say it aint so!!!!

Tim0282

Very interesting. Tape Tech turns their manufacturing over to China, and take a huge dive in quality. NorthStar takes bankruptcy. Tool Pro is really bad quality. Blue Line is over priced and, just different. Tape Worm has stayed the same for thirty years. No first hand experience with Columbia. Apla Tech leaves a bit to be desired. I guess the door is wide open for some new tool maker around here.... RICK!!

pipercub17

yep the door is wide open

__________________
makin sweet love to drywall

cazna

Drywallmaster is making some great gear.

Good team to deal with too, even the founder gets on the phone and helps out at age 82.

Made in USA, very innovative taper, I think they deserve a mention and some support.

Tim0282

I will check them out. Thank You!

cazna

They are just as good as northstar, maybe better becouse if you need help they are right there for you, I have the bone head speed wheel angle heads and the 5.5 flat box and the pump. Very well made solid gear. As i change and update my mixed kit it will be drywallmaster i will get.

http://www.drywallmastertools.com/index.php

croozer

I am running a full set of columbia and can say they are a great product. Also good back-up if you call the "techs"...just my opinion...Dont know what is gonna happen though now they are amalgamated with marshalltown, hope nothing changes...

Capt-sheetrock

I can't say enough good things about Columbia tools. I had an anglehead that was a factory defect. It was one year out of warranty when it failed. Columbia paid the freight BOTH ways and fixed it for FREE, and I mean exspress, had it back in a week. I use mostly Columbia tools, but also like DM alot also. On bigger jobs, I will use my DM tube to tape the butts and flats, and my Columbia tube to tape the corners and angles. Columbia is a better tube for the angles and corners.IMO

In comparison, I have a Mark IV pump for my Alpha-Techs. It had a defect clyinder (where the filter goes), the plateing is flaking off, causeing metal flakes to get in the mud and detroying the packings. Graco's response was "Its out of warranty, it is no longer our concern" .

cazna

Well you suck graco, those machines cost a mint you would think they would help out???

And i thought i was a tool whore Sounds like the Capt is a whole brothal full of tool whores

rhardman

Did I hear someone say..."Robotics", "Half the weight of a Bazooka" or "2 moving parts guaranteed for 1.5 million activations?"

Seems I heard that somewhere...32 years ago...maybe my dad said something about that.

It would make sense if the designer/bucket washer first put out some hand tools to build industry relationships. Then when his focus products were available, he'd already have trusted partnerships ready to go. He'd probably go slowly and very carefully to be sure everything was absolutely proven before he offered anything for sale. And he'd probably be as honest as he could in every interaction so the "guys on the net" could believe what he promised.

Hmmmm, I wonder...

Rick
(10 foot ceilings from the floor?)

Tim0282

Patiently waiting....

Capt-sheetrock

Ya know,,, North-Star products are a real pretty green,,, but I'm not convinced that the color justifies that signifance mark-up in price.

Mudstar

Already thought of, don't you think?

If I can do a better job faster I won't be posting it on the tricks of the trade thread.

What advantage would that be anyways.

rhardman

Already thought of? What has that got to do with anything?
Corbin industries 1976 San Jose. Lass Patent.JPG

10 ft from the floor, no refilling, 150 feet from the pump is far from our full quiver...

Don't be too cocky my friend, maybe I haven't shared the more advanced features.

For a tool (in this environment) to be successful there are 2 routes. Either offer the same thing as everyone else with moderate improvements to swing a percentage of the market to your company or offer a complete paradigm shift with advancements so dramatic that it's obvious that if you don't have it, you will lose business. Then provide options so everyone can get it.

Rick
But this thread is about NorthStar...pardon my intrusion. They're a great company as is Drywall Master (mentioned earlier). I'll step back now.

Mudstar

that looks pretty cumbersome

cazna

How big was the worlds first computer, it took up a big room and was as heavy as a car, Now they fit in your hand.

You have to start somewhere, So good on you Rick.

rhardman

That was made by a guy named Lass in San Jose in the mid 70's. We got nervous at the time because he patented the first robotic activations for a drywall tool. It wiped it's own tape (theoretically) and did high ceilings from the floor. I have 5 versions of different tapers designed to fit different price levels ($575.00 - $900.00). They're (if I might say) much more advanced and much more simple than the one above. I'm adapting a new taper to use the FibaFuse tape...perfectly.

(thanks for the encouragement, thought I needed to clarify the picture)

Tim0282

Pretty cool sounding stuff here!!
Where do I send money??

rhardman

It get's a lot better...I promise!

Rick

Tim0282

Waiting............

cazna

Bring it on.