Woodpeckers $289.00 measuring tool vs. mine made from scrap and paper clips.

[Packard]

I got an email from Woodpeckers this morning for this item:

I use two pieces of beaded pine screen molding and two medium bulldog clips to accomplish the same thing.

I cut the molding to an appropriate size and then turn the two pieces so that the ribs are facing each other and will mesh like gears.  This keeps them in alignment and practically eliminates any slippage.  For inside corners, I miter the ends for greater accuracy.

This is the molding profile:

And this is the type of clip I use to clamp the molding in place (use 2 clips).

They last until I accidentally step on one and break it.  Most recently I used it to measure crown molding in just under a 12' length.  First cut was right on the mark. 

 

[rubber_ducky]

WP’s pricing here is outrageous. Lee valley has an near-identical product at a fraction of the cost:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/sho...easuring/69879-veritas-bar-gauge?item=05N2901

They also have another product that isn’t dissimilar to your binder clip for $15:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/sho...ng/32585-veritas-bar-gauge-heads?item=05N3101

Less expensive but neither are free like yours!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Packard]

Using two 8 foot pieces of molding you can easily measure about 13 feet or so.  It is flexible so it will bow if held in the wrong orientation, but adaptable to almost any size.  Plus I had all the stuff in my basement already paid for.

I don't begrudge Woodpeckers charging whatever they choose.  I do find fault with a company that sets out to produce tools that they fully believe do not merit production. I am referring to their "one-time tools".  They only intend to produce the item one time because they don't believe it will prove that useful.  If it does prove popular, do you believe that they won't produce it "one more time"?

 

[Christopher Fitch]

They also have another product that isn’t dissimilar to your binder clip for $15:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/sho...ng/32585-veritas-bar-gauge-heads?item=05N3101

Less expensive but neither are free like yours!

I have the bar gauge heads - they work well.

 

[zapdafish]

problem for me if the measuring tool says I'm off, i don't know how to correct it.

 

[Holzhacker]

I am more than happy to complain about Woodpecker prices. Some of the cost I can see due to the good design. Somebody should get paid for sitting around and thinking. Some of the simpler tools, not so much. Overall I tend to think Woodpecker is a bit full of themselves on pricing and/or taking advantage of their status. But heh, a Mercedes isn't cheap either.
I have a bunch of woodpecker tools but am pretty picky about which items I've been willing to pay for. If their prices were just a bit lower I would own more. I like their design.
I did buy this set many years ago when I was doing a lot of stairway work. I think that was maybe 5-7 years ago. Can't remember for sure. Probably didn't cost much less than now.
As high priced as the set is, I really liked having it for stairway work. I've used it for a few other things but not much. This is definitely a purpose tool. Not something that you'll necessarily get a lot of use out of. The tool is nice, easy to use, no hassle, the multiple end tip types are convenient, etc. You can feel confident about the results once you lock it in. If you have a purpose for using this tool, I would suggest considering it. Woodpecker prices are hard to swallow but on this one I managed.

 

[08G8V8]

I bought this set from Rockler awhile back, on sale for $25.  It doesn’t come with any rods, but does have a number of different tips. I wanted to do aluminum rods instead of wooden dowels, but the ones I got off Amazon are slightly larger than the opening and I just haven’t got around to sanding them to reduce the diameter to fit.
https://www.rockler.com/rockler-3-in-1-bar-gauge

Won’t be as fancy, but will accomplish what J want and need.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Packard]

I bought this set from Rockler awhile back, on sale for $25.  It doesn’t come with any rods, but does have a number of different tips. I wanted to do aluminum rods instead of wooden dowels, but the ones I got off Amazon are slightly larger than the opening and I just haven’t got around to sanding them to reduce the diameter to fit.
https://www.rockler.com/rockler-3-in-1-bar-gauge

Won’t be as fancy, but will accomplish what J want and need.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Linear motion bearing rods are very hard and machined to accurate tolerances.  They might work for you.  Though the larger rods are pretty expensive: https://www.mcmaster.com/linear-motion-rods/linear-motion-shafts-5/

Much cheaper on Amazon, but all I am seeing there are 8mm (0.315") diameter rods. 

 

[08G8V8]

I bought this set from Rockler awhile back, on sale for $25.  It doesn’t come with any rods, but does have a number of different tips. I wanted to do aluminum rods instead of wooden dowels, but the ones I got off Amazon are slightly larger than the opening and I just haven’t got around to sanding them to reduce the diameter to fit.
https://www.rockler.com/rockler-3-in-1-bar-gauge

Won’t be as fancy, but will accomplish what J want and need.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Linear motion bearing rods are very hard and machined to accurate tolerances.  They might work for you.  Though the larger rods are pretty expensive: https://www.mcmaster.com/linear-motion-rods/linear-motion-shafts-5/

Much cheaper on Amazon, but all I am seeing there are 8mm (0.315") diameter rods.

Thanks, I’ll look into those too.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[SilviaS7]

I do find fault with a company that sets out to produce tools that they fully believe do not merit production. I am referring to their "one-time tools".  They only intend to produce the item one time because they don't believe it will prove that useful.  If it does prove popular, do you believe that they won't produce it "one more time"?

Since they moved to their larger facility, they have added former one time tools to their regular lineup.  If people buy it and it proves popular, they do add items to their normal lineup.

 

[Packard]

I bought this set from Rockler awhile back, on sale for $25.  It doesn’t come with any rods, but does have a number of different tips. I wanted to do aluminum rods instead of wooden dowels, but the ones I got off Amazon are slightly larger than the opening and I just haven’t got around to sanding them to reduce the diameter to fit.
https://www.rockler.com/rockler-3-in-1-bar-gauge

Won’t be as fancy, but will accomplish what J want and need.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Linear motion bearing rods are very hard and machined to accurate tolerances.  They might work for you.  Though the larger rods are pretty expensive: https://www.mcmaster.com/linear-motion-rods/linear-motion-shafts-5/

Much cheaper on Amazon, but all I am seeing there are 8mm (0.315") diameter rods.

Thanks, I’ll look into those too.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Also consider delrin rods.  Delrin is a machineable resin used as a bearing.  It is much stronger than nylon and still fairly inexpensive.

It is available on Amazon.com.

Stronger yet are fiberglass rods.  There are two versions of these, and both are very strong.  The first version is produced to a close tolerance and starts to get pricy.  The second version has a much looser tolerance and you see them on driveway markers.  Amazon sells the second version.  I did not see any of the tighter tolerance versions. 

If yo can find the fiberglass ones in your required size from Amazon, they will be very cost-effective.  You will find other uses for these too. 

 

[Packard]

I do find fault with a company that sets out to produce tools that they fully believe do not merit production. I am referring to their "one-time tools".  They only intend to produce the item one time because they don't believe it will prove that useful.  If it does prove popular, do you believe that they won't produce it "one more time"?

Since they moved to their larger facility, they have added former one time tools to their regular lineup.  If people buy it and it proves popular, they do add items to their normal lineup.

So they market it as "one-time" limited edition, and then it becomes regular production? 

I bought one of the T-squares that they advertised.  They had so little faith in the market for this that they would not actually produce the parts until they had a sufficient number of orders.  They kept sending me notes that it was coming but it took months after I placed the order. 

So it is maybe 1-time; or maybe not-at-all (if they don't finally get enough orders; or maybe regular production.  I still have maybe no respect for a company that does business like this.

 

[RobS888]

They also have another product that isn’t dissimilar to your binder clip for $15:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/sho...ng/32585-veritas-bar-gauge-heads?item=05N3101

Less expensive but neither are free like yours!

I have the bar gauge heads - they work well.

I have them as well with 2 sizes of legs.

 

[Birdhunter]

I’ve owned a set of the WP modular bar gauges for many years. As expected from WP, very well made. I use them occasionally and also sometimes make a similar tool out of scrap.

WP stuff, like Festool, Rolex, BMW, is expensive. But, I’ve never been disappointed in their products. It’s a relatively small operation and they just can’t tie up machines for small lots. It is expensive to tool up for a production run. They need to have enough orders to turn a profit.

 

[Packard]

I’ve owned a set of the WP modular bar gauges for many years. As expected from WP, very well made. I use them occasionally and also sometimes make a similar tool out of scrap.

WP stuff, like Festool, Rolex, BMW, is expensive. But, I’ve never been disappointed in their products. It’s a relatively small operation and they just can’t tie up machines for small lots. It is expensive to tool up for a production run. They need to have enough orders to turn a profit.

I understand that.  But it seems like they think they are in the business of manufacturing ideas for tools more so than manufacturing tools.  A lot of the tools they offer are "me-to" tools or of marginal utility.

 

[RobS888]

My wife got me a set of Paolini rulers a couple years back. They are great, but way over priced. I couldn't justify their prices for anything they sell. At least Festool is innovative and makes very good products. WP to me is skimming with their prices. Lower prices would get them more sales, but I don't think they want that. They want the cachet value.

 

[rmhinden]

They also have another product that isn’t dissimilar to your binder clip for $15:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/sho...ng/32585-veritas-bar-gauge-heads?item=05N3101

Thanks, I ordered two sets.  About $35 including shipping.

Bob

 

[fshanno]

I have these from Rockler. 

https://www.rockler.com/square-check-for-tape-measures

 

[Steve1]

Not too often, but it has happened that I needed something like that. 

I just take a piece of scrap wood, roughly 1x2 size, cut it an inch short and put a wood screw on the end for adjustment.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I bought the Lee Valley fittings a long time ago and used some fine hard maple for the sticks. It made a nice tool that I’ve used no more than twice in this Century. Should use it more as transferring is definitely the better practice but I’m just too used to using the tape measure, combination square, or caliper. Or for big stuff a laser measuring tool.