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267840 "Joseph Sullivan" <joe@j...> 2019‑02‑12 Re: OldTools] Test
SNIP:

The amazing thing is that people pay lots of money for these things.  

I couldn’t though

END SNIP

Well, mark me down as a reformed buyer.  Years ago, when Bridge City was new, I
was a young man with no room for a shop in the small house we were crammed into
while I went to graduate school.  But I dreamed about a shop and the lovely
things I'd make.  Along came the Bridge City catalogues.  The measuring
instruments were things of beauty.  They helped me dream.  I bought several new
and a few used.  Still have them.

Here's the thing: some of them are fine instruments still, but some have just
not stood the test of long use.  The early wood and brass mortising scribes  and
depth gauges are just not the best for a lifetime of work.  Some other items, by
contrast, are still as nice as they were when purchased.  Uneven, is the only
way to describe the experience.  Also, in the old days with the original Bridge
City, they offered an unconditional lifetime warranty to repair and recalibrate,
no matter what.  Apparently they got into financial trouble and sold the name
and assets to a newco for a fresh start.  At that time, the warranty changed to
a much more limited form.  I think it has happened again.   I just looked at
their web site.  They have moved to California and are owned by something called
"Harvey Industries."  They now refer so-called "legacy tools," to a third party
company for repair and refurbishment.  So, no warranty for legacy tools.  That
is about as limited as it gets.

Still, as to the relative foolishness of the purchase; I am ambivalent.  I have
not bought any for at least 20 years.  But on the other hand, I admire Norris
Infill planes and in the unlikely event that  I had the cashto spare  when I saw
one, might be tempted to buy it.  Is that any more practical?  Would it really
be materially better than my well-fettled Stanleys and Sargents?

Reaching far back in memory, but it seems to me that founder, John Economaki,
was once a student of James Krenov's.  Krenov recommend that he go into tool
design and manufacture.  That's a pretty good recommendation.  He appears to be
designing tools still for the new California company.

Cheers!

Joe

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