       try
         tool_obj = Collections(tool_type).create(tool_args)
         tool_objs.push(tool_obj)
-      catch
+      catch e
         logger.error("unrecognized tool: #{tool}")
 
     return tool_objs

        try
          new Date.parse(range.get('start'))
          return Collections("DatetimeAxis")
        catch
          "pass"

        return Collections("LinearAxis")

    try
      return Collections(axis_type + "Axis")
    catch
      logger.error("unrecognized axis_type: #{axis_type}")
      return null



  _get_num_minor_ticks = (axis_type, num_minor_ticks) ->
    if not num_minor_ticks?
      return 0

    if _.isNumber(num_minor_ticks)
      if num_minor_ticks <= 1
