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

cults3d

Human: I searched for a center offset marking gauge locally without success. That's when I stumbled upon Rockler's offering (https://www.rockler.com/rockler-center-offset-marking-tool), but they don't ship to South Africa. Shipping costs would have been prohibitive ($10 vs $10 plus $40). So, I decided to design and print a similar one. The total cost was approximately $0.45 in filament, 1 day of design time, and 3.5 hours of printing time. A similar type of gauge already exists on Thingiverse courtesy of @tanialimacosta (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3570401), but I wanted metric markings as well as a pencil holder with clamp-fit similar to the original. I also wanted the pencil hole to be tapered to accommodate a wide range of pencils used in my shop. Additionally, I had some spare rare earth magnets on hand, so I incorporated them into the design. They are 6mm wide by 3mm deep; just glue them into the provided spaces with contact adhesive. Here's the result. I designed this morning and printed the prototype parts this afternoon. I made some adjustments to the mm markings (as they were too small for a 0.4mm nozzle to cope with) and printed the final version in the afternoon. I split the printing into two parts to avoid any supports, brims, etc. Just print both parts, align them correctly (flat part to flat part), noting the correct orientation of the gauge markings which only fit one way. Then glue them together using superglue or contact adhesive - clamp until fully dry. Depending on your printer's accuracy and first layer squish severity, you may need to file the gauge marking points slightly. However, this tool is pretty much print, glue, and use! As I always work in millimeters, I made the tool dimensions with the following gauge markings: 1.5mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm. The original Rockler is imperial with different gauge markings in inches - the SKP file is included, so feel free to convert and adjust the marker points if you want imperial measurements. The pencil hole is made to take standard and most common Faber-Castell, Staedtler, or similar types (8mm diameter or less). The tool's final printed size is 80mm (L) x 40mm (H) x 45mm (W). The space between the columns allows for use on wood up to 45mm thickness. I've added quite a few pictures so you can get an idea of the two parts and the completed part versus the original tool from Rockler. The only thing I didn't add was the holes for the pencil holder - I don't require this, but if you need it, please remix and post. I hope others who are unable to buy this tool in their country find this useful, so enjoy and please like/comment/post a make if you download and make.