Home built tools

modeler1964 · Post by **modeler1964** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:59 pm

I am curious if anyone has built their own tools to help perform specific modeling tasks. I know I have built cutting jigs and alignment tools / templates. I want to open this up to any and all contraptions related to helping you accomplish difficult tasks. I have seen home made lathes and other items too. If you have directions or pics, please post em!

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 3:19 pm

Heh, this question has come up before, here.

Kekker · Post by **Kekker** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:01 pm

I've cut down micro scalpel blades to make teeny chisels and lathing tools for styrene.

Kev

Pat Amaral · Post by **Pat Amaral** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 3:30 am

I made an electric sander out of a battery operated toothbrush, some self-sticking Velcro disks and various grades of sandpaper. I also make CA applicators from sewing needles by cutting off the top of the needles' eyes (this was mentioned in the other thread).

Rogviler · Post by **Rogviler** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 4:26 am

I don't know if you'd call it a tool, but when I'm using RTV silicone to make a mold I'll inevitably have some left over. I pour this into a lid from cottage cheese or something similar, to make a disc. Since nothing sticks to silicone, it makes a great surface for mixing epoxy or paint as they will just peel off when dry. Beats simply tossing the excess RTV, since it can be kind of expensive.

-Rog

Chacal · Post by **Chacal** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 4:49 pm

Rogviler wrote:I don't know if you'd call it a tool, but when I'm using RTV silicone to make a mold I'll inevitably have some left over. I pour this into a lid from cottage cheese or something similar, to make a disc. Since nothing sticks to silicone, it makes a great surface for mixing epoxy or paint as they will just peel off when dry. Beats simply tossing the excess RTV, since it can be kind of expensive.

-Rog

Ditto here.

Underlord · Post by **Underlord** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 1:40 pm

Pat Amaral wrote:I made an electric sander out of a battery operated toothbrush, some self-sticking Velcro disks and various grades of sandpaper. I also make CA applicators from sewing needles by cutting off the top of the needles' eyes (this was mentioned in the other thread).

http://dealnews.com/Oral-B-Cross-Action ... 78562.html

Deal of the day, ORDERED.

Rogviler · Post by **Rogviler** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 11:12 pm

Underlord wrote:http://dealnews.com/Oral-B-Cross-Action ... 78562.html

Deal of the day, ORDERED.

Thanks for the tip. I picked up a couple myself. Probably the worst toothbrush made, manual or powered, but it was easy to modify for use as a sander.

Amazon Prime is worth it just to be able to order a few bucks worth of items and have it delivered two days later on a Saturday for free...

-Rog

Umi_Ryuzuki · Post by **Umi_Ryuzuki** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 1:15 pm

I stopped by a friends house the other day,... He's building a laser cutter...

I hope I get to use when it's finished.

.
.

Ziz · Post by **Ziz** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 2:10 pm

I picked up mini table and chop saws from Harbor Freight. The table saw uses a 4" blade, chop saw 2" blade.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6125/592 ... 6011_b.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/592 ... bf01_b.jpg

They worked OK as is, but I modified them by building proper material handling platforms.

The table saw now has a rip fence and adjustable angle push handle made from a dollar store ruler and compass set.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/592 ... 2e1a_b.jpg

The chop saw now has a proper fence to hold your strip/tube/rod of choice against to get a nice straight cut.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6028/592 ... 13fc_b.jpg

Mr. Badwrench · Post by **Mr. Badwrench** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 1:44 am

Umi_Ryuzuki wrote:I stopped by a friends house the other day,... He's building a laser cutter...

I hope I get to use when it's finished.

.
.

Very cool. What is he using for a laser?

Mr. Badwrench · Post by **Mr. Badwrench** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 1:45 am

Ziz wrote:I picked up mini table and chop saws from Harbor Freight. The table saw uses a 4" blade, chop saw 2" blade.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6125/592 ... 6011_b.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/592 ... bf01_b.jpg

They worked OK as is, but I modified them by building proper material handling platforms.

The table saw now has a rip fence and adjustable angle push handle made from a dollar store ruler and compass set.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/592 ... 2e1a_b.jpg

The chop saw now has a proper fence to hold your strip/tube/rod of choice against to get a nice straight cut.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6028/592 ... 13fc_b.jpg

Hey, that's a great idea! I like what you've done.

Umi_Ryuzuki · Post by **Umi_Ryuzuki** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 12:32 am

Mr. Badwrench wrote:
Umi_Ryuzuki wrote:I stopped by a friends house the other day,... He's building a laser cutter...

I hope I get to use when it's finished.

.
.
Very cool. What is he using for a laser?

He mentioned a laser tube, but he was currently working on the carriages.
Looked like he had the x and y axis mounted though.