Writing for ToolGuyd is enormously enjoyable, but it also has its downsides. As you probably know, there are two ways I find out about new tools and products. Occasionally I will receive press releases and announcements from press and media contacts, which I sort through, read over and discuss in preview posts. Other times, or rather most of the time, I find out about interesting new tools on my own.
Earlier this week, I came across a few new tool images and bits of information that really got my heart pumping. It turns out that I came across MAJOR news that’s not supposed to go public yet. Or at least it seems like major news to me. But as soon as I started asking around about the new products, I hit a brick wall.
I thought about posting the images here – of course I saved them before they were taken down from the source pages – but without proper details, specs, or information of any kind, there’s not much that can be discussed.
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So I’ve been reaching out to everyone who may be familiar with the tools in question, asking for more details. The only thing worse than my burning curiosity is the unsuccessful pursuit of information.
So for now, I’m forced to keep secrets. Not because I want to, but because experience has told me that if I post a teaser photo with no details at all, chaos will ensue. Press and media contacts will call me up asking for retractions. That part I can deal with. What I can’t really handle is the flood of questions via email. Questions I cannot answer, and questions that violently fuel my own curiosity further. It’s not really fair for me to share my curiosity with all of you, is it?
If this sounds like a somewhat immature rant, sorry about that, I just had to vent a little. Embargos and non-disclosure agreements I can deal with. But when I find out about new tools nobody’s supposed to know about, my curiosity drives me a little bonkers.
The good news is that I’m told more details *might* be available next week. And once that happens, I’ll go public with the teaser photo and preview. The bad news is that my excitement is usually deflated a bit once I know the full story.
Maybe I should just put the teaser up over the weekend and accidentally turn my phone off on Monday. But only if I can find additional sources of information. Rest assured that I will NEVER post teasers or details if leaked information can be traced to an individual.
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Steve
More brushless cordless tools from Makita or Dewalt???
Stuart
Not quite. What I found was a different kind of animal entirely.
mel
Well, if you posted a rant/teaser here, then you MUST want us to guess…
20 questions, then. I’ll start:
Does it use electricity?
Stuart
Well, the rant is a general one based on several experiences, but it was sparked by two recent accidental discoveries.
Yes, they use electricity.
Sam
Do they rotate or oscillate?
Mike A.
Just post what you have now with the disclaimer that it may be subject to change upon official announcement. We’ll understand. It might help someone make a decision to buy a current version of that product or hold off until there is more info on it.
Stuart
One involves a slightly different recip saw design by a spin-off brand. I can’t give more details since doing so will get someone in trouble. If I’m the only one that knows, no harm was done.
The other is… something different. I need more info to work out details.
As far as I can tell, ETAs are a ways away, so no reason to hold off on purchases just yet.
Greg E
stuey you cant be a tease, what more can your loyal followers get?!!!
Stuart
Trust me, if you saw what I saw, you’d be eager for more info while face-palming at the same time.
Harold
Is the first one a right-angle, close quarters reciprocating saw? 🙂
Harold
or perhaps it is something like the Kobalt Reciprofit adapter? haha, I’m reaching here!
Stuart
No, and no. Although interesting, the Kobalt recip cleaning blade kit isn’t the least bit mysterious.
Israel David
Is it going to make the company’s stock go up???
Stuart
Parent company? Possibly, maybe not. Depending on how loud their release announcements are.
gregbert
Parent company? Must be Stanley hmmmm. Dewalt, Porter cable, Black & Decker. Dewalt has been trying to step up there game and so is porter cable . reciprocating saw? hmm more intriguing.
Rush
Is this tool made by Channellock?
Stuart
No. But I do have an interesting Channellock-branded/relabeled vac that’s awaiting testing.
Fred @ One Project Closer
Love the teaser…
20 questions #3: Does it have blades or bits?
Stuart
lol, this wasn’t a teaser, it was more of a rant.
And the answer’s yes. Or rather, “kind of.”
Moo Kahn
I hate to be the killjoy, but this is one of those “if you can’t say…..something… don’t say anything….” deals. You didn’t give your readers any useful information other than 1)There may be some cool stuff coming down the pike ( but isn’t that always the case?) … and …. “As soon as we can tell you about it we will” . Meanwhile – other sites have already leaked pictures of (I’m betting) the very stuff you’re trying to protect.
Embargoes are a way of life for any product journalist – honor them or risk never getting another advanced anything. – unless of course you set up an anonymous spy review site that cannot be traced back to you and “leak” stuff to yourself… or just happen to”find” that “spy” site and post a few images from it.
After all – if the mnfct. really, truly didn’t want ANY leaks in the press – they would not have photos taken and they would not make their PR firm aware of the product. Trust me – I’ve worked in the industry for 30 yrs. If we don’t want photos of our up and coming stuff on the web, we don’t take the photos and we take peoples’ phone cams away from them before they get anywhere near the prototypes. Since that’s not what happened, you can bet they’re betting on having a certain amount of pre-release buzz.
Stuart
It’s my party, I can vent if I want to. You don’t have to read them if you don’t want to. And remember, I’m not a “product journalist.” Half the intent of this post was to lead into the April Fools Day joke. The other half was a way to release pent-up frustration at the as-described situation. I’m okay with embargos, because at least then my questions are answered and curiosity satiated.
Jason
So can you tell us about the new Festool saw yet? 🙂
Stuart
All I know about it are rumors discussed on FOG. http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/ts-55r-(updated-ts55)/
Jason
http://www.festool.co.uk/Campaigns/Spring_2012/Pages/Webspecial_TS55R.aspx
Is this the saw you were referencing earlier?
Stuart
Nope. It does look cool, but I’m also annoyed I now have an obsolete (but still awesome) year-old track saw.
Jason
Eh, not sure the new R is worth getting annoyed over. The new depth scale would be nice to have, but the update is pretty underwhelming. And if you really want the new saw, you can sell your current TS55 for pretty close to what you paid for it and then buy the new R without a rail. Might cost you $50 or so, but you’d have the new saw with a useable scale.
Wonder when Bosch is going to come out with a track saw…Joe needs to get on that.
Stuart
I’m not sure either, but it’s the “improved dust collection” that gets me. Although, there is a $50 add-on cover plate that improves the dust collection on TS 55s. My thoughts are that Festool wouldn’t come out with a new model that only offered trivial improvements.
Bosch does make a track saw.