Wow-just mention a prize and what happens? We awaken the gene pool of the parsimonious.
Welcome to all newbies–this is the place where John (that would be me) reinforces the fact that really cool tools come from the smallest of minds.
For the last 17 years we have produced one tool we pledge never to duplicate again. This series annually commemorates our incredible, ongoing relationship with our best customers. Commemorative tools are only offered to our Founder’s Circle members–the tent pole of Bridge City Tool Works.
If possible, we add a symbol of luck by embedding a United States penny in each edition and I am pleased to share that Commemorative Tool #17 will not be penniless.
When I sit down to design a commemorative tool I have a copy of Alfred Dunhill’s maxim in front of me which states;
“It must be useful, it must work dependably, it must be beautiful, it must last, it must be the best of it’s kind”.
That quote is a tough taskmaster and I encourage you, and anybody and everybody who makes things to consider adopting it before beginning the next project.
Nobody knows what the tool will be until I am finished. (Oops, that is a lie, I do tell Louie dog and Jitter dog–both of whom have been easily sworn to silence with a Milk-Bone.) Our customers are typically notified 1-3 days after our staff–it is a fun tradition here and the announcement is highly anticipated by our customers. These tools have always been about showcasing the art of toolmaking and as such, there have never been any restrictions in the process–each tool is what it is and cost what it costs without a single thought to market potential. Whether we sell 100 or 3000, it doesn’t matter.
This year however, things are a little different. We had a visitor in January who is an active participant in the online woodworking community (name rhymes with Peter Franks) who saw one of the stereo lithography models sitting on my desk that I used to quantify/verify ergonomics. The cat bailed from the bag.
So, we decided to have some fun this year on my blog (you all really have better things to do I hope…) by inviting guesses as to what we are going to produce leading up to the April 15th announcement date.
As with all treasure type hunts, the clues start out vague/difficult and get easier as they progress. That said, don’t forget; “It must be useful, it must work dependably, it must be beautiful, it must last, it must be the best of it’s kind”.
Let’s review;
Clue #1 was an abstract close-up. It reveals the presence of stainless steel.
Clue #2 was an abstract image titled “There is Beauty in Numbers” and invited an answer as to why the image was incredibly useful to me.
As you read through the posts, you will learn that a Bridge City sleuth correctly deduced that the image was a graphical representation of data (numbers), hence “There is Beauty in Numbers”. I don’t think it is even remotely possible to guess what this tool is at this point. One inquiring mind suggested the lines represented a linkage and perhaps he is correct–if he were to assemble it correctly…
The “guesses” have been insightful and humorous–looking at the image and deducing that we are going to make a “smelt net” is a bit out there–and a big thanks to Cooter Ditchman for that jewel.
Clue #3 offered four words, Sierra, Papa, Zinc, Foxtrot as the reason why the numbers are important to me–not you. Between a couple of tool detectives, all aspects of this clue have been correctly uncovered but have yet to be correctly assembled….
Clue #4 (Use this clue to decipher clue 3)
“To move, you cannot remain still.”
Clue #5 (which will be announced this Thursday) will be an actual part of Commemorative Tool #17 for you to ponder.
So the question still remains, why are these numbers important to me–not you. And by figuring this out, you will be on your way to ultimately identifying what this tool is no sooner than next Wednesday if I have my way!
Remember, in order to win a prize, you can’t just be hot, you have to be really hot to win a “Whoppie in Woolies” award.
–John
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hmm,
I think I know what happened back in January.
While John spent two weeks in the woods,
He rediscovered the I Ching / The Book of Changes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_ching
(don’t forget to read the mathematical implications under the “Structure” heading.)
And immersed himself in Eastern literature.
One day while in deep thought,
he put down his I Ching on the rock in which he was sitting.
Taking a break, he picked up his controls for his helicopter and mindlessly flew his flying machine over the heights of the trees.
Soaring into the heavens. (well, almost)
Upon the return flight – it was coming down a little too fast,
and crashed landed onto the I Ching.
In that moment,
the angels sung and all matter of beast & fowl stopped in their tracks (& flights) as well.
……and the CT-17 was conceived.
so,
When you filter down all the eastern teachings,
What it comes down to, (without over simplifying!)
is…..
“To move you cannot remain still”
and remember that,
The Book of Changes is a “reflection of the universe in miniature”.
mix that up with all these forms…..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Wen_sequence
and,,,,,,,
You have a design tool that generates random patterns.
To be used as an aid in texture and form.
And instead of using coins or Yarrow stalks to divine your reading.
You would set your CT-17 in motion.
Oh yes,
With this BCTW Commemorative Tool,
you will receive two Black Boxes.
One for the CT-17
the other for your special edition of the I Ching.
-roger
Roger-
Based upon the length of your last post, your taxes must be done.
John
PS: You are welcome for all the deductions that BCTW provided for you in 2009–would that be your ca-ching?
Can it have something to do with applying a lot of force to a work piece without actually having yourself apply to much force?
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“Can it have something to do with applying a lot of force to a work piece without actually having yourself apply to much force?”
That concept would be helpful for the clamping action that holds the workpiece for a ripping action on the JMP.
(not having to apply too much force – would help in NOT tweaking the table during the clamping process)
-roger
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It could have something to do with a stamping- like tool that applies a texture to soft woods (or maybe some harder woods) in either a linear or non linear motion. This “checkering” tool would be able to be calibrated as to perform either consistent light or deeper imprints. (thus the need for the previous graphic) The “pattern” of the imprint would vary. The initial offering of the tool would come with, let’s say 3 different patterns to choose from. As time progresses BCTW would offer other patterns much in the same way it does irons for the HP6 plane series.
Oooh! I really want one of these!
All for the joy in accumulating deductions for your 2010 filing.
…….and yes John – I’m all done!
-roger
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You know, I printed the picture out yesterday and flipped it over. Once you do this new idea’s come to mind. With that said, I actually had a dream about this and in my dream it was something that functions like a Router Plane. That’s all I’m gonna say about that.. Wouldn’t it be crazy if my dream was right!?
Hi John,
I said I wasn’t going to guess, but that was before I could win a prize! I love prizes, I still make all my cereal buying decisions based on the prize inside, which if you noticed are pretty lame compared to when we were growing up!
This morning as I awoke, a thought popped into my pea sized brain; I believe this tool is a layout or marking tool that allows the user to set two or more variables on it and as the tool is moved or operated it moves a stylus that lays out arcs, curves, lines or elipses that are either linear or non-linear depending on the setting.
I also believe, that either right or wrong, Peter still wants me to buy him one, will you settle for a box of cereal Peter?
-Rutager
Roger,
I guess you and I are in the same boat, no response John means we are as cold as ice!
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hmmm,
The billing for the new tool may read as…….
The CT-17 Circle/Ellipse- O – Matic.
What if in your shop apron in the pocket next to your CT-15 you had a layout tool that could form circles as well as ellipses from 1/2″ up to 8″ in diameter? By adjusting two linear sliders on the outside frame you’ll be able to create circles and ellipses as easy as you would within Google-Sketch-up. No need to be searching thru your stack of ellipse or circle templates to find just the right arc or radius. If your are switching between different sizes its easy to lock in a memory pin to hold a particular setting – up to 3 settings are possible. Milled from solid stainless steel, this BCTW Commemorative Tool will be a useful, dependable, and beautiful addition to ones toolbox for years to come.
-roger
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Rutager,
We must be getting close.
We both basically came up with the same device.
Must be the 100 monkey principle at work.
Even though there is a 3 hour time difference between out time stamps, John released them to the blog at the same time.
I know I could use a Circle/Ellipse- O – Matic!
roger
Forum,
I think all our boats washed up on the same iceberg!
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roger
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Using the science of a boomerang on a tabletop scale, John has developed a tool that will aid in the process of curvilinear woodworking.
-roger
I’m guessing that John’s on his way to (or arrived in) Chicago, which may explain why he hasn’t responded. Thanks for the offer of a box of cereal, Rutager. If the prize is a CT-17, then I’m all in.
I’ll let John tell you whether you’re polar or tropical.
– Peter