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“What is the fatal charm of Italy? What do we find there that can be found nowhere else? I believe it is a certain permission to be human, which other places, other countries, lost long ago.” –Erica Jong

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Having just returned from the Milan Furniture Fair, I thought you might enjoy how much trouble I found for myself….

 

While in a cafe in Milan I became impatient waiting for my check. I flagged my waiter and asked for the check–again. I have been pondering his response for several days…

 

“Nota so fasta Americano–this is Italy. You sita and relaxa, enjoy being alive-a.” So I did as told and must say, I should do this more often…

 

The Milan Furniture Fair was ridiculously huge. Over 2.5 million square feet of furniture displays containing over 3 billion dollars of furniture. Mamma Mia!

 

Many more posts and photos to follow, but not this week. Between jet lag, my daughter’s wedding on Saturday and a new pup, Shelby dog, I just can’t find the time to work.

 

I have hundreds of images but I am saving the best for last. The image below is either a lamp or an elephant with a bad cold–you decide. At least I know where you can purchase it…I think it would look great next to an entertainment center STILL owned by Fred West.

 

-John

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“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”
–Albert Einstein

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We have been working on the CT-18 for over a year. I made a pledge a few months ago that we would never again make a plane without the ability to add depth skids. The ability to plane to an exact thickness is just an incredible experience.

 

Of course this can be accomplished by other means but the work involved is tedious and often wasteful. Furthermore, these skids are rounded to allow for tapered cuts–think louvers.

 

Many more details will come out after I get back from Italy, so kindly save your questions for later. That said, please meet the 2010 CT-18, a Dual Angle, Low Angle Smoother;

 

 

 

I would like to thank you all for the fun spirit demonstrated during the guessing phase. I think this is a great way to connect with each other, and I trust you all know that we were all having fun. I have said this before, but it is worth repeating, I take my work very serious and to balance my life, I use the blog to have fun. Oh, don’t forget, with the exception of Bob Metzger, you are all still losers… Oops…looks like I am still having fun…

 

It is also easy to see that my display stand clue was a prop for the top image. And speaking of images, if you would like a better look at the CT-18, we have hi-res wallpapers of the top image above available in the screen resolutions listed below. Simply click on the link and it should automatically download.

 

30″ iMac
1280 x 1024
1600 x 900
1600 x 1200
1680 x 1050
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1200
2560 x 1440

 

If your resolution is not here, drop us a line and we will make one for you.

 

As always, your comments are welcome.

 

–John

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“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” –Dr. Seuss

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I don’t know about the Drivel Starved Nation, but I am out of neurons. I can’t figure out how to trick you crazies anymore.

 

You don’t actually believe that do you?

 

 

We will post final Sneak Peek images of the CT-18 at the end of today. We also have some fun freebies for you as well.

 

Other News Dept:

We have a very low employee turnover here at Bridge City. Part of it has to do with our minimum salaries which start at $250K. Add in the 32 weeks of paid vacation and it is no wonder that these loonies hang around here forever. That said, our favorite spy, Natasha, is moving on to a brand new job in the marketing department of a printed circuit board company. We wish her the best, and if you want to drop her a parting line, I know she would love hearing from you. natasha@bridgecitytools.com. Her last day is, get this, Friday the 13th.

 

Now for those of you who participated in this totally hilarious and worthless CT-18 clue nonsense, we are presenting an award to a single Drivel Starved Nation member who impressed me the most. This is completely arbitrary, but what I like best about this award is that the rest of you are losers. How cool is that?

 

Customer Paul-Marcel, who hails from beer and donut land plays hockey. He created the rarest hockey jersey in the country–no, make that planet. It is a fitting (pun intended) tribute to the lack of neurons floating loosely amongst the Drivel Starved Nation–hence the number CT-17-1/2.

 

We asked Natasha to model it for us and we believe this is a perfect way to bid farewell to a loyal, valued and soon to be ex-employee. That said, she should shave more often…

 

 

The winner is Bob Metzger, and his guess, “some kind of expensive metal tool” is spot on and works for me. Bob, send us your shipping info and this jersey will be headed your way. Oh, and Natasha has agreed to include an autographed pic–congratulations! (FYI, no frame included and a billfold pic is extra.)

 

–John

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“Being crazy isn’t enough.” –Dr. Seuss

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This clue reveals one of two black chrome parts, and some other stuff for you to ponder.

 

One or two more clues tomorrow and then the reveal on Friday. The CT-18 will open for pre-order the last week of April.

 

Regarding the mystery of the CT-18…after reading the WAG’s from the Drivel Starved Nation, I had this scary thought… could it be possible that I am the only normal person on this blog?

 

–John

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“Adults are just obsolete children and the hell with them.” –Dr. Seuss

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Two more component to ponder. Seems to me Antarctica may be facing an overpopulation issue with all these cold guesses…

 

Clue #6 coming later today. Ponder away.

 

–John

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“Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.” –Dr. Seuss

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Today you get two parts to ponder. Some of you are going to be very good igloo builders someday…

 

For the record, a couple of you are now standing on thin ice–your guesses are warming up!

 

–John

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“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed. –Albert Einstein

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Yo Drivel Starved Nation! Just added an investment cast component to the pile. I don’t know how much longer this will stay a secret…

 

See the four stainless steel socket head cap screws? They are 1/4-20. FYI.

 

–John

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“Everything is a mystery, ourselves, and all things both simple and humble.”   – Giorgio Morandi

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Here is the second clue to ponder over the next couple of days…

 

Nothing is as it appears.

 

–John

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“Flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”   – Douglas Adams

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We are ramping up our effort to divorce you from your tax return–here is our very first clue for the 2010 Commemorative Tool (yes, we are behind).

All of these components, most of which pictured above are “off the shelf”, help hold together what we believe may be our best Commemorative Tool. Ultimately, that is for others to decide, but right now, I do believe myself, without a doubt, for sure. You bet.

 

One thing is for certain–I hope–there is not enough information in this clue to begin the chorus of internet forum boos that is sure to come…if you thought last year was bad, hang on!

 

–John

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“Beware the barrenness of a busy life..”  –Socrates

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Recently I came across an article indicating that a successful blog features “at minimum” three posts per week. Really?

If I am blogging three times a week this place will curl up and become extinct so fast you won’t have time to say “Mongolian Death Worm”. So here is this months drivel;

 
What is the CT-18 Going to Be Dept: 

Sometime in the very near future, we will begin our annual ritual of posting “clues” as to what the CT-18 may be. We will start tomorrow.

 
Going, Going, …Almost Gone:

We have two of these left, boxed and ready to ship, editions; 39 and 43. Contact Natasha, 1-800-253-3332 or Natasha@bridgecitytools.com. This tool is one of the coolest things we have ever made.

 
The 2012 WIA Dream Team Members Dept:

We will be attending both the Cincinnati and Pasadena Woodworking in America venues. Dream Teams are lined up for both and I will share with you their names as soon as we receive their $10,000 entry fees. So far, nobody has paid, but that should change–ya think?

 

The Next Bridge City Essential Dept:

One of the most popular tools we have ever made (did I mention BCTW will be 30 years old next year?) was the AS-24 Adjustable Angle Square.  The first version was made of rosewood and brass. The second had a brass head with a rosewood infill.  The LAST version is pictured below;

 

Milled from aircraft aluminum, it is the best version yet from my perspective. It will be available this summer.

 

Annual Teaching Report:

There are a couple of openings in both my “Creative Thinking” class and in the “Tool Making” class. Both will be in May at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking. This is my favorite corn field institution!

 

Pure Drivel Department:

I was born in Waterloo, Iowa–which, as you likely now know, is one of the four places in America where “pink slime” beef is concocted. Make of this what you will.

 

On a Closing Personal Note:

Unfortunately, it is much easier to find an available deck chair at our house-Louie Dog is no longer affected by the confines of gravity. He is profoundly missed.

 

His last wish was a rather poignant proclamation directed specifically at all dog owners;
“Every day should be an extra treat day.”

Louie and Jitter, Summer 2009

 

–John