Well, I just got my Festool fix for the day. I just built a little mobile podium for my wireless notebook so’s I can push it around the store and do my inventories. It sure is fun when you can just stand in front of the Festool Demo Rack and whip out a quick little project.
Cleanup took only a few minutes and most of that was from the router. I must admit the router dust collection attachments did work pretty well even when I hogged out 3/4″x 3/8″ dados in a single pass.
Retracted in next post: I did have an upleasant experience with a 3/4″ Amana two flute plunge router bit. Dull as a rock right out of the package. I was glad I found it and not a customer! I switched to a Freud and blew right through the dados.
This was a purely functional unit so no pictures.. Scrap wood isn’t always the most photogenic.
Night all
Steve
Edited 10/20/2005 12:17 pm ET by WhatKnot
Replies
Replying to myself, now that's something I can relate to!
Anyway so's ya'll know, Amana is off the hook. The bit sharpness was fine it just doesn't work to well when you run it backwards. Yep, somebody slipped a Left Handed bit in on me. I never thought to check it last night, I just switched to the Freud. Thats what happens when you work in a Woodworkers Toy Store.. LOL
My Amana and General Reps are due in today so I'll pass the packaging error on to him when he gets here. I'm still glad I got it and not a customer who was headed out to a job.
Have a Black & Decker (Delta, Dewalt, Porter Cable, and on and on) Day !
Steve
Edited 10/20/2005 12:23 pm ET by WhatKnot
"...when you work in a Woodworkers Toy Store."
Hi Whatknot,
Sounds like you could be in a unique position to offer some much-needed insight to some weary woodworkers. Where do you work? What's your job?
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I am the Branch Manager for Santa Rosa Tool and Supply Co. We are a branch of the CB Tool Group. I've been around Knots for a few years but just came back after a short hiatus (sp).
Steve
Hi Steve,
Thanks for responding so quickly.
What do you think your fellow woodworkers might be surprised to learn about your industry?
What advice would you offer to woodworkers who want to establish a fantastic relationship with their local tool store?
What are the kinds of things customers do that annoy you - especially the things customers might be clueless about? Do you have a Top Ten list a la Letterman?
Among the things that annoy me are thoughtless telephone callers, and customers who want to hang out and ask lots of pointless questions as a way of engaging in conversation.
Thanks,
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
O.K. You asked for it:
Q. What do you think your fellow woodworkers might be surprised to learn about your industry?
A. This one's easy. The profit margin. They would be amazed to know how small the margin is and how much I have to sell just to keep the doors open.
Q. What advice would you offer to woodworkers who want to establish a fantastic relationship with their local tool store?
A. This is so simple - Realize that its much better to just be plesant than it is to just be smart. Combine the two and you are my freind.
Q. What are the kinds of things customers do that annoy you - especially the things customers might be clueless about? Do you have a Top Ten list a la Letterman?
1. Bring in a home grown webpage add ask me to price match. I have a Masters degree in Business Information Systems and it really makes me mad when some bozo tries this.
2. Buy something with a check and return it the same day asking for a cash refund. I'll give you your check back if I havent already run it through. But I'm not a lending institution. You'll get your money back in 10 working days and it too will be a check.
3. Tell me you can get something cheaper on the Internet and then walk out with a free warm crispy creame donut and a hot cup of coffee. Can you get that on the internet !
4. Use my restroom, stink it all up and then walk out without buying anything. Jeeze, a candy bar is all it would take to make me happy.
5. Customers who take cell phone calls while at the counter or asking for advice... Makes me feel pretty insignificant, like they think my time is less valuable than theirs.
6. Customers who demand that I carry something that only they will buy. I have a million and a half dollars in inventory and many more millions available at my disposal. Just how much can one be expected to have.
7. People that eat lunch in my parking lot and throw their trash on the ground.
8. Pets (dogs) in my store... Seems they like to mark their territory.
9. People who pick something up walk around with it but then decide they don't want it so they just drop it anywhere.
10. People who demand to pay the price as marked when clearly a pricing error has occured. That law only applies in Missouri they did not pass it in California since it would cause a huge burden on small retailers with limited staff.
Q. (sort of) Among the things that annoy me are thoughtless telephone callers, and customers who want to hang out and ask lots of pointless questions as a way of engaging in conversation.
A. A pointless telephone call can be turned around by knowing your local resources. You can redirect the person immediately if you know where to send them.
Pointless questions ? I have customers who just love to come in and yak. I enjoy it and since I've spent time listening before, they never get offended when I tell them I have to get back to work. Some of my best repeat customers have been developed from just the situations you describe. In a lot of cases they are trying to establish a level of confidence in me that would allow them to spend money in my store rather than somewhere else. Sometimes it takes a while to get to that point.
Does that answer your questions ?
Edited 10/20/2005 3:31 pm ET by WhatKnot
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. Very informative. Next time I'm in your neck of the woods, I promise I'll stop in and buy something!
Got a website?-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Sure do.. http://www.santarosatool.com
Hey WhatKnot!
Was just in Santa Rosa, earlier this week, back in Kansas now, in-laws 50th aniversery. Used to live there in the 80's, worked down the street in the 70's during college (auto parts store on the corner of Piner and Cleveland). Good to here from you! Ever sell anything to David Marks? Have fun with the tools, would like to step up to some Festool stuff, outa my budget at this time.
Steve
How's it going. I'm trying to remember which Autoparts store was on Piner and Cleveland... By the way, Yes Mr. Marks is one of my customers, we keep it real low key so he can enjoy his visit rather than ending up teaching an impromptu class. My employees don't even recognize him when he comes in and I don't tell them who he is.
As for the Festool, you should sign up on their website. They have some really great specials going on. They have just entered the world of stocking vendors. You can now walk into a store and buy Festool products off the shelf. They are selective as to who is a stocking vendor and who is not so not every store will be able to sell to you off the shelf.
Also, about once a year we are allowed to sell off our demo's at dramatically reduced prices. Festool advertises for us when this happens so if you sign up on the website you should get a flyer in the mail.
Was called Trembleys Auto Parts, changed to Santa Rosa Auto Parts. Thanks for the info on signing up for Festool, I'll save my pennies and give it a go. Does Marks have to wear a disguise? He does some great work, and I enjoy his show. If you ever need some wine, my brother is a winemaker at Kendall Jackson, trade some tool discounts for discount wine?
Steve
There was a time when wine was divine but alas the times have changed and I no longer find room in my life for mind altering substances. I have a tough enough time straight. Thanks for the offer.
Trembleys, sure, I should have known, Harry moved the store there after urban renewal forced him off of third st. His third street store was right next to my dads plumbing shop on third st. My dad new Harry well and says he got forced out by Santa Rosa Auto Parts when the threat was made that they would build a store right next door to him if he didn't sell. Thats when they built the store on Santa Rosa Ave and later Industrial and Airway.
Disguise, David, not in the store, maybe on the show though... hint.
Ahh well, a nice try on my part...partake less mesself these days.
Laughing in Kansas...."Disguise, David, not in the store, maybe on the show though... hint." I guess looks are deceiving. Me thinks by your comment, that he is actually disguised on the show??
Sounds like you have been a long time SR resident. My trip this last week brought back sweet memories for my wife and myself...a wonderful place to live, if only there were less people and traffic. Can't go back, so onward we go..thanks for the time, will look forward to talking with you again.
If ever in Kansas, look me up!
Steve
Re: "...Sounds like you have been a long time SR resident. My trip this last week brought back sweet memories for my wife and myself...a wonderful place to live, if only there were less people and traffic. Can't go back, so onward we go..."
FYI - Alfred Hitchcock's "Shadow of a Doubt" with Joseph Cotten, Teresa Wright and Hume Cronyn was filmed in Santa Rosa in1942 (definitely "less people and traffic"). There are several scenes of Santa Rosa at that time, especially at the RR station and downtown. Not saying you were there then, but the window into time is fascinating. That movie should be showing on Turner Classic Movies this coming week. Friday, October 28 at 5:00 PM Pacific time is what the DirecTV guide indicates.
Yep, time marches on. It wasn't that long ago (IMHO, heh-heh!) that I could remember going weekly to a working dairy on Redondo Beach Blvd in Gardena, CA (a Los Angeles suburb) to buy milk. This was in the early 1960's. It would be difficult to imagine today with all the buildings there now.
Tejonista, Orange County, Calif.
Hey,
For anyone who wants a real dose of Festool facts and fun, check this out:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FestoolOwnersGroup/
WhatKnot,
Shew, I'm in the clear. I don't do any of your top ten list. I'm kind of in, spend, and back home to set up, use, and put to work, what I bought. Your insight is very rewarding to say the least. People like you make reading these threads well worth it. Thank You, Sir.
I have noticed at the local (in Wisconsin) Wood Craft store they have Festools on hand and on sale. I even received a Festool DVD (from one of my tool mag's) some very nice stuff. I will ask about the demo models, too.
Joe
Is it really saw dust or wood dust?
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