I am on my third week and final week of my annual work retreat and this is what I know…
I have a serious problem.
Well, I have many problems but this one is really serious and it will never get cured so I might as well talk about it. And if you are listening, this is one of those life lessons where you must do as I say, not as I do:
Stay away from Megan Fox and that is all there is to say about that.
OK, except for all the phone calls, the four day weekends every other week, and those moronic Hollywood types, she is kinda fun. However she is a Class 5 flibbertigibbet–at least with me anyway and I am going to end this thing sometime in the next seven years. But I digress…
Two years ago, I succumbed to a wild hair and bought my first RC electric helicopter. And my second. Third? You bet. Bought the sixth and eighth just the other night –I am definitely headed to debtor’s prison. Seriously, I am thinking about knocking off a bank to get my next bird and that is where this story becomes relevant to you.
(Disclaimer: The link below contains images that are highly addictive. Furthermore, I have no affiliation with this site other than it is ruining my 401K)
Look if you must. And DO NOT watch the movies.
Now I happen to be weird enough to share that the images in the above link are about as sexy as sexy gets and yes, I warned you this was a serious problem. HOWEVER, being a guy, and living in the guy’s world of gizmos, gadgets, and interesting contraptions, I have been keeping myself awake at night with those images crashing into my kitchen wall, falling into a steaming pot of bouillabaisse and my panic to order spare parts on whatever credit card is not maxed out…
Today I just finished the design of the most radical new tool that I can remember and I owe it all to the inspiration of the images on the website above. Yes, we will becoming out with a woodworking tool that has roots in the HM 4G6 and I suspect a good percentage of you will be gobsmacked when you see it.
And that is all I am going to say about that.
–John
Cool! That’s a beautiful little machine.
Bet I know where your inspiration came from: the upside-down flying. Right? You’re designing a woodworking tool that you can use upside down. Or on the ceiling. Or while lying on the floor. Right? Right?
Glad your “work” retreat is working out. Other than that pesky Megan Fox, of course. Maybe Louie dog could get rid of her. You know – a good nose in the groin or something…
– Peter
I think the operator was getting kinda cocky flying the helicopter upside down just a foot or so above the water?
To make it fly upside down you would have to some how make it flip over and then make the blades spin in the opposite direction? Pretty cool stuff.
OK-here’s my only clue regarding our helicopter influenced new tool; that little helicopter is cutting edge technology.
Regarding RC helicopter flight–for inverted flight you either nose or tail up and as the bird begins to flip over, you reverse the pitch of the rotors–not hard, but your orientation for the cyclic controls is opposite, and really confusing at first. This takes lots of practice and many crashes–a simulator is imperative. On a fixed pitch model, neutral is throttle down, on a variable pitch heli, neutral is center, normal flight is stick up, and inverted is stick down. Pretty cool. My bigger helicopters all do this, but this is the first time I have seen one capable that fits in the palm of a hand. And although I enjoy flying outside, these small helis that fly indoors are a blast–except for Louie dog and Jitter dog–who hide. Remember, we have five months of rain in Portland so I need something else to do when I am not with Megan Fox.
That said, it takes cajones to flip over water–not much room for error–and being electric, could be a $50 repair bill–or more.
–John
I’m not trying to get you to give more clues but is there something physically on the helicopter that has inspired you or is it just the fact that these helicopters are so dang small it’s amazing? You know, you could really make some fun of this.
Pfranks, I don’t think it’s something that “you can use upside down” because John said it was something in the “pictures” that inspired him and a upside down helicopter is not in one of the pictures, it’s in the videos!
And here I had this image of you at your work retreat, with a laptop of course spaced in front of you….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hncJzoAiAw
You shattered that image!
So, since the Helicopters are actually work related – doesn’t that qualify for a tax deduction? So then isn’t it a guilt-free investment?
And, did I read between the lines – that there is a contest for the one that guesses what the “most radical new tool” is?
So I’m guessing this would be a revised image of your meditation process on a retreat……
Ninja flying…
http://www.spike.com/video/extreme-rc/2993910
(I can’t believe I just watched that whole video!)
I’ll be expecting a Michael video of your version when you get back!
-Roger
Roger;
All play and no work makes for the best creative environment one can imagine. Rest assured, my time spent looking at heli’s on the web is right before I retire for the night. Actually, I haven’t thought about the deduction aspects, but I bet I can prove it!
Interestingly, one of the guys that is the most proficient RC helicopter pilot ever to make a video now works for Homeland Security–you guessed it, drones.
David; I have given my last and only clue. However, and Roger can chime in here, inspiration is EVERYWHERE when you have an open mind. If you look at that model heli in the link I posted, you have to admit, that thing is just plain, flat out cool looking. That fact that it works? What great design when the two are combined. And for me, that is inspirational.
Unfortunately for most of us in the woodworking community and with rare exceptions, any attempt to introduce “design” in woodworking tools is met with great dissatisfaction amongst the online community…apparently the tool world reached perfection around 1782–my jokes about the Woodworking Taliban are sometimes too close to home. Here I sit, closing one of the best retreats ever knowing that when we introduce “That Which I Will Not Discuss” we are going to get completely skewered by the online community. That is just the way it is.
I would not have bought that heli if it did not work–this is the litmus test all of our products must pass, glowingly we hope. To elevate the form to be as cool as that heli? Well, we will see. I am my own biggest critic and I can’t wait to get the prototype in my hand. I sent Michael an email and told him to bring two pair of underwear to work next week…and I really believe he will need them–and yes, work can be this much fun.
And that is all I am going to say about that.
One last thing, consider emailing Roger and ask to see his photos from his recent trip to Europe. Close-ups of hardware, architectural elements, abstract shapes and shadows…these are the opiates of creative thinkers and much of what he will share with you will find a way in his work. Everybody I know who’s work I respect or admire works this way. Today I got an idea for an HP6v2 sole from the shampoo bottle in the shower…inspiration is everywhere. (My Creativity workshops are designed to gobsmack the students, because when one finally “gets it”, it is life changing.)
Best-
John
John,
Very cool stuff, I’ve always wanted a RC helicopter, in fact just before Christmas I think Wired magazine had a very small one on their 100 best list. I actually had my credit card in hand, but talked my self out of it! You see, I have this shop full of cool tools that I don’t use as much as I should/want to. I figured it would just be another distraction. Will this one be an Auto order item? I would have to get it then!
I can’t wait for more details of the new tools. Would it be a safe bet that the more the internet “community” hates a tool, the better it is?
On a side note: I’m planning on going to Woodcraft tomorrow for some parts to use in my next DJ-1 jig/jaw/accessory!
-Rutager
Hey John,
“That Which You Will Not Discuss” is, if prior experience is any clue, something that I know ALL discerning NON Woodworking Taliban(WT)will absolutely love. I say, forget the schlubs (WT) as they are not worthy of the air they breath and focus on all of us that can see and appreciate the immense amount of thought, inspiration, craftsmanship and artistry that is inherent in all of your tools. I cannot wait to see the new tool and I would like to see someone flying that helicopter about a foot or two of the landing pad upside down and then flip it to land. 😮 😮 😮
Fred
Fred-
That helicopter arrived on my doorstep yesterday. It is just as cool in real life, and you will see it in a photo when the prototype of “That Which I Will Not Discuss” is complete.
Thanks for the kind words too.
–John
John,
I am a little surprised that you are having so much enjoyment flying the chopper. Us ol’ fixed-wingers used to maintain that in order to fly a heliocopeter that you had to be uncoordinated; if you could chew gum and walk at the same time, you would have trouble flying a heliocopeter.
Also, since you decided to not used the name “Kerferdude” for the KM-1, are you still open to gracklefritz, snackledrog, or reznairous as the official name for the now labled, “That Which You Will Not Discuss” when it is officially named and marketed?
Cheers,
Wayne
Wayne;
I don’t fly the helicopters-I crash them. But I am getting a bit more time between lift-off and disaster… lots of fun.
Reznairous… hmmm…
–John
Had another idea concerning “That (tool) Which You Will Not Discuss”: in looking at the ‘copter, and thinking about “cutting edge technology”, I’m guessing a super retro-sleek black chrome block plane. The front of the helicopter kind of looks like it could be the front of a block plane. With black chroooome insets…
– Peter
More fuel for the fire. Check this heli:
http://ardrone.parrot.com/parrot-ar-drone/en
And a joke:
An expectant father is asked:
“Who’d you want more: a boy or a girl?”
“a boy”
“why?”
“I want an RC helicopter”
Sooo … a redesigned Angle Master! Cool! Will it be anodized in cool colors?
– Peter
P.S. It’s Fred’s birthday today!
Peter-
Do you work for Homeland Security? Where the heck are you getting your intel?
I am not talking.
Other than this:
I took one of my helicopters to Oakland–not a big deal, I admittedly have a problem. But…
Guess who wanted to fly my bird? Name rhymes with Tom Lie Nielson.
And guess what else?? The tool world, that is to say, the really cool tool world, is in danger of falling for for a mistress of immeasurably small appeal (micro heli appeal that is) and of course I am the only one who noticed that MEGAN FOX HAD HER OWN COMMERCIAL during the Super Bowl….
Life is good.
–John
John – you need to hang around our forum a bit more. You can quickly find out what you’ll be making next (in case you didn’t know)!
No, I didn’t notice that Megan Fox had her own commercial during the Super Bowl. I was too busy trying to grasp the implications of not having a spine or my manhood because I don’t own a small internet TV or a Dodge. I’m still reeling from the implications.
– Peter
P.S. I can’t think of ANYONE who’s name rhymes with “Tom Lie Neilsen”.
P.P.S. Cool about New Orleans winning, no? I always cheer for the underdog.
John,
It’s not everyday that your watching a show and a commercial shows up with a girl in a bath tub reminding you of Bridge City Tools!
I thought it was funny how I thought of you as soon as I seen her.
FYI, the angle master v2 is on your Twitter site. I can now see your inspiration from the helicopter.
David:
What people need to know and WANT TO KNOW, is yes, that was Megan Fox and yes, that was my tub. Thanks for thinking of us!
And that is all I am going to say about that.
Life is good.
Twitter? I don’t know squat about Twitter–this is something that Michael must be doing …
Peter; I too was pulling for NO and Drew Brees. I don’t have time for forums and you wouldn’t either if you got yourself in the mess I have with you know who…
–John
Angle Master v2… was that the one you were showing off when I stopped by BCT HQ?
I think I’ve got you figured out, John. You keep mentioning Megan to try to increase the traffic on this site. I typed in “Megan Fox Bridge City” on Google, and guess what the first hit was. Yup. I’m on to you.
Excuse my while I go throw up after imagining what it would be like to be in the copilot’s seat of one of those choppers…
And speaking of tiny helicopters…check it out when you add a light to hundreds of them.
http://senseable.mit.edu/flyfire/
Paul;
THANKS for that link! That is cool as cool gets.
–John