Micrometer Adjustable Reamer Stop Not the Same as MARS II

[Rustystud]

Nathaniel G. Lambeth, Sr, d/b/a Custom Guns and Ammunition, L.L.C. Invented, paid for the original R&D and Prototyping of the Micrometer Adjustable Reamer Stop. Dave Kiff and Pacific Tool & Gauge, INC., made the original parts, The blanks were paid for and shipped to Custom Guns and Ammunition, L.L.C. for inspection, laser engraving, reinspection, packaging and shipped back and sold to Dave Kiff and Pacific Tool and Gauge wholesale. Dave Kiff and Pacific Tool and Gauge then sold the product at retail marketed under both our names , "Lambeth/Kiff". Custom Guns and Ammunition began having problems with Pacific Tool and Gauge, both quality control issues and payment issues. Three years ago Nathaniel G. Lambeth, Sr., d/b/a Custom Guns and Ammunition, L.L.C. requested Dave Kiff and Pacific Tool and Gauge to cease and desist from making products of Nathaniel G. Lambeth's design and remove his name from Pacific Tool and Gauge web site. Dave Kiff and Pacific Tool and Gauge Have continued to make products of Nathaniel G. Lambeth's design and not removed the Lambeth name from the Pacific Tool and Gauge web site. He has said the Lambeth products are "his products since he was manufacturing them as a joint venture". We originally started business with a handshake. He continues to make his own version of the Micrometer Adjustable Reamer Stop. He has removed Lambeth on the Micrometer Adjustable Reamer Stops that he is currently making. Unfortunately he has not removed the Lambeth name from the pacific Tool and Gauge web site. Dave Kiff and Pacific Tool and Gauge continues to include "Lambeth Instructions and Warranty information" with the product he is selling. Let me make it clear that if you buy a Micrometer Adjustable Reamer Stop from Dave Kiff and Pacific Tool and Gauge it is not my product and carries no support or warranty from Nathaniel G. Lambeth, Sr., or Custom Guns and Ammunition, L.L.C. Over the last two years Nathaniel G. Lambeth, d/b/a Custom Guns and Ammunition has received numerous warranty request for Micrometer Adjustable Reamer Stops made and sold by Pacific Tool and Gauge. We neither make, sell, or warrantee Dave Kiff and Pacific Tool and Gauges products. Nathaniel G. Lambeth, Sr. d/b/a Custom Guns and Ammunition, L.L.C. makes their own Micrometer Adjustable Reamer Stop (second Generation) labeled under the registered trademark MARS II. This products is superior to the original Micrometer Adjustable Reamer Stop in a number of ways. It is a nine piece set, made non rusting heat treated material, the bodies from 1 inch through 1.75 inches are vented for use with a flush system, the laser engraving is .010" deep so it will never wear off, and they include a small tenon adapter for rimfire and pistol caliber chambering. The MARS II carries a lifetime limited warrantee.
Nathaniel G. Lambeth, Sr.
Custom Guns and Ammunition, L.L.C.

 

[geo.ulrich]

Nate, I'm glad you posted this. I for one remember the b.s. that was pulled on you. Its a shame some people have to lie, cheat and steal others Ideas..Good luck

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Good luck nat.

 

[mikecockcroft]

Heard a similar story about a detachable bottom metal (DBM) design

 

[Ben H]

+1 for the MARS II.

 

[Bully]

It's going to be a sad day when PTG finally implodes. They have served the community for a long time. Unfortunately there are more and more stories of poor customer relations and employee discontent.

Mr. Lambeth, I purchased one of your reamer stops from a friend of mine. I can't forsee a need for warranty work, but if you won't honor it, I'll just pony up for a new one.
Great product. Good luck.

 

[Rustystud]

If you reamer stop has "Lambeth" engraved on it. I will continue to warrantee the product and you sent in the registration.
Nat

 

[JRS]

I believe most of us understand, and will support you you 100%, Nat.

 

[matthias]

Not seeing where I can buy the Mars 2 . Your site says Brownells will have it . Dont see it there, thanks

 

[Bully]

If you reamer stop has "Lambeth" engraved on it. I will continue to warrantee the product and you sent in the registration.
Nat

I purchased mine used. No paperwork.
Such is life. At the point I may need warranty work, I’ll be ok with buying new.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I've done business with Kiff for going on 20 years, While I still have never experienced anything that rises to the level you read about a lot, I must acknowledge that there is too much smoke for there to be no fire. I just think it's a huge shame for such a massive and valuable resource for our shooting community to treat customers the way I have heard and read about, too many times.

I'm not sure what's going on between him and Nat but I really hate to see anyone steal or otherwise take someone else's intellectual property for their own profit. We are a small group, even as a whole. Patents are just not practical for small businesses and for products that have a relatively very small market to begin with. That doesn't, in any way, change who rightfully owns a design for a product and we should support the rightful owner of such intellectual properties. Hopefully, there is a resolution to this that will benefit all, but mostly the designer, as long as there was no binding agreement between the two of them. Not saying there was any such agreement, but the fact that both names were used, implies some sort of partnership. Regardless, I only hope and wish Nat and Dave the very best outcome.

Lastly, Kiff is big enough that he may never feel it if he completely stopped making and selling most of such items, altogether. In which case there will be a large void that I'm not sure we're ready for and we, the shooting community, will suffer as a result for some time. I pray that whatever is going on with PTG is resolved and that we can all benefit from their services, the way we use to, before all of this mess began. He is a wealth of knowledge and a massive resource to us all, like it or not. It's not just with items like the reamer stop or reamers that we order directly. He has for years, supplied many of the manufacturers that we use. So it would rain down repercussions on us all, for a really long time, should he fail completely.

I just hope there is a resolution to all of this and wish he and Nat the best.--Mike