leftistelf

Asa,

I'm disappointed in your write-up and your email interview with Gass.

First, you should be celebrating the fact that people who use saws in the future will be protected better than ever from a terrible injury. Whether it be a riving knife or nifty blade stop technology.

Second, instead you point holes in little things instead of looking at the big picture. You're making the same argument automotive manufacturers made against seat belts, airbags, and antilock breaks. Namely, cost, cost, cost. Okay, it costs more...we get it. I'm sure you're a great driver, but would you drive a car without these safety features? Would you let you kids? This is about safety.

For each of those inventions, there was an inventor. Allen Breed invented the sensors that made airbags possible. Nils Bohlin invented the seatbelt. Gabriel Voisin invented antilock brakes. Each has been handsomely rewarded for their invention. Just like any inventor (look at the long list of woodworking inventors - drills, saws, vises, clamps, etc).

I'm no fan of patent trolls, but at least Gass went out and manufactured a product with his intellectual property. And, as you know based on your data, he's killing his competitors marketshare - without a regulation in place. And, when he creates the sliding table saw, he'll kill the low range slider, like Hammer, Laguna, etc. What do you want him to do? Donate the patent to the public domain? Few companies ever do that. And he's had this success with higher prices. Just like Apple. (High value saws, like the high end Felders, will license the tech some day).

Sure, you'll point out the issue with small saws. Yet, you've seen the testimony saying that the technology is there and is relatively inexpensive. Why haven't they installed it? Because the first one to do it loses marketshare because their product is more expensive. Its a game of chicken - and the consumer loses.

You also point out the cost to redesign their products. You're not taking into account product lifespan. Manufacturers will have plenty of time to design new products, just like they already do. Delta redesigned their Unisaw, and did they complain? What about the Bosch 4100? It's been redesigned too. That's what manufacturers do - they redesign their products every X years. They'll work the new tech into new saws without significantly more cost.

The real issue is the commercial terms that Gass will negotiate with the manufacturers. It'll be ugly and you'll personally hear the stories because of the advertising relationships you have. Gass hasn't won the hearts of the woodworking world because of his style. Still, don't lose sight of the benefit consumers will eventually get. Even the experienced ones who say they're too experienced to make a mistake...

Last time I watched car racing, I saw many professional and skilled drivers make a mistake. Why take the risk if you'd don't need to?

Air cleaners? Mid-sized air compressors? Shop vacuums?

That all blows.

Impact drivers? small cordless drivers?

That's screwed.

First, everyone has a shop vacuum, compressor, impact driver, and cordless driver. In fact, who doesn't have 2+ cordless drivers already?

Second, almost everyone has a router or three, and you know that 3hp routers have to go into a table to do the things 3hp routers do that 2-2.5 can't. So, it becomes a test of variable speeds and access from the table top...boring.

Air cleaner tests come down to sound, CFM, and effectiveness. None of which lend themselves to an interesting discussion, and the product itself really is a niche product with questionable value, except in a finishing room.

A 18" bandsaw review is like a review of cabinet saws. Expensive and not really necessary. The 16" review you did recently ruled, but that's really the limit on bandsaws for most people.

6" jointers, well , if you're not going to do a benchtop version, why not get an 8" version for the same footprint. Besides, you know that people who buy a 6" are going to want to trade up, so doing a larger jointer article appeals to first time buyers and upgraders. Maybe, do a 8" or 10" review. Or a 12" review to support the 12" benchtop planer review.

You should really do the hollow chisel mortiser review. It's an area competitor mags haven't hit recently, is an accessory that everyone doing fine woodworking plays with - should i go with a mortise chisel, drill press + corner chisel or mortiser? It's also an accessory that would fit well with the right project in the same issue. That's a home run, especially if you do some tips on selecting the right mortising bits.