TRG Tools?

Re: TRG Tools?

Don A. Davis

You're kidding, right? Who would be left to do business with?

Here we go again....

Dick Coers

Does that mean we don't buy Monster Tools? Not the first guys to invent those hollowing tools. Lyle freely admits he didn't invent the captured system. Sorby and the Stewart tool, who invented the first chuck?, Jet and Powermatic live center certainly does look a lot like Oneway, the infinite number of people with carbide inserts, the list is endless.

The TRG guys are great people. It stands for Two Retired Guys. Terry has been on this site since before it was WoodCentral, Bill is the other retired guy. Couldn't ask for nicer guys.

Re: Here we go again....

Phil Stivers

The examples you cite, while true, are perhaps not quite accurate. Lyle didn't invent the captured boring bar system, but he didn't do a knock off copy of someone else's work. He made improvements or innovations that made them his.

As for chucks, the Vicmarc, Oneway, and Nova chucks all do the same functions but they are not knock offs of each other's design. With the exception of the Chinese Grizzly copy of the Vicmarc chuck, I believe all are their own versions.

Additionally, I am sure that the Powermatic and Jet live centers are what they are with the permission or licensing from Oneway.

The point is that these products have similarities but are improved (at least in the minds of the manufacturer) from another's ideas.

I wouldn't think of copying Cindy Drozda's work and try to sell it as my own. I may take inspiration from another's work and introduce myself into it.

The TRG tools, while Two Great Guys, aren't innovating on an idea. They are just ripping off a design and selling copies. You buy it? More power to you. I'll pass; not matter what the price.

Re: Here we go again....

Dick Coers

Do you really think that they called Oneway and asked if they could copy the design of the live center, but just make it black? Nick Cook made a statement at our club demo that there was a discussion between the companies, after that design was in production on Jet and Powermatic. He was directly involved with the development of these lathes. So you feel a couple of my comparisons may not be 100% accurate, but neither of us know the exact timeline on these tool designs, or percent of duplication. Unless of course you were involved in the design of some of my examples. I don't know you at all, so I don't know. I hate to see any company singled out, when this hobby is so ripe with copies. So we can agree to disagree.

Edited my 2nd reply to be more diplomatic

Dick Coers

Sorry for mentioning any other company names in that second reply. I don't think there were many views, but I still apologize for using their company names.

All look like Rolly Munro's

Steve Mushinski

The pot sometimes has to call the kettle black!

Re: TRG Tools?

Rodney

From the pictures you posted it looks to me like the TRG tools have articulating tips so to my mind that would make them similar but different. I really don't think a straight bar or a curved bar as a holder for a carbide tip would be something that could be patented (I am not a patent attorney). I don't even think the idea of an articulating tip is unique. More than one manufacturer makes carbide tips in round or square or radiused profiles too and some are interchangeable with some of the major brands. Please don't mistake me, there is nothing wrong with the concept of supporting toolmakers who are in your association, or country or city or who you might be acquainted with but there are several tools out in the world that use similar designs.

Re: TRG Tools?

Phil Powell

Does TRG Tools have a web site? Where are these tools available?

Re: TRG Tools?

david

I missed out on the auction to benefit Dave Peebles for tool rests, and contacted Terry. Was told they sell by word of mouth only and their prices are very attractive. The tool rests are similar to what Robust sells, but they are not duplicates. When I showed my purchase at a meeting last night, one of the club members remarked that the rod on the top of the tool rest is welded, not glued as his Robust was--came unglued and he glued it back. If TRG made an inferior product that was a rip-off it would be one thing. My experience is that the tool rest is well made and price aside, Terry has been great to deal with.

Re: TRG Tools?

Charles Drake

I must agree that TGR tools are quality products. I won the auction for the tool rests and am very impressed with the quality as well as the fact that Terry contacted me to make sure I received the shipment. He was also quick to respond to my question concerning other tools.