Dave- You're right, I was fast on the draw, but my agreement with John was so specific, and over such a LONG period of time....Seven months!!
There seems to be a big resurgence of interest in sanding mandrels lately and lots of people who have either had bad experiences with others who were selling them or have heard about them on the forum are asking about mandrels and seem anxious to obtain them. If honest reportage is detrimental to anyone, perhaps think about the customers! Once again after months of waiting I'm out of pocket for something advertised as one thing and delivered as another. This has gotten old.
I can see how non-tapered mandrels could have been shipped by mistake instead of the correct tapered ones but then there's that troublesome misalignment between the halves of the mandrels. It's not big, but it's obvious. On non-tapered mandrels, which these are, one would think that they would be ground together to ensure a perfect match. These were not, and the miss-match is small, but obvious. I can do the job well with no mandrels at all. Why would I want fixtures that would not give me the precision I can get using none at all?
I think everyone deserves accurate information on products they spend their money on. I'm not jumping up and down screaming "RIPOFF!" I'm saying I didn't get what I ordered after a long wait and it was not made accurately to boot. Would you rather I waited until after others experience the same problem?
If you go back and look at my posts on the subject, I have been mentioning John Rocker (RocketQ) and his excellent reputation for a long time as a possible source for mandrels, and I looked forward to giving a great review. It gives me no pleasure at all to report anything to the contrary but there it is.
I don't think anyone's reputation has ever been tarnished by someone saying "Well, at first it was no good but he made it right and there was a happy ending. What a stand-up guy!"
Mistakes happen, we all know that, and if that's all it is, then I will report that and sing praises of John to everyone, but so far, I don't have any praises to sing.
I review every product I obtain through this forum. I have no ax to grind with John or anyone else...I just want to receive what I was promised.
I could have waited until this is finally resolved one way or another and then reported on it but look: I sent my specs, made my order, waited seven months, and got something that is not at all what we agreed on. This could happen to others. I think it's reasonable to mention it. I'm not gunning for John...just the opposite! I wish him the best of success, as I always have. But in return he has to do his part...that's how it works!
Dave, you have always been a reasonable guy on here and I value your input as food for thought, but I think it is not too much to expect to receive something that lives up to the reputation of the manufacturer. Someone's reputation is the net opinion after considering all factors. Let's not leave out any.
I have substantial loyalty to the members of this forum and I think it's only fair that I give accurate, un-biased reporting. This is NOT a hatchet-job on John.
Hopefully this will all turn out fine but it's off to a rough start.
Robin Snyder
