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Ed Weber

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Just isn't worth the price
Feb 5^th, 2019 at 10:31am

So this isn't technically a question of the week but here it goes anyway.

What tool or turning related item have you purchased that simply wasn't worth the hype?
Something that did not live up to your expectations.

I ask because I often see tools for all different types of woodworking that are often, IMO and others, unnecessary, overpriced, over complicated, poorly made and/or all around gimmicky.

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Glenn Jacobs WR Addict Offline JC L&S Posts: 2,077 North DFW, Texas Texas USA Gender: Powermatic 3520C	Re: Just isn't worth the price Reply #1 - Feb 5^th, 2019 at 12:45pm For me, it's fun and interesting to see new tools that are supposed to do something better. It gives me a clearer idea as to how better to use what I have on hand.
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Ralph Fahringer

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Re: Just isn't worth the price
Reply #2 - Feb 5^th, 2019 at 1:16pm

Personally, the Longworth chuck was the biggest bust for me.

Most times, it won't hold because the shape doesn't work on those posts. Then the chuck itself is almost impossible to open and close as there is no handle on one of the wheels allowing you to move it against the other.

Then the exasperating time spent trying to tighten those posts. I have spent less time torquing down the head on an engine. Roll Eyes

Willing to sell mine if anyone is interested. Just need to find it under the pile of stuff on my work table. Shocked

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Ed Weber

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Re: Just isn't worth the price
Reply #3 - Feb 5^th, 2019 at 1:17pm

Glenn Jacobs wrote on Feb 5^th, 2019 at 12:45pm:

For me, it's fun and interesting to see new tools that are supposed to do something better. It gives me a clearer idea as to how better to use what I have on hand.

Well I would think you are in the minority judging by how many new unnecessary tools are always on the market.

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Chris Neilan WR Addict Offline OUCH! Posts: 999 Waterford Connecticut USA Gender: Powermatic 3520 Delta 46-460 Shopsmith 10 ER Shopsmith Mark V Shopsmith Mark 7 Powerpro	Re: Just isn't worth the price Reply #4 - Feb 7^th, 2019 at 7:42am My Tormek. Works great, but have not turned it on in over two years since getting CBN wheels for the other grinder.
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Glenn Jacobs WR Addict Offline JC L&S Posts: 2,077 North DFW, Texas Texas USA Gender: Powermatic 3520C	Re: Just isn't worth the price Reply #5 - Feb 7^th, 2019 at 12:47pm Ed, I am in a minority. I'm old school. Use your head, then your hands. Not other way around.
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Steve nix Senior Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 323 Iota Louisiana USA Gender: 1642 Jet, RobustAB	Re: Just isn't worth the price Reply #6 - Feb 8^th, 2019 at 5:51pm Greg air sander👎👎. But I’ll never tell my wife I don’t like it because it was a Christmas gift. I’ll stick with HF air models and quarter angle drills.
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Rick Caron Senior Member Offline So many logs, so little time! Posts: 456 Greer South Carolina USA Gender:	Re: Just isn't worth the price Reply #7 - Jul 14^th, 2019 at 3:22pm Lets keep this thread going. I learn alot from it.....
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Ed Weber

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Re: Just isn't worth the price
Reply #8 - Jul 15^th, 2019 at 8:42am

Rick Caron wrote on Jul 14^th, 2019 at 3:22pm:

Lets keep this thread going. I learn alot from it.....

I agree Rick

I know not everyone will agree if something is worth the money spent but at least we can discuss it and during the process help others decide for themselves.

There has to be some more unfortunate tool purchases in the 5 months since I originally posted this question.

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Arlin Eastman

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Re: Just isn't worth the price
Reply #9 - Oct 1^st, 2019 at 8:35pm

Ralph Fahringer wrote on Feb 5^th, 2019 at 1:16pm:

Personally, the Longworth chuck was the biggest bust for me.

Most times, it won't hold because the shape doesn't work on those posts. Then the chuck itself is almost impossible to open and close as there is no handle on one of the wheels allowing you to move it against the other.

Then the exasperating time spent trying to tighten those posts. I have spent less time torquing down the head on an engine. Roll Eyes

Willing to sell mine if anyone is interested. Just need to find it under the pile of stuff on my work table. Shocked

Yep the Longworth chuck. Mostly because the donut chuck works on almost anything where the Longworth is hard to work with.

I made two donut chucks a small one of 8" and bigger one of 14" and both work great and I drilled them together on the lathe so it would fit the best and measured the threads so I could get almost the exact same place on all of them in tightening them down.

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Jenny Trice WR Addict Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 553 St. Paul, MN Minnesota USA Gender:	Re: Just isn't worth the price Reply #10 - Oct 24^th, 2019 at 6:21pm Large calipers. I don't know if I ever actaully bought them but somehow I have acquired three of them and am never really happy with the way they work.
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David Moeller Senior Member Offline Old chiseler Posts: 314 Linden Michigan USA Gender: LAGUNA REVO 15X24 CONOVER 15 x Infinity Long gone: Shopsmith, Myford ML8, Homebuilt bowl lathe, NOVA benchtop, Delta 46-715 and a Unimat.	Re: Just isn't worth the price Reply #11 - Oct 24^th, 2019 at 9:51pm My first lathe was a 6 x 36 benchtop with #1MT . This explains why I HAD TO HAVE a 1 1/2 wide, 3/16 thick skew and a matching shallow gouge. Been trying to find a use now for 35 yrs.
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Al Wasser WR Addict Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 626 Pueblo West, CO Colorado USA Gender: Robust American Beauty	Re: Just isn't worth the price Reply #12 - Oct 29^th, 2019 at 12:53pm No offense to Doug Thompson, but I have his V and U bowl gouges. The work but I much prefer the parabolic gouges made by many.
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Arlin Eastman

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Re: Just isn't worth the price
Reply #13 - Dec 14^th, 2019 at 12:57pm

Ralph Fahringer wrote on Feb 5^th, 2019 at 1:16pm:

Personally, the Longworth chuck was the biggest bust for me.

Most times, it won't hold because the shape doesn't work on those posts. Then the chuck itself is almost impossible to open and close as there is no handle on one of the wheels allowing you to move it against the other.

Then the exasperating time spent trying to tighten those posts. I have spent less time torquing down the head on an engine. Roll Eyes

Willing to sell mine if anyone is interested. Just need to find it under the pile of stuff on my work table. Shocked

Ralph

How I got around that is by drilling holes into both of the plates every 4" and use tommy bars to tighten them down. However, I hardly use it anymore due to using other ways.

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« Last Edit: Dec 14^th, 2019 at 12:59pm by Arlin Eastman »

It is always the right time; To do the right thing

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Ken Appelt

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Re: Just isn't worth the price
Reply #14 - Mar 10^th, 2020 at 8:00pm

Arlin Eastman wrote on Oct 1^st, 2019 at 8:35pm:

Ralph Fahringer wrote on Feb 5^th, 2019 at 1:16pm:

Personally, the Longworth chuck was the biggest bust for me.

Most times, it won't hold because the shape doesn't work on those posts. Then the chuck itself is almost impossible to open and close as there is no handle on one of the wheels allowing you to move it against the other.

Then the exasperating time spent trying to tighten those posts. I have spent less time torquing down the head on an engine. Roll Eyes

Willing to sell mine if anyone is interested. Just need to find it under the pile of stuff on my work table. Shocked

Yep the Longworth chuck. Mostly because the donut chuck works on almost anything where the Longworth is hard to work with.

I made two donut chucks a small one of 8" and bigger one of 14" and both work great and I drilled them together on the lathe so it would fit the best and measured the threads so I could get almost the exact same place on all of them in tightening them down.

I would like to know. More about your donut chucks.,,, please

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