Replies

1. 
   jazzdogg | May 18, 2006 12:45am | #1

   John,

   I agree with your sentiments, as i have yet to see an effective micro-adjusting mechanism for a rip fence. That being said, however, I remain chagrined by what I observed.

    

   -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

2. 
   Jamie_Buxton | May 18, 2006 01:09am | #2

   John, I disagree with you.   I have a microadjuster on my fence, and I find it quite valuable.   For example, I cut tenon cheeks on the table saw.   The microadjuster gives me an easy way to fine-tune the tenon width -- something the old tap-it-and-try-it scheme doesn't do.

1. 
   Knotscott | May 18, 2006 02:17am | #3

   Most of the microadjusters I've tried aren't very effective, but the one on the Vega seemed to work great for me.....on two different fences.

2. 
   John_D | May 18, 2006 02:35am | #4

   Heh, too bad you said that.  I was going to say my micro-adjuster is a dead blow hammer.  The guy on the Router Workshop calls his hammer the "fine adjusting tool."

   You're right of course that percussive alignment is imprecise at best.My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.

3. 
   mike_b | May 18, 2006 03:34am | #5

   Re:
   Sure didn't take Rockler long get it to market! I wouldn't be at all surprised if the guy who submitted the idea feels as though the "reward" paid by WWJ for the idea he submitted was insufficient in hindsight.

   Somehow, it seems tawdry for Rockler to pay almost nothing to readers for ideas that they subsequently exploit for profit.

   Sorry, but I disagree. If the guy who submitted the idea to Rockler was that excited about his concept, he could have made an investment in bringing the product to market and perhaps made some money on it. Instead, it was Rockler who invested their hard-earned cash in development and manufacturing and is now offering the product for sale. The risk is all theirs. It could be a success or a bust. Either way, it's their nickel. And they did give the guy something for his idea. Ideas are a wonderful thing, but do nobody any good if they remain only ideas.

   I think it's brilliant for companies to solicit tips and suggestions from customers. They're going to their market for ideas, and in the long run, it benefits everyone. Take the Knots forum for example. It's a wonderful thing and I really enjoy it, but it's just another product in the Taunton portfolio which is produced by all of us -- a bunch of "consultants" that don't submit invoices or ask for raises once a year, but do send a check to subscribe -- brilliant! (in fairness to Taunton, producing and maintaining this site is not without significant cost). It's a great idea that works for everybody.

   So my point is, if you have an idea for a product, and think you can make a buck on it, take the risk. If you're unwilling to do that, sell it for the most you can get and be happy, or do nothing. Anyway, I'm beginning to shift into heavy pontification mode, so I'll shut up and sign off.