How would you guys like to have a table saw depth of cut gauge that would be accurate EVERY TIME to the 64th, very simple to use and would NOT require to find the highest point of the blade in order to take the measurement ?
A gauge you could trust to be dead on time after time ?
It will work with 10 and 12″ blades and 8″ dadoes as well, it will need recalibration for each blade but it’s a very simple procedure that would require less than a minute.
I invented such a “revolutionary” tool and I am planing to start production in a month or so, it will be sold directly on line, it will be all metal, some stainless, some brass and some aluminum, a nice looking solid instrument.
Any input would be highly appreciated.
C.
Replies
Get a patent! I am the unhappy victim of theft of a great idea in a different business a long while back. Don't sell a single one without the patent. Once you have it, try to hawk it to a company like Lee Valley to put into their catalog.
All that being said, I don't see a real big market for this type of item. It's pretty easy to set blade height. Sorry for the candor, but you did ask for input.
Jeff
Edited 1/27/2007 1:41 pm ET by JeffHeath
This sounds like a dandy tool but I wouldn't buy it. Simply..... I can set depth of cut to within 1/64" by trial and error very quickly, so why do I need another gadget? But you must understand that I'm the sort of cranky old pro that makes his own push blocks and finger boards, and knows when close enough is OK.
I wish you well.
You've got that right, Sapwood! I can't imagine proceeding with work if you haven't made a test cut, no matter what the gizmos tell you. Who would have thought a woodworker would need some company to make a push stick, router table, featherboard or any other such aid. If you can't make those, how the heck are you going to make a cabinet or a piece of furniture? Maybe I'm jealous that I didn't think to market them.Good luck, citrouille. Just be sure to consult the lawyers. Someone is bound to try and eat one of your inventions and then sue you for their sore stomach.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Edited 1/27/2007 3:18 pm ET by hammer1
Sapwood,
You said it, by trial and error, this tool works every time AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO MAKE A TEST CUT, period.
Once you calibrate it for a certain blade, it's dead on every time till you change the blade or you sharpen it !I am as well an old pro, I make my own push sticks but I have been using this tool everyday, many times a day since I made the prototype !As far as a patent is concerned, how good is it if you don't have the big bucks to go after somebody who "almost copied" it in China ?C.
You seem to believe in your device and that is a good thing. By all means, proceed with your plans. The catalogs are chock full of accessories that I consider frivilous, but many must purchase them. They will buy your device too. However, as others have said, proceed with some caution. At least proceed with some real knowledge. Consult a patent attorney at the very least so that you know what may be in store for you. The advice (especially the legal advice) that you receive here is worth exactly what you pay for it.
I did consult an attorney, as you said the devices measuring the blade height are a dime a dozen, this is a new concept, a new approach really.
Once this thing is out there will be may who will use the same concept without copying the instrument itself.
The attorney's advice was to try to sell as many as I can wile there is no competition.I have no illusions of retiring with the proceeds of this project.C.
Whats the bottom line ? Market price !Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Not to rain on your parade but how can the depth be measured without knowing where the highest point of the blade is? What happens after the blades have been sharpened a few times?
Good luck with it and I hope my questions are of no significance.
I forgot to add this link:http://www.freepatentsonline.com/search.htmlAgain, good luck.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
Cit:
You seem very enamored with your "gadget" but will others react in the same way? Have you showed the device to friends? What has been the reaction? I would do some "test marketing" locally. You need to be very detached and clear-eyed otherwise you'll be writing large checks!
Building a product is only one element of a business model. The supply side is one thing, but you had better have the "demand" side of your business sorted out. As the old joke goes: "How do you make a small fortune in this business? - Start with a large one!"
If I were you I would have solid, rigorous answers to, inter alia, the following questions:
Who is the target audience? How big? How fragmented?
How will they benefit from this product? Where's the real value? What would someone pay?
How will you position the product? What is the core proposition?
Outside of the physical product, what other features and benefits will you offfer? Eg., warranties etc.
How will you reach your target audience? What will it cost to reach them?
What is the nature and form of your competition? How might they respond?
How will you protect and charge for the value of the intellectual property? If you get a patent, can you afford to enforce it?
Finally, do you have a financial model that takes into account all aspects of the business from manufacture to sale and support?
I would not spend another dime until you have answered the above questions thoroughly. If, however, you have, then good luck!
Hastings
PS I am a marketing consultant for firms ranging from Fortune 100 companies to small businesses and do this stuff for a living.
Hastings,The original investment is not huge and I can afford it.
My plan was to sound this forum and see the reaction.
The second step would be to send out several samples to some chosen members of this forum and see what they think.
My friends think this is the cat's arse and that's what I will call it: "THE KATSARSE GAUGE".
I do not have the means to enforce the patent so I won't patent it.Thanks for your input,C.
citrouille,
I'm sure you did a search of your competition but just in case you didn't come across the Hi-Gage from Lee Valley here is a link:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=44591&cat=1,240,41064
I saw this advertised in FWW a few years ago and purchased it immediately. It works great for me and cost around $20 (back then).
Good luck
Dean
DStevick,What I came up with is something much more accurate, much faster and something you can TRUST every time.C.
I look forward to seeing it. Ignore the doomsayers none of whom have seen the item let alone test it.Pay attention to folk who use it-chances are it can be improved.
The better it is the more the requirement for(expensive) patent etc protection.Effective release to the public means timing has to be bang on and you need to move fast with marketing and production plans.
Good luck. Let me see a picture- I may want to make one quickly before the lawyers get hold of it (,)
Citrouille,
I look forward to seeing it as well. Good luck.
Lee
I'm looking forward to seeing the tool and wish you well. I believe you are right as far as the patent goes: run with it until the competition catches on. Everyone and their dog has copied the dowl-it jig and they still seem to be selling them.
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