Just Because......

[Birdhunter]

I just ordered the Woodpecker Outline drill guide "just because" I might need it to drill a hole where my drill press won't reach.

I have way too many "just because" tools. Some (too few) I actually do use. Others are dust magnets.

I'm sure no one else buys "just because" tools.

 

[hdv]

For me it is not so much "just because" tools. But I have a similar "problem" with fasteners... [embarassed] I just hate it when I do not have the proper fastener at hand during a project. And so I have a collection of way too many of them. The strangest thing though: I still seem to lack just that fastener.  [tongue]

 

[live4ever]

Guilty as charged.  Want to have the right tool (or fastener!) for the job at hand, and I tend to plan/dream about projects that are years in the future.  Usually the "just because" purchases end up getting used, but sometimes it ends up being years after acquisition.  Fortunately most of the stuff doesn't expire!

 

[ChuckM]

Did you mean Autoline Drill Guide?

Amazon (probably eBay, too) is full of its clones. Are they infringing any patents?

 

[cpw]

Generally, I do try to buy tools for projects as I need them.  When I was first starting out my shop I would actually just buy things because they were on sale knowing that I would eventually use it.  That is how I got my first compressor, router, jointer, planer, and drill press.  I subsequently upgraded everything but the drill press.  However, having some choices in tools to use really is helpful (e.g., the router works better than a table saw in some circumstances and vice versa).

I mostly avoided that over the last few years and would buy tools as I needed them for projects.  Until Festool Recon came along, that is, I have jumped on a few recon deals just because.  Of course, that inevitably results in the purchase of not only the recon tool but the accessories to go with it ...

 

[squall_line]

Did you mean Autoline Drill Guide?

Amazon (probably eBay, too) is full of its clones. Are they infringing any patents?

Those items are usually vaporware; they never ship, or they ship you a piece of junk that looks and functions nothing like the original and they keep your money until you file a complaint.

I would hope that Woodpecker keeps all of their design and CAD work in-house and never lets it out of their sight, other than patent applications.  It's much harder to knock off items overseas if everything is kept here in the states and in-house.

I reported at least a half-dozen scam ads on Facebook last week for knockoff Auto-lines, but I'm sure they're still producing the ads, too.  I've lost patience trying to report all of the scam ads on eBay that just popped up yesterday and today for Festool listings that are over 30% off retail list but claim to be new and authentic.

 

[ChuckM]

Your vaporware remark drew me to look into this product, or rather, the sellers further. Indeed it's all over the place on Amazon and eBay (there's another site Boggo something, but I didn't check that one).

Most state that the product has been available since from the end of May to mid of June. I think the sales (most) will be honored, though the quality aspect is unknown. I say this because I looked at the sellers and some of them have been around for quite some time, and the feedback isn't bad at all. For example, this eBay seller has good track record and is selling the clone:

(1967) - feedback count
Positive Feedback (last 12 months): 98.1%
Member since: 28-Mar-16 in China

My viewpoint is that if the Woodpeckers drill guide is patented, infringement of its patent(s) very likely has happened. I also saw other "Woodpeckers" products (some spelt as "Woodpeeker" (no "s")) on Amazon and eBay, which, judging from the asking prices, cannot be made in the USA.

 

[Mini Me]

This is a very good and unbiased channel reviewing Chinese tools and show a lot of stuff that are WP knock offs.

 

[krudawg]

I just ordered the Woodpecker Outline drill guide "just because" I might need it to drill a hole where my drill press won't reach.

I have way too many "just because" tools. Some (too few) I actually do use. Others are dust magnets.

I'm sure no one else buys "just because" tools.

Join the club my friend - it's a large and friendly group

 

[rmwarren]

My name is Richard and I'm a tools/fastener addict.

Not sure how many times I've decided I needed something for a project found online that I was determined to do someday, only to search for the thing on Amazon and come across the "You purchased this item on [insert date]" header on the page...

Then I needed to figure out where the heck I'd put the [insert item].

RMW

 

[DynaGlide]

At least with Festool if you're smart with your 2nd hand buying you can recoup your investment down the road if you find you really didn't need that 'just because' purchase. In some cases I even made money but every now and then I buy new so i'm sure it all evens out.

My latest 'just because' was that Woodpeckers shelf pin jig that does drawer slides OTT. I took it out, looked it over, and put it on a shelf.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I used to have quite a few things that seemed more useful than they turned out to be, but after losing everything to a fire, I never replaced them. Several years of experience and growth/modification of workflow have changed what I thought of as requirements.
I do still have a few things that I don't use very often, but are very valuable when I do need them.
The TS75 is one of those. I might only use it every couple of months, but it is the best way, when I need it.
Conversely, I use the TS55 every day and would be lost without it, yet never used one before 2 years ago.
This is mostly because of my work, I am prepared for nearly anything, because I don't choose what I build. Sometimes I go a while without using some things, then comes a rush of it, you just never know.

 

[Vtshopdog]

LOL:

I like to invert the process and find a project that justifies purchase of whatever tool or gizmo I lust for......

 

[Crazyraceguy]

LOL:

I like to invert the process and find a project that justifies purchase of whatever tool or gizmo I lust for......

I sort of did that with the first Domino, but less than a week later, the perfect job came along.
Since then, it has become a staple in my workflow.