Rockler-Type Center-Offset Marking Tool (Metric mm)

thingiverse

I was on the hunt for a center offset marking gauge that I just couldn't seem to find anywhere near me. Luckily, Rockler had exactly what I needed (https://www.rockler.com/rockler-center-offset-marking-tool), but they don't ship to South Africa, and getting it shipped to me would have been way too expensive ($10 vs $10 plus $40 shipping!). So I decided to design and print one myself! The total cost came out to be around $0.45 in filament, 1 day of design time, and 3.5 hours of printing time. I knew there was already a similar tool on Thingiverse by @tanialimacosta (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3570401), but I wanted one with metric markings as well as a pencil holder that fits just like the original. Plus, I wanted the pencil hole to be tapered so it could fit a wide range of pencils I use in my shop. I also had some spare rare earth magnets lying around, so I decided to incorporate them into the design - they're 6mm wide by 3mm deep, and you can glue them into the provided spaces with some contact adhesive. This is what I came up with. I designed it this morning, printed the prototype parts in the afternoon, made a few adjustments to the mm markings (they were too small for my nozzle), and then printed the final version in the afternoon. To avoid any supports or brims, I split the printing into 2 parts - just print both parts, align them correctly (flat part to flat part, making sure the gauge markings are oriented properly), and glue them together with superglue or contact adhesive. Clamp it until it's fully dry. Depending on how accurate your printer is and how severe the first layer squish is, you might need to file the gauge marking points slightly - but this tool is pretty much print, glue, and use! Since I always work in millimeters, I made the tool dimensions with these gauge markings: 1.5mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm. The original Rockler is imperial with different gauge markings in inches - if you want to convert and adjust the marker points, the SKP file is included. The pencil hole is made to take standard Faber-Castell or Staedtler pencils (or similar ones) up to 8mm in diameter. The tool's final printed size is 80mm long x 40mm high x 45mm wide. The space between the columns allows for use on wood up to 45mm thick. I've added a few pictures so you can get an idea of the 2 parts and the completed part, versus the original tool from Rockler. I didn't add the holes for the pencil holder - if you need it, please remix and post. I hope others who are unable to buy this tool in their country will find this thing useful, so enjoy and please like/comment/post a make if you download and make!