Jim/Ga, let it be. The guy thought up something that others might find helpfull.
Seeing this from both sides, I will first admit that I have honestly been thinking about purchasing one from Tom to use it myself -and to let my employees use it in the shop.
I will confess this is brutal to say as it likely will become offensive to some!
It has taken me many years to come to the realization that today's Model-A mechanic typically just does not have the skillset nor the aptitude to do many skills that most veteran mechanics take for granted. Memory retention, problem solving, brain to hand coordination are amongst many things the younger generations do not have. Sad, but so very true. I field technical calls and emails almost daily (-as does Steve Becker and other suppliers and repair shops) and the questions asked over & over makes us all just shake our heads.
To prove my theory on this you all, -to work on a Model-A, the younger generation
needs (-relies) the '
Model-A Ford Mechanic Handbook' to do even the simplest of tasks. When you look on social media sites (...and sometimes here), it is very obvious to me these people came asking the question(s) first before ever trying to figure it out on their own. When I/you question them regarding have you tried first, I am usually met with this type statement "I didn't want to mess it up.". In other words, that is code for 'I lack even the most basic skills to problem solve'. When they do try, how often do we see an item could have been removed with a hammer & chisel in a cleaner fashion. I recently worked with a guy from Missouri that was trying to remove an exterior door handle on a Tudor. Not only is the door handle destroyed, but so is the door skin.
I could go on & on about how this new generation of 'mechanics' must have tools such as a torque wrench to tighten any type of fastener, and they lack even the most basic skillset to tighten fasteners by hand, or whatever. How about the NuRex Degree Indicator for the front timing cover, -or the little placard for showing which way the Fuel Shutoff should be pointed for off or on.
Therefore, it is of my opinion in this dumb-downed society that it is very likely that Tom's Timing Tool has a real need in this modern era of Model-A hobbyists. I have followed his product for enough time to know he has sold way more than just a handful, -and I have read where the guys that have purchased them found they were useful to them, ...so again, Tom has apparently found a niche market that caters to them. Yes, for guys who possess the basic skills of setting the timing, I agree it probably isn't for you but embrace it like many other tools & accessories that are made for the new Model-A hobbyist.
I hope he sells a million of those tools!!
