Bridge City Tools

[upscale]

Well, I've signed myself up at Bridge City Tools for a Jointmaker Pro for when they finally come in. Turns out the next manufacturing run of these amazing tools will probably be the new year. Considering the demand for them, I'm surprised they're not producing them more regularly.

Anyway, I've just bought a Founders Club membership, ordered a pin vise and a KM-1 Kerfmaker. The Jointmaker Pro will have to be a very late Christmas present for myself. Instant gratification Bridge City Tools is not. This is one tool that will have me beside myself until it's in my grubby hands.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

I want to buy one just to make that squiggly wood.

 

[upscale]

I want to buy one just to make that squiggly wood.

I understand that you can buy it under the name of wiggle wood. At least, that's what the instructor called it when I took a seminar at Lee Valley Tools about a year ago.

As far as the Jointmaker Pro goes, I build a significant portion of my products on a workbench in my living room. That biggest problem with that is and always has been the dust. The minimal dust made by the JMP will go a long way to attenuating that dust. The minimal noise made by the JMP will also be a boon for when I get those flashes of a woodworking solution in the middle of the night and want to work on it immediately. 

 

[PaulMarcel]

If you ordered already, you might get a nice surprise in early October.  The current run is finishing anodization and getting shipping last week of September. Once all of those go out, any cancelations or over-runs go to those who pre-paid for one then goes to those on the waiting list.

If it is any consolation to having to wait, I ordered mine February 14th and will get it first week of October.  In your case it is just another run of the JMP2 whereas for me it was for their first so some details were still being finalized after I ordered.

You'll like the KM-1 and PV-2.  You'll also forget the wait whenever you finally get what you ordered

 

[upscale]

If you ordered already, you might get a nice surprise in early October.  The current run is finishing anodization and getting shipping last week of September. Once all of those go out, any cancelations or over-runs go to those who pre-paid for one then goes to those on the waiting list.

It would be real nice to get the JMP earlier than expected. I've been in touch with one of their customer service agents. I was all prepared to put down a sizable deposit in the hopes that it might expedite an order for me. I was told that all they could do was notify me when the next production run was ready with the proviso that it would probably be the new year when they're available. Hope that's just a worst case scenario.

My only other concern will be delivery to Toronto, Canada. USPS, FedEX and UPS are the only options with the condition that USPS deliveries are not insurable, and Bridge City would not be responsible for any damaged or lost orders. Essentially, that leaves me with FedEx or UPS and it's guaranteed that they will hit me up with outlandish brokerage charges.

One question Paul, have even though you haven't received your order yet, have you looked at or considered the JM-P upgrade kit?
http://www.bridgecitytools.com/Products/Jointmaker+/JM-P+Jointmaker+Upgrade+Kit

 

[NuggyBuggy]

My only other concern will be delivery to Toronto, Canada. USPS, FedEX and UPS are the only options with the condition that USPS deliveries are not insurable, and Bridge City would not be responsible for any damaged or lost orders. Essentially, that leaves me with FedEx or UPS and it's guaranteed that they will hit me up with outlandish brokerage charges.

If shipping by Fedex, brokerage fees depends on what Fedex method you have it shipped by.  Some of their methods already include brokerage in their fees.  Call Fedex to find out which.

If you're willing to drive to Buffalo, you could have it sent to a package holding service.  There are a number right across the border in Niagara Falls.  You ship to the service, they hold it for you, and you pick it up for a very nominal fee.

I've used two companies: cbiusa.com and another one whose name I can't remember.  I think I liked CBI because they'd hold a package for me indefinitely with no extra charges.  I think they charged $5-$8 for a normal size package, a little more for oversize.  They also have a nice area where you can cut into your packages and make sure everything is there.

I've had lots of stuff sent there (e.g. expensive photography gear, my Oneida cyclone) by companies and Ebayers who either won't ship to Canada via USPS (sticking me with brokerage fees) or can't do so economically.

Having said all that, I'm not sure the brokerage on a big-ticket item like this one is much more than it would be for a small one.  It might be less than $100.

 

[mouppe]

One little thing I learned recently about UPS is that a significant proportion of the brokerage and handling charge is cut if you pick it up from their local depot, and the package is not delivered to your home or office.

You can't get round the customs duties but maybe bridge city could understate the item's value so the calculation is on a lower amount.

 

[upscale]

One little thing I learned recently about UPS is that a significant proportion of the brokerage and handling charge is cut if you pick it up from their local depot.

Thanks, I'll check that out. And to NuggyBuggy, I'll look into cbusa.com. It could well do as a backup solution.

You can't get round the customs duties but maybe bridge city could understate the item's value so the calculation is on a lower amount.

Somehow, I doubt that, but it can't hurt to ask. 

 

[MarkF]

Here's a barebones DIY alternative if you want to keep the blade at 90 degrees and use bevel blocks for angles:

http://www.youtube.com/PeteHowlett#p/u/2/nOW_pP3b8iI

http://www.youtube.com/PeteHowlett#p/u/1/m44jBZeS1QM

Find some linear bearings and bits and pieces.  No wait, duties, fees, club membership, etc.   Resale value is probably nowhere as good as BCTW however.

 

[PaulMarcel]

It would be real nice to get the JMP earlier than expected. I've been in touch with one of their customer service agents. I was all prepared to put down a sizable deposit in the hopes that it might expedite an order for me. I was told that all they could do was notify me when the next production run was ready with the proviso that it would probably be the new year when they're available. Hope that's just a worst case scenario.

Oh, so they didn't let you pay the deposit yet?  Then you might want to call Natasha back and see if you can get on the waiting list.  I was on it for the CT-16 very very late in the process and got it as well as the separate drill bit kit.  They always make more than are preordered in case of blems or other issues and there's always somebody who bails out later.  Worth giving her a call.

One question Paul, have even though you haven't received your order yet, have you looked at or considered the JM-P upgrade kit?
http://www.bridgecitytools.com/Products/Jointmaker+/JM-P+Jointmaker+Upgrade+Kit

No, I never considered the JMP upgrade kit because it is intended to upgrade the v1 if i'm not mistaken.  Since I don't have the JMPv1, the upgrade kit is worthless to me.  

Only other thing I'll add is that if you plan on leaving it setup, you might consider their stand.  It holds it very steady as most stands will start swaying with the repeating motion.  In my case, I'll be leaving it aside (well, that I know of ) and plan an angled stand that will fit the MFT dog holes.  Obviously you could order the stand another time and likely they have some from previous runs.

You can order the JMPv2 pre-assembled for a cost.  I wouldn't cuz it's smarter to know how it went together for the sake of calibration and adjustments.  That said, I'm told it can take 4 hours to assemble.  I'm sure half that time is admiring it

If you ordered and got a KM-1, you're lucky as they just sold out today.  Next production run is soon, though, from what I understand because they are starting a production run of the new TM-1 (Tenon Maker).  It'll be up for orders this week

Festool is a slippery slope, but BCTW can be a slippery slope with two 25kg concrete bricks attached to your feet.

So someone posted while I was typing.  About the BCTW resale; you can often get retail plus on resale since if you put a JMPv2 on sale when they are between production runs, someone will pay.  I never see an eBay auction for BCTW go for anywhere less than 10% off retail (and as a founder's member, you get it at 10% off)

 

[junk731]

I had a digital phase converter shipped from Phase Perfect in South Dakota to Erin, Ontario. The unit cost 2875.00 USD, the package weighed approx. 115 lbs and cost to ship was $185.00 which included transport and border clearance. The border clearance was a flat rate of 90.00 upto 3000.00. They used Fedex Freight. No muss or fuss, nice people to help you. No trips across to Buffalo. You have to figure out how much your time is worth whether your a hobbiest or not.

John

 

[upscale]

Oh, so they didn't let you pay the deposit yet?  Then you might want to call Natasha back and see if you can get on the waiting list. Worth giving her a call.

I've already asked her to put me on the waiting list. As well, after my online purchase of the Founders membership, I checked the box for availability notification of the JM-P.

No, I never considered the JMP upgrade kit because it is intended to upgrade the v1 if I'm not mistaken.  Since I don't have the JMPv1, the upgrade kit is worthless to me.  

Yes, my mistake.

Only other thing I'll add is that if you plan on leaving it setup, you might consider their stand.

It will have to reside on the workbench until I get around to building a lowered stand for it. Perhaps a rolling stand that I can butt up against a wall might suffice and then I could roll it underneath the workbench when it's not in use. I use a wheelchair so from my sitting position, I'll need something suitable for working from a sitting height.

You can order the JMPv2 pre-assembled for a cost.  I wouldn't cuz it's smarter to know how it went together for the sake of calibration and adjustments.  That said, I'm told it can take 4 hours to assemble.  I'm sure half that time is admiring it

Hey, the approximate $300 surcharge is an awful lot of beer. Under those conditions, I'll be happy to put it together myself. Doing that will also educate me on adjusting and repairing the JM-P when and if necessary.  

If you ordered and got a KM-1, you're lucky as they just sold out today.  Next production run is soon, though, from what I understand because they are starting a production run of the new TM-1 (Tenon Maker).  It'll be up for orders this week

I placed my online order yesterday, so I'll just have to wait and see.

 

[nclemmons]

I have one of the original JMPs and love it for its accuracy.  It was a year of waiting.  Like so many BCTW tools it will make you smile when you use it and will likely motivate you to push your work.

I don't have e stand due to space considerations but the weight of the saw makes it easy to setup and take down when you are not using it.  It is excellent for silent woodworking.

It's worth the wait on their tools.  I've been playing the waiting game for their 25 year history and John and company have yet to disappoint.

Neil

 

[upscale]

It's worth the wait on their tools.  I've been playing the waiting game for their 25 year history and John and company have yet to disappoint. Neil

It makes me wonder in a way, why BCT hasn't ramped up production to fill their orders faster. I mean, it would be more profitable right? I can surmise that they're more concerned with quality and happy customers than they are with making unlimited amounts of money. And if that's so, it's an example of integrity that is seldom seen. The only other example of a company that I know of that operates similarly, is Lee Valley Tools with their outstanding customer service policy.

 

[nclemmons]

Both are excellent companies.

If you are not aware of some of the history of BCT, at one time John went public to raise funds.  Then realized he no longer had control of his destiny.

BCT used to hold inventory and actually did some of their own manufacturing but I have heard John talk about getting caught in an earlier recession and how it almost did him in with carrying costs in a fickle economy.  So he reworked his business model and went upscale with limited production runs.  Quality is paramount.  But so was survival I think.

I think he has also seen a broad base of contract manufacturers and with today's CAD can focus on design and outsource the rest to competitive bids.  I believe the company is maybe three to four people, so low overhead with little financial exposure but a chance to design unique tools.

Neil

 

 

[joraft]

If it is any consolation to having to wait, I ordered mine February 14th and will get it first week of October. 

I've got you beat, Paul, I ordered mine at last year's WIA show, and won't get it until after the upcoming show.  [smile]

Another good reason not to miss the show, a chance to hang out with John Economaki and Michael Berg, plus dozens of other fine tool makers: