Johnny, for the Reekon gauge it looks like you calibrated the left side of the blade as the zero mark. Therefore, pushing the wood 6 inches past the zero mark and then making a cut would result in the cut piece being 6 inches minus the blade width, or about 5-7/8 inches long.
This Reekön Tool seems to be a solution for a non existent Problem. The plug planer as well, like you said, saw it off and either Sand or a big wide sharp chisel works wonders too
I think there's a place for the idea, but it's not woodworking, it's carpentry and it's for repeated cuts. Based on the marketing info, it seems like they're targeting jobsite usage as well, which makes far more sense than home shop usage. Does that make it any good? Better than other options? I have no idea. If you got good with it maybe it becomes easy to use, but I'll let the carpenters figure that out for themselves.
@@kyleolson8977 fair enough. The Reekön Tape at least might make some sense on a Job Site. Still dont see it with the thingy for the mitre saw. On a job Site where you might need larger pieces you wouldn't slowly slide it through. Would be faster to measure and Mark. In a Shop, most people that need repeatable Cuts have/built a mitre saw Station with some Kind of end stops. 0.5mm accuracy is anything but accurate unless you do simple framing.
I bought the Reekon early on and got it cheaper. I used it when cutting blocking on a remodel with my son. He is at the saw and I call out measurements on blocking and he cuts them and stacks them up. When we get 10 or so then he flips the stack over and we nail them in. Works every time and makes it easier for my son to measure and cut efficiently. We set it up once in the morning and use it all day and once done, back in the box. I would not use it for longer cuts for the reasons you cite.
I’ll add some tips for how I use collins miter clamps. The holes are a valid problem, so if I’m using them for a picture frame, I’ll position them so they get cut out when I cut splines in the corners. Or you can do the painters tape and ca glue trick to glue on some thin strips for the clamps to bite into, then pop them off when the glue dries and peal the tape off and no pin holes in the finished piece.
Impulse tool purchases include a Diresta ice pick, multiple double squares from Hillview Wood and Metal, a Katz Moses dovetail guide, a Giaco Whatever Maker Knife, and the newest impulse buy is the Bourbon Moth Bourbon Blade. No regerts, not even one letter.
I use similar spring clamps for my business building window frames. The great thing is that they work for all sorts of different angles - both obtuse and acute. Fortunately, I can clamp on a section of my frames that won’t be exposed, so the little indents don’t matter. They really come in clutch!
I am a righty, but pull tape lefty, so I can mark with the hand I write with. Just makes sense to me to grab the pencil (right) grab the tape(left) and mark. Saves me... that's me...five-ten seconds per measure, and at 50-200 measures a day it adds up. Fastcap has a tape marked on both sides...just sayin' 😮
I have an M1 and haven't found it to be finicky at all like you did. I do use it to set up stop blocks, and it works quite well and a lot quicker than futzing around with a tape measure. However, I would like the auto-length adjusting miter track if one becomes affordable. I first saw one in use on 'This Old House' years ago. Very cool.
I attached a board to my workbenches parallel to the saw fence; one on the right-hand side and one on the left-hand side and put a sticky back tape measure on each side. They come in right and left. I used the extra and attached it to my saw base. Has worked fine since 2004. I made a stop block and use a clamp. Cost less than 10 bucks. As simple as possible without overlooking necessary details.
LOL I feel like the tolerance you had toward the Amana plug tool was far more than the Reekon. I think this sorta shows our intolerance for process change when our old way got us the results we want. If it’s not solving a problem you have, people won’t tolerate the process changes 😂
Amana makes super high quality stuff and, while that thing is majorly overpriced, I'm sure it would pay for itself if you do a lot of plugs in your furniture. The Reekon just wasn't a good enough solution to be worth the price.
@@craftedworkshop idk. I am biased. I have a Reekon and haven’t really found it finicky. Hence my comments about the comfort level with your existing process. I use my Reekon with a jig on my Kreg ACS table too because the Kreg ACS built in measuring is terrible. I really like DRO style measuring. Even if it means just using your digital tape measure or REEKON to setup the stop block multiple times I guess. Anything over constantly measuring. I don’t get the Amana plug cutter thing though. I love Amana bits and their countersink. I think needing to add shims and then use the tool again is a bit silly for such a specialty tool.
@@forestbirdoriginals4917 I'd love to see that jig, sounds like a cool use of the tool! I could have made my plugs shorter and skipped the shims, I had just already glued in the plugs at that point.
FastCap makes a tape measure that is standard/metric on the same blade, has a face you can write on, and a built-in pencil sharpener for about $12. No batteries required and nothing to break when you drop it.
Reekon literally gives a list of fences it will clamp to and they sell a mdf fence for ones its incompatible with. You also have to calibrate it one time to your saw. Works perfectly for me every time. Also, you are supposed to drop your blade, slide the board to it, and then start sliding. Looks to be a classic case of didnt do your research.
Of course, some of this was me figuring out the tool on camera. The MDF fence wasn't something they offered when I backed the Kickstarter. I still think it's a gimmick and can't see myself using it in the future considering how finicky it is to slide the piece through, especially on anything longer.
This product is clearly not designed for a production shop. You don’t slide your hand under the blade. Ever. You don’t slide boards the length of your 16ft material, unless you have unlimited space… and when you have to cut mitres or tall material….
Thanks for being honest about the suckitude of some of these 'tools.' I upgraded my quality of work simply by buying a small, 4" sliding stainless t-square. Amazing, and I have no problem with transferring marks all around four sides of a piece... mainly because I made myself learn to do it reliably without thought. I tried some of the 'red' tools, and while they're well-made and accurate, I can't read the etched rules against the red at all. And don't get me started on the woodpecker knockoffs from across the sea. Not accurately ruled and often not even manufactured with 90 degree faces. Waste of money, unless you need small paperweights.
A good combination square is worth its weight in gold. I invested in a Starrett and have zero regrets. I bought some iGaging combination squares and haven't been nearly as impressed with them, to the point where I barely use them.
a 7inch carpenter square does the same thing as the last tool in terms of marking the other edge. you can even buy smaller trim squares and they would be easier to carry in you work apron or sit flat on you work bench.
I've always been tempted to buy those collins clamps but never pulled the trigger because I was afraid they would leave too big of a mark ... Looks like I was right, those marks would definitely piss me off on a nice picture frame I spent some time on.
The Reekon seems like it needs a better platform with which to move your boards along, for sure. Just say you make a top surface out of something like HDPE, I could see its properties going a long way toward helping that thing work well, but it would still be a pain
I got it calibrated but I just don't like the way it has to be used. Sliding boards through is awkward to me. To each their own though, glad you like it!
$130 seems steep for the plug planer. However, I see a definite use case in tight-space scenarios where you might not be able to get a flush trim saw in to cut the plug.
Good stuff man, I def want that woodpeckers double square thing. Here’s one to throw in for next time: those equidistant marking tools that accordion-out so the points are always the same distance apart (hopefully you are picking up on what I’m describing)
The M1 is the poster child for an over-engineered solution to a problem that does not exist. For a cabinet builder, there is just no way this would be accurate enough and wastes way too much time.
I've often thought that an angle square would be useful, but I'm not convinced they're worth the money (for me at least). The AliExpress one you showed for $4.55 was a different model than the one you bought (it didn't have the scribing lines, for example). The Amazon one was $25.99 discounted to $21.46 (although you said $18). $21.46 US is $32.95 AU. For a change, a TH-cam Amazon link didn't take me to the U.S. site, but to Amazon Australia, where it's available for .... $127.15! So I still won't be buying it! Good video though.
I think the part I was missing was programming in the blade kerf. Not sure why the digital stop blocks I've seen are so pricey but I'd love to have one!
@@craftedworkshop Accuracy is based on quality measuring be it analog or digital. I hope when the battery wears down it doesn't mis-measure. I'm not sure if they've accounted for battery weakness or not in the programming?
This Reekön Tool is the most inaccurate tool on the planet..... It was always just slightly off no matter how many times I calibrated it. Now its a dust collector on my shop shelf!
Based on the way you have to read the screen, yes. If you keep it on your left pocket and pick it up with your left hand, the screen will be upside down.
We are making a saw length stop that is open f Source. If you would like to beta test it. We would love to send it to you. Please reach out if you are interested. We want to get the price as low as possible
Please don't make this form of content a regular thing on your channel. I love your videos and will definitely be unsubscribing if that's the case. Every other wood working channel has already turned into a glorified add space and it sucks.
I can't make exclusively project content, it's unsustainable. I enjoy this kind of content, what exactly didn't you like about the video? There was an ad but there are ads in pretty much all of my videos. The tools themselves were purchased by me and I didn't pull any punches with my feedback.
@@craftedworkshop obviously totally up to you on the type of content you want to upload and thanks for reading my comment and responding. But, my biggest thing is so many channels are switching to this type of content and once they start making these videos, they pretty much transition to only making these types of videos. Take 731woodworks for example, he used to make project videos and now strictly only makes review type videos. I know you may have purchased these products with your own money. But with this form of video it's basically an ad for each product in my opinion. Even one of my favorite mountain bike channels Berm peak, used to have so many good building and riding videos now pretty much only does product reviews and tests. Completely takes the fun out of watching his videos any more for me even though I loved watching his channel. Channels I still love watching are channels like Bourbon Moth woodworking , and your buddies at Perkins builder brothers where each video is videos of them actually doing something worth watching/learning from. That's why I liked watching your channel because the projects you had were very informative, fun to watch, and kept my attention. These type videos I can't watch for more than a few minutes before I get bored.
@@cameronbarber3768 I will never get rid of project content, it's by far my favorite content to produce and watch. These kinds of product videos just give me the opportunity to put out more videos in the meantime while working on larger projects. Appreciate the feedback!
Johnny, for the Reekon gauge it looks like you calibrated the left side of the blade as the zero mark. Therefore, pushing the wood 6 inches past the zero mark and then making a cut would result in the cut piece being 6 inches minus the blade width, or about 5-7/8 inches long.
This Reekön Tool seems to be a solution for a non existent Problem. The plug planer as well, like you said, saw it off and either Sand or a big wide sharp chisel works wonders too
I think there's a place for the idea, but it's not woodworking, it's carpentry and it's for repeated cuts.
Based on the marketing info, it seems like they're targeting jobsite usage as well, which makes far more sense than home shop usage.
Does that make it any good? Better than other options? I have no idea. If you got good with it maybe it becomes easy to use, but I'll let the carpenters figure that out for themselves.
@@kyleolson8977 fair enough. The Reekön Tape at least might make some sense on a Job Site. Still dont see it with the thingy for the mitre saw. On a job Site where you might need larger pieces you wouldn't slowly slide it through. Would be faster to measure and Mark. In a Shop, most people that need repeatable Cuts have/built a mitre saw Station with some Kind of end stops. 0.5mm accuracy is anything but accurate unless you do simple framing.
I bought the Reekon early on and got it cheaper. I used it when cutting blocking on a remodel with my son. He is at the saw and I call out measurements on blocking and he cuts them and stacks them up. When we get 10 or so then he flips the stack over and we nail them in. Works every time and makes it easier for my son to measure and cut efficiently. We set it up once in the morning and use it all day and once done, back in the box. I would not use it for longer cuts for the reasons you cite.
I’ll add some tips for how I use collins miter clamps. The holes are a valid problem, so if I’m using them for a picture frame, I’ll position them so they get cut out when I cut splines in the corners. Or you can do the painters tape and ca glue trick to glue on some thin strips for the clamps to bite into, then pop them off when the glue dries and peal the tape off and no pin holes in the finished piece.
Impulse tool purchases include a Diresta ice pick, multiple double squares from Hillview Wood and Metal, a Katz Moses dovetail guide, a Giaco Whatever Maker Knife, and the newest impulse buy is the Bourbon Moth Bourbon Blade. No regerts, not even one letter.
That's a nice collection there! Way to support the creators in our space!
I use similar spring clamps for my business building window frames. The great thing is that they work for all sorts of different angles - both obtuse and acute. Fortunately, I can clamp on a section of my frames that won’t be exposed, so the little indents don’t matter. They really come in clutch!
Nice, that's good to know! I could see them being really handy for that kind of work.
Actually, the pocket clip is perfect for me because I’m left-handed. Nice to have a tool that actually works for left-handed people for once.
The screen orientation doesn't match the pocket clip though. I'm a lefty and would love that but the screen doesn't rotate.
@@craftedworkshop thats fair. Was thinking that would also be an issue
I am a righty, but pull tape lefty, so I can mark with the hand I write with. Just makes sense to me to grab the pencil (right) grab the tape(left) and mark. Saves me... that's me...five-ten seconds per measure, and at 50-200 measures a day it adds up.
Fastcap has a tape marked on both sides...just sayin' 😮
I have an M1 and haven't found it to be finicky at all like you did. I do use it to set up stop blocks, and it works quite well and a lot quicker than futzing around with a tape measure. However, I would like the auto-length adjusting miter track if one becomes affordable. I first saw one in use on 'This Old House' years ago. Very cool.
I attached a board to my workbenches parallel to the saw fence; one on the right-hand side and one on the left-hand side and put a sticky back tape measure on each side. They come in right and left. I used the extra and attached it to my saw base. Has worked fine since 2004. I made a stop block and use a clamp. Cost less than 10 bucks.
As simple as possible without overlooking necessary details.
You can use a trim router to plane plugs. And a ton of other things as well.
Good idea!
Awesome tools, Johnny! Thanks for the reviews! 😃
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Thanks, you too!
Great tips on some tools Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
Pro tips many tape measure can measure an inside diameter like the fancy digital tape measure does: )
They have the case length marked somewhere
Great tip!
I don't know anything, but I knew that lol
Ally-express.. I pissed myself laughing.
Yeah, I definitely did the aural equivalent of a double-take on that one.
your number one ally in express shopping and delivery :)
@@Luqman899 It all legit makes sense :)
LOL I feel like the tolerance you had toward the Amana plug tool was far more than the Reekon.
I think this sorta shows our intolerance for process change when our old way got us the results we want.
If it’s not solving a problem you have, people won’t tolerate the process changes 😂
Amana makes super high quality stuff and, while that thing is majorly overpriced, I'm sure it would pay for itself if you do a lot of plugs in your furniture. The Reekon just wasn't a good enough solution to be worth the price.
@@craftedworkshop idk. I am biased. I have a Reekon and haven’t really found it finicky. Hence my comments about the comfort level with your existing process.
I use my Reekon with a jig on my Kreg ACS table too because the Kreg ACS built in measuring is terrible.
I really like DRO style measuring. Even if it means just using your digital tape measure or REEKON to setup the stop block multiple times I guess.
Anything over constantly measuring.
I don’t get the Amana plug cutter thing though. I love Amana bits and their countersink. I think needing to add shims and then use the tool again is a bit silly for such a specialty tool.
@@forestbirdoriginals4917 I'd love to see that jig, sounds like a cool use of the tool! I could have made my plugs shorter and skipped the shims, I had just already glued in the plugs at that point.
FastCap makes a tape measure that is standard/metric on the same blade, has a face you can write on, and a built-in pencil sharpener for about $12. No batteries required and nothing to break when you drop it.
Reekon literally gives a list of fences it will clamp to and they sell a mdf fence for ones its incompatible with. You also have to calibrate it one time to your saw. Works perfectly for me every time. Also, you are supposed to drop your blade, slide the board to it, and then start sliding. Looks to be a classic case of didnt do your research.
Exactly what I was thinking. Never uses the product then acts confused when he tries to use it. This guys a fool
Of course, some of this was me figuring out the tool on camera. The MDF fence wasn't something they offered when I backed the Kickstarter. I still think it's a gimmick and can't see myself using it in the future considering how finicky it is to slide the piece through, especially on anything longer.
@craftedworkshop In your defence, I still find it faster to measure once, set a stop block, and go.
This product is clearly not designed for a production shop. You don’t slide your hand under the blade. Ever. You don’t slide boards the length of your 16ft material, unless you have unlimited space… and when you have to cut mitres or tall material….
@BoBandits it has miter functionality as well, but you surely aren't cutting molding. Mainly used for framing work at most.
Thanks for being honest about the suckitude of some of these 'tools.' I upgraded my quality of work simply by buying a small, 4" sliding stainless t-square. Amazing, and I have no problem with transferring marks all around four sides of a piece... mainly because I made myself learn to do it reliably without thought. I tried some of the 'red' tools, and while they're well-made and accurate, I can't read the etched rules against the red at all. And don't get me started on the woodpecker knockoffs from across the sea. Not accurately ruled and often not even manufactured with 90 degree faces. Waste of money, unless you need small paperweights.
A good combination square is worth its weight in gold. I invested in a Starrett and have zero regrets. I bought some iGaging combination squares and haven't been nearly as impressed with them, to the point where I barely use them.
a 7inch carpenter square does the same thing as the last tool in terms of marking the other edge. you can even buy smaller trim squares and they would be easier to carry in you work apron or sit flat on you work bench.
Yup, I agree! Storing this thing is really awkward.
I've always been tempted to buy those collins clamps but never pulled the trigger because I was afraid they would leave too big of a mark ... Looks like I was right, those marks would definitely piss me off on a nice picture frame I spent some time on.
Yup, don't see myself using them on anything that won't end up painted. They could still come in handy in a pinch though.
for stain grade, put painter's tape on the corners, then hot melt glue small blocks of wood on top, then collins clamp those.
@@craftedworkshopI see what you did there.
The Reekon seems like it needs a better platform with which to move your boards along, for sure. Just say you make a top surface out of something like HDPE, I could see its properties going a long way toward helping that thing work well, but it would still be a pain
It's just a poor design IMO, if that wheel mechanism worked with a stop block, it would be killer!
I just got the first product and I love it. You just have to calibrate correctly
I got it calibrated but I just don't like the way it has to be used. Sliding boards through is awkward to me. To each their own though, glad you like it!
$130 seems steep for the plug planer. However, I see a definite use case in tight-space scenarios where you might not be able to get a flush trim saw in to cut the plug.
Yea, definitely overpriced but felt very high quality.
You didn’t mention having a WiFi point to cover your garden (Yard) when you are chilling outside
The audacity to check accuracy of a woodpecker knockoff with a woodpecker product
Good stuff man, I def want that woodpeckers double square thing. Here’s one to throw in for next time: those equidistant marking tools that accordion-out so the points are always the same distance apart (hopefully you are picking up on what I’m describing)
I know exactly what you're talking about and don't own one. Might have to add it to my list of tools I don't need but will buy anyway!
@@craftedworkshop I’ll be biting my nails until part 2 comes out
Haha, left handed tape measure!
10% of the wood workers would buy just for it haha
If only the screen faced the right direction, I’d love that as a lefty!
If you’re left handed, it’s pretty handy. Just sayin.
The M1 is the poster child for an over-engineered solution to a problem that does not exist. For a cabinet builder, there is just no way this would be accurate enough and wastes way too much time.
For the mitre clamps use wood wax’s they work perfectly
I feel like you still see the holes. Fine for moulding but not fine furniture IMO.
Funny, earlier today I bought an angle square as an Amazon impulse buy. I’m pretty sure I’ll get $10 worth of use out of it.
Hah, I think we're all guilty of these kinds of impulse buys.
Reekon makes some amazingly neat tools, but they're hella expensive and all of them are pretty gimmicky lol
Yea, I feel like this solves the accurate measuring problem in a way that isn't useful.
The sponsor ad was hilarious 😂
Thanks, had fun with that one 😂
the length of all tape measures is written on the back. some times under the clip.
I've often thought that an angle square would be useful, but I'm not convinced they're worth the money (for me at least). The AliExpress one you showed for $4.55 was a different model than the one you bought (it didn't have the scribing lines, for example). The Amazon one was $25.99 discounted to $21.46 (although you said $18). $21.46 US is $32.95 AU. For a change, a TH-cam Amazon link didn't take me to the U.S. site, but to Amazon Australia, where it's available for .... $127.15!
So I still won't be buying it!
Good video though.
That tape messurer seams cool (me bad see things).
It was definitely one of the cooler tools from this video.
- 9:33 , $130 for that plug planar !? 😱
yeah that price is comical.
Not surprised considering just their countersink bit, which I use a ton, is over $50!
If that plug planer costs 130 bucks, and a flush cut saw is too primitive, why not just use a trim router.
Check out Hooked On Wood's miter saw setup. It has the digital calibration your looking for.
Will do!
Don't you have to use explosion proof fixtures for use in paint booths. You may want to look into that before inspection.
I only spray water based finishes 👍
@@craftedworkshop nice that makes it easy
It should have calibrated it before you got it. Why would a stop block version be so expensive?
I think the part I was missing was programming in the blade kerf. Not sure why the digital stop blocks I've seen are so pricey but I'd love to have one!
@@craftedworkshop Accuracy is based on quality measuring be it analog or digital. I hope when the battery wears down it doesn't mis-measure. I'm not sure if they've accounted for battery weakness or not in the programming?
@@cityguyusa It uses an absolute measurement scale on the underside of the measurement blade, it won't be affected by battery charge.
This Reekön Tool is the most inaccurate tool on the planet..... It was always just slightly off no matter how many times I calibrated it. Now its a dust collector on my shop shelf!
Instead of buy that square just make one with a cnc mill would be a lot more accurate
17:20 "you can see no real light" I can see far too much light for me to trust that, you should see 0 light
Where'd you get those safety glasses?
They're called Stoggles, prescription safety glasses.
We just bought a set up to make a circular saw a track saw
Those are very handy!
the last one is on temu for i believe $5
Yup, that's where I got mine but people hated TEMU so much in the comments, I didn't mention them.
Pocket clip is on the "wrong side"?
SMH
Based on the way you have to read the screen, yes. If you keep it on your left pocket and pick it up with your left hand, the screen will be upside down.
Wait, what Express now?
I guess I've never said AliExpress out loud, hah! Never actually ordered anything from there.
Can I have the rekon? Please?!?!?🙏🏻 please 🙏🏻
We are making a saw length stop that is open f
Source. If you would like to beta test it. We would love to send it to you. Please reach out if you are interested. We want to get the price as low as possible
I'd love to try it! Shoot me an email through my website!
Sorry, but is just a bunch of crap
Please don't make this form of content a regular thing on your channel. I love your videos and will definitely be unsubscribing if that's the case. Every other wood working channel has already turned into a glorified add space and it sucks.
I can't make exclusively project content, it's unsustainable. I enjoy this kind of content, what exactly didn't you like about the video? There was an ad but there are ads in pretty much all of my videos. The tools themselves were purchased by me and I didn't pull any punches with my feedback.
@@craftedworkshop obviously totally up to you on the type of content you want to upload and thanks for reading my comment and responding. But, my biggest thing is so many channels are switching to this type of content and once they start making these videos, they pretty much transition to only making these types of videos. Take 731woodworks for example, he used to make project videos and now strictly only makes review type videos. I know you may have purchased these products with your own money. But with this form of video it's basically an ad for each product in my opinion. Even one of my favorite mountain bike channels Berm peak, used to have so many good building and riding videos now pretty much only does product reviews and tests. Completely takes the fun out of watching his videos any more for me even though I loved watching his channel. Channels I still love watching are channels like Bourbon Moth woodworking , and your buddies at Perkins builder brothers where each video is videos of them actually doing something worth watching/learning from. That's why I liked watching your channel because the projects you had were very informative, fun to watch, and kept my attention. These type videos I can't watch for more than a few minutes before I get bored.
@@cameronbarber3768 I will never get rid of project content, it's by far my favorite content to produce and watch. These kinds of product videos just give me the opportunity to put out more videos in the meantime while working on larger projects. Appreciate the feedback!