Ray Have you decided on the design or will it be a trade secret until unveiling ? How about a 4-in-1 tool similar to the example in the photo
Like I said, I don't own a stove that requires a penta wrench. Having no need for penta wrench I haven't looked into what's available or which might be the inferior tools Gary's referring to. If you contact Gary directly at bluewater_stove@comcast.net he'll sell you one for $40 w/ free shipping in the U.S.A. and he has more than 3 available. Like I said, judging from the photos and description these look like quality tools Given all the work that goes into making something like this, I doubt he's making minimum wage selling at that price. Whether they're "affordable" is relative of course and depends on the financial circumstances of the buyer. Ben
Just to inform Canadian purchasers of a BD penta wrench the advertised Canadian price Ben quotes is actually $59.72 ($45 US) combined with $13.27 ($10US) shipping for a total of $72.99 Cdn. Just wanted to make sure Canadian purchasers had the whole story. Stan
I relate to that Ben, because if Ross was 'Joe Bloggs' knocking at my shop door proposing such a project involving such development time, trials, versions 1,2,3 etc for a certain financial return, I'd of laughed him out of the door As it is, I'm chuffed to of been asked by Ross to get involved at all, the financial proceeds of which, compared to the head scratching, engineering and machining involved, is only a sweetener and nowhere near minimum wage neither How we all must love this community aye ! That is something we all have in common here isn't it
Absolutely. Well said. It will be interesting to see how the tool will come out. Design is of course not only about form and function, but also how it can be manufactured in the easiest possible way when, like here, making more than one just for yourself.
That was why I was a bit miffed by the affordable statement. For what it takes to make a specialty tool for what we do, so few of us, the cost recovery is minimal. The time taken is so much. I am grateful to all that have made items for me to use to feed this 'stove pox addiction'. Hard tools such as penta wrench, articulated jet tool, washers such as asbestos free and Viton, washer kits sorted and bagged and tagged, pump cups, specialty pump cups, etc. (I hope I didn't forget someone, I know who you all are). Items come from USA, Scotland, England, Turkey, Australia, and so many more places. So, I do hope you all know that I for one am quite aware of the effort it takes to make these items. I try to make them myself. (Successfully sometimes too.) Ken in NC
Good Morning, All, I am really looking forward to availing myself of whatever SRV wrench(es) that Longililly offers for sale!! I have an early version of another "penta-wrench", but unfortunately, it was not tempered properly, and the first time I had to put some muscle behind it, the tip torqued and twisted a bit!! YIKES!!! I may try to straighten it back to original shape, and then temper it, myself, but after I get the new wrench(es) from The Fettle Box, I may not need to mess with it. I VERY much appreciate, and totally agree, with everything that Ken wrote in the post above!! We are a family, and we do need to support those amongst us who work hard at offering us unique, and much needed goods, to keep our stoves happy and healthy!! The Fettle Box, and those wonderful Stovies who produce goods for sale there, is and are a real blessing for us all!!! Well done, to Ross for setting it up, and to all our talented craftsmen, who create the goods we all need!! HUZZAH! Well done, Ken, and much appreciated!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Absolutely Christer , that's where the head scratching comes into it ! The 'drives' required are self explanatory, it's how it can be manufactured easily, many times over ! We there now though I think 'Simple by design' is the term ! I understand your point Ken, but it's more about making tools for our community with a little financial reward, than it is getting paid 'the going rate' . In short, We want them to be affordable Thanks for the PT by the way, Respect Cheers Edit: crossed with Doc, thanks for the comments Doc, heartfelt sentiments as always
A hand made tool is always going to be expensive. You have to cover your time even if its a hobby. How many hours would it take to make this tool using a grinder etc?
I agree that manufacturing a custom tool is much work. But I also see the point that someone who has one stove, say a 123 and needs to replace the pip in the srv doesn't want to pay 45$ for a tool to open the maybe 15$ tank lid. For 45$ you could get a whole used 123 with a bit of luck. Not everyone needs top quality if you're only gonna use it a few times. So I think the tool being "affordable" will be important to many stove users. greets Simon
They could send it to someone with a tool. The same as my car. I pay a mechanic to use the tool I choose not to buy. I do not agree the price should be low just to be affordable to someone that wants it at a low price. A man is worthy of his labor. If the man making it chooses to sell it at a low price that is fine. I am speaking on a man requesting that it be within their idea of affordable. If he can't afford to buy the tool, then he should make his own or send it to a stove repairman (mechanic). Point: I choose not to buy a punch of the quality that Fettlebox uses to make their washers. I buy some washers, I make some with my punch set. I throw away a few Viton washers because mine are not concentric (don't fit) as a concentric punch will make. I have FettleBox washers in my kit, they always fit. I have a broken pricker on a recently acquired turner stove. My question is .. Will I fix it, leave it be, or send it to Oregon for repair? I rebuilt a 1941 South Bend 9A lathe so I can do that kind of work. I still may not choose to do it myself. Should I ask the repairman to cut his rate because I don't want to pay him a fair price? I think the asking would be rude and inconsiderate. Consider asking your car mechanic to cut his rate just because. Can you tell i have an opinion about that? But, I don't have just one stove and I work on them myself. Ken in NC
Just for the sake of accuracy. I got an email from berniedawg, the maker of the Penta Wrench: "My quote of $45 shipped to Canada is $59.85 at todays exchange rate." The price is including shipping. That is a direct buy, not eBay. Ken in NC
Ken. I neither know, nor care what kind of backroom deals you may have made with bd. You certainly are providing him with more than his fair share of advertising. All I know is what I see on ebay which does include shipping. I can't post a screen capture of what's on there as I believe that would contravene the guidelines of this site for not promoting an ebay auction, but anyone who cares can look it up for themselves. My posting of his prices stand. As a further note, I always thought that ebay took a dim view of their sellers making these "private deals" on an existing auction. Not only that but shipping of ebay items has often been via private carriers who charge extra and sometimes exorbitant border handling fees to the receiver (not the shipper) upon receipt of the product. I believe shippers often are not aware of these fees and charges. These fees often exceed the price of the shipping itself. Anyone here in Canada can vouch for that fact. Stan
No deal with him. I have no agenda but the truth. I am no more promoting him than the wrenches Fettlebox is working on. Like Ben said just deal with him directly. I did say 'not ebay'. I am done here. It's getting personal again and that's what I try to stay away from. If you don't want his wrench, then stop writing about it.
Absolutly agreed. I never bought any silent caps not because the price was to high. One look at the workmanship in the hand made ones tells you all you need to know about the quality. I never bought them because I decided I couldnt afford them. Even just the shipping on the mass produced version makes them more than Im willing to pay. That is my issue and only mine But are they from an existing auction? It has already been quoted here that about 30 have been made but they are for sale in batches of 10. Thats 20 not in the auction and available for private sale
This was in response to the Fettlebox tool As you know I'm not actually making these but even if I was I'd find it hard to be insulted by that statement & I certainly wouldn't jump to the conclusion I was being accused of profiteering. I don't make these but I do invest money & time into the things I do make. To hope something is affordable is just that. You're hoping it's at a price you can justify & are able to pay. It's not a statement that reflects on the seller/maker. If it's not affordable - hard lines. In that case you wait, maybe vainly until an affordable one becomes available, use an inferior cheaper tool, DIY, get someone else to do it, rent the tool (a new BD service). Believe me I know the meaning of affordable - having a son who rides 2 expensive bikes that get hammered. Parts, paying someone with more skills than me to fix them. Race entries. I'm always hoping things will be more afordable! That wish is not an insult to the manufacturers, mechanics or race organisers. If he was just riding around the block on a cheap bike I'd be able to buy cheaper tools & do the work myself. I'm not a wealthy man & never will be. I also know what it's like to be actually accused of profiteering by my involvement in this hobby. Maybe one day a reasonable tool will be produced for a few $'s or £'s. Until & beyond that time the price of the bespoke artisan tool will be what it is. Some folk will always appreciate & pay for the higher quality of the artisan tool even if there is a cheap option. Aye - been there done that. A dark corner of my email inbox.
