UPDATE: TSO Parallel Guide Parallax-Free Cursor/Indicator - 3D Print File Links Included :)

[ChuckS]

I'm seeing around 45 people downloading these, so with that math its a decent chunk of change saved for people.

I did send this to TSO, but they didn't respond...sorry TSO, but $130 for a problem that can be solved with 1.8 grams of plastic... I don't know man.

Its not as elegant as a their solution obviously, and there are other benefits in the Gen 2 system, but the only issue I ever found was with the bloody parallax. I was always out by a little bit, which sucked for longer rips. I used this on an 8ft rip yesterday, I was only out by less than half a mm from start to finish.

I'm commenting on this as a woodworker, not as an owner or user of any TSO product.

Your 3D printed solution as well as many other 3D printed accessories or designs others have shared on this forum for various Festool tools (not to mention those commercial ones on Etsy) should make small after-market tool and gadget manufacturers think and explore the use of 3D printing in their business and final products.

Between an aluminum gadget asking for, say, $150 and a 3D printed equivalent (in function) for $50 (even with a lower profit margin), which one would the majority of potential or interested woodworkers buy?

 

[Mike Goetzke]

View attachment 381163

Nice - I've used the original design a few times now and love it. Probably will print this new one too. - Thanks for the update.

 

[TRG]

I'm commenting on this as a woodworker, not as an owner or user of any TSO product.

Your 3D printed solution as well as many other 3D printed accessories or designs others have shared on this forum for various Festool tools (not to mention those commercial ones on Etsy) should make small after-market tool and gadget manufacturers think and explore the use of 3D printing in their business and final products.

Between an aluminum gadget asking for, say, $150 and a 3D printed equivalent (in function) for $50 (even with a lower profit margin), which one would the majority of potential or interested woodworkers buy?

The profit margin on a 3D printed plastic part is significantly higher (percentage wise) than on any aluminium parts (in most cases). High precision tools however typically use steel/aluminium in order to maintain the tolerances clients are looking for. Case in point, I have yet to find a plastic carpenter square that wasn't absolute trash, and its a safe assumption businesses aren't looking to make less money by creating 'cheap' upgrades, hence, the 3D printing community (or wood workers who've taken up 3D printing) often have to fill the gap.

If someone wants to license my design and sell it on Etsy, they can contact me directly, I looked into it and it wasn't worth my time to deal with shipping etc. That and the fact that Public libraries often have 3D printers (at least here in Canada), and I think most people know at least one person who has one (as I mentioned before, I used a 13 year old MakerBot Replicator 2, which is ancient, but does just fine for simple parts).

If I do the math on how much of my own time I spent on the above design and re-designs and convert it to a dollar value based on my full time job, I could have bought the new TSO parallel guides five times over... so for me it was a 'waste of time', but I enjoy the process and learning new skills.

For the retired fellas out there its a lot more money to spend that they could otherwise use to buy something nice for the kids/grand-kids instead (while also getting proper use of a tool they already spent a crapton of money on). Its the reason I have home appliance and automotive repair tools as part of my workshop. My neighbours know that if their dishwasher, washing machine or their car has a minor/medium problem, they can turn to me for help instead of spending hundreds or thousands on taking it to a shop/calling a technician. I'm not trying to take anyone's job away, but the world being what it is, people are being squeezed further and further financially.

 

[ChuckS]

, they can turn to me for help instead of spending hundreds or thousands on taking it to a shop/calling a technician. I'm not trying to take anyone's job away, but the world being what it is, people are being squeezed further and further financially.

Youtube is an amazing source of solutions. I fixed the hood supports in my car after a Youtuber shared what parts to get and how to do it -- saving me at least $500 based on my car dealership's quote. Then, my laundry faucet broke down after almost 30 years of service. The plumber quoted me for the replacement, but I had to find my own drywall guy. Youtube found me a solution that cost me $50 without cutting any opening on the drywall, at a fraction of the cost of what otherwise would have been.

It isn't just about money; the satisfaction of fixing something other than made of wood is rewarding.

 

[MacBoy]

Here is an updated one with a slimmer sloped part.

Thank you so much