3D Printed TSO Parallel Guide Protector Caps

jacklewis

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Sep 1, 2021
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I designed a set of protector caps for the TSO Parallel Guides to protect them, I often find myself setting down my track with the parallel guides still attached on my bare concrete garage floor very gingerly so as to not dent or scratch them. They're also designed with a cutout to allow them to sit flat in case you have the end of them resting on another board to prevent tipping.

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The model files are here for here (there's also a link to my etsy shop if you don't have a 3D printer and are so inclined):https://www.printables.com/model/440140-tso-parallel-guide-protection-caps
 

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alltracman78 said:
do you have a 3D scanner you can get part dimensions from?

I haven't tried any, typically I just do it the old fashioned way with a set of digital calipers, and trial and error. If it's a flat part, sometimes I'll take a photo with a ruler for scale, and then trace it in a sketch. I know the recent iPhones have LiDAR sensors that can be used for 3d scanning but I've never tried it.
 
jacklewis said:
I designed a set of protector caps for the TSO Parallel Guides to protect them, I often find myself setting down my track with the parallel guides still attached on my bare concrete garage floor very gingerly so as to not dent or scratch them. They're also designed with a cutout to allow them to sit flat in case you have the end of them resting on another board to prevent tipping.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

The model files are here for here (there's also a link to my etsy shop if you don't have a 3D printer and are so inclined):https://www.printables.com/model/440140-tso-parallel-guide-protection-caps

Awesome, thanks for sharing!
 
jacklewis said:
I designed a set of protector caps for the TSO Parallel Guides to protect them, I often find myself setting down my track with the parallel guides still attached on my bare concrete garage floor very gingerly so as to not dent or scratch them. They're also designed with a cutout to allow them to sit flat in case you have the end of them resting on another board to prevent tipping.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

The model files are here for here (there's also a link to my etsy shop if you don't have a 3D printer and are so inclined):https://www.printables.com/model/440140-tso-parallel-guide-protection-caps

The issue with this, is that the tooling for vinyl end caps is quite inexpensive, so if this idea has much merit someone will tool up for this and those end caps will end up costing $0.25 to produce.

Indeed, TSO might consider making these as part of their shipping packaging.

As I see it, 3D printing is an excellent way to produce prototypes and for production in very small quantities.

CNC production matches that limitation, and the marriage between CNC production and 3D printing is generally good.

But the low cost of tooling and the low cost to buy, for example, 5,000 of these, plus the minimal storage space they would require, conspire against very popular designs.

Neat looking product.  I have not damaged the ends of my TSO squaring arms.  If I do, I will kick myself for not ordering them.
 
What might also be useful is a bracket to hang the track onto the wall.  It could be screwed in, or it could incorporate a mount to peg board.  I don’t know if the resin is strong enough for that application.  A resin hook would not deform the aluminum hole like a steel hook would.  If you got fancy, I guess you could incorporate the anchors into the bracket. 

I made a sketch.  Good luck.

Packard

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I hang my tracks on pegboard hooks.  The house came with way more pegboard on the walls of the garage than I ever wanted, but it sure has come in handy in some cases.
 
tsmi243 said:
I ran out of wall space a LONG time ago.

Caps look great  [smile]

Thanks!

I also ran out of wall space, I have my tracks (as well as parallel guides and a few other long items) mounted on my garage door, so it'd be a bit risky to hang the track with parallel guides still attached  [smile]

 
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