We believe in free enterprise and fair competition. However, recent events compel us to issue a note of caution related to copies of our products and accessories.
Recently, we were advised by a client that a crude “knock-off” had been manufactured in China and listed for sale on the internet. We conducted our own research and determined that this copy is also being advertised using our trademarked Dowelmax brand name.
The invention, in essence, is reversibility—the ability to create a mirror image of bores on both workpieces. It follows, therefore, that if an error of, say, five thousandths of an inch exists on a part, that error doubles to ten thousandths when the tool is reversed to complete the second workpiece.
With dowel systems, fine tolerances are essential, or the parts will not mesh. The Dowelmax Classic kit comprises 36 machined components. The number of machined surfaces requiring a tolerance of plus or minus one thousandth of an inch (+/-.001″) is 63 in total. The number of machined surfaces with a tolerance of plus or minus five thousandths of an inch (+/-.005″) is 75 in total.
These tolerances are difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to maintain.
The Dowelmax knockoff manufactured in China is cheap, and this raises a red flag. To reduce costs, corners have to be cut—not only in manufacturing, but also in subcontracted work and materials.
The brass and aluminum in our system are of top quality, and fine tolerances are maintained throughout. The drill guides are case-hardened to 40 Rockwell. The drill supplied with the kit is absolutely first-class—anything less is unacceptable.
Correcting or replacing components, particularly drill guides, can be expensive. We pride ourselves on our customer service and take care of our clients.
When you consider the deceptive nature of this offshore company and what they have done, what result would you expect if you encountered a problem, wished to return a purchase, or needed to file a claim for a prematurely worn component?
How many times have you heard the advice from your father or grandfather: “Don’t buy cheap tools—buy the best.”
Sincerely,
Jim Lindsay
O.M.S. Tool Company Ltd.
1 877 986 9400
Re: Further Proof of the Consequences of Perfidious Chinese Knock-offs
Dear Jim,
In the course of making window trim, I needed a 1/4″ spacer to center my dowel holes in an upper rail assembly consisting of a center block and two arms. The center block needed to be flush with the reverse face of the arms, causing the arms to reveal to the block—all made from white oak.
Looking among my Dowelmax spacers, I found I only had a 1/8″ and a 1/16″ spacer, and British Columbia is too far for an afternoon drive.
Looking around the shop, I found some light steel sheet stock from Home Depot, luckily at 1/32″ thickness. Using your spacer as a template, I marked off and cut four 1/32″ spacers, then set up a sandwich of spacers totaling 1/4″ in my Dowelmax Classic fixture.
Surprise, surprise—when compressed sufficiently, the sheet stock’s variations in thickness added enough error to cant the vise block slightly, causing the inserted dowels to point off toward Fort Mudge instead of a true 90 degrees to the joint surface.
I have just ordered two of your 1/8″ spacers and am now about to pick up enough 3/8″ dowel rod to attempt reworking the joint.
Whether made in China or by an old man in Texas, imprecise components cost more in wasted time and material than they ever save. Mea culpa.
Yours aye,
Bill
