I jacked one axle up, every thing flexed and I couldn't get the tire off the ground. After three hours of this, I bit the bullet, went and rented a floor jack. Took me longer to rent the jack and return it than it did to change the wheel. Grendel was looking to make a beer cooler. He gave the guy at the shop his parts list, and the guy said "It sounds like you want one of these ...". How much? "A more than the parts." Grendel says "I'll take it." As the guy said in the video which plugged the device: "I haven't the time to master the Japanese saw and get the skill into my hands." The point is, yes it is a lot of money. So what? People say that about a lot of items on the market. I mean, why buy a Dewalt when Harbor Freight has one "just as good" for a whole lot less?

"There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey." John Ruskin

I can't see my plunking down $2500 for the kit (or $800 for the basic saw) because for me, I don't do enough of that sort of work to rationalize it. (That and I don't have cash on hand. I mean, "here I am offered The Perfect Tool and They(tm) want me to waste my money on food, rent, and utilities!") Of course, if I had one, I'd probably use it more often. Much as when discussing the option to purchase a chipper vs renting "how often have you needed to use one?" How often would I have done the job if I'd had one handy? {Currently, the Mrs & I are talking about using an RV for away events. Great Idea, and what do we do with it the other 50 weeks of the year? Yet we know people who have one, because they use it more than a couple times a year."}

I'm sure you can get something similar at Harbor Freight. B-)

tschus pyotr

[krw]

I have a couple of Harbor Freight floor jacks. One in the garage that's rarely used anymore and one in the shop that's used all the time. They're too cheap to think about renting one.

I'm not a Dewalt fan anymore but there is no way a HF even comes close. For one-time use, good enough. As a go-to? Not a chance.

Toys don't have to be (shouldn't be) justified. "I want" and "I can afford" are the only considerations, IMO. If I want and I can't afford, I just wait until the stars align. Delayed gratification is still gratification. More so since one sleeps better. ;-)

A friend has a class-A motor home. I thought he was nuts buying it but he lived in it half the year. He's getting older (well...) so has more trouble driving it so will probably try to sell it soon.

I haven't seen Kerf Makers at HF.

[Puckdropper]

Smart man. I looked at the Kreg jig and said "Oh, I can do that." and wound up spending 3 times as much. One to get the pieces I'd need, one to get pieces to fix the problems with the original design, and one to buy the tool I wanted in the first place.

An old saying here is "cry once." Buy what you want and only cry when you see the cost. Every subsequent use you'll never cry about how much it cost, you'll just enjoy it.

Speaking of price of tools, let me reiterate my favorite tool gift advice: Buy a tool person a single high quality tool rather than multiple standard quality tools. He'll enjoy using that high quality tool every time he uses it, but those standard quality tools will just be lost in the noise.

Puckdropper

[pyotr filipivich]

Puckdropper [e-mail] on Mon, 07 Dec 2020 04:29:01 GMT typed in rec.woodworking the following:

Yep.

Doesn't matter if it is shop tools, or things for her kitchen.

[pyotr filipivich]

[e-mail] on Sun, 06 Dec 2020 16:45:54 -0500 typed in rec.woodworking the following:

They might be, but at the time, renting was a better option, I didn't have anyplace to keep one.

[pyotr filipivich]

[e-mail] on Sun, 06 Dec 2020 16:45:54 -0500 typed in rec.woodworking the following:

That happens. Like I've said, if you're going to be on the road that much, might as well. You see the rigs that celebrities will have, but hey "I have a mansion, forget the price Ain't never been there, they tell me it's nice."

[pyotr filipivich]

[e-mail] on Sun, 06 Dec 2020 16:45:54 -0500 typed in rec.woodworking the following:

Yep. But right now, well, "What are you going to do with it - Exactly?" and "Where will it go - exactly?"

I recall a comment from a family visiting Disneyland. "Dad's as bad as a little kid." "Worse - he has his own money."

[gray_wolf]

It's been said "Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten."

[Clare Snyder]

The only thing worse than not having a tool is having a bad tool. Irritating, and dangerous

[pyotr filipivich]

It has also been said "We can't afford to be cost effective." B-)

[gray_wolf]

Yes, irritating, dangerous and worthless. I never felt bad about about buying the finer things. I was happy I could afford it. A person needs to have at least a few high end things in life. Improves your outlook. :-) Starrett, Hasselblad, Linhof and such.

[krw]

SWMBO doesn't want to know. I have >2000 ft^2 of walk-out basement that's not quite full. ;-)

That's funny. True, but funny.

I've worked for 50 years. It's about time to play.