Bridge City Tools - CT-17 Double Angle Block Plane!

Looks like a Terminator embryo. Very cool but does anyone who actually works for a living use these tools. I must be the wrong demographic. I've been to their website. Great stuff. Even for some of the high end work I do, I can't justify the cost of their tools. This plane alone is $900-1000.
Can you imagine a tool like that walking from a job? Or a laborer grabbing one of their tools to do X and treating it like a regular tool.
Their tools are clearly beautiful art but I can't imagine them on a jobsite.
 
That would look nice in a museum, for the money I'd rather buy multiple Lie Nielsen or Veritas planes.
 
It sure seems if these tools were meant to be anything more than something pretty to sit
on a shelf there would be more than a limited number made.  I'm sure there
are a few folks who buy and use them as long as they have a velvet covered
work bench.
 
Never seen Bridge City tools before!  But man all their tools looks awesome  like Festool n Mafel  but in hand tools.  I feel tempted to buy something just so I own a bridge city tool.  Cus every one site are like never seen festool till they met me they always say all my boxes look like picnic boxes and that I am going fishing when I have my guide rails on my back! So they be like never seen that terminator tool before ill be like its bridge city tool mate.!
 
I understand the feeling to buy something from Bridge City Tools just so that you can say that you did.  I remember BUYING their tool catalogs in a book store in the mid 1980's and dreaming that one day I would own one tool.  Last year I saw the KM-1 and drooled.  I bought one.  I admit that I haven't used it yet, but I have bought it to use. 

I watched the videos of the DJ-1 and thought about what I could envision it being used for in my world.  I couldn't order it last fall and thought all was lost.  I received recently an email that they had some extras from the batch made from the orders last fall.  I reminded  the LOL and I ordered it.  I also ordered the 4 inch triangular square.

I have used the square. - Nothing else - YET.

Using their tools - just like Festool - is a special experience.  Some people get spoiled or used to it.

Quality costs money. 

Peter
 
Peter Halle said:
I understand the feeling to buy something from Bridge City Tools just so that you can say that you did.
Click to expand...

I don't. I have nothing with jewelry.

Peter Halle said:
Quality costs money. 
Click to expand...

I sincerely doubt this plane costs so much just because of the quality. Even a plane of exceptional quality simply doesn't need to cost 859 bucks.

I think it is pretty obvious this CT-17 is primarily meant to be a collector's item.
 
I have quite a few BCTW tools.  They are amazing quality.  I use them and find them to be extremely well made.  Some I've had for 20 years.  I've sent some back to BCTW for repair or resquare after they were knocked around, and they fix them for $5.   John's company is small, but they have awesome customer service.

For studio-quality work, they are a strong consideration in my view.  For job-site construction, I wouldn't recommend them because they will 'walk' and like any tool, they can be abused.  My dad used to talk about 'lendin' tools.  Bridge City is not in that category.

John's an amazing tool designer.  And a great guy.  He's an accomplished furniture designer.  He doesn't do mass market tools.  Most orders with him take months to receive.  He offers payment plans for those that choose that option.   His business model is very different from Lie Nielsen or Lee Valley.  I have their tools as well.

John targets a more hand-crafted few-of-a-kind part of the market.

John's tools are not for everyone.  But they do inspire you to do great work.

I would encourage you to check out his recently released kerfmaker on his website or in youtube videos.  Pretty slick way of cutting extremely accurate half lap joints - I use one with my Kapex all the time.  

Like anything, I could buy cheaper than Festool, but usually choose not to.   BCTW is an uptick, but every time you use one, you'll be smiling.

neil
 
wnagle said:
Alex,

Maybe you could make them cheaper and sell them for less.
Click to expand...

I could, but why? That's not my trade, even if you somehow try to put some blame here into my shoes with your reflective remark. It is no secret though that others have done it. We all know there are some excellent planes out there made by very respected companies for far less money than this CT 17.
 
Let me tell you, there are also cell phones on the market for 100,000 dollar or more. Are they exceptionally good compared to the normal cell phones? No, the price difference is made by encrusting these cell phones with diamonds and a hull made out of gold and platinum. 

It is not that this phone all of a sudden is much better than others because it is more expensive, it is only more expensive because it as aimed at another audience. An audience that is willing to put money into properties like design or the ability to make the neighbours jealous and not necessarily function on it's own.

I find your remark a bit below the belt, wnagle. If people want to drool over this plane, fine by me, but please realise it's not so "drool worthy" simply because it is so excellent in functionality but because it is a special design that simply looks cool. The simple fact of me pointing that out doesn't mean I have to go built them myself all of a sudden.

 
Alex,

No below the belt hit intended.  While I agree you can get a great block plane that cuts as well for a lot less money.  I don't believe it could be designed and made as the CT-17 for a lot less money.  The design, and machine work and all the machinery that goes into making THIS small production run are a good part of the reason this plane is plane is so expensive.  I don't think it is overpriced when you consider all that goes into making it.

Many people who can afford it may buy it for use or as a collector.  I myself like to purchase BCT tools that have a really unique function like the JMP  the DJ-1, CT-1 or KM-1.  These tools have a function that is more difficult to duplicate in my opinion.  They were expensive too but are a value to me in the way I use them.

As for the CT-17 I think it is a good value considering it's design and very different than anything else in many ways but not necessarily a good value for my use either.  I'm sure BCT is making a profit but It is a costly build in my opinion.  That said, I don't think it's for me and my purpose so I don't plan on ordering it.  I'll continue making "see through" shavings with my Lie-Nielsens.

Again, no below the belt hit was intended.  Maybe it felt that way because of the jab you made towards BCT and their new expensive plane.

Relax... just pokin a little fun at you... [poke]

 
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