Reading the (frequent) posts about CAD programs made me think of this one. What products would you consider to be industry standards, the ones that others try to emulate or be better than? For example, I would consider AutoCAD to be the IS in drafting programs. Yes, it’s expensive and dam difficult to master, but there’s probably no finer product. Same for the Skill 77 saw. There are other very good saws, and now there’s a Makita knockoff that has good reviews, but when you talk about circ saws the 77 is always the best.
Everybody has their favorites, and sometimes they are compromises because you couldn’t or wouldn’t pay the cost of the best. Not including vehicles, who sets the standards? Here’s a few items that I would consider to be at the top of their catagories:
AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT
Porter Cable 690 router
Milwaukee Sawzall
Skil 77
Estwing leather grip hammer
Carhart clothes
Replies
Autocad is where it is because of market penetration and control at the school level, not because there aren't equally good programs....and in big industry, Autocad is condidered a lightweight compared to programs like Catia.
Anyway, back to your topic....I'd say P-C routers in general. Bosch jigsaws.
cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.S
Old Ford pickups
Definately Bosch Jigsaw, PC router, Skil 77
Like the PC recip saw better than the red one
Hilti rotary hammer and guns
Old Ford Pickups
VHS became the standard even tho beta was better
bobl Volo Non Voleo Joe's cheat sheet
Edited 10/6/2002 3:57:28 PM ET by bobl
I used to have a 74 Datsun pickup (powder blue) with no rust and 200,000+ miles on it. Still brings a smile to my face.
Keep your F.o.r.d.s (Fix Or Replace Daily) and give me a nice pansy-#### little pickup that won't die.
I must give credit to my now deceased, Chevy lovin' Grandpa for the F.o.r.d. acronym. Personally, I just don't have a lot of use for big pickups (we use a cargo van and trailers) and could care less about them.
Although the van is a Chevy. Runs great.
1) Autocad has a high penetration because it's PC-based and they built an excellent VAD/VAR/partner network. It's a small business standard. But it's not even in the same category as CADAM/CATEA. Think of it as MS Money or Intuit compared to Peachtree, MYOB, or AC-PAC. Although I'm not a user, I'm beginning to think that something called Chief Architect is becoming an industry standard.
2) The 690 is an old single-speed anachronysm. Not bad for rounding edges and I know a lot of guys swear by them, but the Bosches are much, much better at all of the jobs the 690 can do. Even the Makita 1100's are better.
3) The Bosche 77 is the newer generation "77", so the best the Skil can rate is second-best; but, that's still only if you need/want a big heavy handle-behind worm-drive. For example, if you spent all your time paneling offices, you wouldn't even think about a "77".
4) I only ever see Estwing leather hammers in 16oz these days: really nice hammer, but I betcha more guys carry an Estwing 20 or 22 and that more guys are going back to woodies (20oz) than are buying leather 16's.
5) Carharts ? Nice, well-made, wear like iron; around here in residential you'll see 10 guys in blue jeans/slacks for every 1 in coveralls and most of those coveralls (and most of the jeans for that matter) have a Sears' label. Icon - maybe, standard - no.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
Ah, the old "AutoCad VS XXXXX" argument...one of my favorites!
As an engineer, I have to weigh in on this one, and say that CATIA is not necessarily BETTER than Autocad. It depends on what you are doing...
For instance, 3-D modeling is DEFINITELY something that Catia is better at. Mechanical Engineers (I am electrical) love this program for it's solid modeling aspects.
But, come over into my area of expertise, namely electrical distribution and control systems, and I have to give the nod to Autocad. It's more simplistic functions serve better in this environment, IMO.
Caveat - I no longer use these on a day to day basis, but I used to...maybe my arguments/thoughts are outdated.
And if I had to pay the licensing fees for CATIA, I would be an AutoCad user in a heartbeat! :~)
Just my 1.5 cents....
Jamie