DJ-1 Drilling Jig from Bridge City Tool Works

An introduction of the capabilities of the DJ-1 Drilling Guide from Bridge City Tool Works

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• wood
• woodworking
• drill
• jig
• dowel
• dovetail
• layout
• measure
• miter
• mortise
• tenon
• walnut
• plane
• cherry
• maple

[greensnag]

I think it’s cool and I would love to own it but I think the consensus about the cost is right on. If I was a professional wood worker I could probably justify the price… but as a hobby guy I just can’t see it. I do own a kerfmaker(also bridge city tool) and I have used it. I would say I’m sorry I did purchase it because I just don’t use it. Guessing this would be the same kind of deal… Bridge city tools are cool to look at but wow I just can’t understand the price of them?

[BridgeCityMike]

@greensnag Cost is relative and it all comes down to how you value your time. The DJ-1 can save you time, as well as give you better results than a drill press.

As I wrote below. Our tools are made here in the USA, in small batches. We include 11 bushings with the DJ-1 which COST in bulk about $5 EACH. There are other drilling jigs that only provide one size bushing and the Jig is nearly the same cost.

[BridgeCityMike]

@greensnag

on another note. We are in our 4th production run of this tool. It is one of the best selling tools we have developed over past 5 years. This speaks to how effective the tool really is for the customers who use it.

[woodworksman20]

I know I'm not comparing apples to apples but used them only as a reference how others have built & sold high quality tools at reasonable prices with American labor and still manage to make a profit..You've chosen have to sell these to a few who have a specialized need at a high price instead of many, many, thousands more at a moderate price. I'm a professional woodworker and I don't own a single Bridge City tool. I just don't see this tool as a good value at this price point..

[BridgeCityMike]

@woodworksman20 Time is money. How long would it take you to set up a drill press to drill a 1/2" hole dead center in the end of a 2x2 that is 3' long? I could be done with the operation with perfect results in under a minute while using the DJ-1. First try too.

I am not going to go on and on trying to justify costs to people. If we made 10 million units and put them on the shelf, sure, the price would be cheaper. Would you like to put up the money to do that in this economy?

[woodworksman20]

The Dowel Max doweling jig seems as, if not more, complicated in it's design and more precisely machined than this and they manage to sell it for around $300.00. And if I'm not mistaken none of their labor is done in the Asian market. So to me this seems a lot overpriced. At any rate I've been seriously involved in woodworking for over 25 yrs and I wouldn't pay this much for this tool. It's higher in price than a Lee Neilson hand plane and won't work as hard without a drill motor !

[BridgeCityMike]

@woodworksman20 The DowelMax sells for $310 on Amazon. You have the ability to drill just one size hole. It is a true doweling jig. For $399, the DJ-1 has bushings available from 1/16th to 5/8" as well as a whole set of metric sizes. And considering the other customizations you can do on the DJ-1, it is a no-brainer where the value is.

I don't follow your logic comparing a handplane to a drilling jig.

[TheOriginalPoet]

I think you're right here Mike, drill presses can be very limiting and require a lot of maintenance to keep them up and running properly. I prefer the hand tools!!!

[TheOriginalPoet]

What a great tool, I wish I could afford one now, but just spent thousands setting up shop to make ukulele's and regrettably it will have to wait until I can start making a few and get a little more capital coming in. I'm wanting to do most of the building by hand and this tool fits right in with my goals. thanks for sharing it here.

[woodworksman20]

You've got a valid point about the economy. In better times I actually might be interested in throwing some investment money your way or should I just wait for the patent to run out and go it on my own as I''m sure many will do when that time comes. No, I'd rather spend that time in the wood shop. Hopefully the economy will get much better and you'll find a way to bring these prices down so every woodworker can own one of these. I'm a patient man !