Behind the Scenes

Behind the scenes at Bridge City Tool Works!

The Center Scribe after 520 payroll periods…

June, 26th, 2008

Thanks to the British Weights and Measures Act of 1824, we Americans inherited a collection of units known as the Imperial system. Imperial units are unbelievably accurate and superior to the metric system in every way–and I can prove it with a singular question:

What is 17-17/32″ divided by three?

And you thought a six-star Sudoku puzzle was hard.

Fortunately, woodworkers are constantly dividing things in half, a much easier task than the gasket blowing problem above (5-27/32″ is the correct answer–took me a day and a half, or .15 payroll period to figure this out ). Try it yourself–dividing 17-17/32″ by two only took me four hours.


Approximately 520 payroll periods ago, we introduced the CS-1 Center Scribe, a cool tool to help Inch Land woodworkers find the center of things without time-consuming calculations. Inchlanders often struggle with the efficiency of Imperial measurements and our CS-1 Center Scribe quickly became one of our most sought after tools to this day.

About 104 payroll periods ago, improvements to the CS-1 came upon me. Fully charged for the redesign, the muse arrived unannounced bearing news of the VP-60 Adjustable Pitch Plane. Immediately thereafter, who should reappear with a radical new design for shoulder planes? And for the past year, I have been obsessed with the Jointmaker Pro–likely the most scrutinized new tool introduction I’ve known.

The image below is of our new, improved Center Scribe.

CS-2 Center Scribe in Action

Briefly, here are the improvements;

  • Zero backlash or slippage–no gears.
  • Holds a pencil
  • Finds centers on square, round or rectangular stock lightning-fast.
  • Does not react with humidity
  • Field adjustable if needed
  • Smoother feel
  • More precisely scribed centerlines (not pencil lines for obvious reasons), accurate to within .002″


To learn more, visit the CS-2 Center Scribe pre-production page. And if the CS-2 looks like something you can use, click the panel that states “Notify me when this item is back in stock.” By adding your name to this database we have a much better idea of our manufacturing quantities–you are not placing an order.

Thanks to a suggestion by a good engineering friend, this tool is crazy smooth and accurate. I hope you like it because… well, it’s a payroll thing.

-John

Free Food and Dead Cicadas…and that is the truth.

June, 19th, 2008

Well, it’s a little after midnight and AGAIN I find it hard to go to sleep. I just spent almost 12 hours on the Popular Woodworking campus talking about the Jointmaker Pro. Although this trip was all about business, I would not dare call it work, only because there was free food, and plenty of dead cicadas… DETOUR: We don’t have cicadas in Oregon (if we do I am sure someone will correct me) and this much dead biomass is fascinating. And loud. Before they die that is. Do the math here–17 years as a hibernating nymph buried next to a big, fat tree root, wake up hungrier than a teenager without a refrigerator, munch on tree sap until the libido overwhelms, spend a couple of hours at the screaming mimi cicada bunny ranch and then croak from exhaustion… This isn’t so bad when you think about it…no SAT tests, background checks, or exit polls–just an incredible, one week, no-strings-attached love fest. Reincarnation requests anyone? How about a Jamba Juice Tree Sap Smoothie?

I digress. Approximately 60 people ventured into Cincinnati to eat free pizza and listen to my Silent Woodworking spiel. (Not quite as bad as one of those guilt ridden timeshare meetings…I hope.)

It is hard to tell if people had a good time, but I found it fun. As many of you know, Chris Schwarz claimed that the cut from the Jointmaker Pro was the cleanest saw cut he has ever seen–by any method. Of course the Woodworking Taliban pilloried him for such nonsense and I believe, if any of the attendees step forward, his critics will join the cicadas in the belly of a street sweeper.

After my presentation, the Jointmaker Pro was moved to the shop and all interested were allowed to make cuts. There were plenty of smiles–and frankly that was worth the trip. I am leaving the prototype with the Popular Woodworking crew for the next month for further play and testing. Oh, and a small detail — nobody lost any digits.

I was treated like a dignitary (I am not, and NEVER want to be) so I had four pieces of pizza, two of which were onion–without which we would still be talking about the Woodworking Taliban at a local watering hole. Smart people, those Popular Woodworking folks.

–John

The Jointmaker Pro and FREE Food-June 19

June, 2nd, 2008

Thanks to a gracious invite from Chris Schwarz and the Popular Woodworking staff, I will be heading out to Cincinnati for a June 19 presentation on “Silent Woodworking”. This will be an informal, up-close and personal affair centered around our new Jointmaker Pro and several new profiles for the HP6-v2 Mini Multi-Plane. These folks are passionate about hand woodworking and Chris and staff are terrific hosts. The event is F-R-E-E and includes a buffet of real food. Everybody is welcome to give the Jointmaker Pro a go before I go–you will be amazed at what can be done without a power cord.

We are limited to the first 60 attendees because the Cincinnati fire marshal just does not get the concept of free food and woodworkers. Dinner begins at six and if you can make it, I would love to meet you in person (Chris too). In addition to a couple of surprises I have up my sleeve, these things have a habit of spilling over to a local bingo hall afterwards for more serious discussions.

RSVP ASAP via email to Megan Fitzpatrick; Megan.Fitzpatrick@fwpubs.com

I hope to see you there!

-John

Jointmaker Pro by Bridge City Tool Works

The Jointmaker Pro can do things without power that are unimaginable. It is an impressive tool that you can try yourself on June 19th in Cincinnati.


Eastern Hard-Rock cut with the Jointmaker Pro

This image vividly illustrates the accuracy capabilities of the Jointmaker Pro. The material is hard-rock maple and was made with 10 strokes.

HG-1 Honing Guide in Action

It is always fun around here when an idea becomes reality. Later this week our new honing guide will be in stock. Although I designed this tool with the specific needs of sharpening our HP6 profiled irons in mind, it will work on just about every tool in your shop. Here’s a peek of the tool in action…



As you can see, the rear roller is flat. We have had several inquiries regarding a roller that is crowned to facilitate relieving the corners of wide plane irons. Although this sounds like a good idea, the math makes no practical sense. For example, if one wants to relieve the corners of a plane iron by .002″-.003″, the crown in the honing guide roller would be around .001″. This is just not a practical idea (in our opinion) when the same results can be achieved with finger pressure applied to each corner during honing. If a more severe crown is required, a barrel shaped roller might make sense, and if you have that need, you can easily remove the stock roller and insert a shop made roller (wood will work) for your needs.

Lastly, it is not clear in this clip but the clamping bridle pivots and will accommodate aggressively tapered tools–the most common of which are Japanese chisels.

Thanks for watching.

-John

It’s Time to Say Goodbye–for the 14th Time

May, 27th, 2008

Each year, for the past 14 years, we have produced a limited edition Commemorative Tool with the pledge to never make its identical version again. Last year’s edition, one of the more radical designs in the series and one of the most unique, was inspired by my first real fox sighting (you can see the stylized fox profile in the rear of the tool). Commemorative Tool #14, the Fox Tail Shoulder Plane, is now completely sold out (with the exception of a couple of blems with minor cosmetic flaws) and it is time to move on–again. If you missed it the first time around, here is a detailed review of the Foxtail Shoulder plane by David Mathias.

Farewells are often softened with strong memories. The images below, courtesy of our talented photographer, Joe Felzman, are provided as a final tribute to one of my all-time favorite tools.

-John











HP6v2 and the Jointmaker Pro, Silent Woodworking–Endless Possibilities

May, 21st, 2008

Our HP6v2 owners are a passionate group. The really smart customers take my summer classes at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking and upon completion enter the enchanted world of creativity and return home a woodworking genius. (I hope my kids are reading this…).

Take Rutager West for example. He bicycles twenty miles to work each and every day, all year long, in MINNESOTA! Yikes! Rutager also happens to be an equally dedicated woodworker who cannot stand the noise, the dust and the risks associated with power tools, particularly routers. Rutager makes boxes and cases. He recently told me in my “CAD for Woodworkers” class that our HP6v2 has changed his life–and cannot wait to receive his Jointmaker Pro. Now that is pretty cool, and speaking of cool, check out some of the things he has been making with the amazing little HP6v2 Mini Multi-Plane… these are details of the frames and components he shows prospective customers–all without sanding! And if you are as impressed as we are, I am certain he would appreciate reading your comments.



The above frame used HP6v2 Mini Multi-Plane corner bead and rabbet kits. It is stunning craftsmanship.



The multi-bead soles (available in four sizes) are a great way to add texture. These shavings in ebony and an unidentified hardwood speak volumes for the capabilities of the HP6v2.



Using the V-groove sole, Rutager plowed a recess to receive the molding made with the corner cove sole which also made the cove on the edge–beautiful work. I don’t know how he makes his laminations!



This frame detail uses the following sole/iron kits for the HP6v2; rabbet, corner bead, and corner radius–all without a grain of sandpaper.



Another view–THANK YOU Rutager for sharing your work!

If you have an HP6v2 story to share, please do!

-John

“Indiana is the veneer capital of America…”

May, 7th, 2008

I’ve been teaching classes at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking for about 187 years now–give or take a few weeks. Mainly I enjoy the free lunches. And my students. And Marc Adams. And the occasional blank check he sends me–in that order.

Tuesday evenings feature an informal dinner where teachers respond to woodworking questions with their mouths full of food. Around 7:00 post meridian time, instructors share their work with overly satiated students who need sleep. It is really interesting and if you don’t believe me, take a class–it’s a great school.

This year I shared a working prototype of our new Jointmaker Pro saw. It is a hybrid tool, part miter box/chop saw/table saw. It requires no power, is unbelievably accurate and conversationally quiet. I was a bit nervous because I really needed live feedback by real woodworkers–hopefully positive feedback. Afterwards, in my tent by the freeway, I faded believing the demonstration went well.

The next day, Marc Adams, who ironically goes by the name of Marc Adams, shared that my presentation went well. I asked him what he thought about the new saw.

DETOUR: Marc has informed me on numerous occasions that he lives in Indiana and it is no coincidence that Indiana is the largest veneer producing state in America. It’s a long story–take my word for it and don’t bring the subject up in his presence.

So he blurts, “I bet it won’t cut veneer.” (Hallmarks of friendship include confrontational challenges, brute honesty and the assumption that your friend is listening…)

Imagine my surprise when Marc supplied me with a stack of veneer, and taught me AGAIN that IF this works, it would be called PARQUETRY, not MARQUETRY. Thanks Marc.

The picture below illustrates how cutting veneer on the Jointmaker Pro is not only fast but dead-on perfect.

I asked Marc what he thought of the results…

“They are perfect. But we don’t do it that way.”

This made me smile.

-John

Parquetry using the Jointmaker Pro

Welcome to my little corner of the tool world…

April, 29th, 2008

Greetings!

Years ago I was approached by a guy who thought he wanted to purchase Bridge City Tool Works. I agreed to meet him in my office (his call must have been right after, or shortly before a payroll). He commented that my role in the business was essential for its success and asked me, “What would I do as an investor if you lost your mind?” I retorted that he should be much more concerned if I were to get my mind back. Oddly, (to me anyway) he quickly left–in a humorless mood I suppose.

Why share this now? I have no clue. It is however a segue to a “behind the scenes” tone I hope to present for those with nothing better to do than read blogs. Now for the formalities;

I have no formal training as a writer. Grammatical errors and improper syntax are strengths of mine. I am also no stranger to faulty subordination, subject-verb disagreements, dangling modifiers and other writing transgressions. Someday I hope to take up gardening, or maybe join a bowling league. I think I just a heard a car fall into the pit at the Jiffy Lube across the street.

Why bring this up you ask? So YOU don’t have to bring it up when it occurs…unless of course it can be done humorously and completely at my expense. You see, I spend endless days designing Bridge City tools and this blog is my way to make Hemingway want to be a woodworker. (I know he has moved on, but I haven’t.)

Once or twice a week I will poll my brain for interesting thoughts and blog away–feel free to submit questions, comments and opinions. I presume the vast majority of the participants will be from our customers and the usual gang of assorted antagonists, also known to those in the tool world as the “woodworking Taliban”–those overly passionate folks who will go to their graves defending/proselytizing/pontificating/yelling how one should always cut dovetails their way, which of course is either tails or pins first. Word of caution to the later; if your submissions to this blog are written in the tone of a wounded pirate your words will suffer the fate of a thousand cannon balls. Deal?

Now for something completely different.

I am going to organize my thoughts on the design process and post them here. Perhaps it might change the way some approach their craft. It is a much more meaty subject than working wood.

From the NEWS and NOTEWORTHY Department;

Last week (April 21-25, 2008) I spent the week teaching “CAD for Woodworkers” at the Marc Adams school of Woodworking, a short 20 minute drive outside of Indianapolis. I love this school and this class but it was exhausting even though I had an incredibly knowledgeable assistant, Mike Morris. (Mike, I put this in the blog so you could prove to your wife you were in class helping me. Later when you get a chance, let me know where you were for the week–it interests me.)

After class on Friday, Marc sponsored a moderated forum between Tom Lie-Nielsen and John Economaki (that would be me). The moderator, Christopher Schwarz, is the lanky and very bright lad behind the hand tool passion at Popular Woodworking and Woodworking . I don’t know how the forum was received but afterwards I joined Tom, Chris, and John (a mutual law enforcement friend) for a couple of hours in Tom’s hotel room discussing his drapes.

OK, this is probably a lie. We told stories about tools, toolmaking, employees and went off-topic frequently. (The films, Little Miss Sunshine and Raising Arizona were two detours that I remember, there were probably others…) I can’t share further details because of an unwritten, unspoken code of conduct that states “What is said in Indianapolis is not worth writing about.” Interestingly, nobody in this secret meeting was under 6′3″ in height. It is safe to say that I was not the skinniest guy there, but I am actively thinking about working out.

Thanks for stopping by,

John