Has anyone bought a robo hippy tool rest recently?

[Melvin Feng]

I ordered one of his grinder tool rests this past weekend, and haven't heard anything from him yet. I've sent emails to both the emails I could find (from the website and the email order confirmation), and I even called and left a message, but I haven't heard anything back yet.

Has anyone else ordered from him recently, or been able to contact him?

[Peter Blair]

Nope but I know he frequents this group so I would guess he will see your post. Best of luck and incidentally I love my Robo Rest!

[Melvin Feng]

That's what I'm hoping for, that way I can get some information. I had been doing a good amount of research, and was really looking forward to using the tool rest, but the lack of communication has me worried now.

[Frederick Skelly]

The man has a solid reputation. You've gotten an order confirmation. Don't fret - he'll take care of you. Sometimes very small businesses are slower.
Fred

[Randy Heinemann]

I've never read or heard anything negative about him. From my contacts with him online, through an order I placed, and via his videos, he's very professional and seems to be someone who loves giving back to woodturning. So, don't worry.

[Melvin Feng]

That was my impression of him through everything I've seen online, and one reason I was willing to purchase from him in the first place.

I will say that communication is critical though, and that is really all I'm looking for right now, as every attempt I've made has gone without a reply. It makes me wonder if he's ok, as that would help to explain the silence so far.

[Timothy Thorpe Allen]

I am curious what kind of communication you seek beyond the confirmation of receipt of your order? Shipment notification when the item ships would be nice, of course, but beyond that?

[Kyle Iwamoto]

Seeing the USPS "problems" in the news, my guess is that it's stuck in a box in a post office somewhere. My son ordered a knife kit and that got delivered a week after they said it should arrive.

Post a review after you get it. I've been wanting one, but the Wolverine platform seems to do the trick for me so far.

[Melvin Feng]

If it had shipped by Wednesday, I would've been fine with it as is, but considering I haven't heard a peep yet, and no notification of shipping, it is nearly a week with no information.

In general, I don't find that acceptable, especially comparing to ordering from other companies, small business included.

In fact, most of my experience with other small businesses they reach out proactively to make sure the customer has a great experience, or they ship by the next business day with a notification. I have already reached out 3 separate times with no response, and it has been nearly a week. This is also why I am wondering if he is ok - if he were sick or had an accident, that would explain everything.

[Melvin Feng]

For me, right now it is just communication. I believe that if he had actually shipped it out, I would have received a notification, either from him, or from USPS (I am signed up for notifications anytime anything is shipped to me).

I have been using the wolverine platform for a while, and I have setup gauges with it, but I was looking for something simpler and easily repeatable. I like the design from what I've seen, and most people seem satisfied. I'll definitely update this thread with my impression if/when I receive it! I'll compare it with the setup gauges that I have to see how close the markings are.

[Frederick Skelly]

For me, right now it is just communication. I believe that if he had actually shipped it out, I would have received a notification, either from him, or from USPS (I am signed up for notifications anytime anything is shipped to me).

I have been using the wolverine platform for a while, and I have setup gauges with it, but I was looking for something simpler and easily repeatable. I like the design from what I've seen, and most people seem satisfied. I'll definitely update this thread with my impression if/when I receive it! I'll compare it with the setup gauges that I have to see how close the markings are.

Melvin, I hear ya. I really do. I'm a demanding customer too. All I can tell you is that the BEST customer service I've ever seen comes from Lee Valley in Ottawa. And even they are having a tough time keeping up. LINK (https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/aboutus/covid-19-update) LV is a far different sized business. But I'd be mighty surprised if Robohippy is doing better or faster, when even LV can't.

Give him a chance to catch up. These are tough times for very small business.

Fred

[Melvin Feng]

Melvin, I hear ya. I really do. I'm a demanding customer too. All I can tell you is that the BEST customer service I've ever seen comes from Lee Valley in Ottawa. And even they are having a tough time keeping up. LINK (https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/aboutus/covid-19-update) LV is a far different sized business. But I'd be mighty surprised if Robohippy is doing better or faster, when even LV can't.

Give him a chance to catch up. These are tough times for very small business.

Fred
Oh, I completely understand these are tough times. I do have minimum expectations for at least simple email communication though - emails can be sent while working from home, and it could be as simple as to say that things are backed up, but to expect shipping or another update by a certain time. I have had some great experiences during this time (I also bought some D-Way tools and CBN wheels and supplies from woodturners wonders, and they shipped the next day with great communication), and I have also had some really poor experiences (I bought a second banjo directly from Laguna, and they are world renowned for their poor customer service, which I experienced. I also have had to deal with Full Spectrum for a laser cutter, and they are pretty horrible all around for customer service).

I did just receive an email back from Reed. He did say he sent it out yesterday, but doesn't have the tracking numbers (I also haven't received any notifications yet, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt). He said that I should receive it tomorrow, but I do know that shipping can be a bit slow right now as well. This was the kind of update I was looking for, a simple statement of the current circumstance. I generally don't mind reasonable delays as long as they are communicated well; this is one reason why I waited before even contacting him, and then waited again before starting this thread, to give him the opportunity to communicate with me.

I hope my next update is receipt of the robo rest, and then an update on my experiences with it. I really am looking forward to having this to simplify sharpening my lathe tools.

edit - I believe I located the tracking number through my USPS dashboard (I had to check the area code location from the website phone number to cross check the tracking origin location). It does look to be on schedule to be delivered tomorrow!

[tom lucas]

I have his rest made for the wolverine system. It's well made, but has some play to it so that the indexing pin can work. because of the play, I don't use mine. Would sell if someone wanted it. I use my wolverine rest and a wixey to set the angle.

[Thomas Wilson80]

I have his rest made for the wolverine system. It's well made, but has some play to it so that the indexing pin can work. because of the play, I don't use mine. Would sell if someone wanted it. I use my wolverine rest and a wixey to set the angle.
Have you tried bending the indexing pin slightly? He recommends that on his video and whereas at first mine had a little play and the pin kept vibrating out, once I bent it slightly it works flawlessly.
tom

[tom lucas]

Have you tried bending the indexing pin slightly? He recommends that on his video and whereas at first mine had a little play and the pin kept vibrating out, once I bent it slightly it works flawlessly.
tom

I haven't tried that. I'll keep it in mind. I now have a process that works for me. So, I'll likely not use it unless I get another grinder where I can leave it set for burr-raising.

[Reed Gray]

Well, I am some one who belongs in the back room inventing, and not trying to run a business.... I need to get it up on my web site that I ship on the weekends, rather than as soon as an order comes in. Actually I want to retire from it as it is cutting into my play time... Not a good excuse, but the best I have.

As for the loose pin, I guess that could be solved if we could find narrow gauge hinges that were precision made. They only make those in bigger sizes, and those would not work on my platform. A slight bend can help make it tighter. I never noticed it. A little tool pressure on the back/away side of the platform fixes that. You want a light hand on the tool, just like you do when turning.

Tom, if you are unhappy with it, send me your address and I will send a check for a refund. Donate the rest to the club for a benefit auction thing.

robo hippy

[tom lucas]

Tom, if you are unhappy with it, send me your address and I will send a check for a refund. Donate the rest to the club for a benefit auction thing.

robo hippy

Reed, thanks for the offer. It wouldn't be right though. I'm not unhappy with it really. I understand the limitations of mechanical things and know it's about as good as it could be for the price. Mostly, I've just found a different way up to this point. I have plans for it someday when I get a second grinder, to use it for scrapers and such that need a burr raised. Those that think it's what you need, don't let me dissuade you. It is a quality product.

[Melvin Feng]

The robo rest arrived today, it looks good! I'll need to test it out tonight to check the angles, and then after I've had some time using it, I'll update this thread on my experience.

[Timothy Thorpe Allen]

...Actually I want to retire from it ...

Uh oh! Guess I better get my order in for a RoboRest Inside Bowl Rest 7.5-16 sooner rather than later!

I have had the RoboRest OW grinder rest since about the new year, and like it a lot. Note that it's primary purpose is repeatability, not necessarily angular accuracy....

[Melvin Feng]

I think it would be great to have that note on your website, it definitely would have helped me in understanding expectations. I do look forward to seeing how I can use this to increase my consistency and efficiency when sharpening.

[Reed Gray]

I think a couple of times people have used a pin that is 5/64ths rather than the 1/8 inch pin that I use. I don't use one because it may require some force to push it all the way through. Some times one wing is spot on for the pin to slide through, but not the other, and you may have to twist the other side a bit to get it through. With the 1/8 inch pin, it always fits.

robo hippy

[Don Stephan]

As far as testing angles, I wouldn't notice if a gouge was sharpened to 38, 40, or 42 degrees. The surface of the wood is never at the exact same angle to the lathe axis, so there is always the need for minor back and forth to pick up a shaving. For budgetary reasons I'm still using Norton stones which wear over time, so my angles are always changing over time anyway.

When turning some bowls, I am switching back and forth among a 40 deg bowl gouge, a 45 deg bowl gouge, a 50 bowl gouge (I-m trying to wear out so I can justify tossing it), and two or three scrapers. I don't hesitate to touch up the edge on any of these because I can change the platform angle on the Robo Rest so quickly and get back to the blank. The result is I am much more likely to sharpen all of the tools when needed, not just between bowls.

[Melvin Feng]

I did check the angles, one reason is the note he has on the website that the 45 degree marking is actually closer to 40 degrees. This holds true for my tests, at 90 to 60ish, it was pretty spot on, but as he said on the website, the 45 is right around 40, and it stays about 5 degrees less than the marked angle.

This actually works out well enough for me since the D-Way negative rake scraper is ground to 20 degrees for the top bevel, and I was originally worried I'd have to add a platform to get this angle (the lowest preset is 25), but I actually matched this angle with one of the presets on the robo rest.

There is definitely some play in the rest, so my plan is to always push down on the back of the rest and keep it like that for all angles.

[Reed Gray]

I did notice, a long time ago, there is a big difference in how the bowl gouge works if I am doing an actual 35/40 grind and the 40/40 grind. This was when I thought my 40 degree setting was actually 40. Just didn't like that setting and went with the 45/40 because I liked the way it cut better. Probably no real difference if you are off by a degree or two.

robo hippy

[Randy Heinemann]

I guess you always have the option of attempting to cancel your order if you need the rest ASAP. I'm sure there are many good toolrests available from other vendors.

[Jay Mullins]

I've had a robo rest for a couple of years and love it. The pin does vibrate out and the solution I came up with is to use a paper clamp on it, solved the problem and works fine.

Jay Mullins

[Reed Gray]

Can't remember if I said this in the video or not, but Dave Schweitzer, former owner of D Way said that his pin vibrated out if he put it in from one side, but not from the other. Putting a slight bend in the pin does the same thing.

robo hippy

[Tom Yip]

Just saw this thread and I'm interested to get one of that, but the website seems to be expired. Is there a way I can get still get the tool rest or something similar to that? I know SB tool made that but they are also out of business.

[Reed Gray]

Oh, guess I didn't respond properly to this. I am not making them any more, either the bowl rest or the grinder platform. They will be made by some one else, but I can't say who, at least not yet. The bowl rests are supposed to be out again this fall, and the grinder platform early next year. I will let you all know. I want more play time...

robo hippy

[Allen Mattsen]

Oh, guess I didn't respond properly to this. I am not making them any more, either the bowl rest or the grinder platform. They will be made by some one else, but I can't say who, at least not yet. The bowl rests are supposed to be out again this fall, and the grinder platform early next year. I will let you all know. I want more play time...

robo hippy

Looking forward to bother of these releases. Especially the grinder platform!

[Peter Blair]

Thanks for this Reed. I make a small part for a large carving group and it sure cuts into my play time!!

[Perry Hilbert Jr]

Wow. My daughter has an on-line business and went away for three days for a long holiday weekend at an off grid cabin in remote West VA. and came back to all kinds of crappy comments from one potential customer who was upset that she didn't get a response to a question within 48 hours and the auction had another 11 days to go. Over a holiday weekend yet. Sheesh. People have things that happen. A day off, sickness, out of town weddings, vacation, death in the family, calm down, have a beer Hippy has an excellent reputation.

[Steve Hougham]

Will be waiting patiently for the next gen of the Robo Rest, if or when they come out.

[Tom Yip]

I am interested to buy one or two. Where can I find them? The grinder tool rest used by Stuart Betty (SB Tools) is great too but that’s also out of stock :(

[Reed Gray]

I sent an e mail to the person who said they were going to make them, yesterday. My hope is that they will be at the AAW Symposium this year, but haven't heard back yet. I still get requests for both the bowl rests and the platform.

robo hippy

[Don Stephan]

I can't imagine not having and using a Robo Rest. I sharpen at different angles for spindle and some bowl gouges; different angle for different bowl gouges; skew; scrapers; and I can change the platform angle in seconds so I sharpen more often than I would if I had to use a set up guage to adjust the platform every time.

[Kevin Jenness]

I love mine. I use it on a 6" grinder which throws off the calibration, so I have a strip of blue tape on the housing with the a list of angles and corresponding settings.

[Jen Joy]

Any updates on production release for the tool rest?

[Peter Blair]

I guess I was lucky to get mine when I did. I really am lazy and love it cause I set it so quickly without tools!