Fixed Foot for Frame-X Work Frame

thingiverse

A few years ago, my brother brought home a Frame X work frame to replace an old Workmate that had seen better days. I've used it constantly since then and, whilst not as conveniently portable, it has a versatility unmatched by the B&D original that it replaced. Part of this is the way it can be used in different orientations according to the needs of the job in hand. Personally, I highly recommend the design. Unfortunately, they no longer make or sell them, but I thoroughly recommend looking one up to see what you're missing! But, back to the story... A few years back, I was trimming a door bottom for my neighbor when I misjudged the blade path of my Skil Saw and cut part way through one of the fixed plastic feet. At the time, I "temporarily" wedged a piece of lolly stick into the saw cut, and got on with what I was doing. I completely forgot all about it until recently when the split portion of the foot finally came adrift. Now the formerly ultra-stable Frame X had an infuriating wobble. As usual, my 3D printer stepped bravely into the breach, and this is my facsimile of the sundered footpad. I didn't bother with the countersunk screw hole in the original because I've never found it necessary to use. I've attached the SketchUp file for anyone who wants to add it though. I did, however, add a small groove to clear the rough weld line inside the frame tube on my Frame X. To get the original foot off required a block of wood and a hammer, and it's easy to see why: the footpad was designed to stay where it was under all sorts of directional loads and situations. Fitting the replacement requires the same technique. I printed it in black PLA, with a matching insert pad in red PLA. The use of PLA on the latter was a mistake on my part because the original is soft (so as not to damage any workpiece that rests on it) and I should have used something flexible like TPU. I've since printed a replacement in TPU (blue, because it's the only color I have!). But I haven't been able to remove the PLA one because I made it a very tight fit so it wouldn't come out by itself! If you are one of the lucky people who own a Frame X and need to print this, you'll need to flip the STL for the insert part as it needs to be face up for a good finish with no support needed. So, while I doubt that these are a common item in people's tool collections, here's the solution to a damaged foot for anyone who does possess one. Happy printing!