Comments on: Jointmaker Pro – From Bridge City Tool Works

By: Paulg

Paulg — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:48:50 +0000

This a conceptual game changer. Like art, this device is creating a Great dialog about design, use, skill, craftsmanship, economics and long held ides.

I would venture to guess that many people who see the video ask themselves “why not?”. When you produce tools like bctw it’s not just about the function of the tool. It’s also about spirit and purpose.

I have no intention of buying one of these. But, I know next time I’m at the bench I’ll be asking myself, “are there any ideas in that tool’s design that I can use to improve my work.” then I’ll pick up my saw. I’ve gotten the bennefit of some new thinking, and BCTW gave me that for FREE

By: thewoodwhisperer

thewoodwhisperer — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:40:22 +0000

I think you may have misread my comment. I didn’t say power tools cause the user to be less precise, I said they require less precision from the user. Two very different things. The point can be illustrated with a simple dovetail joint. Set up a jig correctly and anyone with a router, two hands and an electrical outlet can make a decent dovetail joint. Cutting that joint with a saw and chisels, on the other hand, requires much more in the way of manual dexterity from the user.

By: woodNfish

woodNfish — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:27:38 +0000

Well it was good to read Blair Green’s post above – someone who actually has one and is using it. I am surprised that in addition to paying $1200, you have to build the durn thing too!

The nylon gears aren’t working for me – they are not rugged enough to justify the price. Well actually nothing on this tool does enough to justify the price to me.

The commentary at the top of the page says that power tools allow the user to use less precision. That is nonsense. They just make the same precision easier to achieve. This tool is a nice idea, but not at this price.

By: John

John — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:26:45 +0000

Very cool, but ultimately will become a niche tool.

By: Wayne Stump

Wayne Stump — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:53:07 +0000

My first exposure to the JMP was at a MASW class in ‘08 that John Economaki taught. My initial reaction was, “Well, ain’t that cute!” Then I had a chance to play with it. My second reaction was, “I gotta have one of these!” Then the videos started showing up on various websites and providing even more ideas. I ordered one!
I took mine to John’s class at MASW last month where we spent five days learning more about it. It can be a little fussy to adjust at times, but it provides accuracy that I had no idea was possible when working with wood. I wouldn’t sell mine at twice the price… well maybe I would if I were sure that I could get another one right away.

Nobody was ever sorry that they bought the best!
WDS

By: Blair Glenn

Blair Glenn — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:30:57 +0000

I have mine and it’s working. Tough job building it. Lots of fine tuning. Lots of lube points. It works really nice but there is a learning curve. As with any new tool, practice improves quality. I can see blades being damaged easily as I damaged my first one. The thin teeth bend if you have a slight mishap as I did. If even one tooth is off, the whole thing is cutting bad. If the alignment is off, forget it. This must be absolutly square and everything in order. Then it works really well.

Blair Glenn

By: Ken Patrick

Ken Patrick — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 05:14:40 +0000

Gotta admit, I was fascinated. When I saw the price, I was turned off. I can build a REALLY NICE router table for that kind of money, AND outfit it with a NEW router.

I have a well-tuned Sears contractor 10″ saw, with zero-clearance inserts. None of the cuts made on the video(except those TINY spacers in a stack) were any more difficult to do on my Craftsman, especially with my “saved for the best” Forrest blade that’s always kept sharp. Yes, you’d have to discount the blade width, but how often do I need a 3/32 kerf? If I were to make the often-planned crosscut sled, these cuts would be even easier, INCLUDING the spacers.

Jointmaker’s cute, it’s gutsy, and it’s innovative. But I’m so comfortable with my table saw I don’t think I’d want to spend the time learning the new tool, not without some outstanding benefit (outside the 220VAC deletion). At $200 plus my OWN SAW, I could see it as a bench tool I’d use twice or three times a month, but it would not replace anything in my shop. Actually, if I bought it, I’d be spending valuable time trying to come up with tasks to use it. At that price. What’s the point? KP:

By: Bob Strawn

Bob Strawn — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 06:34:26 +0000

Sadly it has not shipped yet. I plan to make a few simple projects and then start on the jigs.

Bob

By: Andrés Briano

Andrés Briano — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:49:36 +0000

So? Has anyone built a jig based on the Jointmaker concept? Has Bob Strawn got his?

By: Rob Horton

Rob Horton — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:30:27 +0000

Fabulous concept. Love the small kerf and, given a sharp blade, it’s doubtless an enjoyable tool to use.

But, of course, there’s a lot this tool won’t do: Chief among them a rip cut of any sort. Even in crosscutting, you’re bringing the wood to the tool, not tool to wood. That sort of cutting action will get perilous very quickly as the stock length increases.