reible

Are we adult enough to have a tool review forum?

Reviews buy people who own the tool and are willing to be objective about the tool.

I’m not the boss here but what I am taking about is a few rules maybe like these:

1)You have to own the tool to do the review.

2)You should give good and bad points of the tool.

3)Stick to facts.

4)Personal points are fine if you say “I feel…”, “I find…”

5)Other owners can post "details" or comments about the tool.

6)If you don’t own the tool simple non leading questions are OK but no “mine is better”.

7)No bragging or "cutting" allowed.

8)Policing will be done by use of the “Reputation” system. A good review and or comments should be given positive reputation. If it is “OK” then do nothing. If the poster is out of line let them know via the “Reputation” system.

If the tool is a current model you might mention where you can buy it and how much it cost and the money system you are on... Something like I got it at OAK PARK for $12 US.

If it is a tool that is older a review is still good as someone might spot one at a garage sale or resale shop or on ebay. Just say this tool is “older” or “I bought this in 1952…”.

I would not like to see “my router can beat your router”, “I only buy the best so that piece of junk you have…”

So how about it? Anyone interested? Comments are welcome.



Ed

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NewMontanaWorkshop

Sounds good to me. Objective reivews of tools can be a great source of information for someone getting ready to purchase a tool.

As long as the reviews do not turn into as you say a 'my router can beat your router' -- then I'm all for it. Great idea.

Bob

Ed,

I think this would be a great idea if you can get everyone to behave. Humans seem to get so anal and passionate over "their" item being the best. If everyone can keep in mind the foremost rule "there is no best" only what is "best" for them and offer objective reviews in that light, then I think this would really kick a field goal on this forum.

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Bob

Pictures from the shop

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m292/bnoles616/

Mike

Sample review:
Makita cordless drill, 9.6 volt models
This tool was for a long time the only choice for contractors. Other manufacturers were slow to get it in gear, but once they did the market exploded with quality drills and eventually a whole new way of working cordlessly.
The 9.6 volt drill went through several evolutions. It started as a simple single speed reversable drill. Next came the variable speed trigger. A high/low gear selector let you choose torque or speed. Enter the adjustable clutch, a way to drive screws into drywall or hardwood without snapping the fastener. The keyless chuck was next, and the final improvement was switching from the NiCad to nickle metal hydryde batteries. Through all these changes the drill retained its simple "L" shape. This design let you get very close to an inside corner for drilling. These drills got dropped and broken a lot, and a universal replacement housing fit all models for quick and easy repairs. This design has a nice balance in your hand. It has a good amount of run time on a charge, and it's still sold for a very reasonable price: around $80 with a charger, 2 batteries and carrying case. Car chargers are available, replacement batteries easy to find. I own 5 of these drills, 2 were bought used for $10 each because they didnt have batteries.(I had extra's) I have a small charging station with 3 chargers so I always have a fresh battery ready. These drills are not as powerful as the newer models from Makita or other manufacturers, but they have as much run time as most, more than some. Remember that when you increase the voltage you decrease the size of the individual cells meaning shorter run time. All around these drills are an excellent value and provide long life for a very good price.

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Mike

Learning Herb

Yes sir, I think it would be great to know how people like or dislike the tools they get.
Learning Herb

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Mark

If we're doing this "tool review" I think we should have a specific formatt to stick to, so all the reviews look alike. I like the idea, great thinking.

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ejant

IMO a big no-no would be going to a website like Amazon and copy/paste Amazon's or the manufacturer's review of the tool.

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dustmaster

There is a web site that I go to quite often called www.mtbr.com. This is a mountain bike review site but it has a very good layout that I think could be followed here.
Products are sorted by type (drill, table saw, router, etc.) Within that you can sort by rating or price, etc.
Many of these reviews are by young people and most do their best to give an honest opinion. I believe the concerns regarding mature use of the review are unfounded. There is always an idiot or two, but that's what makes life interesting.
When giving a review it would be nice to have multiple elements to fill in. Somthing like:

Product Type:
Duration of Use:
Where Purchased:
Price:
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Overal Rating: 1-10

Mark

Well of course, if a user is to do a review on a tool, I exepect the review to be origional material.

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Mark

I really like that formatt, I think its pretty good. What do you guys think?

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