Thread: A tool pass-around to get the feel of it

It is an interesting idea.

Personally I do not think I would take part as timing is not always available but you never say no. I like the idea of playing with a tool to find out how things work. This is not always possible before I purchase an item as it does come to a matter of trust.

I good example is the Veritas planes that used to be at the Sydney Working With Wood show. No longer there to try out unless one of the outlets brings with them, no way of taking a shaving, so it was a matter of trust to purchase one from EBay second hand and discover that this is a very good tool.

This is an interesting idea so this post is as much about keeping other's interest the thread alive as it is about me holding my hand up. These are my thoughts.

If the timing for a pass-around suited I'd want to be involved. I only have a small collection of tools and machinery and not much more experience, so even a chance for hands-on exposure in a small group setting would be valuable to me. Especially if instruction is advisable.

It also strikes me that some geographic approach to swapping when the time comes around might be advantageous. Physically passing it to a nearby participant forumite with some log/receipting process to verify hand over maybe.

Chopping and changing the pass-around roster for any item to suit individual needs should be possible but carefully monitored so everyone knows roughly where they stand in the roster.

Some items will next a maintenance schedule and the pass-around would need to incorporate that eventuality.

A time limit that's reasonable for the tool/resource in question would need to be agreed beforehand.

And of course the chance to opt in and out of an particular pass-around.

There the things that spring to mind anyway.

Good idea FenceFurniture. Let's hope it progresses.

Good thoughts Dabbler, some of which I have had already, and some I didn't.

While a good idea, we would need to get sponsors/donors involved. I'm happy to demo and let others use my tools in my shed under my supervision but there is no way that I would offer something for posting all over the country. That being the case it would also have to be cleared with Neil if it is to be conducted via the forums.
The other option is for all members interested to put in a small amount to purchase a tool so that everyone can give it a go. You are then left with the problem of what to do with it when everyone has had a turn. Sell it off to the highest bidder maybe.
I'm not sure how the Poms make it work but I can see a lot of ruffled feathers (Sorry for the negative post, I'm not sure how I got so pessimistic. Must be age related. )

I don't see your comments as negative Tony, just devil's advocate, which is needed.

Reasonable points NCArcher.
I was going to wait until I added this but it relates to your mention of your own tools.

I frequent another (totally unrelated topic) forum where one member has purchased a moderately expensive piece of pressure calibration kit. It's retail value would be about 10-20% of the cost of the equipment it's used to test. It's 'rented out' to other forum members who pass it on to the next body on the waiting list when done. Most people would use it once and never again for the life of their now calibrated equipment. Every once in a while it goes home for maintenance and presumably it's own calibration is checked. I think each person pays postage to the next.

A thread monitors it's path through the rentees. I suspect it's actually lucrative for the owner.

Don't know the exact rules but it does seem to operate without many hitches.

What if the person who currently has it fails to send it to the next person in a timely manner?
What if the tool dies, who covers cost of replacement/repair and what happens with warranty? Also, what happens with ownership for reasons of insurance, final placement of the tool and again warranty for the period after the evaluation.

There are many issues that need to be addressed. I tried to set up a co-operative for people to use a Domino on a rotating basis and these were just some of the issues that people raised. At the end of it all, someone has to be responsible for all the issues that may arise and this also means other peoples' mistakes. People who do not have a financial interest in the tool may not and I stress may only, treat it with the same respect as someone who does.
How do you ascertain when the tool died and who is responsible? Are they then removed from the rotation?

Just my two cents, I'll go back to m'hole now.

Regards,

Rob

All fair points Rob. I wasn't really thinking of power tools, more things like rasps and other handtools, perhaps new things that come on the market. If it extended to power tools, or indeed any tool more than perhaps $150-200 then a deposit system of some kind would be required, I think. That would mean that some would not participate, so that may be a good way of chaff separation.

Personally, if I was able to pay say $5-10 plus postage to the next chap to test a sander or something, then I think that's $$ well spent, because it may well save me from wasting $100-300 on something that it turns out I don't like. If it vindicates my decision to buy it, then goodo, I can buy it with confidence.

Let me put out an idea - now I know I'm always on about rasps, but bear with me. Some people have said they've got a few floats which work well for them. Floats are designed for a different purpose than rasps (quite different really). Others have queried whether a hand cut rasp is really that much different to a decent quality machine cut rasp. Well I happen to know that the answer is an emphatic "YES!" but I don't expect people to accept my word for it, and there's nothing like having it in your hand to find out for yourself. The couple of people that i have sent a rasp to for a bit of a fiddle have both said "i get what the fuss is all about now" and they are both VERY experienced woodworkers: one is a very senior and well respected member, and the other is one of the country's very best toolmakers.

To be frank, it's not an idea designed for anybody to say "yeah, rightio" and have a go just because it's available. It's for those who are interested in the particular tool, and would (hopefully) be prepared to put a tiny amount of $$ in if necessary due to the cost or possibility of breakage.

My suggestion would be that if you buy an unusual tool that you may think others like know about do a review and post it on the board.

Then ask if anyone interested in seeing it, and trying it out, host a forum get together to try it. This would also provide a social aspect to it whilst retaining control.

Bit similar to the Turning forums get togethers that hosts in our fair state.


Peter.

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

To be frank, it's not an idea designed for anybody to say "yeah, rightio" and have a go just because it's available. It's for those who are interested in the particular tool, and would (hopefully) be prepared to put a tiny amount of $$ in if necessary due to the cost or possibility of breakage.

So its a demo on site with a deposit required.

I like Sturdee's idea as a better alternative. It gives the demo to a much larger audience, with no outlay from those who might be interested, but don't necessarily feel they want to buy it just yet.

Rob

I like both ideas, but if you decide to go with the review one I'm happy to have these added to my blog for future reference if anyone wants it there. I've got a few reviews of my own there and it might be easier than hunting down old forum posts after a while - plus more room for pics.

I'd like to test a 400mm planer/thicknesser for about 10 years please