ChuckB

It seems as though the tool companies see the liability suits as the lesser of two evils. Re-designing, re-tooling, and the sawstop license all add a lot of expenses to overhead that probably far exceed the money paid out to the Land of the Nine-fingered. I knew a self-employed carpenter who ran his hand through a Makita portable one day. In addition to his medical bills (no health insurance, natch), he lost about a month of work, and with the help of a lawyer, went after Makita. He argued that the saw design was flawed because he was able to remove the blade guard, thereby injuring himself. He won the case. That's really screwed up.

Thanks for clarifying the information, Mr. Chase. My apologies to you and Mr. Greenberg. In fact, I’m not in the habit of judging a house from one photo, but in this instance I did because it was the only shot in the Courant’s article. Before I read the article, I didn’t know your house existed. And no, this wasn’t an attempt at a balanced look at your house; it was an attempt at humor. (Okay, comedy may not be my strongest suit.) You have to admit that if you build a house like yours, you have to expect a few off-color comments from the peanut gallery.
I think it’s great that you were able to employ the latest in energy-efficient technology. It’s pretty much what I would hope from someone who builds on this scale. It indicates a certain responsibility to lead by example. It’s the same principle that drives Fine Homebuilding to showcase projects and builders who lead the way in smart economic and energy-efficient choices. As popular as it may seem to some, the concept of good building practice (referred to as “green” in some circles) still has a long path to the kind of mass acceptance that will ultimately benefit us all. Even in the face of an impending energy crisis, homes are still being built as if it were still 1960. It’s a waste of materials, oil and money.

I do have one more question for you – why such a big house?

I don't own anything Festy, but I've used a few of them and enjoyed it. The tools are well-designed and built, and seem like they'll last a long time. (Unlike some tools made by other manufacturers I could name.) However, some Festo tools are within a price range of competing tools - the jigsaw, for instance, sells for roughly $75 more than it's closest rival - and in that light, really shine. The more expensive models cost so much more than the competition that it really takes a die-hard fan or someone with good cash flow to justify the expense. Most of us would love to drive a Turbo Carrera, but have to settle for a Honda.

I don't see what the issue is with the cost. If it was a retrofit situation, okay; you're laying out money that you probably don't have. But in new construction, it's all rolled into the overall cost, and on a house that's going for $200/sq. ft., an additional $2/sq.ft. might conflict with that big flatscreen that was going in the family room. Maybe. People just don't like change.

Hi boys - This is really thrilling, but I think it would be more thrilling if you moved the camera closer to the action so those of us at home could see what's going on. And John Ross, those are killer bird calls you're doing....

Interesting stuff. What about cost? And what's the savings in space (i.e. 6-in. steel vs. 10-in. LVL)? Can they be welded to heavier steel beams?

When it comes to most interior trim, coping is the way to go. Yes, it's a little fussy - I sometimes find myself back-cutting the cope with a utility knife - but it always works. If an inside corner is out of square, you have to under or over cut a miter, and it still may open up over time. Or the backing isn't as solid as it should be and the miter opens up when you nail it. Besides, what else would you do with your coping saw?

If the guy is as delicate in every pass, and if he doesn't clip the vent stack, and if that yellow jacket doesn't land on his control hand, it would work. But it's still scary. I'd rather have the guy shoveling the snow off my driveway, personally....but he does plow a nice path in that cedar.

I like "Hammerhead" - it's a good descriptive noun (uh-oh, my major's showing)and it's better than "Knucklehead" or something less savory. I also like it because I thought of it.