blog.bridgecitytools.comJohn's Blog - Behind the Scenes at Bridge City Tool Works

+Tools About Contact John’s Blog Tools Tools Chopstick Master Jointmaker Pro Planes Layout Tools Japanese Saws Legacy Tools Commemorative Tools Limited Edition Tools Legacy Tools Other Repairs & Replacement Parts Accessories Gift Certificates Clothing & Books A gift as precise as the work. About Contact John’s Blog image/svg+xml John’s Blog Behind the Scenes at Bridge City Tool Works My Account My Wishlist My Cart Log In Menu Home 30th Anniversary Gala: The Details AMPv2 Anglemaster Pro v2 and BL-2 – 2017 AS-24v3 Adjustable Square BP-18v2 Bevel Protractor Bridge City Phone System is less than Ideal at the Moment… CS-2 Centerscribe CS-2 Centerscribe and CS-2a Mortise and Tenon Accessory CS-6v2, CS-12v2, and CS-18v2 Combination Squares CT-18 Dual Low Angle Smoothing Plane CT-19 Transfer Bevel DJ-1 Drilling Jig, Universal Jaws, and Accessory Bushing Set. DJ-2 Drilling Jig DSS-6 Double Saddle Square FC-1v2 Flushing Chisel HG-1 Honing Guide HG-1 Honing Guide and SUG-1 Set-Up Gauge HP-10 Crown Kit Works” HP-10 Foxtail Convertible Rabbet Plane HP-10 V-Groove Profiles HP-11 FW Tapered Body Shoulder Plane HP-6FX Mini Multi-Plane Body, HP-6v2 Profiles & Accessories HP-6v2 3/8″ and 1/2″ Dado Profiles and more V-Groove too! (more HP-6v2 Bodies as well) HP-6v2 Dovetail Sole System HP-8 Aluminum with Depth Skids HP-9 Dual Angle Block Plane JMPv2 and Table Saw Precision Fence Systems JMPV2 AND TABLE SAW PRECISION FENCE SYSTEMS 2017 Miter Squares MT-1 Multi-Tool New Ownership, Same Legacy SE Block Plane SE Dual Angle Smoother SF-1…..Sale Freebie! Sign Up Special Edition Rabbet Plane SR-6 Pocket Rule, SE-24 Straight Edge, and AS-24v3 Adjustable Square TB-2v2 T-Bevel TS-1v2 Try Square TS-2v2 Try Square Manufacturing Schedule HP-8 Mini Block Plane Folding Japanese Hand Saws AMPv2 AngleMaster Pro KM-1 Kerfmakers & TM-1 Tenonmakers JM-P Jointmaker Pro SE Crowning Plane CT-17 Dual Angle Block Plane HP-6v2 Ogee Sole and Iron Kits Videos Happy Holidays Drivel Starved Nation! December, 23rd, 2021 Write it. Shoot it. Publish it. Crochet it, sauté it, whatever. MAKE.” — Josh Whedon Drivel Starved Nation! I miss you! I’ve had an insane year here in Portlandia and I want you to know that you will be hearing from me more frequently in 2022 beginning in March. More on that in a subsequent post. First, two weeks ago I received a pre-production prototype of the DJ-3 Drilling Jig and it is an incredibly made improvement over version 2. The major design changes were in the bushings, the arm locking mechanism, the adjustable stop system and the overall robustness and versatility. I don’t know about delivery but it is one sweet jig that really is a drill press in a box. Continue reading → Posted by John in Behind the Scenes 10 Comments New Tools And Horney Squirrels! July, 13th, 2021 We should never underestimate the powerful draw of a bond with a being that loves us unconditionally, asking very little in return. Losing this comfort and source of joy can be incomprehensible.” — Linda Lipshutz Drivel Starved Nation! It’s been a couple of months since my last post, and if I had anything meaningful to say, I would have said something… But now I do! Briefly, as the world reopens from the shutdowns, I became aware of an incredible deal to visit Botswana. So, for a fraction of what it normally costs to fly 11,000 miles away, my wife and I made the short-notice, 10 day trip. More on that later. Upon my return, I received a package which contained the three boxes below; Continue reading → Posted by John in Behind the Scenes 29 Comments I’m Back from the Brink… and Happily So! April, 7th, 2021 There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore, There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roar: I love not man the less, but Nature more” — Lord Byron Drivel Starved Nation! Here is an update that nobody asked me to share. Pretty generous of me don’t you think? This past February Portland experienced a crazy destructive ice storm. How crazy you ask? Continue reading → Posted by John in Behind the Scenes 9 Comments I Just Received the First Production Pencil Precision Kit…. February, 10th, 2021 "A man provided with paper, pencil, and rubber, and subject to strict discipline, is in effect a universal machine." — Alan Turing Drivel Starved Nation! Today I received the very first production model of the Pencil Precision, which is again, since it has been so damn long, a pencil making factory in a box. In this post I will present my unboxing cell phone pics (I save my other camera for birds!) and show you my first pencil. But before I begin, I have a couple of comments. First, as mentioned in my last post, Consuelo will be contacting everybody who has been patiently waiting for this crazy invention of mine. She will need updated payment info for the second payment (if required) and a correct shipping address. The production units will ship shortly after the end of Chinese New Year which is the 18th of Feb I believe. I do not know how long it will take for them to arrive in the United States and clear customs, but I am guessing about 3-4 weeks. If this changes, I will post the change in this Totally Awesome and Worthless Blog. So, here we go! Continue reading → Posted by John in Behind the Scenes 20 Comments Pencil Precision Update… February, 5th, 2021 Patience attracts happiness; it brings near that which is far.” — Swahili Proverb Drivel Starved Nation! I am pleased to be able to share that all of our Pencil Precision orders will be shipped in the next 12 weeks. I am really excited to finish this project, and even more excited to share this fun project with everybody. And, I am so grateful for everybody’s patience — I do believe you will be thrilled making pencils in your kitchen, or shop. Continue reading → Posted by John in Behind the Scenes 15 Comments HP-8X; The Inside Story… January, 13th, 2021 "It’s impossible to explain creativity. It’s like asking a bird, ’How do you fly?’ You just do." — Eric Jerome Dickey Drivel Starved Nation! Yours truly designed the HP-8 Mini Block Plane years ago because I was looking for a small plane that does what only small planes can do, and that is the ability to do delicate and precise work using only one hand. It was an instant hit. However, because this plane is also used in the Chopstick Master , it is by far, the best selling plane in the history of the company. When Harvey Industries acquired Bridge City almost three years ago, Jack Xu and I had a mega-discussion as to what could go wrong with this transition. We discussed racism, political views, quality control, PROPER ENGLISH, patent infringement, dealer support, rip-offs, and lastly, how much wine needs to be consumed before all decisions are bad. After all that wine, I shared that my biggest concern — the core of Bridge City Tool Works — was how to continue our innovation culture. From as far back as I can remember, the number one customer service question was, and always has been, What’s next?” And to this day, it is still my concern if I want to take more bird pictures… Several months ago, Jack shared with me the sales data for the aluminum body HP-8 and I was floored. (This was yet another reminder that I had no business running a business.) Regardless, I mentioned that I liked our older, heavier body versions made from either brass or stainless steel better. Jack asked me why, and I said I like what I like.” They all cut fine assuming the iron is sharp, but I just liked the heft of the heavier planes. Well, imagine my surprise when these three boxes showed up just before the Christmas; Continue reading → Posted by John in Behind the Scenes 28 Comments Here is a Peek at Some of What is Coming from Bridge City Tool Works in 2021… January, 4th, 2021 Don’t worry about failure; you only have to be right once.” — Drew Houston, Founder of DropBox Drivel Starved Nation! I am so glad 2020 is in the rear view mirror. What a nasty year. Regarding your...