It is always fun to look backwards, particularly when you have this overwhelming sense of not accomplishing much. So, for those who are tired of most of my prose, I offer the following pictorial of 2009 (in no particular order).
CS-2 CenterScribe
I have an engineer friend who suggested a closed loop cable design as I was bitching about backlash in rack and pinion gears. The result when applied to the CS-2 is fantastic…
CS-12 v2
The number one selling initial offer in our history was the CS-12 Combination Square. As part of our 25th Anniversary, we conspired to make a line of tools called the “Bridge City Essentials” which we will make at minimum once a year moving forward. The choice of stainless steel is what makes these tools unique. We dubbed this “The Tool Too Sexy for Mass Production” and it will go into production in early 2010.
The Tools of Bridge City Tool Works: 25 Years through the Lens of Joesph Felzman
In progress, this is the only AUTHORIZED version of our past 25 years. All the others are fake. Available sometime in late 2010.
HP-6v2 Surface Cove Kit
It was one of two additions to the HP6v2 line in 2009. We have more planned for 2010.
Commemorative Tool #16
Currently in production, this little tool is sure to become one of the most cherished little tools we have produced. It is just plain cool.
The JMP SW
When we introduced the JMP in 2008, the internet made us out to be fools. Well, they were wrong but we do understand the current economic climate and we will deliver the JMP SW for $795 in 2010. When you consider that some handsaws today are selling for $300, this tool makes sense in many ways.
HP-6v2 Face Bead Kit
It is one of the most versatile HP-6v2 sole iron combos to date. Did we mention no electricity, hearing protection or dust collection?
The MG-5 Marking Gage
The MG-5 made our “Bridge City Essentials” list. Black chrome and stainless steel, this little tool is simply a joy to use.
The KM-1 Kerfmaker: aka “The Tool You Will Want Real Bad!”
The KM-1 will, sometime in the next year or two, be the single best selling tool in our history. What made this fun is that although I take my design work seriously, me? Not so much. We had a lot of fun putting “fun” into the marketing of this little tool.
The Biggest Surprise of the Year
We made 50 of these and at $2500 apiece (worth every penny) they sold out in about 5-6 weeks in an economy that…sucked–this was a very pleasant surprise. Gives us lots of ideas…
The DJ-1 Drilling Jig
We are on a quest to allow woodworkers to do high-level work in confined spaces without the need for dust-collection. The DJ-1 when put to the test will exceed the benefits of a drill press (production work excepted) in both accuracy and capability.
The JMPv2
The next version of the JMP which will hit customer’s doorsteps around May, 2010 features linear ball bearing rails. We were happy that we could adapt this technology for existing JMP owners if they choose.
The DSS-6 Double Square, a “Bridge City Essential”
One of the coolest squares in decades. Oh forget that…EVER! Solid stainless steel and a tour-de-force of craftsmanship.
In addition to these products, most of you can attribute your Google search for the Mongolian Death Worm to me, John Economaki.
Next year promises to be better than 2009–if I can figure out a way to deal with Cooter Ditchman and his sidekick, “Bleeder” Dirtsmith.
After reviewing this post for edits, I now understand why I feel so tired.
So, on behalf of all of us here at Bridge City, THANK YOU for making all of our jobs possible and your continued support during difficult times. There is not a day that goes by that we are not truly thankful (except for the crap on the internet…).
Happy New Year Bridge Citizens!
Warm regards,
John and crew.
John,
Best wishes to you and your staff for 2010. I know we (your customers) look forward to the new introductions of tools in the near future. 2009 was a great year for tools you dont see everyday and i hope to see more soon.
A very, very impressive year, John. Congratulations to you all. I think that the double saddle square is my all-time favorite BCTW tool. For now. I used my CS-2 yesterday, and amazed some guys at a furniture shop (I was getting a plank of maple resawn). I could have marked it at home, but it was more fun to pull out the CS-2 and show it off…
You deserve a lot of credit for your singular accomplishments in such an impressively bad economy. To bring out such an amazing suite of tools – and to sell out such an amazing suite of tools – it is deeply impressive. Congratulations to you and your wonderful team. I’m very much looking forward to next year. And it’s also obvious that I’m going to have to renew my Founder’s Circle membership.
Here’s to a creative, successful and enriching 2010.
– Peter
John, you’d be so impressed: I was re-reading this thread while Gillian looked over my shoulder. At the first picture she said, “Is that the Centerscribe?”
Okay: how many 11 year old girls do you think there are in the United States (or anywhere) who could look at that picture and know what it was? I’m so proud!
– Peter
Peter;
That sounds expensive to me–looks like you are facing Ivy League tuition from my vantage point… which makes our tools look really affordable–get them while you can.
Congrats!
John
I’ve very much enjoyed watching your site for new creations and will continue to be a guaranteed customer. You and your support staff really put some cool stuff out this year. Thanks all for doing such a great job. Answering questions – getting the orders filled – thinking up new tools – and getting them in my hands!!
Happy New Year all
DJ
By the way, John. Fred and I were talking, and it occurred to us: why no allen wrenches with the MG-5? It takes two different sizes for the blade and point…
Happy New Year (for real this time)!
– Peter
John,
What a great year for enlightened tool users. You and your staff have done a stellar job taking care of us “Bridge Citizens”(will I have to take an oath?) I’m looking forward to the next set of tools.
I also had a similar thought about the allen wrenches, since so many of your tools use them and since I’m always trying to one up Peter and Fred(who isn’t!) How about a real nice set of handled allen wrenches, maybe in Rosewood or Black Chrome?
-Rutager
I don’t know…we have shipped hundreds of thousands Allen wrenches…we obviously have missed the boat here, but we talk about it all the time…in addition to being responsible global citizens–for every complaint here, we receive an equal number of complaints from those who hate the waste of receiving YET another Allen wrench in one of our boxes.
So let’s vote–as responsible global citizens, (believe me it is not an economic decision, these things cost about .03 cents apiece). Should we always include an Allen wrench?
Remember, we do listen.
Look in your toolbox.
Now vote.
Here.
–John
I’m okay without any more. I already have a gadzillion of the ones that shipped with previous tools along with sets in my tool bag/box. I cut the short leg off of one and put it in my PV-2 for using on the soles of the HP-6!
I am still keeping my fingers crossed for a nice BCTW set though!
-Rutager
I vote for no more allen wrenchs. Between my Incra fences, all my Festools, equipment, handtools and not to mention anything I bought that needed put together, the top drawer in my tool box is filled with allen wrenchs. Even though I bought a complete set, I just can’t throw out any allen wrenchs I get because I feel I might just need them.
.
I have a set of T handle allen wrenches in both metric and imperial. I sometimes bring my BCTW tools from the shop to the house “shop corner” and back again. For most things I prefer the T handle version to the itty bitty allen wrenches. That said when I forget to bring the T set, its nice that the itty bitty ones are there with the tool. It’s also nice that there’s an allen wrench that suits my needs be “there” when I take out my HP6 planes (the older ones)
I also like when I take out my Festool TS55 saw that the allen wrench for the saw (to remove the blade) has a place on the saw for it.
So here’s my wish list….
1. That future tools that need an allen wrench, have it incorporated within the design. (when aesthetically possible)
2. Sign me up for two sets of a nifty BCTW Allen Wrench Set (with case) in both imperial and metric. That would be the AWI-1 & the AWM-1?
3. Continue sending the .03 cents allen wrenches with the tools that don’t incorporate them with the designs. (I know, I Know -and I still drive a gasoline powered car, but it does have better milage than Johns huge Tahoe!)
Anyhow,,,,,,eventually I could gather all my excess allen wrenches -and yours and turn them into a work of art!
-Roger
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I would like to modify my previous vote. I would like to see them included in things like the JMP where you have to have them to get the tool built/working but not for tools that need them just for maintenance/sharpening.
-Rutager
I will be the odd man out and say that I would like to have the allen wrenches. I’m lazy. I get out the tool and don’t like to walk across my shop to find one. Sorry John….
Dennis