Wow! You guys are passionate here!
Here are additional, and factual, clarifying points of interest for those interested.
Regrading Randy's question of accessibility to proprietary technology and confiscating of drawings of a centrifuge: Tom has not been privy to any of Dusty's machine drawings or technology. No spy story here. I knew what everyone was told about a big bearing from China. I heard that 13' and 16' models would be made. I even heard that Randy desired a 7' model. (Greg Turcotte has already conveyed his observation regarding the baseless assertion) Our designed and built centrifuge has a different and unique proprietary drive system. Ours is dual port, unlike any in the industry. Likely someone will mimic it in time. That is free enterprise.
Regrading the story about forfeiting a sale of 6 RugBadgers to India, in exchange to help poor me sell a big duster to assist me out of a jam: That has been an interesting story with great impact of emotion aroused. Firstly, I am grateful to Dusty for assisting me with the contact that eventually emerged in the sale of my big duster overseas. (Incidentally, the referral went to Greg also, but declined to proceed and spoke highly of ours. I did not know Greg at the time) Because of Dusty's help, I felt compelled to assist him for awhile in various ways as sort of a way to show my appreciation. I have no regrets, and I believe he reaped some sales from my efforts. However, I was puzzled that such emphasis was made that he forfeited making 6 sales overseas for me when I read his post. I called my initial contact for India. He is a rug dealer in the States. He personally bought a RugBadger for himself to be used here. There was no deal for India. My contact in India wanted a production machine, like our "Soil Separator". When I asked the rug dealer yesterday what he thought about such a forfeiture of 6 RugBadger deal for the "Soil Separator", he started laughing. He told me quote, "You have an expression in the mid-west about these things." I said what is that? He said, "Hog wash." I asked him to clarify. He said that there was never any intention for any amount of RugBadgers to go overseas. The company that makes rugs needed a production unit and selected ours. The rug dealer further asserted, that Dusty did not have contacts in India, we did. The rug dealer, who lives in the States, said he never met Dusty personally face to face. The RugBadger acquisition was handled by phone. I on the other hand, did meet with him and have also continue to have dealings with the India firm. This clarification definitely has created a new perspective even for me.
Regarding the Duster:I did own and operate a RugBadger. As I said many times before, it is a fine machine. Both Greg and I saw the need for a mini-duster years ago. The time came to make one with enhancements for the operator.
Regarding Ken Snow's question in reply to Lee's remark on the "big" stuff:
Both remarks are true. Ken was at my big plant before its demise. He knew what I built, and what I refurbish, and what I would build. The "Soil
Separator" duster in various versions can and will be built. Dry Towers have, and will be built, to custom specifications. These are "big" things to some people. I have not had machines built for years. (Only 3)
Concerning "foul" in marketing?: Can not please everybody. One thing for sure, if people talk about it, it likely will help raise the awareness of equipment needs and functionality. It also has made me aware of the need to acquire thick skin. I have come to realize, perception is reality, and people may want to believe a matter, not based on fact, but emotion.
The foregoing are just some relevant matters to this perpetuated drama.
Respectfully,
Tom