The KerfMaker–the Really Expensive Version…

Came into work this morning with the bright idea that somehow my daily agenda would be realized. Since this never happens and I continue to think otherwise, I award myself the “Bozo of the Day” award.

My plan was derailed when I was forwarded this thread on Lumberjocks.

So, we have opened up orders for this group and you too if interested.

And then there is the expensive “home brew” version as mentioned in the thread that may be of interest to you as well.

Looks like my day will start after lunch–this internet thing is starting to creep into my productivity which at the moment is supposed to be focused on Commemorative Tool #16.

John

PS: Speaking of the internet, for those of you who Tweet, you can follow Michael’s Tweets on Twitter (never thought I would string those words together);

http://twitter.com/BridgeCityTools

Why one would do this I do not understand when you can be in the shop making things…

16 comments on this post:

  1. Cool, John! Apparently you’re going to have to make a “bazillion” of these. I’m starting to feel bad about ordering only one. Perhaps you can buy your island-I-mean-continent after all!

    – Peter

  2. John,

    I checked out the thread, and it reminded me of the real old Fine Wooworking magazines, where they had articles on building shop made table saws, thickness sanders, bandsaws and other tools, which after you read the article it was apparent that you would have a ton of time and almost as much money invested as what you would have paid to get the much better real thing. That said, the guy made a good looking tool for himself, but crossed the line when he encouraged and helped others to trample on patent rights! It sound like you handled it with your usual class, and in the end most people will come to their own conclusion, that it’s a great tool at a better than fair price, and will order one or two or a gross! Because it is “the tool we want real bad.”

    Rutager

  3. You have an “elegant” solution John. In my opinion you’ve done the right thing and also all you COULD do. People with a concience will be compelled to buy one of your tools. My guess is once they do that, they will want a second dose…Your tools ARE addictive – even on a small budget. Perhaps low budget woodworkers need to choose more carefully, but the tools WORK and do get great RESULTS from using them. Keep it up! You have real supporters out here and with communication like this you will surely gain more.

    Dennis

  4. You know, I love woodworkers–I would like to think I am not so far removed to be not included in this fraternity. .. woodorkers–not so much. In this instance, it was a case of irrational exuberance and it was clear early on that we needed to support this group–I am not sure I understand their cost/benefit analysis, but I have other fish to fry. There is no way on this green earth–even at 1/2 the minimum wage is this tool replicable in wood for less than $59 and maybe this is not the point.. anyway, water under the Bridge City bridge here.

    Thanks for the comments, it all worked out for everybody and that is cool. My quest for global real estate (we are talking continents here) is still on hold, but I have my eye on a chain of islands off the coast of…

    –John

  5. I confess that I hadn’t read through that whole thread before posting. So I didn’t see that you had entered the fray there. I agree with Dennis that your solution was very Solomonic. It seems you have another career in diplomacy. Perhaps you wouldn’t mind making a trip to the middle east?

    It’ll be interesting to see how much money gets deposited to that fund. Nice job, John – as always!

    – Peter

  6. John,

    Since the window opened back up, I had no choice but to order another! I’m sure I have not ordered enough to be invited to vacation on the yet undetermined chain of islands, but I do think I’m entitled to at least a postcard showing the sandy beaches and emerald waters. I’ll be watching the mail.

    Rutager

  7. Rutager,

    I heard a rumour John was negotiating the last island in the Dry Tortugas. If I remember there was a prison for pirates there….Still want a vacation on that special island?? They say it was hard to swim away from because of all of the sharks….perhaps if you can take all of your tools with you it won’t be too bad – you will finally have time to really focus on your dream project….

    DJ

  8. Come on, Dennis – you’re thinking too small here. This is the tool that allows you to reach kerfection, and John has been told to prepare to make a bazillion of them. He’s not thinking Dry Tortugas. He’s thinking more like, say, England. Or New Zealand. And if they really sell like hotcakes (or whatever sells really well), I’m sure he has his sights on Australia, or perhaps South America. The whole thing.

    “Last island in the Dry Tortugas”! That’s just insulting!

    – Peter

  9. You got me there! I’m having some trouble getting the full magnitude of this movement (I think we can classify this as the soon-to-be-historic “kerfection” movement?) and Australia IS an Island Contenent! Since John is having difficulty with deciding between the two, he could have BOTH if he buys Australia. Rutager, I owe you a heartfelt apology. I hope John can forgive my lack of kervision also. I’m feeling really bad about this….

    DJ

  10. Color me impressed… Offering up the drawings in exchange for a donation to a charity is a wonderful gesture John. I’ve decided that since this is such a great company you an go ahead and bill pfranks for another Kerfmaker and have it sent to me. This is of course on the condition that you do not buy England and you get some place a little more sunny and cheerful. I won’t have pfranks money paying for some rainy island, I do have standards.

  11. I’m not sure exactly why, but what I have observed is that when someone produces a thing of extraordinary beauty and value, inevitably it attracts the attention of a few tiny individuals who feel compelled to denigrate the thing, or the person who produced the thing of beauty.

    Bridge City Tools are beautiful, functional and worthy of being designated as artwork in themselves. They work perfectly, are a delight to use and look good just sitting on the shelf. What more could one want?

    Keep up the great work John (as well as the whole BCT team!) – your legacy will be the production of arguably the finest line of hand tools ever made. Cheapskates and haters aside, your tools speak for themselves. They are fabulous!

  12. Getting real close! The bodies are at the laser etcher and should be done today. We received all of the bushings yesterday (they are stellar) and all of the other components are all made and anodized. I just finished the final edits on the manual today as well. Assembly begins this week. So yes, soon as in the next 10 days or so.

    I can’t wait to get this tool in the field. It is going to change perceptions in ways we have yet to imagine. Who would have thought that one could use a hand drill and do better work than with a drill press–and also add new capabilities?

    -John

  13. Here’s hoping. It will be my first purchase from you and it will have to do at least some of the work of a drill press for me in the shop I’m putting together. I’m planning on using it with a Forstner bit to cut dog holes in the benchtop.

    Out of curiosity, what is the reach from edge on non-centered tasks per the video?

  14. Don’t hope–this tool will perform as advertised.

    Reach naked (no jaws attached) is a hair over 5″ using the outrigger as a reference. Technically there is no reach limit (practical of course) when set up on a trammel.

    I don’t plan on owning a drill press in my new shop, so it will do most of the work–and a bunch of work a drill press can’t touch without a lot of jig building.

    You should have no problem drilling dog holes with a forstner type bit, with the business end of the bit on the underside of the bushing.

    Also, you are asking good questions and we have a better venue on our community site specifically for the DJ1–would you mind posting over there in the future for the benefit of others interested in this tool? Thanks!

    –John

  15. FWIW: I talked to Marc Adams early in August when I was attending a class. He told me that nobody had taken John’s advice to contribute a measly $10 to the Roger Cliffe fund. Sadly, you were right, John, woodworkers can be cheap!

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