November Contest: Beaver Tools

[mwhafner]

Talk about the slippery slope!!!!!

Unfortunately, I have the coolest wife in the world, so no need to hide (never thought that I would find a downside).  As long as I keep things reasonable, I have no problems.  She and I are pretty much in tune on what is reasonable. 

When I first bought into the Festool system, I demonstrated the dust collection capabilities, and that alone sold her. 

 

[gkeas]

I don't really need to "hide" my purchases from my spouse as my company purchases the tools, but there is still a pre-teen lurking inside of me that whispers that "it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission", so here is my "method"...

I initially purchased a few tools, and a bunch of systainers and sortainers (that I use for work).  I have open shelving that my Festool assortment is stored on in our garage, and it is packed pretty full.  It is also highly visible to her, as she parks in the useable side of the garage.

As I purchase new tools, I replace the systainers and sortainers on my shelf with the sortainers containing tools, and the units that were removed are put in my truck "permanently".

I'm not really that sneaky, though, because she answers the door every time Fedex delivers more goodies, but she is very cool, and our checks aren't bouncing yet. 

The only time I really got "busted" was the Kapex.  There is no systainer!  My 11 year old son is WAY too observant... ;D

 

[wnagle]

HOW TO BUY TOOLS AND HIDE THEM FROM YOUR WIFE:

The Answer is very simple but it is a process...  Here's how I did it. 

Many years ago, I really wanted a new saw, so with my hard earned money, I bought for my FIRST wife, for christmas, a brand new Craftsman 10 Inch radial arm saw... back when they were more popular.  As popular as it was, she never used it... so I did ;D.  Apparently she didn't appreciate the value at the time... I remember her mumbling something about jewelry being a more appropriate gift. 

Time goes on... Years later, again, I really wanted a new saw, so with my hard earned money, I bought for my SECOND wife, for christmas, a brand new compund miter saw...even more popular than the radial arm saw.  As popular as it was, she never used it... so I did  ;D ;D.  Apparently she didn't appreciate the value at the time... And just as before,  I remember her also mumbling something about jewelry being a more appropriate gift. 

Time goes on... years later, I was about to pick my THIRD wife, and I had to ask myself... would she appreciate the gift of new tools on christmas???  The more I thought about it, I realised she would, and would use them as much or more than I would.  Well, as I pondered this over, the thought came to mind... I don't really like loning my tools... to anyone...  And It probably wouldn't have worked out anyway.  So we never married... ;D ;D ;D

Time goes on...  Years later brings us to NOW...
NOW,  I have three garages full of tools (part way through phase two of my shop building project)...
NOW,  I can buy any tool I want (need)...
NOW,  I don't have to hide them...(hard enough to find them)...

NOW,  I eat out a lot... never go to the grocery store... work when I want... watch tv in my underwear...  eat in the living room (delivered chicken)... go to all the tool sales... charge it if I don't have the money... sit around making drawings of the woodshop, phase three (Festool garage shaped like a giant sysport)... blah blahblah blahblah....  and you know the rest... you've seen it in your dreams...

PS   For the ladies that read this contest... let your husband buy his tools...don't make him hide them...love him just the way he is (where have I heard that before)... And most important, remember this:  You're lucky you got him... you coulda done way worse ;D

PSS   If I may digress...(learned that on the FOG) When I build the Sysport shaped garage, I realised I'd need a way to get to the different levels... Sysvator of course... all excited till I found out its NAINA... some UL thingy... anyway I heard Jerry is rigging one up from some scrap epe' and alluminum and will have a review shortly...And its powered by the C13 (comming out soon, only Jerry has one)!!! Which is why I plan to win the contest...

Still make the girls laugh (gets easier as I age)...
Housebroken ( Sit to pee...must a been a hypnosis thing with #2)
but Still Single,
Wayne

 

[nickao]

Sounds more like how to get your wife to divorce you. I am on my third as is.  ;D

 

[wnagle]

If I'd only known about Festool back then... things coulda gone much quicker!

 

[nickao]

Yeah and you could have saved the bucks on a quickie divorce for more Festools!

 

[bruegf]

You guys are making this way harder than it is. 

When I need a new tool I just look around the house and find a project that she has on her list that will require the new tool (no, it doesn't really have to be needed for the project, as long as it looks like it might be required).    If no project jumps out then its time for plan B.  I watch the home improvement shows until I see something that she might be interested in and point it out to her. 

As soon as she bites on the project, I remind her of the saying that I've repeated over and over thru the years - "No project is worth doing if it isn't a excuse, er reason,  to buy a new tool" and this project will require this tool so that I can do it properly. 

Repairing cracked plaster and peeling paint on the bathroom ceiling = Rotex and CT.
A wall of shelving in the master bedroom closet = MFT and TS55.
Laundry room counter top and wall cabinets = Domino;
Still to be completed closet door bookshelves = OF1400. 

Hasn't failed yet.  I can't wait to see the Festools I'm going to buy once she realizes we need new kitchen cabinets.

Fred

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Everyone,
Let's use this discussion for all the contest entries.  (I've already some posts into this discussion from the "contests" board.)

Still looking forward to seeing all the entries this month!

If you're reading this and you are not sure what we're all talking about, click here to learn more.

Stay in touch,
Matthew

 

[Dan Lyke]

So am I the only person who's got a wife who's said "I know you think we don't need it yet, but we're getting a Domino. Now." And when we're there at the store getting said Domino, said "you've been talking about a planer. They've got the DeWalt 735 in stock, we should just get that one while we're here."?

The best way to hide tools from my wife? I don't. I make sure they get seen often. I make sure that I say "wow, that Domino sure makes everything easier", "I love that new router table and lift" and "I'm so glad you talked me into spending more." Good quality tools means no excuses, things get done, the house becomes a nicer place. I'm fairly sure it's not going to be too long before I get told that we need an LS 130 sander (especially since she does some of the more intricate sanding), the kitchen is coming together in a way that if an HL 850 planer will save us some time leveling baseboards, that'll get suggested too.

These Cedar lined closets and maple kitchen cabinets, this Massaranduba trimmed entrance, the Ipe supports for the extra faucets in the new automatic yard and garden irrigation system, that chair, the mahogany baseboards (in place, also with pictures of the front half of the irrigation system), all brought to you by the high quality tools in our shop. The nicer the shop, the nicer the house, everyone's happy.

 

[wnagle]

Kinda easy to spot the guys who know there wife is gonna read this....... lol... Just bustin your chops Dan... All kidding aside, your a lucky guy!!! And really like your work... especially the office chair, pretty cool!

 

[nickao]

this Massaranduba trimmed entrance[/url],

The Massaranduba is what I have throughout my entire home as flooring. Massaranduba produces the worst, most toxic dust I have ever encountered. A perfect reason to give to a spouse to get the Festools, with dust collection of course. The dust literally made me sick for two days!

Nickao

 

[Dan Lyke]

Kinda easy to spot the guys who know there wife is gonna read this.......

Grin. Yep, that's kinda the point, no?  ;D Of course she's got a Norwalk juicer ( ), so it's not just me that gets to play with the cool toys.

 

[Eli]

I too, use the "Cloud of Boxes" gambit.  ;D ;D ;D

 

[Bill Wyko]

I wouldn't call it "hiding" a purchase. I'd say it's more like not divulging additional expenses. I have a credit card that has the bill mailed to my work for my mad money. Another way is that the manager of the shop I deal with will let me pay a little at a time. Getting the tool in my shop it the interesting part. I run the gauntlet from the driveway to my workshop. You can see my driveway from the front of the house and my shop from the kitchen out the back of the house. If I can make it through the gauntlet with out being seen I'm safe. She has come in my shop before and said "That stack of stuff over there seems to be growing" I reply "I usually don't have them stacked up like that. That's why it looks so big." :

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Good Afternoon,
Some people have expressed misgivings about the current contest theme.

Please keep in mind that we are just trying to have some fun here and add variety!

But, just to be safe, TJ at Beaver Tools has revised the theme slightly.

The new theme of the contest is as follows:
"Most creative way to hide tool purchases from your spouse, OR how to convince your spouse to buy tools."

Hope this helps move us forward!

Stay in touch,
Matthew

 

[whk]

Here's my tool contest entry.  I'm glad you adjusted the theme.  Will

We've all heard the advice that if you buy good tools you'll only cry once, but if you get caught "forgetting" to mention that you bought good tools, the pain of the initial purchase may last longer than the tools.  Rather than hiding purchases, how about seeing if you get your spouse to help convince you to make the purchase?

First off, the term "buying" is asking for trouble.  Whatever your pitch, always use the phrase "investing in".  Next, be upfront about your reluctance, and the inner turmoil investing in the best tools causes you.  "Honey, I can not in good conscious condone investing in tools that will prevent me from working Faster, Easier, and Smarter," would not be laying it on too thick.

You must stress that although now is the time for certain tools to be replaced, the old tools will still be useful.  This step must be approached with great care.  It is not easy to explain the utility of a third cordless drill.  Junior really might be better off if you don't give him your old router before he finishes elementary school.  If the best that you can come up with is, "Just yesterday I noticed the canoe needs a new anchor, and I figure the cord on my old saw is long enough to make it work," then you aren't trying hard enough.

Finally, timing and a little patience is everything.  "I know you are going to be awfully busy picking out Christmas presents for the kids, but if you need any ideas for me, I know of a website where you can get some great tools, and they even throw in free shipping and a t-shirt that would make a great present for your Dad."

 

[southern_guy]

This was posted in the General Thread. It has been suggested I post it here. I have probably disqualified myself, in that the purchase wasn't actually festool, but it is to be used with my favourate festool, the TS55.

The other day I ordered a new 3m Makita Guide Rail. It was significantly cheaper than even the Festool 2400 one, and my existing 1080 and 1400 together were just not cutting it when it came to ripping the 4x8 sheets. I haven't tried it out yet. What impressed me was actually nothing to do with the quide rail, but my wife's reaction.
The rail came in wooden packaging. Given the length of the rail, it was a little hard to hide. My wife came through to the garage and asked what the wood on the floor was."Oh, just packaging" was my reply. "Thats alright then" she said and back inside she went.
Any suggestions as to what other packaging I can now purchase?

 

[nickao]

It's how to hide the Festool purchase. I do not think you have to actually buy a Festool this way to be in the contest.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

It's how to hide the Festool purchase. I do not think you have to actually buy a Festool this way to be in the contest.

That's correct!  You can come up with a concept that would work for anyone.

Again, it's all about having some fun with an idea.  This is not going to be the new theme -- it's just a break from the usual way of running the contests.

I think it's healthy for all of us to have a laugh at ourselves once in a while.  Being able to win something in the process is a bonus!

I hope people can relax and join in the fun.

Stay in touch,
Matthew

 

[dmckoy]

I have enjoyed reading the responses to this contest.  It has been a hoot and relieved the stress of teaching ninth graders.

The below plan is one I share with customer at my part time job who occasionally ask for input on disguising new purchases:
step 1:  store new purchases at the shop or home of one of your church elders
step 2:  retrieve purchase some weeks later
step 3:  when asked about the new tool, truthfully reply how the tool is not new, but that you have owned it for some time

Thanks Beaver Tools, and good idea.

Don