This is kinda a surprise.
Pony Tools closed.
https://blog.lostartpress.com/2016/0...ds-operations/
This is kinda a surprise.
Pony Tools closed.
https://blog.lostartpress.com/2016/0...ds-operations/
"Remember back in the day, when things were made by hand, and people took pride in their work?"
- Rick Dale
Saw that a few minutes ago and made me think about all of the old time tool makers that we lost over the years.
I've been watching for the enterprising outfit that will buy up all their stock and blow it out at reduced prices like the Gross Stabil stock several years back ;-)
"A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".
– Samuel Butler
The founders statement makes it sound like the brand will continue to be sold through their sales arm and manufacturing in Chicago will cease. Bet the are closing the US legal entity and opening a new one in Asia.
Wow, thats too bad. I bet the name will live on though and will now be made entirely in china.
If at first you don't succeed, redefine success!
Ugh. Time to clean out my wholesaler on pipe fixtures
"Issues unique to Chicago"..... Companies flock away from California and Illinois. Though they will likely land in Asia, it would be nice if they could find a friendlier host state in the USA.
I had sent an email to PonyTools, inquiring about the "rumor"...... asking for more information/clarification, hoping to hear if they are just restructuring or moving to another state/country....anything/anywhere........The only response from A. Orme @ sales was "The company is permanently closed"
Whether or not the Chicago business environment played a part in the company's decision, what the owner of the company actually said was that the closing was due to "issues unique to the Chicago business [as distinct from the company's Easy Wood Tools division]", not issues unique to Chicago.
That is sad.
It's a shame to see a company go out of business. But Bessey makes good pipe clamps so you can still buy pipe clamps. I actually prefer the Bessey clamps because of the foot they have on the clamps. The clamps sit up and stay in position when you're doing a glue up.
I got rid of all my Pony clamps and converted them to Bessey just because of that.
Mike
[Rockler also makes pipe clamps with the foot. Never used them but they get good reviews.]
Last edited by Mike Henderson; 05-31-2016 at 1:48 PM.
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"It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone."
Andy Rooney
Very sad. Those boys are top knotch.
Glad its my shop I am responsible for - I only have to make me happy.
I wouldn't hit a dog in the.....Irwin also makes them.
err...ahem...
I should say, I struggled through a whole kitchen build with a pair of Irwin pipe clamps - along with a few others also.
The Irwin's were sheer aggravation. Unless they were really babied, they would get all catty-whompass and skewed when cranking them closed.
The pair of Ponys I had worked flawlessly.
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." - John Lennon
Please help support the Creek.
"It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone."
Andy Rooney