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“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”
—Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

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For those of you who have been following the idea train regarding an offset hole attachment for the DJ-1, you have seen a couple of ideas pop out of the BCTW skunk works.

 

I like the micro-adjuster, I like that the latest permutation is sexy, et al.
But I remain unconvinced it is the best idea for drilling off center holes. How about this idea-

 

Speaking to both DJ-1 owners (and there are many of you) and potential DJ-1 owners, what if we were to build what looks like an identical DJ-1 but the bushing head simply floats on the two beams–we ditch the self-centering aspect?

 

Current owners already own the bushings and perhaps the Universal Jaws too. This version simply gives you the ability to traverse the head back and forth across the capacity of the tool and drill offset holes to your hearts content.

 

Personally, I find the nose cursor very useful and have no difficulty aligning centerlines to the nose cursor. We will also be able to add both metric and imperial grads to the top of the arms indicating the centerline difference from the EDGE. Are you listening to your echo David? And get this, if we etch the same rule on each beam, you can center the bushings by using the beams like a centering rule–same reading on the left and right and the bushings are centered, and exactly the same distance from either edge! We very well may be able to both systems on one tool creating one SKU. Metric for centering is easier and preferable in my opinion.

 

Second, this tool would cost less to make and perhaps broaden the appeal in the market–just thinking out loud here. It would be an elegantly simple solution in the most compact form–and fast. These three criteria appeal to me.

 

For current owners, we could offer it without the orange jaws, four screws is the difference. All of the pulleys go away, the cable assembly, and requisite slots and tapped holes disappear too-these are not insignificant costs. Our thumb to the wind guess at this point is that this version would cost about the same as the micro-adjust version–maybe less.

 

We disassembled a DJ-1 and created a working version of this idea and I like it. It will be even better with the grads.

 

If enough of you chime in, I will mock one up when I get back from my magic class in a week.

 

–John

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“Those who believe in telekinetics, raise my hand.” –Kurt Vonnegut

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Well now…

 

Before I get to the FINAL VERSION of the DJ-1 Offset Kit, you should know that the little AS-24v2 run is now sold out.

 

Today we opened up pre-orders for the DSS-6 Double Square. This too will be limited to about 300 units. This is my square of choice when I get time to play. I am guessing they will all be gone in a week or so.

 

Thanks to all for the suggestions in making the DJ-1 Offset Kit the best it can be. Couple of points regarding how it works…

 

The DJ-1 needs a 3/32″ hex key to remove the orange jaws so the Universal Jaws can be attached. Because this cannot be changed, we added a pocket to the house the hex wrench in the offset kit. All of the tightening screws use the same wrench. No room for cam locks, or knobs.

 

Here is the finished kit, it attaches with one screw;

 

 

 

 

The micro-adjuster is a sensitive little bugger-it moves the bushing center-line .100″ per rev. The indicated grads are .010″ splits with .005″ indicators in between. Now you can have one last say on this design…

 

Look at either image where the DJ-1 is on the maple board. Notice the location of the holes. Let’s say you want to drill holes even closer to the edge than in the image. Which direction (either clockwise or counterclockwise) would you expect to rotate the blue adjuster (looking at the end of the adjuster) to move the bushings closer to the edge?

 

The young whippersnapper here disagrees with your Tool Potentate so we are going to let you, the DSN decide. Don’t screw this up!

 

–John

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“It’s not a party until the fire department shows up.” –Thom Filicia

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Last week I shared the new offset attachment for the DJ-1 Drilling Jig.
Certain vocal members of the Drivel Starved Nation insisted that I not sleep until “I get it right.”

 

One such member (name rhymes with Rutager Savatteri) suggested that if I were a Jedi Knight, the Force would abandon me.

 

So, not knowing what that really meant, I set out over the weekend to redesign the offset attachment. In short, the new design offers the following;

 

1.There is no minimum offset
2. Works with the Universal Jaws
3. Locks in place with set screws, integrated hex key wrench stores in jaw.
4. Will work in a wood vise

5. No need to attach/re-attach

 

To attach, you remove one screw on your existing DJ-1 outrigger, and attach the new offset jaw assembly.

 

Now let it be known that I listen.

 

–John

 

 

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“There is a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking like an idiot.” –Steven Wright

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Wow. Been awhile since I visited this totally awesome and worthless blog. Guess that means I have been either busy, or out of the office. Or both.

 

Actually, we have been making back-end modifications to our website and all is not well–what a hassle. But we are getting close. If you have ordered from us in the last month or so, PLEASE double check your credit card statement to ensure you received your Founder’s Circle discount and that the billing is correct. You cannot believe how complicated online ordering is with all the new security requirements (which I am supportive from both a consumer side and as your tool potentate).

 

And for those of you who received duplicate shipments and called to inform us, THANK YOU for your honesty. There really is no way to find the bugs in a major overhaul like we are doing without going live at some point.

 

As soon as we gather our costs, we will be releasing for pre-order an offset attachment for the DJ-1 Drilling Jig. This little gizmo will allow you to precisely offset holes from the center-line of your stock. It is fast!

 

Prior to this attachment there were only two ways to offset holes, use shims on one side or remove one outrigger. This is way faster, has a built in scale (imperial or metric) and easily attaches with the orange universal jaws in place.

 

When these are done, we will do a video using this device to make a cribbage board with the DJ-1 and a hand drill. It will look like it was done on a CNC. The DJ-1 nickname should be “Drill press in a drawer”. I love the accuracy of this tool.

 

Here are a couple of pics;

 

 

 

FYI: Minimum offset from the center-line is .250″.

 

We released for pre-order the AS-24v3 yesterday. As mentioned earlier, we are only making 250 and this will use up our existing supply of blades. There are about 80 remaining as of this writing and I suspect all will be gone by the weekend. If you are tempted by this cool tool, time is running out. We likely won’t make the next batch until 2014.

 

In two weeks I head back to the Marc Adams School of Woodworking–not to teach a class but to be a student again. I cannot wait to see what is up the sleeve of my instructor Jeff Scanlan. Did I mention he is a world class magician? Should be really fun.

 

Maybe I should hire him to magically expedite the changes to our website…

 

–John

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“When I die, I want to die like my grandfather who died peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming like all the passengers in his car.” –Will Rogers

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During my recent tool making class at Marc Adams School of Woodworking, I overheard an interesting conversation regarding the DSS-6 being one students favorite BCTW tool. I then was cajoled into the promise that we would make them again this year.

 

 

We are having some “behind the scenes” work done to our website and when it is completed, we will open the pre-order window for the 2012 run of this little stainless steel square. And to be exact, we will make no more than 275, which is the exact number of etched blades in our warehouse.

 

I also promised that we would make our honing guide again.

 

 

We likely will not make these again until 2014 but I will keep my word, both of these will be done before the holidays.

 

We will be filling all orders on file for the DJ-1 Drilling Jig and Universal Jaws next week. There is a wait list for the small overrun, so if this tool interests you, call and add your name to the waitlist. We won’t make this tool again for at least six months.

 

Lastly, Happy Father’s Day to all you Drivel Starved Dads out there. One of my favorite Dad memories is a conversation I had with my son fifteen years ago…

 

“Dad, you are the dumbest person I know.”

 

“Really? How in your eleven years did you become so much smarter than your 46 year old father?”

 

His reply was memorable; “Stranger things have happened.”

 

–John

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“It’s really hard to design products by focus groups. A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them.” –Steve Jobs

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 Dear Drivel Starved Nation;

 

Thanks for the AS-24v3 feedback over the past couple of days! Here’s imagery of the final design. The retail price of the AS-24v3 is $289 (Founder’s Circle get a 10% discount off this price). We are still waiting for pricing on the cursors, and they will be sold individually in whatever three colors the DSN deem appropriate.

 

Please comment on your favorite three cursor colors and we will open this for pre-orders in the next week or so. As mentioned, we are only making 250. If you don’t get in on this run, we are going to make the AS-24v3 a Bridge City Essential which means we will make them at least once a year.

 

Lastly, we are not going to make a hybrid imperial/metric–the ability to storyboard on this blade is too important.

 

–John

 

 

 

 

 

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” If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, try missing a couple of car payments. –Earl Wilson

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 Dear Drivel Starved Nation;

 

As mentioned in a previous post, a certain customer (name rhymes with Paul-Marcel) wrote to us suggesting that we put graduations on the blade of the new AS-24. I needed to sit on the idea for a bit…

 

This brings up one of the most repeated conversations in our house;

 

Angry Voice: “You are not listening to me are you?”

 

Completely Innocent Voice: “What?…I thought you were talking to the dogs.”

 

I digress. One very important feature of the AS-24 is the hardened steel blade–specifically designed for use with a marking or cutting knife.

 

The other feature that I know is important to me is the satin chrome finish–it is perfect for pencil storyboard marks.

 

So without sacrificing a thing, we added graduations and a magnetic cursor that straddles the blade when needed, and sticks to it when not in use. In effect, we have turned the AS-24v3 into a graduated panel gage. And yes, you can trust the rare-earth magnets to keep the cursor where you want it.

 

Here are the pics, we are pricing the addition as I peck away on this totally awesome and worthless blog. Since we are only making 250 of these, the only other variation is a metric version.

 

 

 

 

Now if you will excuse me, it is time to go talk to my dogs–see, I listen!

 

–John

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“A writer should write with his eyes and a painter paint with his ears. –Gertrude Stein

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 Dear Drivel Starved Nation;

 

For the past couple of months I have been playing with a locking lever for the redesigned AS-24 that does not hurt my fingers. As mentioned earlier, both of my index fingers have been visited by Uncle Arthritis.

 

I am actually glad this has happened, it is an inconvenience that has made me shamefully aware of how ignorant I am regarding disabilities. Now I have a new palette of constraints to consider in my design work. The first result is the new locking system for the AS-24v3 which will be released for pre-order next week.

 

This lever can be locked with the butt of the hand and released by pulling or sliding one’s hand underneath. It works for healthy hands too.

 

 

 

 

The AS-24 was one of our best selling tools throughout the 80’s and 90’s, and we have not made them in about 10 years. This batch will be limited to 250 units. So if you are looking for a great way to replace the need of a framing square at the bench and have the ability to set angles, this window will close fast. Unlike the two older versions, this version does not come apart–FYI.

 

The following cell phone pics are from the 2012 Milan Furniture Fair, and maybe they will be of fun interest to you as well…

 

My favorite topic that is ignored by many avocational woodworkers is the need for texture (shadows). The image below caught my eye because; it is simple, easy to reproduce and is nice looking–our eyes like to eat too! Anyway, for those of you who like contemporary grace, here is one for your idea file:

 

One of the major themes repeated by exhibitors was space saving design. Many of the ideas are ingenious and cool–as in this example, the knives are accessible underneath the glass top which has the silicon cutting sheet removed for clarity. I liked it for both the utilitarian space savings and the convenience.

 

As mentioned in a previous post, I thoroughly enjoyed the design work of the juried young designers from around the world. I loved the playful simplicity of these turned “balloon” pooches and would buy one in a heartbeat for the entry of my home–one, to watch my dogs freak out, but also because it is plain fun–I think they are really neat and will never run out of gas. Come to think of it, neither do my dogs….

 

 

Lots more Milan stuff over the coming months–until then, here is a pic I took in Indianapolis. Save? Yikes.

 

 

–John

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” I woke, she fled, and day brought back my night. “ –Edgar Allen Poe

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 Dear Drivel Starved Nation;

 

I returned last week from my annual two-week teaching assignment at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking. Tool Making and Creative Thinking were the classes.

 

Before I share with you my Indiana automobile accident, a shameless plug is in order; the CT-18 Dual/Low Angle Smoother offer expires on Monday, June 4th. This is likely the coolest plane we have made yet, and unlike any plane design that we are aware, as in ever. 

 

Also, sitting in our front office are the last remaining HP-8 kits. There are 2 in brass and 4 in stainless steel. These are not going to our warehouse so you will need to call (800-253-3332) to order.

 

CREATIVE THINKING 101
All creative ideas are either based upon existing ideas or are the innovative combination of existing ideas–this is the fundamental truth behind creative thinking. In addition, to have a great idea, you generally need to reject a lot of ideas. 

The “warm-up” exercise we do in the Creative Thinking class each morning is the re-construction of headlines. Mainly done for laughs, we selected approximately 10 candidates out of 100 or so entries over the week.  As with last year’s class, I now share a couple of my favorites;

 

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My FAVORITE…

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YES I WAS IN AN INDIANA CAR WRECK DEPARTMENT…
As I headed back to the hotel at the conclusion of the Creative Thinking class three Fridays ago, I realized that I left my iPad at the school. Anything other than my iPad and I would have picked it up the following Monday.  I turned around and headed back to the school–the time was 4:30 PM.

 

The Marc Adam School of Woodworking is pinched between two very large corn fields accessed by a two-lane, 45 mph rural highway. As I was approaching the school, which sits alone on the left side of the highway, I remember noticing the beautiful day, and observed there was not a car in sight on the ribbon of asphalt ahead of me. 

 

I slowed down to make the left turn into the driveway and was half-way in the opposing lane (my speed was 7-10 mph) when out of nowhere I see this blue bolt of metal shoot past my driver door–both left tires were in the grass–it was surreal and unbelievable. 

 

I felt a “bump” and stopped dead in the middle of the opposing lane. The blue car passing me is now 100-150 feet ahead of me in a full spin–it crossed the highway and entered the cornfield (on the right) rear end first before it rolled 2-1/2 times. 

 

Here is a pic of the car, and some of the debris thrown from the car:

 

Once the car came to a stop, I pulled ahead, jumped out and ran into the cornfield to see if the driver was OK. I have never seen a roll-over accident, now I was involved in one.

 

The young lady driver was trying to stand up and I told her to be still, asked if she was OK, she nodded and I told her that I was going to run over to the school and get help.  Fortunately Marc’s wife Susie saw the accident and already summoned help. The police and medical help were on their way.

 

Here is a pic of the damage to Marc Adam’s SUV (he provides a car for the week for instructors):

 

The police were great and I believe the young woman was sited for excessive speed. She was wearing her seat belt and I can only wonder about the results had she been unbuckled.  Physically I was fine, but it took me another five or six days to calm all my “what if” concerns.  

 

So, this is my reminder to all–seat belts WORK!

 

WHY A PUPPY DEPARTMENT…

I was excited to get home (understatement) and this is what greeted me;

 

 

Shelby is GUILTY!

 

I am glad May is over.

 

–John