McFeely screw assortment in Systainer 1

[Ron Pegram]

Ron

Any news on the Spax screws?
Also what is your version of them again?

Cheers

Paul

Hey Paul,

The #8 screws in the 1300-FRL assortments are similar to SPAX in that they have a serrated thread. I'm pretty hopeful about McFeely's actually offering SPAX screws in the near future as we've started the process of setting up a relationship. I'll have more news on that in the weeks to come but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Ron Pegram]

My first set is on order.  I went with the Kreg/Sortainer set and some DTS400 paper as i couldn't quite justify adding the 1300 piece/Sortainer too.  Looks like a great deal though.  It's on the list.  I hope this isn't a limited time offer.

Ron, would you mind sharing how these sets are received?  I'm curious as to the buying power of this group.  And please keep us informed of the Spax partnership.

Thanks!

Hey Brad,

Here's a good summary of how this offer did this weekend. We sold about 50% of the number of assortments that we did when we rolled the initial email out a few weeks ago. Granted, it's not apples to apples because this latest round had a lot more choices of assortments but our emails typically go out to a very wide audience. Doing almost 50% of that business from a single thread here is very impressive. I don't think there is another Internet forum that consistently shows the buying power of the FOG.

I'll send out the general email for these on Wednesday of this week so it'll be interesting to see if the general email response beats the FOG. Any bets? I wouldn't bet against the FOG taking this one to be honest. You all still have a few days and I've talked to quite a few people so I wouldn't be surprised at that at all.

As for the life of this program, I'll keep it going for some time to come and I'll continue to review this thread for more options for this program going forward. If we get into a situation in which we have to raise prices, I'll let you all know in advance but, for now, the program is a keeper at the current prices.

 

[Steveo48]

....Not knocking McFeeleys, (theirs is a great idea) but for my small shop/small time of use/small assortment of odd items needed, I don't see a wide assortment of anything as being of value to me.  I try to keep those small items to a minimum and try to design to make use of a very narrow range of such things as bits, screws, bolts and such.  Many odd screws i will pick up exactly what I need so i don't become overloaded with never to be used items that i never can find the next time I need .   Doesn't always work, but that's the way i am trying to cut down on clutter. 

Now, if McF would come up with a proposal where I could pick and chose what screws i want>>>>>>>> :
Tinker

Yes, too many different screws for me, but a good idea and a very alert retailer.

 

[Daviddubya]

...Now, if McF would come up with a proposal where I could pick and chose what screws i want>>>>>>>> :

Tinker

That's exactly what I did over the weekend - I did a build-it-yourself assortment.  I looked at the McFeely's screws I already had, added a couple of sizes I did not have, and bought some I was low on.  I then ordered several sizes of washer head screws.  I'll fill up my new Systainer with a wide range of square drive, zinc plated screws and some washer head screws.  I see this as a convenient way to have the screws I need, where I need them, all in one box that stacks onto my Festools.

 

[mntbighker]

I was looking at the McFeely stuff and have been following this thread. They claim they have issues with offering "special" pricing because of the association with Festool. I have a question and a proposal. First, I wonder if they can offer reduced or free shipping, maybe with an FOG promo code? Next I wonder if they will offer "refill" assortments? I priced some stainless pocket hole screws I need and the shipping added 20% to the price. The Festool assortment appears to have a 10% shipping penalty. Of course it looks like I can't even buy stainless pocket hole screws locally (SF bay area) :-(  Is there a particular reason the stainless only comes in 1 1/4 and 2 5/8?

--MM

p.s.

....Not knocking McFeeleys, (theirs is a great idea) but for my small shop/small time of use/small assortment of odd items needed, I don't see a wide assortment of anything as being of value to me.  I try to keep those small items to a minimum and try to design to make use of a very narrow range of such things as bits, screws, bolts and such.  Many odd screws i will pick up exactly what I need so i don't become overloaded with never to be used items that i never can find the next time I need .  Doesn't always work, but that's the way i am trying to cut down on clutter.

I agree with this as well, I will try and limit my range by designing for the hardware I keep on hand as opposed to needing a wide assortment.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Everyone,
This has turned into quite a discussion!  I'm glad to see all the responses, however...

It seems to have evolved into a sales discussion, even though it did not start out that way.  I'm going to move the discussion into the Sales Zone, which will be better for everyone.

Carry on...

Matthew

 

[woodrat]

Does the Festool screw assortment include free shipping on orders over $150.00?

 

[Ron Pegram]

Does the Festool screw assortment include free shipping on orders over $150.00?

Yes it does! I love being able to say 'yes' by the way.

 

[woodrat]

Ron:

What is the difference between McFeely and Kreg pocket hole screws?

Do we have to get the screw drivers too?  I already have quite a few from other assortments?  (Not a big deal if they can not be subtracted; just asking.)

Thanks, Jeff

PS: I love it when you say "Yes" too.

 

[Ron Pegram]

Hey Jeff,

Sorry for the delay in answering. I've been away on vacation but I'm back now (so let the fun begin).

Basically, the two screw lines have a slightly different design. Kreg's pocket hole screws offer a modified round washer head while the McFeely's line (by and large) uses a modified pan head. Kreg's design allows for more bearing area under the head, which is helpful with softer material. Both lines have fine and coarse thread options.

McFeely's has a few more choices when it comes to material (as we have a stainless steel version of a pocket hole screw) and thread types as we have the aforementioned fine and coarse thread as well as our own Pro-Max thread. However, that's not to diminish Kreg's product at all as we like the design and sell both our own and theirs.

If I were to poll my own customers, it wouldn't surprise me if as many people voted in favor of the Kreg pocket hole screw as did the McFeely's. Like a lot of fastener options, different people have preferences for different ones depending on what they do most. If you work with a lot of softer materials, my guess is that the Kreg may be your choice whereas McFeely's has a little more variety for exterior applications or using 2x materials.

They're both good choices. My recommendation: buy both assortments! 

 

[Fred West]

Ron, as you know I just purchased two of the sortainers from McFeely's based upon the FOG thread. One of the issues mentioned on that thread was the buying power of FOG as opposed to the general mailing that went out this Wednesday. Just out of curiosity how do you measure that difference as I received the Wednesday mailing as I would guess we all did. I am also guessing that some of us also purchased off of this mailer not having necessarily followed the FOG thread???? Fred

P.S. I received my two sortainers today and they are magnificent and worth every dollar. Thank you Ron for listening AND responding.

 

[Ron Pegram]

Hey Fred,

I'll have to answer this in as general terms as I can but the FOG buys represented a significant portion of the total.

In other words, I don't mind doing sneek peaks here at all. And thank you folks for telling me what you like and want. I have some stuff coming that I can't wait to announce.

 

[Joemac]

How about an assortment featuring brass screws?

 

[Ned]

I eagerly await the Spax MDF.  They are excellent screws and kind of difficult to find.

I'd like to provide a direct link to the description at http://www.spax.com/usa but their website seems to be more focused on being a multi-media event.  You'll have to get to the page on your own.

Combined with the Confirmat-style fasteners McFeely's already offers, Spax MDF would make a great MDF/melamine assortment.

Ned

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Ditto.  I am a recent Spax convert, and thank those on Fog who recommended them!  (I especially like products that perform as advertised, and Spax screws are among the few that do.)

Dave R.

 

[Joemac]

Hey Fred,

I'll have to answer this in as general terms as I can but the FOG buys represented a significant portion of the total.

In other words, I don't mind doing sneek peaks here at all. And thank you folks for telling me what you like and want. I have some stuff coming that I can't wait to announce.

Ron, it has been over a month since we heard from you.  How about my brass screws in a systainer?  It would sure save me a LOT of 25 mile trips to town!

 

[Ron Pegram]

Sorry for the delay guys. Between vacation, holidays and getting the next wave of catalogs/emails ready, I went into silo mode.

SPAX are coming! I'm investigating a brass screw / systainer option as well. To be realistic, we're probably 4 weeks away from the next big launch. I will definitely let you know.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Thanks, Ron.  I've already gotten some Spax screws refill!

Recently I have been looking for a PZ2 bit configured to work with Snappy brand bit holders (undercut 1/4" hex shank ball detent) and have not located any.  Does McFeeley's carry any of those?  In different lengths?  As you know, a Phillips driver bit will work (well, sort of) with Euro cabinet slide screws, but not nearly as well as the PZ configuration. 

Dave R.

 

[Ron Pegram]

Thanks, Ron.  I've already gotten some Spax screws refill!

Recently I have been looking for a PZ2 bit configured to work with Snappy brand bit holders (undercut 1/4" hex shank ball detent) and have not located any.  Does McFeeley's carry any of those?  In different lengths?  As you know, a Phillips driver bit will work (well, sort of) with Euro cabinet slide screws, but not nearly as well as the PZ configuration.   

Dave R.

Hey Dave,

Sorry for the late response. Meetings, meetings, meetings...

If the system you're referring to is the Make It Snappy Quick Chuck, my understanding is that it works with all hex shank bits. Any of the ones marked 'Ball Detent' on this page should do the trick for you -> Pozi Drive Bits

Hope that helps,

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Thanks, Ron.  It does - exactly!

Dave R.