At no point did I give an actual recommendation to anyone to run out and purchase the saw, nor did I go into great detail about what I thought about each and every specification of the saw. I only mentioned the obvious highlights, but never gave an opinion about them.

I’ll share my thoughts on the saw as a whole when the six months are up and I’ve also asked the audience if they have specific questions regarding anything they’ve seen or wondered about.

I’m very aware I have a duty to be trustworthy and honest to the audience about tools in my shop, but it’s also the audience’s responsibility to research information for themselves.

And I’ve always been straight forward and open about when I accept tools or services in exchange for advertising or sponsorships. Contrary to popular belief I DON’T receive financial compensation ALONG with tools or services, it’s one or the other but never both!

I’m well aware of the perceived slippery slope you mention, but as I just stated, I’ve ALWAYS been honest about my tools in exchange for sponsorship and advertising and for anyone who’s asked me which tool to purchase I prefer not to suggest a specific make or model, but only suggest features and specifications.

Are you kidding us or what?

” In the interest of complete transparency, the opportunity to try out this model of saw and all the accessories and upgrades that accompany it was in exchange for a sponsorship and advertising deal on my website and in the show. I’m under no obligation what-so-ever to gloss over any warts I may think the saw has as I use it over time.”

So what are the terms of this “try out”? How long do you get to keep it? Who pays for shipping each way? Do you get the opportunity to purchase it at a discount at the end of the review? Why didn’t you mention any of this in your video review?

From your review: “And as part of this advertising deal I worked it out so I got this fantastic new saw and man, I am really, really excited about this.”

Yeah, I bet you are. Sponsorship, ad revenue and a couple grand in equipment. You done good for yourself. So when do you have to send it back or buy it?

You need to realize that you have made a conscious effort to put yourself in the public eye and people that don’t have experience in the craft look to you for reliable unbiased information and you have a responsibility to provide it because you have chosen to promote yourself as a source of that information.

It’s a slippery slope you’re treading. If you’re going to do public reviews of equipment you need to put it all out up front, terms, conditions, ad value, etc. Folks don’t watch your podcast for your sponsors, they watch it because they trust you. And when you accept gifts of expensive equipment and associated sponsorships in exchange for positive reviews your credibility drops and you show your disregard for the people who trusted your advice and put you in the public eye in the first place….

Just saying……

If you’re gonna burn through that extra brake, how about trying it with something real world… like wet stock (as in home d—-t wet doug fir wet)? I’ve been told to use the bypass mode in that situation, but how wet does the wood need to be in order to set it off?

Have fun with your new toy! You definitely deserve it!!

If you are going to test it with an eggplant or something, promise me to joint one face of it first. But with a light touch on the push paddles though.

/A

Of course, that’s not a quality concern; it’s a marketing issue. I have no doubt this would be a great saw for the serious hobbyist or even a small cabinet shop.