"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
“If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.”
I would never spend this kind of money but thought the Joint Maker Pro is kinda a neat tool.
http://www.bridgecitytools.com/defau...maker-pro.html
I got to see a demo in person at the Popular Woodworking Shop (I think) a few years back.
I often wondered why they did not make things more affordable. But like one of the other post said above, It seems to be a business model that works.
"Remember back in the day, when things were made by hand, and people took pride in their work?"
- Rick Dale
Doing small production runs, I don't see how the price on the JointMaker Pro could be (profitably) reduced --- certainly all the predictions of Harbor Freight and the like making a cheap knock-off never came to pass.
John started out probably 25-30 years ago, making very high quality basic tools for woodworkers. Back then, I was a fan of most of his stuff, even though I couldn't afford most of it.
Then, somewhere in the 90's, he took an abrupt left turn to "ridiculousville", and he has been there ever since.
He has learned probably that the people who know what quality tools are, also know how to find, evaluate, and restore the quality vintage tools.
Therefore, he had to develop a market, and he went to the "it's insanely overpriced, and just about totally useless for real work, therefore I must have it, because I don't know what else to do with all my disposable income" segment of the market.
Apparently it is working, he is still at it.
Too bad, because some of his early stuff was beautiful AND useful. What a waste.
Expensive gimmicky , and worthless.
Not my cup of tea, but given the amount I've spent equipping my shop compared to the output, I'm not going to nay-say either BCT or any of their customers. I'd suggest that professional woodworkers take the same approach, lest YOUR customers see how dismissive you are on "frivolous" spending.
It came to pass...
"Curiosity is the ultimate power tool." - Roy Underhill
The road IS the destination.
My understanding is that there was a serious health issue which resulted in the move away from traditional tools using rosewood and tropical woods.
http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/jo...gner-of-tools/
I'd love to have one of the early tools to use, but for now, am very glad that the small aluminum block plane included w/ my Chopstick Master was so affordable.
This makes me want the Chopstick Master.