aldel
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by aldel on Feb 2, 2008 16:23:24 GMT
Hi folks, I don't know if there are any WoodRat users amongst the members here but I thought you may like to know about a new competitor that will soon be available. The Router Boss from the Craftsman Gallery looks like it will address all the little problems that the WoodRat had and be even more versatile too. Martin Godfrey now has some serious competition. Lewis has allowed me to post some excellent engineering renderings on my 'Rat site www.aldel.co.uk/Router_Boss.htm. I would be interested to hear your comments. Aldel |
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Post by Alf on Feb 2, 2008 16:55:06 GMT
Hmm... so that'd seem to be a Wood/Littlerat with all the Craftsman Gallery extras already fitted...? Obviously something Woodrat themselves should have been on the ball about, but they weren't, so I s'pose you snooze, you lose. Speaking as someone who actually likes the principle of working to a pencil line, rather than a read-out, I'm not grabbed, but I can see lots of engineering types falling all over it with tears of joy. What's the legal position, vis-a-vis patents and so forth? Don't tell me, let me guess - Woodrat have managed to leave themselves wide open to this with zero legal recourse? It wouldn't surprise me.  Main comment - British ingenuity squandered by British incompetence. Sad. Cheers, Alf |
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aldel
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by aldel on Feb 2, 2008 17:01:30 GMT
Well I am sitting here and reading Alf's response with a smile.
Very astute that girl!
The next few weeks could be interesting.
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Post by afterglow on Feb 2, 2008 19:27:02 GMT
Aldel Great breaking news article! As a Woodrat owner, I've always been just a little frustrated (read that as completely infuriated) by the ingenuity of the Woodrat coupled with the Sir Clive Sinclair approach to usability/product design. I suspect that The Craftsman's Gallery have done a deal with Martin to buy him out. Somewhere recently I read a post somewhere that the Godfrey's seemed to have gone very quiet all of a sudden. I suspect The Router Boss may be the reason - because looking at it, I think it's a Woodrat v2 rather than direct competition. If I'm wrong, then that's a truly awful ripoff by an unscrupulous American store. If I'm right, it's very sharp business sense for Martin and co that will bring the 'rat into the mainstream and out of the eccentric inventor's shed. Alf - as for working to pencil lines, I thought a worthy craftsman could never have enough marking knives  Cheers, Lee |
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Post by Alf on Feb 2, 2008 19:40:37 GMT
Alf - as for working to pencil lines, I thought a worthy craftsman could never have enough marking knives Cheeky sod ;D 'Course a worthy craftsman only breaks the 'Rat out for the unimportant stuff anyway - at least so I've heard. No worthy craftsmen round here to ask! ;D Cheers, Alf |
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Post by afterglow on Feb 2, 2008 19:51:26 GMT
Ooh, touched a bit of a nerve. Which seems fitting considering all the tool-maker baiting I've been getting lately from a certain Devon workshop Anyway, back on topic, has anybody managed to figure out decent dust extraction for the 'rat? I see that's carefully not mentioned in the Routerboss marketing pdf :-) |
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Post by Alf on Feb 2, 2008 20:13:03 GMT
a certain Devon workshop I shall assume your ignorance and not rise to the bait...  Now pay attention, Bond - from the RB's blurb : There are quite a few "availables" in there all round - could add up... And no, the 'Rat still throws everything at me - and the rest of the workshop - with gay abandon. Although to be fair I've given up trying, so it's mainly my laziness. Cheers, Alf Suffering some deja vu. We'll be rushing to make micro-adjustable stops next... ;D |
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aldel
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by aldel on Feb 2, 2008 20:44:34 GMT
Afterglow.
I am privy to a certain information which I am sure that you will understand that at the moment I am not able to clarify but you are wrong in most of your assumptions.
It is true that WoodRat appears to have gone into rapid decline with all staff leaving a while ago.
The Router Boss does address all the things that WoodRat refused or were unable to do.
I am not affiliated or have any business connection with either company.
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Post by afterglow on Feb 2, 2008 22:13:35 GMT
Ooh Aldel, curiouser and curiouser!
It truly would be great to see such a wonderful innovation and invention given a proper work-over to fix it. It's just such a shame that Woodrat haven't been able to do it themselves.
Thanks, and look forward to hearing whatever news comes out.
Cheers,
Lee
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ivan
Junior Member
Posts: 56
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Post by ivan on Feb 3, 2008 1:25:40 GMT
Maunufactured under licence is more likely?
Personally I'm not sure about all the digital readouts, I prefer engraved scales (ie. steel rulers) which you can estimate to close on 0.1mm, or the simple sharp pencil. I do like the idea of the improved linear bearings though. Otherwise I'm not sure the Rat "needs fixing" unless you have a router powered milling machine in mind - not quite what it was sold for?
Saw the new mitre box and revised (now Ali again) fences at Shepton Mallet some time before Xmas but the Main Man says supplies have been delayed - the new fence is on sale, must ring again and ask.
To control waste requires extraction from router, from Woodrat rail, and from the front under the plate. I have a short length of 68mm (?) sq rainwater downpipe adjustably fixed here. This provides a port opposite the woodrat's own. Up/down cut bits also help direct waste. Altogether about 95% effective.
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Roger
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by Roger on Feb 4, 2008 16:37:18 GMT
From the tone of an Admin comment on the WoodRat Forum, it certainly doesn't seem like they're too impressed with the situation at the moment! I guess we'll just have to sit it out and wait for several months. I have a feeling that eventually there's going to be a lot of Rats for sale as folk get rid of the 'old' and splash out for the 'new', if it does work out! An awful lot depends on the legalities as Alf says, the quality and capability of the RouterBoss and the price over here eventually. If similar pricing trends are anything to go by, that's one heck of a chunk to pay out - probably circa £800 for the largest model unless all the extras already come supplied. I don't think I'd hold my breath however for this to sort itself out anytime soon  |
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