So much for the Gold Standard...

Classes have just ended and it's time to buckle down and finish up some projects I'm building in the shop. 

But... it feels like there has been a gremlin in the shop, wreaking havoc on some of the tools. 

About a month ago, I bought a new belt / disc sander, and the first time I blew the dust off of the base with an air gun, the paint blew off of it, too. 

The surface underneath revealed some pretty significant rusting, and sure... the manufacturer agreed to send out a new base, but that's not the point. It's going to take some muscle and time, both of which I'm doubtful of having, to replace the base. Furthermore, I shouldn't have to do it... it shouldn't be peeling in the first place. 

Like I said... so much for "The Gold Standard"....

Do I sound irritated? A day or so later, that same sander flopped backwards, smashing this knob. Another call, another warranty replacement. 

 But the gremlin wasn't done - both of the blow guns in the shop decided that they didn't want to be hanging by their hooks, so ... well, let's just say we had a double failure. 

Sure, Flexilla agreed to replace them, and yes, this is an easier repair, but there are a hundred other things I need to be doing. 

And finally - the weirdest one... the handle simply snapped off of the Sawstop elevation wheel. 

Now - if you felt the heaviness and quality of this handle, you'd understand why it's so weird. This handle is solid and strong, and I have no idea how it could have snapped. 

So if I sound a little crabby, it's because I'd much rather be building the cool commissions that are on my schedule, than making repairs to tools that shouldn't be breaking. 

OK, I'll quit whining now..... back to the sawdust...