The 2008 "Duh" award goes to Chris Rosenburger!!!

[Dan Clark]

While we dream up complex solutions to simple problems, every once in a while someone comes along and creates an unique, simple, elegant solution to a complex problem.  IMO, the 2008 "Duh" award goes to Chris Rosenburger!

I think my Trion jigsaw is really great.  Smooth, fast, quiet...  It's a great jigsaw with one major problem - with the chip guard, you get excellent dust collection, but horrible visibility.  Without the chip guard, you get great visibility, but mediocre dust collection. 

So along comes Chris and says, "Just widen the slot, dumb-dumbs!":http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=3005.msg33352#msg33352.  I looked at that solution and thought, "Nah... I couldn't be THAT simple!"  Wrong!  It is that simple!!!  I spent five minutes with my Dremel tool and produced this:
[attachthumb=#]

I cut a slot in this board about 10 inches long and the few crumbs that you see are all that it produced.  And look at that visibility!!!!

My hat is off to Chris for creating an very simple solution to the dust versus visibility issue with the Trion!!!  (And demonstrating once again that most of us can't see the forest for the trees!)

And for the pic...

Many thanks,

Dan.

 

[chrisrosenb]

Thank you Dan.
That was very nice of you.

Chris

 

[Fred West]

Chris, I cannot do the pics that Dan so aptly produces but I will also add my thanks and his thumbs. 8) Fred

 

[nickao]

Yes great idea!

I made comment in a different thread that if it is that simple why the heck aren't they just designed that way? Add an LED for the perfect jig as shown in another thread. If Festool does these two things their jigs would be a really simple choice. Oh maybe add trigger variable speed too. Three things then.

Thanks Chris! I will cut out as little notch as soon as I get it in my hands.

Nickao

 

[brandon.nickel]

I feel compelled to add that this modification destroys the anti-splinter effect of the "splinterguard".  You might as well take the green one off your TS.  I understand the goal, but I'm not convinced this is the best way to go about it...

 

[Eli]

I propose one of you enterprising youths mount on board video with a 3"LCD....

 

[Scott W.]

I propose one of you enterprising youths mount on board video with a 3"LCD....

Now your thinking!

How about line following technology, just put the line on the wood & "let the saw do the work". My sons lego MindStorms can follow a black line, hummmm. ;D ;D

Scott W.

 

[chrisrosenb]

I feel compelled to add that this modification destroys the anti-splinter effect of the "splinterguard".  You might as well take the green one off your TS.  I understand the goal, but I'm not convinced this is the best way to go about it...

The mod is made to the chip guard & not the splinter guard. 

 

[Dan Clark]

I feel compelled to add that this modification destroys the anti-splinter effect of the "splinterguard".  You might as well take the green one off your TS.  I understand the goal, but I'm not convinced this is the best way to go about it...

Brandon,

Take another look.  Chris (and I) modified the Chip Guard, not the Splinter Guard.   

However, you made a good point.  Would you still get the benefit with the Splinter Guard in place?!?  IMO, yes!

Here's a pic of the modded Chip Guard with Splinter Guard in place.    As you can see, it still gives you a great view of the blade.  In any case, you can still remove the splinter guard if maximum visibility is more important than a chip-free finish or maximum dust collection!

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Regards,

Dan.

p.s., with the Splinter Guard in place, it looks like there the dust collection is even better.

 

[Toolpig]

I don't think a re-designed piece of plastic alone would make Festool's jigsaws a simple choice, at least not for me.

I purchased the newest Bosch (barrel grip) in large part because it felt much more comfortable in my hand (both left and right).  It has a rubber grip that surrounds the top of the tool and the body of the tool itself is wider, which is great because I've got big hands.  As for dust collection, I don't really care that much for most of my jigsaw needs -- but the Bosch does have accessories for dust collection that works acceptably for when I need it (which is never, really).

Jason

Yes great idea!

I made comment in a different thread that if it is that simple why the heck aren't they just designed that way? Add an LED for the perfect jig as shown in another thread. If Festool does these two things their jigs would be a really simple choice. Oh maybe add trigger variable speed too. Three things then.

Thanks Chris! I will cut out as little notch as soon as I get it in my hands.

Nickao

 

[nickao]

I don't think a re-designed piece of plastic alone would make Festool's jigsaws a simple choice, at least not for me.

I purchased the newest Bosch (barrel grip) in large part because it felt much more comfortable in my hand (both left and right).  It has a rubber grip that surrounds the top of the tool and the body of the tool itself is wider, which is great because I've got big hands.  As for dust collection, I don't really care that much for most of my jigsaw needs -- but the Bosch does have accessories for dust collection that works acceptably for when I need it (which is never, really).

Jason

Yes great idea!

I made comment in a different thread that if it is that simple why the heck aren't they just designed that way? Add an LED for the perfect jig as shown in another thread. If Festool does these two things their jigs would be a really simple choice. Oh maybe add trigger variable speed too. Three things then.

Thanks Chris! I will cut out as little notch as soon as I get it in my hands.

Nickao

Toolpig, point taken.

I should have said for me.

I love Bosch, but I HATE the barrel grips because I don't like the way they feel in my hand. Personal preference is the biggest factor. Being comfortable with the tool makes it safer and more enjoyable to use. I will keep my Bosch, but I still feel the Trion cuts thick lumber better than the Bosch. Again that is my opinion. Maybe if I get the time I can do a comparison using the same blades on different lumber thicknesses and wood species, to back up what I am saying.

Nickao

 

[Toolpig]

Yep.  Like you said, personal preference.

If I were a "top handle" guy (like I used to be), I'd have gone for the Festool for sure.

Jason