Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Price alert
Jim Reed @ Tallahassee
>High energy costs show up first at the pump. Then they show up in airplane tickets, etc. Sooner or later they will trickle down to manufactured goods. The cost of tools has a high component of steel and transportation. I expect these things to go up in price during the next year. Please explain this economic crisis to your spouse and use this as a justification to load up with tools now.
Re: Price alert
Ernie Miller
>What's up Jim you have a big sale starting? Trying to get the pump primed? I don't see any new tools in my future but did buy a nice fretless base last night on the cheap.
Re: Price alert
Todd Hughes
>Things have been pretty slow at the local flea markets with not as many people setting up and less tools to find.Could be the Hot weather though I think the high gas prices might have something to do with it too. Most flea market venders drive gas guzzlers and according to the ones I have talked to they are hurting. If you think about it realisticaly probably doesn't make that much difference $ wise but if you are on a tight margin as many of these guys are I guess it could.Haven't seen much sign that less people are driving and going to the markets but this may be down the road if prices keep climbing......Todd [driving his 40 MPG Honda, 211,000 miles and still going strong!]
My plans
Jim Reed @ Tallahassee
>I am planning to stock up on some raw steel. The deep cyclical bull market of the past two years finally caught up with steel and my raw materials costs doubled during the past year. I expect the energy surcharge to kick in soon and double those costs again.
Re: My plans
Ernie Miller
>That is a very good plan it will help keedp the cost down for people who need blades made. Did you ever get you heat treater problem worked out?
Re: Price alert
Frank D. in Montreal
>Good point Jim,
if the price of steel goes up I doubt manufacturers will be able to swallow it like they have for the past year or so. Complex alloys might start to get pretty expensive, all the more reason to recycle the good old steel.
Re: Price alert
Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native in FL. Exile :~(
>As todd was saying, I spoke with some vendors and they said that they didn't know if they'd bother setting up anymore after this past weekend. Said that with the price of gas it was hardly worth it anymore. I've already noticed that a few of my regular vendors haven't been setting up.
Dosen't bother me a bit to see this happen as I'm all for seeing the fossil fueled engines die. We need to cut our dependance on imported oil, and eliminating these fossil fueled engines will be a major step in that direction*.
*It is not my intent to start a political discussion on this subject, and I have no hidden undertones, just stating my opinions, nothing more, nothing less. I simply see no Pro's in being hooked/dependant upon imported oil.
Todd O.
Re: Price alert
Moses Yoder in White Pigeon, MI
>I think just looking at the pump and seeing those prices makes us think about whether we really need to get into the car and go somewhere. Tends to change people's outlooks, even though in reality it affects a very small percentage of their pocketbook.
Personal bright side
Todd Hughes
>Personaly I'm hoping it keeps my competition home at the auctions and flea markets I go to and that it will raise ebay prices for what I sell as more people stay home and buy off it ......Todd
Heat treater
jim reed @ Tallahassee
>It took some effort and some testing, but I found a new heat treater. Quality is good. Prices are higher, but turnaround is faster (time is money). They are also nice people to deal with. I guess it all turned out well, but I am still waiting for a settlement from the gang who couldn't shoot straight.
Re: Price alert
William Duffield, on the Cohansey
>"Collect fossils; Don't burn them." Right, Todd? :^)
I was in Florida, at the headwaters of the Peace River (prime fossil hunting area, as you know) last week, but am now sorry I didn't have time to get out to dig in the shoals.