Taunton Press Tool Guide for 2004

Robert responds:

>The problem (to me) with formal reviews is they typically swing towards
>someone's opinions. The reviewer may favor a different brand in their own
>shop than the one being evaluated. That tends to bias their results (human
>nature).

Huh? Usually, when I test tools, I include the one I have in my shop, if I
currently have one. And I do not always have the best one going in my shop. In
other words, what I have in my shop is close to irrelevant in a review or test.
I may be more familiar with its use, but if I can do more with xxx brand of
jigsaw, I then try to evaluate whether that's my extra experience with that saw
over yyy brand, or a real plus becuse of better features.

> Consequently, I tend to disagree with many of the reviews I've
>read over the years.

Make sense to me. I do,too.

>Furthermore, if you read a lot of different WW
>magazine, you can often find the exact opposite opinion on the same tool, in
>a competing magazine.

I've seen differing opinions, and had other writers in magazines come up with
different results than I do. That is sometimes skill, it is sometimes desire
for different features, expectation of different uses and similar concepts.
Expect it to continue.

>Whether it's truly a different opinion, or smart
>marketing (not upsetting your sponsors), it's anyone's guess.

No it isn't, unless the editors are stupid. I know most of the woodworking
magzine editors out there, and none of them are stupid. Companies that base
advertising on a good review are self-limiting.

>That brings me here. God I love the web! If someone actually buys a
>product (not just tests it) and either loves it, or hates it, you can read
>about it online. The fact that someone actually bought it lends credibility
>to their review. Opinions will vary BUT when you find a number of owners
>telling you the same thing, you should probably start to listen.

Usually. Not always.
Charlie Self

"A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls."
Dan Quayle

"Robert" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:kqB1b.74419

>
> Let me put it another way. If someone is brand loyal, such as a Chevy
> owner, when he tests a Ford, expect his review to be less than stellar,
> despite how the test actually went.

Then you have a biased reviewer. Rookie perhaps. I don't think a decent
reviewer would last long if he was that easy to spot.

> Spend any time on this forum, you'll read plenty of tool snobbery. That's
> why I suggested dismissing opinions of tools from those who don't actually
> own one.

Umm... I think Charley has been on this forum longer than anyone here....


>
> FWIW, I've got WW magazines dating back to the 80s.

Then you have probably read many of Charleys reviews.

"Charlie Self" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Robert responds:
>
> >The problem (to me) with formal reviews is they typically swing towards
> >someone's opinions. The reviewer may favor a different brand in their
own
> >shop than the one being evaluated. That tends to bias their results
(human
> >nature).
>
> Huh? Usually, when I test tools, I include the one I have in my shop, if I
> currently have one. And I do not always have the best one going in my
shop. In
> other words, what I have in my shop is close to irrelevant in a review or
test.
> I may be more familiar with its use, but if I can do more with xxx brand
of
> jigsaw, I then try to evaluate whether that's my extra experience with
that saw
> over yyy brand, or a real plus becuse of better features.

Let me put it another way. If someone is brand loyal, such as a Chevy
owner, when he tests a Ford, expect his review to be less than stellar,
despite how the test actually went.

Spend any time on this forum, you'll read plenty of tool snobbery. That's
why I suggested dismissing opinions of tools from those who don't actually
own one.

FWIW, I've got WW magazines dating back to the 80s. I've read almost all
the reviews, some are fair, some are boldly, er, biased. The upside to the
bad reviews is some manufacturers pay attention and capitalize on this.
Porter Cable got slammed by users on a number of oversights, Dewalt
listened, and made a model that addressed the competitor's flaws. To that
end, we just ordered the Dewalt in my shop at work though I luv my PC tools.

It ain't all bad. Just don't put too much stock in any one thing.