Weatherford Tool

Our first trip to IWF in Atlanta was a tremendous success. Seeing the cutting edge products and meeting new people will help us serve our customers better. Big thanks to Tim Cook for talking us into going.

The two largest transactions in our company history have taken place 10 months apart. Both have blown away anything else that happened in the previous 49 years.

We're wrapping up the biggest project our company has ever had. 25 tools, complete assembly and installation, and 2-1/2 years in the making. It's a beauty. This job was unique in many ways. Perhaps the biggest challenge was delivering tools that weigh over a ton on hardwood floors. We could not use a forklift because of the weight, so on four occasions we rented a gantry crane from a company in San Antonio and hauled it to North Austin. It has been fun...on to the next.

Tuesday morning was a unique delivery. We had to strap a compressor to a bobcat to transport it down a hill, across rough terrain, and back up the other side of the hill to get the tool where it will live. Risky ✔️ unique ✔️ fun ✔️

Our industry is changing. Whether it's good or bad change is up to you. A growing number of shops are seeking to formalize relationships that had previously been casual. Some are partnering with angel investors in order to keep up with growth, either demanded or hoped for. And in at least a few cases companies are broadening product offerings when they had traditionally been a one trick pony.

What we're seeing is more business savvy owners who are tired of treading water. The talented wood and metal workers are ready to monetize their skills. Good for them.

I've never been greeted at a shop with my own sign.

This is us right now. I hope y'all are staying cool.

All of this rain and talk of El Nino reminds me of a classic:

"El Nino" Chris Farley Face your fear of tropical storms by watching this video. Do you love America? http://www.facebook.com/ILoveAmerica.page

A Buda citizen dropped off a check for $3,000 to buy a new work shop for someone in Wimberley who lost their tools in the flood. It's remarkable to see the community come together. Neighboring cites are helping in many ways... from pets, tools, and furniture to the obvious clothing, water, and food. One thing is clear, the people of Wimberley will not fight alone.

All soldiers give some, some give all.

A turbo diesel powered bandsaw at Swift River Pecans chews through raw timber like there's nothing there.

A string of holidays has arrived. Today starts teacher appreciation week along with "May the 4th be with you" day (Star Wars nerds get it). Those are followed closely by Cinco de Mayo, Mothers Day on the 10th, and Memorial day on the 25th.

Stunning is one word to describe the work at Native Furniture.

http://www.nativefurnitureworks.com/

Custom Furniture San Marcos, TX - Native Furniture Works Custom order furniture and cabinets. Over 35 years of references. Building custom furniture since 1976. Visit our showroom or call us at 512-357-2100

It's about time we update our sales route. Customers in Wimberley, San Marcos, Martindale, and Lockhart will appreciate us stopping by instead of them driving to us.

Safety Speed Mfg. is rocking right now. Tools sold in Corpus Christi, Dripping Springs, and Horseshoe Bay this month. Tremendous equipment made in America.

SXSW makes moving across town more of a task than usual. But the economic impact is well worth it. From 2014 to 2015 the dollar impact is expected to jump by $14.6 million to $136.5 million. That much extra money to an area provides a boost to local business. So, try to stay sane while wading through traffic and crowds during SXSW. Old timers complain but the growth and benefit is well worth the headaches.

Today is St. Patrick's day. The day in which we all celebrate the little leprechauns that make the marshmallows in our cereal.

What a great weekend! Saturday was Pi day, unfortunately we were closed and unable to celebrate the irrational number that fascinates and makes life easy for simple folk like us.

Not liking the 7 day forecast too much. If it's not cold, it's raining. gee whiz.

Website redesign is in progress: If you have any feedback or simply want to check it out, it's here: www.weatherfordco.com

Presentation progress. Old screw packaging on the left. New packaging on the right. Good feedback so far.

This time last year in Austin it was 27 degrees with freezing drizzle. I'll take today's weather, thank you.

Thanks for the plug, Jimmy! Enjoy your new saw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDYROuD34vE

Delta 5052 tablesaw This video is about Delta 5052 table saw

Tis the season....that we normally slow down. But it's not slowing down this year. It's a good time to mention, as the year comes to a close, that we're very thankful for our customers. Most of which have been around for a long time and continue to put up with us. Merry Christmas from the Weatherford Company.Have a safe and joyful holiday season.

It's crazy how fast the economic outlook can change. If oil prices stay low through the first quarter of 2015, we could be looking at a regional recession in Texas by the third quarter. Cooling the real estate market and shale oil production that has had most of the state on cloud nine during 2014. Fortunately, Austin's economy is diverse so if there is a pinch it won't be felt quite as much as other areas of the state.

Gas prices plunging, sounds great. But is it really? Let's just say it's complicated...

http://money.cnn.com/2014/12/03/news/economy/2-gas/index.html?hpt=hp_t4

For some, gasoline has fallen below $2 In some parts of the nation the price of gasoline is expected to fall even lower.

End of year and holiday season deals are here. Now is the best time of year to consider equipment purchases. Manufacturer discounts on the front end and write off's on the back end. Take that Uncle Sam!

A Veteran founded our company. You can add that to the long list of reasons to be thankful for the men and women who courageously protect our freedom.

Jet is making big strides redesigning tools. This is the new 17" drill press.

A great article for resawing with a band saw: http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/bandsaw-resawing-tips.html

Bandsaw Resawing Tips 8 simples tips for better resawing with your bandsaw

Equipment sales are a big industry with big name players in the game. If you purchase online, customer service ends when the machine is dropped at the end of your driveway (not assembled). Before buying online consider the hours of assembly that we do for you, delivery, installation, tuning, and future service. On top of that we sell the equipment for the same prices you find online.

Sharpening a tool is the economical way to extend the life of anything with a cutting edge. From carbide tipped circular saw blades to pocket knives, we can get your tool sharp again.

We're going to have an economy line of metal cutting band saw blades from Skarpaz starting next week. They'll cost 25% to 35% less than the industrial grade we've sold for years.

Moniker Guitars in Austin made the latest issue of Popular Mechanics. Ingenuity combined with some "can do attitude" will get you places.

Design Your Own Guitar—This Startup Will Build It Moniker, a Texas company that started with two guys and a little seed money, will put customized guitars in the hands of everyday guitarists. Have it your way, because mass customization is the future of manufacturing.

Service Spotlight: Sharpening - Consider getting a tool sharpened before throwing it out. We'll sharpen almost anything with an edge on it. Give your tool a new lease on life for fractions of the cost of a new replacement.