Does tool color matter?

You sure you're old enough to be playing with this sort of stuff?

--

- GRL

"It's good to want things."

Steve Barr (philosopher, poet, humorist, chemist,
Visual Basic programmer)
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I was in Home Depot today and stopped by the tool area. When I was
leaving
> I noticed the full lineup of Ridge brand tools were on display. Tablesaw,
> bandsaw, planer, jointer, etc. They all had lots of orange on them. The
> tablesaw had a cast iron top and orange legs. Not too bad, but the bandsaw
> was a dull orange. Gosh it was ugly.
>
> Overall, the tools are probably not all that bad of a deal, but to me, the
> color is just plain ugly. I'd not have one in my shop. I like the Ridgid
> sander that I have, but it is gray, not orange like the new ones.
>
> Not to just rag on HD, I don't like the color of Makita tools either.
They
> are a good tool, but I just don't like the color and I've never considered
> buying anything of that brand. Ryobi is a mediocre tool, but I do have a
> couple of the cordless ones and I do like the dark blue color.
>
> I have both PC and DeWalt ROS, but I tend to grab the DeWalt first. The
PC
> gray is OK, but sort of bland. Performance of both is about equal.
>
> The marketing guys at Home Depot should have talked to me before making
> final decision on the pukey color. Bet they could sell a lot more tools if
> they re-painted them.
> Ed
> [email protected]
> http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
>
>

"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I was in Home Depot today and stopped by the tool area. When I was
leaving
> I noticed the full lineup of Ridge brand tools were on display. Tablesaw,
> bandsaw, planer, jointer, etc. They all had lots of orange on them. The
> tablesaw had a cast iron top and orange legs. Not too bad, but the bandsaw
> was a dull orange. Gosh it was ugly.
>
> Overall, the tools are probably not all that bad of a deal, but to me, the
> color is just plain ugly. I'd not have one in my shop. I like the Ridgid
> sander that I have, but it is gray, not orange like the new ones.
>
> Not to just rag on HD, I don't like the color of Makita tools either.
They
> are a good tool, but I just don't like the color and I've never considered
> buying anything of that brand. Ryobi is a mediocre tool, but I do have a
> couple of the cordless ones and I do like the dark blue color.
>
> I have both PC and DeWalt ROS, but I tend to grab the DeWalt first. The
PC
> gray is OK, but sort of bland. Performance of both is about equal.
>
> The marketing guys at Home Depot should have talked to me before making
> final decision on the pukey color. Bet they could sell a lot more tools if
> they re-painted them.
> Ed
> [email protected]
> http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
>
> You could do like an Uncle of mine did and paint all of his tools yellow
as a sign to other family members that they were his. Of course, he also
painted any tools he could talk others into loaning him, yellow also.
Didn't take long to figure out that it wasn't wise to loan him anything.

Ed Pawlowski writes:

>
>I was in Home Depot today and stopped by the tool area. When I was leaving
>I noticed the full lineup of Ridge brand tools were on display. Tablesaw,
>bandsaw, planer, jointer, etc. They all had lots of orange on them. The
>tablesaw had a cast iron top and orange legs. Not too bad, but the bandsaw
>was a dull orange. Gosh it was ugly.
>

>
>Not to just rag on HD, I don't like the color of Makita tools either. They
>are a good tool, but I just don't like the color and I've never considered
>buying anything of that brand. Ryobi is a mediocre tool, but I do have a
>couple of the cordless ones and I do like the dark blue color.
>
>I have both PC and DeWalt ROS, but I tend to grab the DeWalt first. The PC
>gray is OK, but sort of bland. Performance of both is about equal.

That DeWalt yellowjacket look was marketing genius. It made them truly
distinctive in looks (the only other company with a yellow and black scheme is
Stanley--and theirs pre-dates DWs). Black & Decker protects that lookpretty
strongly. I think it was ProTech who came out with a line of benchtop tools 7-8
years ago in essentially the same color scheme. B&D was on their case
instantly. And won.

What do you think of Milwaukee's red?

Charlie Self
"It is not strange... to mistake change for progress." Millard Fillmore

Sun, Apr 4, 2004, 3:42am (EDT+4) [email protected] (Edwin=A0Pawlowski) says:
I was in Home Depot <snip> <snip> They all had lots of orange on them.
<snip> Gosh it was ugly. <snip> the color is just plain ugly. <snip> it
is gray, not orange <snip> I don't like the color of Makita tools
either. They are a good tool, but I just don't like the color <snip> I
do like the dark blue color. <snip> Bet they could sell a lot more tools
if they re-painted them.

Ya shouldn't be hanging out in low class places like HD in the
first place.

Many of you know I paint my tools. Ed's lament is some of the
reason why. I find a lot of tools butt ugly, so painting takes care of
that. It's also relaxing. And, the tools make a matching set that way.
LOL As many of you also know, I paint them bright yellow. Originally
it was to brighten up the shop a bit, yellow makes it seem lighter, but
it also wound up making it more cheerier - an unexpected plus. The
explanation for that is here.
http://www.holistic-online.com/Color/color_yellow.htm And, last, but
definitely not least, my two sons refuse to touch a tool that's painted,
let alone "borrow" one.

If you paint any, it's always nice not to paint over the little
part that tells the model @, etc. Just in case. I never paint over the
brand name either, I'm not trying to fool anyone. I will continue to
paint my tools. My latest, my "new" used Delta planer has had a start
made.

Oh yeah, if you get most of the shop 6 inches deep in sawdust,
bright yellow tools, drill, sander, etc, are a lot easier to find then
dark tools.

JOAT
Don't e-mail me while I'm breathing.

"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Greg Millen" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Makes you wonder if the marketing dudes are putting patents or whatever
on
> > particular colours ("colors" America) or the mix thereof. I reckon they
> are,
> > and it will make it a pain to paint the house in the future. Red house
> with
> > a white wave anyone?
>
> I think it may be possible to trademark a color in a particular use. If
you
> use a particular color or color scheme on power tools, you can probably
have
> it trademarked for that use, but anyone can still paint their car or boat
or
> dining room table the same.
> Ed
>
>
Or get a Design Mark - similar to a trademark.

Hi Ed, just bought a Powermatic bandsaw....i,m not used to that color on a
tool either....has a mirrored finish where the cast iron part is....think
its even a better finish than my Unisaw.....
Got most...all colors except red n orange...
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I was in Home Depot today and stopped by the tool area. When I was
leaving
> I noticed the full lineup of Ridge brand tools were on display. Tablesaw,
> bandsaw, planer, jointer, etc. They all had lots of orange on them. The
> tablesaw had a cast iron top and orange legs. Not too bad, but the bandsaw
> was a dull orange. Gosh it was ugly.
>
> Overall, the tools are probably not all that bad of a deal, but to me, the
> color is just plain ugly. I'd not have one in my shop. I like the Ridgid
> sander that I have, but it is gray, not orange like the new ones.
>
> Not to just rag on HD, I don't like the color of Makita tools either.
They
> are a good tool, but I just don't like the color and I've never considered
> buying anything of that brand. Ryobi is a mediocre tool, but I do have a
> couple of the cordless ones and I do like the dark blue color.
>
> I have both PC and DeWalt ROS, but I tend to grab the DeWalt first. The
PC
> gray is OK, but sort of bland. Performance of both is about equal.
>
> The marketing guys at Home Depot should have talked to me before making
> final decision on the pukey color. Bet they could sell a lot more tools if
> they re-painted them.
> Ed
> [email protected]
> http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
>
>

"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> Overall, the tools are probably not all that bad of a deal, but to me, the
> color is just plain ugly. I'd not have one in my shop.

Ed,

It makes a lot of difference to some people - it's a psychological thing.
For me, it doesn't make a whole lot of difference, I buy tools based on
performance. Having said that, most of what I have for portable power tools
is Bosch. My favorite color scheme for tools right now is Hitachi, that
bright green is great; but I only have a 4-1/2" angle grinder to show for
that preference. I have one each Milwaukee and DeWalt tools, and the color
doesn't make any difference.

I don't find Ridgid's orange to be all that bad, but it does make them look
cheap. The industrial colors of the more expensive brands (Delta, General,
etc. that dark greens and grays) make the tools look like they're better
made (even if they aren't).

Jon E

> >
> > I have both PC and DeWalt ROS, but I tend to grab the DeWalt first. The PC
> > gray is OK, but sort of bland. Performance of both is about equal.
> >

All things remaining equal (Performance, ergonomics, etc) I go for the
bright colored hand powered tools. For me its a visibility thing. Take
for example building a fence. If you are using a Hitachi drill and
leave it on the grass while you get more pickets, you might have to
search for it a bit. Same thing with PC on concrete. The same drill in
Dewalt Yellow screams "Here I am!"

I also go for bright with garden tools. The orange-handled spade
shovel I have is less likely to rust out in the yard or be eaten by
the lawn mower like my wife's green-handled hand shovels.

Full-sized tools? Who cares! If I trip on them or can't find them I
have bigger problems to deal with. Also, they won't even fit under a
lawn mower, so that's not a concern. :)

Hey, that makes me wonder.. How come there are no Gas-powered table
saws ;) 3HP Unisaw? Bah, I've got a 7HP Tecumseh!

"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I was in Home Depot today and stopped by the tool area. When I was leaving
> I noticed the full lineup of Ridge brand tools were on display. Tablesaw,
> bandsaw, planer, jointer, etc. They all had lots of orange on them. The
> tablesaw had a cast iron top and orange legs. Not too bad, but the bandsaw
> was a dull orange. Gosh it was ugly.
>


The answer lies in the first sentence --- I know I am not the only
person who avoids HD because they have that hideous orange paint
slathered on everything. As soon as I set foot in a HD I become more
tense and uncomfortable which is not conducive to HD making sales.
The level of discomfort is such that I don't even consider HD as an
option for most purchases. When I do actual darken their doorstep I
don't know my way around their store and spend much of my time playing
the "If is were a drone for the BORG where would I hide _____ so it
wouldn't sell and I won't have to re-stock the shelf?" game.

I would really hate to have something BORG orange in the shop since
shop time is a retreat from the day job. I wonder if that's why I
would rather see Bessey clamps than Jorgensen clamps?

hex
-30-

"Charlie Self" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> What do you think of Milwaukee's red?
>

Red on a tool is OK. The BD Firestorm look cheap to start with because of
the color. OTOH, I've never owned now will I never own a red car.
Burgundy, maroon, or some other variation is OK, but a real red (Ferrari
excepted) is not going to sit in my driveway. My wife is set against ever
owning a white car. That could be because I had four in a row many years
ago when I bought (very) cheap used cars.
Ed

"Jon Endres, PE" wrote in message
>
> "Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message

> > Overall, the tools are probably not all that bad of a deal, but to me,
the
> > color is just plain ugly. I'd not have one in my shop.
>
> Ed,
>
> It makes a lot of difference to some people - it's a psychological thing.

Other than the fact that you can't hide from me with camouflage on, sounds
as if my color blindness is a blessing..

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/02/04

"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:DuLbc.10379> was a
dull orange. Gosh it was ugly.
>
> Overall, the tools are probably not all that bad of a deal, but to me, the
> color is just plain ugly. I'd not have one in my shop. I like the Ridgid
> sander that I have, but it is gray, not orange like the new ones.

I'd guess it depends on the market that's being served. I'm sure that
Dewalt's company colour appeals to a certain segment of the market and would
be the first thing that's picked up and examined by a lot of people, solely
on the basis of it's colour and presumed 'quality'. Like you, it's somehow
been ingrained in my head that tools should be certain colours and
everything not conforming to that colour standard doesn't get my attention
very much. Somewhere along the line, I've associated bright colours on tools
with the softness/fragility of plastic. Doesn't make me feel comfortable and
if I'm not comfortable with something, I won't use it. (unless it's given to
me free.) :)

if the price is right, and it works, i dont care if its pink with paisleys.

randy

I bought the Ridgid hammer drill, and it kicks butt. It goes as slow as you
want, with soft start, has an impact-grade hand chuck, pulse mode for
driving nearly-stripped screws or starting drill bits on hard materials, and
a really long, rubber-covered cord. It's not too heavy, but it'll drill
through nearly anything, with the right bit. I don't like the color,
either, but it's got a feature set that isn't matched by any other
manufacturer, and the price is right. I wouldn't want my band saw to be
this color, 'cause that'd make me puke, but the drill is very good, and I'm
glad I got it, despite its ugliness.

Kevin
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I was in Home Depot today and stopped by the tool area. When I was
leaving
> I noticed the full lineup of Ridge brand tools were on display. Tablesaw,
> bandsaw, planer, jointer, etc. They all had lots of orange on them. The
> tablesaw had a cast iron top and orange legs. Not too bad, but the bandsaw
> was a dull orange. Gosh it was ugly.
>
> Overall, the tools are probably not all that bad of a deal, but to me, the
> color is just plain ugly. I'd not have one in my shop. I like the Ridgid
> sander that I have, but it is gray, not orange like the new ones.
>
> Not to just rag on HD, I don't like the color of Makita tools either.
They
> are a good tool, but I just don't like the color and I've never considered
> buying anything of that brand. Ryobi is a mediocre tool, but I do have a
> couple of the cordless ones and I do like the dark blue color.
>
> I have both PC and DeWalt ROS, but I tend to grab the DeWalt first. The
PC
> gray is OK, but sort of bland. Performance of both is about equal.
>
> The marketing guys at Home Depot should have talked to me before making
> final decision on the pukey color. Bet they could sell a lot more tools if
> they re-painted them.
> Ed
> [email protected]
> http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
>
>

Makes you wonder if the marketing dudes are putting patents or whatever on
particular colours ("colors" America) or the mix thereof. I reckon they are,
and it will make it a pain to paint the house in the future. Red house with
a white wave anyone?

--
Greg


"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message ...
> I was in Home Depot today and stopped by the tool area. When I was
leaving
> I noticed the full lineup of Ridge brand tools were on display. Tablesaw,
> bandsaw, planer, jointer, etc. They all had lots of orange on them. The
> tablesaw had a cast iron top and orange legs. Not too bad, but the bandsaw
> was a dull orange. Gosh it was ugly.
<snip>

"George Berlinger" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi Ed, just bought a Powermatic bandsaw....i,m not used to that color on a
> tool either....has a mirrored finish where the cast iron part is....think
> its even a better finish than my Unisaw.....

To me the PM color is tolerable, but not a favorite. I'd still buy their
tools. Cast iron tops are nice an polished. When I look at PM tools, they
look like something old or dated. Jet's cream white is more modern looking.
Just an impression that has nothing to do with the quality of the tools.
Ed
[email protected]
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome

Jay wrote:
>
> Hey, that makes me wonder.. How come there are no Gas-powered table
> saws ;) 3HP Unisaw? Bah, I've got a 7HP Tecumseh!


It's a conspiracy to sell generators to contractors. If you'd only wear your
tin foil with the shiny side out, you'd know this.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

[email protected]
http://www.mortimerschnerd.com

"xrongor" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<Qs3cc.75107$w54.430095@attbi_s01>...
> if the price is right, and it works, i dont care if its pink with paisleys.
>

I'm reminded of the electrician on one of the home improvement shows
who painted all her tools pink. She said that she didn't have
a problem with them disappearing.

--

FF

"hex" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
>
> The answer lies in the first sentence --- I know I am not the only
> person who avoids HD because they have that hideous orange paint
> slathered on everything. As soon as I set foot in a HD I become more
> tense and uncomfortable which is not conducive to HD making sales.
snip
> I would really hate to have something BORG orange in the shop since
> shop time is a retreat from the day job. I wonder if that's why I
> would rather see Bessey clamps than Jorgensen clamps?

I'm sure a lot of it comes down to personal preference in colors, but I'm
not an orange fan either. At least not THAT much orange.

The problem in my area is a lack of other stores. We do have a couple of
independents but they don't always have what I need or are not open after
3:00 on Saturday. HD is saturated. To reach a Lowes, I have to pass at
least two HD's in any direction and travel a minimum of 35 miles. They also
manage to put a lot of decent smaller chains out of business.
Ed
[email protected]
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome

"Greg Millen" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Makes you wonder if the marketing dudes are putting patents or whatever on
> particular colours ("colors" America) or the mix thereof. I reckon they
are,
> and it will make it a pain to paint the house in the future. Red house
with
> a white wave anyone?

I think it may be possible to trademark a color in a particular use. If you
use a particular color or color scheme on power tools, you can probably have
it trademarked for that use, but anyone can still paint their car or boat or
dining room table the same.
Ed

Ed, I have Makita tools and I could care less what color
they are as long as they work as well as Makita tools do.
:) My tool buying decisions have NOTHING to do with the
color. It's ergonomics, features, weight, etc., that gets
me interested in a particular tool. And I don't stick with
one brand, although I have lots of Porter Cable tools. I
love my Unisaw and the DP is fine too, but I'm not too
excited by all the other gray tools they sell. I don't
usually buy Ryobi, but I'm perfectly happy with their OSS.
I have some of their hand tools and could say with near
certainty that I'd not buy any more of theirs. I've had
clunkers like the 4 1/2" orbital sander.

So, to summarize, there are factors that drive my buying
decisions but COLOR doesn't make the list.

When I buy a car, I am particular about the color, but that
isn't much of an issue as each make comes in lots of colors,
as opposed to woodworking tools.

(You could always break out a spray can of your favorite
color and repaint all your tools!)

dave

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:

> I was in Home Depot today and stopped by the tool area. When I was leaving
> I noticed the full lineup of Ridge brand tools were on display. Tablesaw,
> bandsaw, planer, jointer, etc. They all had lots of orange on them. The
> tablesaw had a cast iron top and orange legs. Not too bad, but the bandsaw
> was a dull orange. Gosh it was ugly.
>
> Overall, the tools are probably not all that bad of a deal, but to me, the
> color is just plain ugly. I'd not have one in my shop. I like the Ridgid
> sander that I have, but it is gray, not orange like the new ones.
>
> Not to just rag on HD, I don't like the color of Makita tools either. They
> are a good tool, but I just don't like the color and I've never considered
> buying anything of that brand. Ryobi is a mediocre tool, but I do have a
> couple of the cordless ones and I do like the dark blue color.
>
> I have both PC and DeWalt ROS, but I tend to grab the DeWalt first. The PC
> gray is OK, but sort of bland. Performance of both is about equal.
>
> The marketing guys at Home Depot should have talked to me before making
> final decision on the pukey color. Bet they could sell a lot more tools if
> they re-painted them.
> Ed
> [email protected]
> http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
>
>