+1

Crooked is Crooked. There's no excuse for that and it is unacceptable. If they are manually stamping the Sys with a pad then they should have made a jig that places the stamper at the same location each and every time to take the human error out of it. A little bit up or down probably wouldn't be an issue for me.
Maybe it's just me but if I have to do anything 300 times over to get 1 job done, I'm making some sort of jig to ensure consistent quality.
The fact that they didn't stamp a prototype of each size to make sure all was right is a poor sign. Someone dropped the ball and they should be willing to take the hit for it. I'm also a little concerned about what 'wipe' means. I'm guessing wiping the paint off the front of the Sys. Have to wonder what chemical was used to get that paint off and if it discolored the Sys face.
Whatever the situation Peter don't beat yourself up too much. I know I would be beating myself up even though it sounds like you did everything you could. You promised to deliver the goods and now someone else is screwing the deal. Hmm ... sounds like more than one job I've been on over the years. I bet every contractor here knows exactly how you feel. Whether the printer is a real pro or not I don't know. It does however seem like he may not have taken the job seriously enough. Maybe you should give him a couple of website addresses of Fogger's who make stuff. Ask him if he thinks guys who make that type of furniture or humidor are going to be Ok with his work quality.
Don't sweat it, just have those Fogtainers in the mail to us by Monday. 

In response to those who have posted to date:

I have beaten myself to death and beyond over this.  Not just about anything that I could have possibly done wrong - which I can't see, but also because this his been a ground breaking and benchmark setting project and I have / had plans to expand it to other areas.

Waiting and Waiting - I posted that the shipments would be in November.  Today is November 6.  I still have time.  Darcy, you said that you beat yours to death anyway and that is why you weren't going to order.

The chemical to remove the ink is a propriety  product that cleans plastic.  After examining the products and returning home I googled and called the ink manufacturer.  Their offices were closed.  I called them the next day before business hours and got hold of a technical guy.  We went thru the whole problem, and he recommended a product and gave me other details.  I did not supply those to the vendor.  That vendor is the "expert" and I would not make any suggestions for legal reasons.  If I suggested a product and that then ruined $4000 plus of systainers, then I would not have a case, if it would come to that.  The vendor ended up using that product on his own.

The whole concept of having the logo printed in one place referenced off the bottom of the cases was to allow for a jig or positioning device to be developed and used to print all the sizes without multiple setup charges and additional costs to you.  Like you, I have no idea what was so difficult with this.  This was not rocket science in my mind.  The prototype was printed without problems after all.

I assure all of you that I have and continue to lose sleep over this.  I worry about the fact that members will feel that I am being fraudulent.  I worry about the fact that I have embarrassed Festool and this Forum and that I have violated the trust that all the Festool people and you gave me to attempt this project.  I posted earlier that I wanted this project to be a home run versus a single.  I can't stand not to succeed.

I assure you that for all those who are disappointed, I am more so.  Additionally, every hiccup in the process costs me - not from a reward from funds you paid for your Fogtainers - but rather from lost income dealing with this.  That I agreed to do and will do because I believe so strongly in this Forum as a member here and because I believe that this effort has the potential to lay the groundwork for other fabulous other projects.

Edit:  I have tried to keep all of you up to date and be honest with you in this process. I would never dream of doing it otherwise.  If this transaction goes worse, I may not be able to do so in depth due to reasons outside the forum.  I will post that I can not answer, etc. due to reasons outside the forum.

Peter

I'd add my good wishes to Frank's, Peter.

No sweat here. I wouldn't care if it was November 2011.

where did fraudulent come from?

really?

Peter,
          i appreciate ALL the fine work you've done and can honestly say i don't care how the logo appears as long as it is somewhere on the Fogtainer it's O.K with me.

Afterall this is a "special edition- FOGTAINER!!" and any quirks add to the remarkable story of the inception of these units and the fine people how made it possible !!

So take it easy and don't worry about something so insignificant.

Kind Regards
Ossietim

Darcy,

That came from Peters 2nd post yesterday.



Peter,

Some things just take the time it takes, no matter how much we worry & hurry.
Many times the more we hurry & worry, the longer it takes.
You made this project happen, do not let this get you down.   

Pete,

As stated earlier, we aren't worried about getting them soon.  We all knew this would be one heck of an undertaking, and to be part of it is fun enough that the wait makes it even more enjoyable!  (Well, sort of  )  We'll get 'em when we get 'em, and then the Fog board will be lit up with pix galore of how we'll all be using them or plan on using them. 

Stop worrying (easy to say, not so much to do.)

Jon

Peter,
I too, offer all of my trust and support!  No matter how much you worry, you still can't have any control over someone else's actions.  I know exactly how you feel as I have been involved in a somewhat similar situation that with all your best efforts and intentions, other's actions reduce that to less than acceptable. 

Hang in there, you're doing a great job and keeping all of us aware of what is currently going on.  That in itself deserves great kudos.

I would think that the worst case scenario would a FOG sticker. It could still have the l FOG logo and possibly cover up the printers screwed up paint removal...etc. The sticker would need some super adhesive. Would not want it to fall off like the Festool ones do.

Peter,
Thanks for your continued efforts and the updates. As stated by so many already....there's really no big rush. Ain't nobody gonna die if they don't have there FogTainers tomorrow!
Brian

I sure hope no one was planning to put xmas gifts in them. I would cry if someone used a Festool systainer  for a gift and there was no Festool inside it.   

Peter, there is an old proverb that states: "what is worth getting, is worth waiting for."  I think this is engraved on Bridge City Tool's factory wall.     LOL!  You are still ahead of their schedule for JMP v.2s!  They were promised in April and have not yet shipped. 

You are doing a great job with the Fogtainers and I would rather wait a little longer for better quality.   

Peter,

Your real-job customers are exceptionally lucky.  If you put this amount of attention, effort, and personal stress and worry into a *project for fun*, then I can only imagine the level of care and concern you bring to paying jobs on someone’s home.

As a Fogtainer participant / buyer, I’m glad to know someone is shepherding this project with care.  But, I hope no one is losing sleep waiting for our purty boxes. 


We’re really fortunate to have you at the helm of this FOGtainer ship.  Please, take a deep breath, and enjoy the breeze, the smell of the salty air, the rolling ride, and don’t stress on the distance yet to land.