Over the last five years, the hobbyist woodworking community has undergone a dramatic 180 degree shift in our attitude toward tools and tool pricing. In this week’s episode I explore this phenomenon and look for a reason as to why we all simultaneously performed the half-hokey-pokey.
Here’s the links for more information on the new Delta Unisaw and new Sawstop saw that I mention.
Festool – ugh – they need some competition – and DeWalt is joining in the contest. Have you seen DeWalts latest entry into the radial saw market? I wonder what effect this will have on Festool’s pricing, if any.
Dave,
First, I’m a bit crestfallen that I didn’t even get an invite to live show. What have I done to be shunned so?
I couldn’t agree with you more about the lack of focus on cost-effectiveness these days. Your two examples were dead on… I had looked at the Tormek but after doing the cost/benefit analysis realized that it just doesn’t make sense. I purchased a Delta grinder, waterstones, LV honing guide, and belt sander, all for about half the price of a Tormek and I can sharpen/hone any tool edge including carving and turning tools.
Looking at Festool, while they have some fine innovations the cost of the single dedicated tools just doesn’t make sense to me. I once came upon what I thought was a deal for Festool tools as, whatever tool it was that I can’t remember now, was just over $200… when my pulse settled down a bit I read on to see that it was just for Systainers for the tools… i.e. plastic containers that have awesome capabilities such as “stacking”.
I guess it’s all relative to what we individually rationalize as “necessary” in our own minds… I’ve talked myself into believing that I needed many more LN and LV planes than I really do (course, since they barely depreciate it’s a solid lease if nothing else). I’m also one of the people that scoffed at the price of the jointmaker pro, but alas I have ordered one. Rationale being that I like to work inside and would like to focus on detail work which this tool is uniquely adapted for. Again I sold myself on the notion that the tool will hold value and I can probably recoup most of the purchase (and maybe actually make more given that Bridge City sells the assembled version for $250 which is amazing since I’m guessing it takes no longer than an hour to assemble… I don’t quite make $250/hr yet so I’ll just go ahead and put it together myself)
Good ‘cast as always, Dave. I agree that there’s a problem out there, but I don’t blame the companies. They wouldn’t be selling them for so much if people weren’t so willing to pay the price.
I am a little annoyed that, regarding hand tools, the prevalent assumption is that any new purchase you make should be a Lie-Nielsen. And if it’s not, you’re just settling for second best. Yes, they’re great tools! But the average hobbyist doesn’t need a Cadillac when a Honda does an awesome job as well. And then you can go buy a bunch more Hondas!
I don’t think it is just a way of jacking up the prices company’s like Festool have to deal with the low value of the all mighty dollar. I will expand on this when the company imports the new tools they have to convert the price from what they would sell it for in their own county let’s say the Euro to what the price will be in dollars due to the low value of the dollar the price goes up.
The companies here in the US have to also deal with this due to transportation costs and other factors that drive the manufacturing of things here in the US. All this being said I would not pay $1300 for a rotor even if it was that cool. I think as Dave said a module with tiers of tools to allow all of us that want to work on wood and create can do so, I think should be the goal.
Just my 6 cents
P.S. I have no idea what a “cabinet saw” is.
@Eric: A cabinet saw is a power tool that you keep locked up in your cabinet because you are too busy using hand tools.
Dave,
I think the argument you put forth has some merit, but doesn’t take into consideration things like the economy, transportation costs, research and development and demand. I have a friend that actually wants to purchase a Laguna sliding tablesaw.
I tease him every time he brings it up. “How can you justify the cost, without being a production cabinet shop?”
I scammed onto an Excalibur sliding table for $150. It is no where near as smooth as the “real” thing, but it make cutting sheet goods a breeze. I don’t think I would’ve paid the $950 for a new one, though.
On Festool, while I don’t see myself buying the router. I have been able to use their “convertible” sander with vacuum attached and that isn’t out of the question down the line.
It’s not high on my priority list, though.
As far as hand tools, I’ve got some really nice old Stanleys that need refurbishing. I can’t see buying a LN jointer for $700.
Then again, I’m still driving a KIA my wife bought over 10 years ago and figure to do so for another 5 to 10 years, easy.
Several folks have commented about the economy, R&D, etc adding to the price of the Festool router. Here’s my take on that… All the tool companies have these exact same costs. If Festool is pricing their router at $800+ while all their competitors are pricing their own equivalent routers around $300, only two possibilities remain:
1. Festool is an incredibly inefficient company.
2. Festool is intentionally pricing their tools high.
Personally, I believe #2 is the correct answer. And who can blame them? Clearly, there are plenty of customers out there that are willing to pay any price for Festool products. I don’t blame the company; they’re smart to charge whatever the market will bear. The responsibility lies on us, the consumers. If we keep indicating that we are willing to pay higher prices, then prices will keep going up.