Bridge City Center Scribe - Useful? Opinions?

[peter halle]

I had the pleasure of spending time with Chris Wong last weekend at Festool Connect.  Chris is a big Bridge City Tool user.  I have always loved the quality and ingenuity and integrity of Bridge City Tools and have some of their products.  I have to admit that my most expensive purchase was their DJ-1 drilling set and then the complete accessory kit.  Honestly I haven't used it much because it is so darn beautiful that I am torn between using it and building a display case for it.

So after I came home I was going over thoughts and conversations from the weekend and I went to website.  I saw the Center Scribe, which is similar in operations to my DJ-1.  I see that it costs $229 and is one of their tools that is in stock. 

Anyone have one?  Opinion on pros and cons?

Peter

 

[nclemmons]

I have the updated version in aluminum, with the optional mortise marking attachment.  Also have the original version in brass and rosewood. 

It's the most accurate way I've found of finding the absolute center of a dowel or a piece of wood.  I've made a couple of projects where I wanted a stepped dowel and it was easy to center a 1/4" dowel rod in the middle of a 1 1/2" dowel piece, for example.  Think children's toys and wheels for example.  Or a 3/4" walnut slice of dowel on a 1/8" shaft for a steering wheel.

I actually use it a fair amount for finding the center of pieces for turning on the lathe, and for occasionally measuring the center of a board edge for placing dominos.  If you do ANY half-laps, it's great for finding that center quickly and easily before cutting. 

You can replicate what it does with other tools, for sure.  Just takes more time and fiddling to get the same accuracy.

neil

 

[peter halle]

Thanks [member=167]neilc[/member] !

I didn't realize that there were two different versions.

I don't remember if I said this before; saw your name on the list and missed seeing you there.

Peter

 

[ChuckM]

Not a user of any high-end Bridge City tools...except I own a straight edge, thanks to any online contest gift from John.

John has indicated that he is pursuing a plan to have his tools produced in China and that (much?) cheaper version of tools will only be made available to customers from outside the US. Here in Canada, we may be able to benefit from that new adventure, assuming John is strict with the standards of those tools manufactured overseas.

 

[promark747]

Is this the same item someone is trying to sell for $275 in the Classified section?

 

[nclemmons]

Peter -

See this page for the earlier version and the current version -

http://www.bridgecitytools.com/default/catalogsearch/result/?q=centerscribe&x=0&y=0

I had planned to be at Connect but a family commitment came up and I had to miss it.  Was really looking forward to seeing a bunch of friends.  From the things I've seen on FOG, it sounds like it was a great weekend yet again.  Next year!

Chuck -

Yes, the Chinese made BCTW tools are available now in Canada.  I believe the same company that John had making his Chopstick Master in China are now producing these new tools - to his exacting standards. 

https://www.northwestpassagetools.com

 

[ChuckM]

Thanks, Neil!  Didn't know the Chinese editions are already available. They are not available to the UK and Germany markets, in addition to the US and China.

 

[ben_r_]

Nice LOOKing tool no doubt. But when I tried I just couldnt justify it.

If I want to find the center of a dowel Ill use my Starrett Center Head (LINK) with one of my Starrett combination square blades.

If I want to find the center of a board Ill use this little cheezy gizmo from Rockler that does it perfectly every time (LINK).

 

[peter halle]

Is this the same item someone is trying to sell for $275 in the Classified section?

I hadn't even noticed that there was one there.  Whereas there are two models out there based on responses in this thread you could always ask him in a PM.  It would seem that the original brass and rosewood would command a higher price like many of the older Bridge City Tools do.

If I decide to buy one I will go for the newer version.  They do the job, they are still tool porn, and are available from the manufacturer.

Peter

 

[ben_r_]

Is this the same item someone is trying to sell for $275 in the Classified section?

I hadn't even noticed that there was one there.  Whereas there are two models out there based on responses in this thread you could always ask him in a PM.  It would seem that the original brass and rosewood would command a higher price like many of the older Bridge City Tools do.

If I decide to buy one I will go for the newer version.  They do the job, they are still tool porn, and are available from the manufacturer.

Peter

The old wooden version of the Centerscribe goes for about $160 or less on eBay. You can look it up and check for Sold listings and see.

 

[ear3]

Same here.  I use the Groz center square for the ends of stock (http://www.groz-tools.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Product&ProductID=44), and the Incra slide rule or woodpeckers saddle square (+ measuring) for setting a center line parallel to the edge.

Being able to do a true center line w/out measuring would be nice, but not $250 nice.

Nice LOOKing tool no doubt. But when I tried I just couldnt justify it.

If I want to find the center of a dowel Ill use my Starrett Center Head (LINK) with one of my Starrett combination square blades.

If I want to find the center of a board Ill use this little cheezy gizmo from Rockler that does it perfectly every time (LINK).

 

[Cheese]

If I want to find the center of a dowel I'll use my Starrett Center Head with one of my Starrett combination square blades.

Bingo...+1

 

[ChuckM]

Woodturners use this to find the centre of a dowel:
http://www.busybeetools.com/products/center-finder-woodworking.html