Sticker shock

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Dave Bagwill
Posts: 5952
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2011 7:44 pm

Sticker shock

Post by Dave Bagwill » Thu Mar 08, 2012 4:41 pm

I just got the new Stewmac catalogue.
Are they out of their minds? Their prices are boggling!! They have a number of things I would purchase at maybe 1/3 the price. Not questioning whether they are quality tools or not; just, are they trying to run a brother off??

Oh well, just venting, you all know what I'm talking about. Some good tools there, maybe for a small production shop the tools pay themselves off after a while.

Whatever.
-Under permanent construction

Tim Benware
Posts: 1489
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:22 pm
Location: Asheboro, NC

Re: Sticker shock

Post by Tim Benware » Thu Mar 08, 2012 5:38 pm

Yeah, most are on the expensive side but I've found them to be just what I needed when I got one. For a couple years now I have been investing all my job money into tool purchases. I will be retiring July 1st and doing my repair work FT and plan to add building as well. I have several commissions already.
I've "Ben-Had" again!
Tim Benware
Creedmoor, NC

Mark from Ashland
Posts: 37
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2012 9:22 pm
Location: Southern Oregon

Re: Sticker shock

Post by Mark from Ashland » Thu Mar 08, 2012 10:59 pm

Did their prices go up? Or are you just venting about SM's normal old heartstopping prices?

I bought some stuff from them in preparation for my first build, which is still in progress. Knowing what I do now, I might have looked at other options, like a KMG binding jig. I have generally been happy with the quality of their tools and supplies, but I sure like the KMG attitude.

-mark

Mark from Ashland
Posts: 37
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2012 9:22 pm
Location: Southern Oregon

Re: Sticker shock

Post by Mark from Ashland » Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:00 pm

By the way, Tim B, congrats on your upcoming retirement. Someday I'll follow in 'yer footstomps.
Somewhere in the wilds of southern Oregon...

-Mark LaCoste

Tim Benware
Posts: 1489
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:22 pm
Location: Asheboro, NC

Re: Sticker shock

Post by Tim Benware » Fri Mar 09, 2012 12:02 am

Colestin wrote:By the way, Tim B, congrats on your upcoming retirement. Someday I'll follow in 'yer footstomps.
Thanks, looking forward to it.
I've "Ben-Had" again!
Tim Benware
Creedmoor, NC

Kevin in California
Posts: 2824
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2011 4:19 pm

Re: Sticker shock

Post by Kevin in California » Fri Mar 09, 2012 5:10 pm

Often specialty tools cost more. And sometimes you can get by fine with an alternate tool. Much of what Stewmac sells is for a production repair shop, I think and those expensive tools probably can save valuable time in that situation. I agree though, rich prices.

Kevin

Mark from Ashland
Posts: 37
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2012 9:22 pm
Location: Southern Oregon

Re: Sticker shock

Post by Mark from Ashland » Fri Mar 09, 2012 6:13 pm

I like to think of each tool as a problem solver. Usually, the problem can be solved without the tool, but only at the cost of time. Or, you might build your own, which also costs time as well as materials. Often, after I have attempted to solve a problem myself, the price of a Stewmac tool begins to look rather reasonable.

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