Metric set-up blocks available from Woodpecker for a limited time

[Frank Pellow]

See today's announcement by Woodpecker at: http://www.woodpeck.com/setupblocks.html  The blocks must be ordered by June 27th 2011.

The need for these was discussed in the thread: http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/where-can-i-purchase-metric-set-up-blocks/  

I did update that thread to mention the offer, but people might missed it there, so I decided to start a separate thread.

 

[Brice_Arnold]

Is there an advantage using these set-up blocks over a set of gage blocks? I have gage blocks that I use for machining set-ups. I have never used the set-up blocks for woodworking.

 

[peter halle]

The advantage is that these are significantly cheaper.  Hard to believe, but true.

Peter

 

[Brice_Arnold]

I do love the woodpecker stuff. This thread prompted me back to their site and I ordered their new 50" combo rule. However, unless there is something that I am missing, since I already have the gage blocks I don't see a need for the set-up blocks. Obviously this is very specific to me. If I didn't already have the gage blocks I would probably pick up a set of these.

 

[peter halle]

Brice,

This started because Frank was looking for gage blocks / set-up blocks in metric sizes.  The ones available were few and far between and expensive to boot.  Woodpeckers has responded by putting these together to fill a need.  Yours are great I am sure, and will serve the same needs as the Wood[eckers, but spending hundreds or thousands of dollars for the other sets out there is tough for a hobbyist woodworker.

Peter

 

[Frank Pellow]

Right you are, Peter.

 

[Theshipstore]

Frank    Thanks for the update order placed....

Sal

 

[Brice_Arnold]

Brice,

This started because Frank was looking for gage blocks / set-up blocks in metric sizes.  The ones available were few and far between and expensive to boot.  Woodpeckers has responded by putting these together to fill a need.  Yours are great I am sure, and will serve the same needs as the Wood[eckers, but spending hundreds or thousands of dollars for the other sets out there is tough for a hobbyist woodworker.

Peter

It's definitely a good find. I am relatively new to the whole woodworking community thing. It's always been something I have done on my own without really talking to anyone about it. It nice to see that there are companies out there that will listen to the needs of the community and offer products like this.

As far as gage blocks go, they are not too bad. The set I have is standard (American) and I paid something like $60 for it and the blocks are accurate up to .00005". I found a metric set on ebay for $140 accurate up to .0005 mm. That being said I can see some advantages to the woodpecker kit.

1. They are aluminum and you are less likely to damage or chip your carbide cutting tools.
2. They look like they are almost twice as long as a typical gage block which might make certain set-ups easier; easier to stack up the blocks etc.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I placed my order, thanks for the reminder Frank. [thumbs up] 

 

[GPowers]

I ordered just the metric set.

Is everyone just interested in the metric are are you ordering both Imperial and Metric? $150.00  [eek]

 

[Frank Pellow]

I ordered just the metric set.

Is everyone just interested in the metric are are you ordering both Imperial and Metric?

Just the Metric for me.

I already have a very good Veritas Imperial set from Lee Valley. 

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Just metric for me, too.  I have a good Whiteside set of imperial setups.

 

[Theshipstore]

I have to admit I went for both, still trying to go metric at my end  [scared]

 

[John Stevens]

+1 on the metric set.  I'd have liked to have gotten the odd-sized Imperial set for plywood, but the key to happiness is making peace with my unlimited desires in a world of finite resources. 

Regards,

John

 

[NuggyBuggy]

I love their stuff, but I'd order a lot more stuff from Woodpeckers if shipping by USPS was an option.  I live in Canada and they insist on shipping by UPS.  By the time these blocks would get to me, they would probably cost me double.

 

[Frank Pellow]

I love their stuff, but I'd order a lot more stuff from Woodpeckers if shipping by USPS was an option.  I live in Canada and they insist on shipping by UPS.  By the time these blocks would get to me, they would probably cost me double.

That's bad news [sad]

I have already ordered mine and I assumed that they would be sent via the US postal service.  I agree with you that getting items sent to Canada via a courier is something to avoid.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

That's bad news [sad]

I have already ordered mine and I assumed that they would be sent via the US postal service.  I agree with you that getting items sent to Canada via a courier is something to avoid.

Frank,

Whenever ordering something from the US that's not very expensive, I always try to make sure they ship by USPS.  Canada Post only charges a $5 handling fee to clear packages.  On the other hand, UPS seems to charge arbitrary amounts - I've paid $65 in brokerage on an item that was $65. 

And then, if they miss the shipment, you have to pick up at their depot all the way in Concord, with 100 other cranky people.  I believe - judging by the much shorter crowds - that Purolator and FedEx have more depots spread throughout the city.

If the seller insists on shipping through UPS, I stay away. 

Hopefully you will be luckier and not get charged too much in brokerages.

terry

 

[Frank Pellow]

Everything you say is true and I too have reused to order items becuase the seller would not ship via the postal service.  

But, I forgot to check this time.  [doh]  Maybe I will be lucky.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

You might be lucky.  I inquired with Woodpeckers and they said they usually offer USPS shipping, but that because of the Canada Post strike, they removed it temporarily.  So they may actually have shipped by USPS.  It might get stuck once it hits Canada Post's limbo, but at least you won't be out the ransom UPS usually wants. 

You could also inquire with Woodpeckers about holding the shipment.  They probably haven't even *made* the blocks yet, if not it wouldn't have shipped and they may be able to change the shipping method or hold until the strike's over.

 

[Frank Pellow]

You might be lucky.  I inquired with Woodpeckers and they said they usually offer USPS shipping, but that because of the Canada Post strike, they removed it temporarily.  So they may actually have shipped by USPS.  It might get stuck once it hits Canada Post's limbo, but at least you won't be out the ransom UPS usually wants. 

You could also inquire with Woodpeckers about holding the shipment.  They probably haven't even *made* the blocks yet, if not it wouldn't have shipped and they may be able to change the shipping method or hold until the strike's over.

Their announcement says that they do no plan to ship until August 10.  I certainly expect out postal strike to be over by then.