"I asked God for a bike but I know God does not work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness."— Emo Phillips
Drivel Starved Nation;
Someday I am really going to have to do a thorough search of all the stuff tucked away around here. Yesterday I found something that really gave me pause for thought…
Residing at the bottom of a box full of other boxes of old stuff, I found this; Continue reading
The biggest lie I tell myself is "I don't need to write that down, I'll remember it."— UnKnown
Drivel Starved Nation-
Next week we will open up the pre-order window for the HP-10 Tongue kits that will mate with the Dado kits currently being manufactured. (We are waiting on scoring cutters which are little works of art and this job should ship the third week of August.) Here’s a pic of the 1/4″ tongue kit in action; Continue reading
"There can be no intelligent control of the lead danger in industry unless it is based on the principle of keeping the air clear from dust and fumes." — Alice Hamilton
Drivel Starved Nation;
I am pleased to share that my Gyro Air™ arrived yesterday. Before I share my progress, here are the latest tools headed for the auction block this week…
I probably should have kept this for myself, but I already have 3. That is how cool this tool is. AND, it is the most requested discontinued Commemorative Tool according to the all-knowing Consuelo! Continue reading
"A thousand years ago the Chinese had an entirely codified kitchen while the French were still gnawing on bones. Chopsticks have been around since the fourth century B.C. Forks didn't show up in England until 1611, and even then they weren't meant for eating but just to hold the meat still while you hacked at it with your knife." — Ruth Reichl
Drivel Starved Nation,
As always, you are the first to learn what is happening behind the scenes here at BCTW via this Totally Awesome and Worthless Blog!
I have great news to share regarding our Chopstick Master. Version 2 of the CSM is going to be announced real soon and the details are below. But first, a pic; Continue reading
Drivel Starved Nation!
Last fall when I was in China, I was able to witness the introduction of a new type of dust collector (Pat. Pending) to the international market. The makers, Harvey Works, the same folks that make our innovative Chopstick Master™ unveiled a new dust collector concept that was 5 years in the making — it is called the Gyro Air™.
I ordered one immediately and here is why; Continue reading
Drivel Starved Nation!
A long, long time ago, in a woodshop far away, I started Bridge City Tool Works. 1983 to be exact. Continue reading
Dear Drivel Starved Nation-
I have been crazy busy the past two months. I went to China to finalize version 2 of the Chopstick Master and I am pleased to announce that when this version hits the streets this fall, it will sell for $195 buckaroos. That by-the-way, is $50 LESS than our HP-8 with depth skids ALONE. This is a screaming cool value. And our pledge to you; even though this is made in China, the quality is as good—or better—than what you have come to expect from Bridge City over the past 33 years.
Three weeks ago we attended a media event in NYC regarding the Chopstick Master v2 and I will share the results of that jaunt as they come in. A couple of fashionistas made chopsticks for their… hair!
Drivel Starved Nation!
I know it must seem like I croaked, or worse, whatever that means, but here I am spewing a little drivel your way…
I just returned from my annual work retreat and since so many of you wonder about how this works, here is a little insight.
Each year, for the past 15 years or so, I have left the office for two weeks to focus on new ideas, most are new tool ideas.
What I look for in a place to stay is a good chair and work surface and typically a good deal on a hotel. The location is meaningless to me other than it is NOT my work or home office.
Once I arrive I set up my CAD workstation, head to the store for food supplies and then settle in for a brainstorming session with myself. A typical work session starts with a “I wonder what would happen if I tried this…” and then, usually by day two, the muse is in full control. It is, without question, the two most important weeks of the year for me. It is so important that I am actually thinking of doing this every six months.
The first thing that happens is the lack of time consciousness. Since there are no phone calls, no people, and I am disconnected from that pesky little thing we call e-mail, it is amazing what one can do creatively in a few short weeks. There are days where I never leave my accommodations and waking up in the middle of the night happens frequently — it always amazes me as to how the subconscious provides ideas that never materialize while awake.
This year I was able to complete five new products during this retreat, and that is about four more than I will be able to do during the next 50 weeks! That is the drag effect of running a business on the creative mind.
Anyway, this week I am wading through all my neglected emails, which of course is so much fun I can barely contain myself…
One day, I did take about an hour and outline a process as to how I can feed the DSN with copious amounts of drivel and I have some ideas….
Meanwhile, check out this wooden clock from Japan, it writes the time!
-Still Your Tool Potentate
“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.” — Albert Einstein
Dear Drivel Starved Nation;
Two weeks ago I woke up in the middle of the night bothered by a couple of design decisions I made. This is not unusual, but it is rare when it happens AFTER we have announced a new product. Continue reading
"People ask me what I would most appreciate for my eighty-seventh birthday, I tell them, a paternity suit."— George Burns
Dear Drivel Starved Nation;
I have some really cool news regarding the Chopstick Master but I am going to save it until next week because it might get cooler… Continue reading