Seems that Tormek have heard the cries of despair and are introducing a new product that helps with water management. 8:30 pm Swedish time. Looks like it is time to open up the wallet again.
Midnight my time.
At €6.99 for the pair, this might be the least expensive Tormek accessory. I'll hold off for now and continue using the thin strip of wood under one side to create the tilt. This has worked well for the past four years, and I don't see any need to improve on it. I never use my T8 without a grindstone or transport it elsewhere, so this new item has no value for me.
John,
At $6 US, instead of your wallet, I think a change purse would suffice.
Mike,
You are correct in thinking that the new rubber feet may have little value for you. However; like automatic transmission and power steering in a vehicle, they are a step forward. I believe many users, myself included, will find them useful. I learned a couple new uses from Wolfgang's tips during the class.
Ken
Tormek have designed a product which is simple in design, but ever so useful for so many activities. I really like that Tormek provided the 3D CAD file to enable us to print them at home.
Tormek switched from the straight stainless shaft to the EZYlock soon after I purchased my T7. My original shaft worked fine. However, being a Tormek junkie, I wanted to have my T7 equipped with the latest and greatest.
Installing the EZYlock shaft was a valuable learning experience. I observed that the Tormek is essentially a very simple machine. If I had to, I could replace most of the parts at my local hardware store.Tormek used "off the shelf" parts wherever possible and put the cost where it really counted. The machining of the shaft is excellent, asis the design engineering.
Like Rich, I think the new rubber feet are clever and versatile. I also agree that posting the 3D printing file is outstanding PR for the users.
Ken
They mentioned printing your own for individual use. Does any one have link to the file?
Found it
Whether one chooses to purchase or 3D print a set of the new rubber feet, I believe in hindsight he will wish he had acquired at least a second set. Tormek likes the word "multi", and this is definitely a multi use accessory. In addition to the original use, tilting the machine to lessen spillage, and the close second use as a spacer to keep the shaft in place when the grinding wheel is removed, other uses are primarily limited by imagination.
Placed on the RB-180, all of "the woodworking machines" are conveniently tilted.
Placed on the vertical bars of the support bar, they make a handy preset stop. This is especially useful for those of us with multiple support bars.
These will be very useful, versatile accessories. Please share other uses you discover.
Ken