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Sanding Disc Storage

Tom Albrecht said:
Over the years I've seen quite a few questions and posts about sanding disc storage. I just ran across this Disc Storage System on YouTube from Steve Worcester at Turningwood. Look's perfect to me.
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Those are a tad expensive, in my view. They'd be reasonable at $25 rather than $60. But that's just me and my sense of value. If only I had a 3D model for it.
 
Kent Reisdorph said:
Those are a tad expensive, in my view. They'd be reasonable at $25 rather than $60. But that's just me and my sense of value. If only I had a 3D model for it.
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I think he was also selling the STLs?
Edit: nope, that was another one someone posted in the 3D printing thread.
 
The disc storage towers from Turningwood.com may be a little expensive, but an added feature is that the version I bought when it was still a proto-type product have magnets on the bottom of each tower. With magnets and a wall mount bracket plus the magnets on the bottom of each tower allow you to set the tower on your cast iron lathe bed neared where you're working. I love them. I'm sure you could make something similar from wood.
 
Kent Reisdorph said:
Those are a tad expensive, in my view. They'd be reasonable at $25 rather than $60. But that's just me and my sense of value. If only I had a 3D model for it.
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From the turningwood.com website,

"These are designed and manufactured in house by us. If you have a 3d printer, the model is free to use for personal use and available HERE"
 
Tom Albrecht said:
From the turningwood.com website,

"These are designed and manufactured in house by us. If you have a 3d printer, the model is free to use for personal use and available HERE"
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That's is for the disk caddy.
 
Kent Reisdorph said:
Those are a tad expensive, in my view. They'd be reasonable at $25 rather than $60. But that's just me and my sense of value. If only I had a 3D model for it.
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I would like to say that would be less than cost of materials but it likely isn't because we have to factor in machine time. We use as much USA made product as possible. All the filament is made in the USA, the stainless rods and Black oxide nuts are likely not. The magnets, definitely not, nor the printers themselves, but we can call it
"Made in the USA" because of "substantial transformation"
We printed about 100+ preproduction pieces and sent them out for user feedback. Based on that, I went back to the drawing board and redesigned it. I am a 1 man shop with 6 printers, we have been in business for 25 years and we have overhead like any company. Software licensing, website fees, e-commerce fees, you see where I am going with this.
You can create your own with a cad program and a 3d printer, sure, it's not that difficult. But doing it to make some kind of profit makes it much harder but I don't think for a USA made commercial product, it is that out of touch.
 
Steve Worcester said:
I would like to say that would be less than cost of materials but it likely isn't because we have to factor in machine time. We use as much USA made product as possible. All the filament is made in the USA, the stainless rods and Black oxide nuts are likely not. The magnets, definitely not, nor the printers themselves, but we can call it
"Made in the USA" because of "substantial transformation"
We printed about 100+ preproduction pieces and sent them out for user feedback. Based on that, I went back to the drawing board and redesigned it. I am a 1 man shop with 6 printers, we have been in business for 25 years and we have overhead like any company. Software licensing, website fees, e-commerce fees, you see where I am going with this.
You can create your own with a cad program and a 3d printer, sure, it's not that difficult. But doing it to make some kind of profit makes it much harder but I don't think for a USA made commercial product, it is that out of touch.
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I like to tell folks (typically someone wanting a price on their "antique" lawn tractor or tool) - Anything can be for sale, and it is going to be worth ONLY as much as someone else is willing to pay for it. If that number agrees with what you're willing to accept for it, you got a deal, if the numbers can't agree, you don't.

- Personally I agree with Kent - But for me, it is more a question of "Is its usefulness worth that much *TO ME*?" It may well be worth the 60 bucks (and I see plenty of posts encouraging just buy a new XYZ Gadget, folks that can drop a $100 bill on some widget without even thinking about it - but for those of us on a strict budget and limited fixed income, Those "widgets" just ain't worth it...) (And I probably would hesitate to even bother printing one, depending on the cost of the printer filament needed... It is one thing I wonder about with all those 3D models , no one mentions how much filament might be needed to print a project - I'd hate to start a project and run out at 95% completion!)
 
Brian Gustin said:
I like to tell folks (typically someone wanting a price on their "antique" lawn tractor or tool) - Anything can be for sale, and it is going to be worth ONLY as much as someone else is willing to pay for it. If that number agrees with what you're willing to accept for it, you got a deal, if the numbers can't agree, you don't.

- Personally I agree with Kent - But for me, it is more a question of "Is its usefulness worth that much *TO ME*?" It may well be worth the 60 bucks (and I see plenty of posts encouraging just buy a new XYZ Gadget, folks that can drop a $100 bill on some widget without even thinking about it - but for those of us on a strict budget and limited fixed income, Those "widgets" just ain't worth it...) (And I probably would hesitate to even bother printing one, depending on the cost of the printer filament needed... It is one thing I wonder about with all those 3D models , no one mentions how much filament might be needed to print a project - I'd hate to start a project and run out at 95% completion!)
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It's very possible that, to any single woodturner, the disc storage units might not be worth the cost. And, of course, if that turns out to generally be true, over time, these products will disappear to be replaced by other products. However, to imply that the product isn't objectively worth the price means that one would have to have priced out materials, determined the amount of time and cost involved in manufacturing the products, and then understanding that, if any business is to stay in business, a profit must be made. There is just no way around that.

I honestly haven't priced all the components for this product so I can't say for sure that the price is realistic and fair, but $25? Come on. Maybe if you were transported back in time 50+ years, you could be right. With prices of everything rising significantly, I would guess that even the materials alone would cost more than that. Add in manufacturing costs, costs related to selling, and the need to actually make at least some money, and I can't imagine $25 covering much moe than half the cost, if that. Plus, it's a new product so there are initial cost which need to be recovered to just stay in business.

My overall point is that, if a product isn't worth it to you, fine, but don't project that on the whole group of woodturners.

Steve sells products that are useful for woodturners. I've bought a couple myself, including the disc storage unit. Are all his products worth it to me? No, of course not, but he's no different than many other small business these days. He sells quality products, some of them innovative. I also believe that his prices are fair. Woodturning tools, accessories, and other products are sold by numerous small businesses, in large part made possible, by the internet. In fact, this is one of the reasons there are such a large variety of woodturning tools and accessories available to all of us. Don't put down a product or price unless you've actually based that opinion on factual comparison. If you can make his disc storage units cheaper yourself, have at it. I chose not to spend my time making them but rather using them. I'd much rather spend my time turning than making all kinds of accessories. There is a huge amount of value for me in that.
 
Steve Worcester said:
"Made in the USA" because of "substantial transformation"
We printed about 100+ preproduction pieces and sent them out for user feedback. Based on that, I went back to the drawing board and redesigned it. I am a 1 man shop with 6 printers, we have been in business for 25 years and we have overhead like any company. Software licensing, website fees, e-commerce fees, you see where I am going with this.
You can create your own with a cad program and a 3d printer, sure, it's not that difficult. But doing it to make some kind of profit makes it much harder but I don't think for a USA made commercial product, it is that out of touch.
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Thanks for the response. I posted that before I knew you provide the 3D model. That is a very progressive approach, and I appreciate that.
 
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Brian Gustin said:
I like to tell folks (typically someone wanting a price on their "antique" lawn tractor or tool) - Anything can be for sale, and it is going to be worth ONLY as much as someone else is willing to pay for it. If that number agrees with what you're willing to accept for it, you got a deal, if the numbers can't agree, you don't.

- Personally I agree with Kent - But for me, it is more a question of "Is its usefulness worth that much *TO ME*?" It may well be worth the 60 bucks (and I see plenty of posts encouraging just buy a new XYZ Gadget, folks that can drop a $100 bill on some widget without even thinking about it - but for those of us on a strict budget and limited fixed income, Those "widgets" just ain't worth it...) (And I probably would hesitate to even bother printing one, depending on the cost of the printer filament needed... It is one thing I wonder about with all those 3D models , no one mentions how much filament might be needed to print a project - I'd hate to start a project and run out at 95% completion!)
Click to expand...

I didn't calculate the exact cost, but it's probably $5 in filament, or less.
 
Kent Reisdorph said:
I didn't calculate the exact cost, but it's probably $5 in filament, or less.
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Perhaps. From what I have read on 3D printers, there are many different filaments, which one might *assume* (Since I have no direct experience myself to date, being brand new to 3D printing) may have widely different durability, pliability, etc (I.E. Quality) properties , and thus rather different prices? It could be $5 worth of materials, could be $25, as a rule of thumb I tend to look at manufactured items as being retail priced at 5 or 10x the actual materials cost (Not counting labor, storage, transport, taxes, etc.) so I'd tend to suggest the $60 price may well be very fair... Just not palatable to me (or you, I presume) for what the product is, what it does, etc. (I.E. Perceived value for the money - It varies for everyone.)
 
I should have mentioned in my OP that if I didn't already have a plastic wall hanging bin system, that I bought years ago, that meets my needs, I would happily part with the cost of Steve's product. It looks darn near perfect in terms of convenience ease of use. I'm far from wealthy, but when something comes along that makes life a little more convenient and easier I like that.
Do you always buy the least expensive tools you can find? Probably not.
 
Brian Gustin said:
Perhaps. From what I have read on 3D printers, there are many different filaments, which one might *assume* (Since I have no direct experience myself to date, being brand new to 3D printing) may have widely different durability, pliability, etc (I.E. Quality) properties , and thus rather different prices? It could be $5 worth of materials, could be $25, as a rule of thumb I tend to look at manufactured items as being retail priced at 5 or 10x the actual materials cost (Not counting labor, storage, transport, taxes, etc.) so I'd tend to suggest the $60 price may well be very fair... Just not palatable to me (or you, I presume) for what the product is, what it does, etc. (I.E. Perceived value for the money - It varies for everyone.)
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There is not a huge difference in filament costs, at least those filaments that you would use for production on FDM printers. Most people print PLA because it is cheap and easy. PETG is a better choice for most things around the shop and only marginally more expensive. It would be safe to assume around $25/kilogram. No one is going to print in specialty filaments (nylon, tungsten-infused, etc.) for FDM production runs like this.
 
Doug Freeman said:
This parts storage rack, $15 at harbor freight, has worked well for 2” & 3” oversized discs with bins left over for misc stuff.

View attachment 74550
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It's a great alternative if you have the kind of space to sit something that takes up significant horizontal space. I suppose you could mount it on the wall but, again, it takes up quite a bit of horizontal space. I don't have that kind of wall space near my lather nor do I have that kind of table space near the lathe. For me, it's worth the price to be able to hang something on the wall as well as move it where I want it when I'm using the sandpaper.
 
We use Proto Pasta PLA and GreenGate3D PETg, both about $30/roll, both made in the USA. I use USA made filaments almost exclusively, mostly because of consistent quality, but the made in USA part helps too.
The killer is the time. The 4 high 3" model takes about 24 hours of machine time, although it is about 700 grams of filament for that model, so that one is $21 worth of filament, and then you have rods, magnets, nuts, etc. and shipping and packaging.
 
Steve Worcester said:
We use Proto Pasta PLA and GreenGate3D PETg, both about $30/roll, both made in the USA. I use USA made filaments almost exclusively, mostly because of consistent quality, but the made in USA part helps too.
The killer is the time. The 4 high 3" model takes about 24 hours of machine time, although it is about 700 grams of filament for that model, so that one is $21 worth of filament, and then you have rods, magnets, nuts, etc. and shipping and packaging.
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I've done some work with both those companies. You might also have a look at the PrintedSolid Jessie line of filament. ~$20/roll for both PLA and PETG. Made in Delaware. https://www.printedsolid.com/collec...ssie-premium-petg-1-75mm-x-soul-black-glitter
 
Randy Heinemann said:
It's a great alternative if you have the kind of space to sit something that takes up significant horizontal space. I suppose you could mount it on the wall but, again, it takes up quite a bit of horizontal space. I don't have that kind of wall space near my lather nor do I have that kind of table space near the lathe. For me, it's worth the price to be able to hang something on the wall as well as move it where I want it when I'm using the sandpaper.
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We each have varying needs/requirements, which is part of the fun to me - creating processes, shop layouts, etc that fit for me, and if it helps someone else, great - my solutions are never intended to fit for everyone. My space is pretty limited also, which is why my tools, chucks, and tool rests are stored on my lathe.

1745001755536.jpeg
 
Brian Gustin said:
Perhaps. From what I have read on 3D printers, there are many different filaments, which one might *assume* (Since I have no direct experience myself to date, being brand new to 3D printing) may have widely different durability, pliability, etc (I.E. Quality) properties , and thus rather different prices? It could be $5 worth of materials, could be $25, as a rule of thumb I tend to look at manufactured items as being retail priced at 5 or 10x the actual materials cost (Not counting labor, storage, transport, taxes, etc.) so I'd tend to suggest the $60 price may well be very fair... Just not palatable to me (or you, I presume) for what the product is, what it does, etc. (I.E. Perceived value for the money - It varies for everyone.)
Click to expand...

I have printed two of these so far with PLA+. Interestingly, the model would have taken 9 hours to print, but I used the Draft setting and got it down to 4 hours.
 
Kent Reisdorph said:
I have printed two of these so far with PLA+. Interestingly, the model would have taken 9 hours to print, but I used the Draft setting and got it down to 4 hours.
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0.4mm nozzle? Put on a 0.6 mm nozzle and you could get the time down even further, as you can increase layer heights even more.
 
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