A HANDY TOOL

This tool was created for the starting toolmaker.
Using these simple steps will give you an easy usable tool.
This tool gives you the possibility to:

- tighten bolts (bottom part of the tool)

- screw different kinds of screws with the multiple bits in the bits holder

- use a flashlight

- use a simple ruler / pencil holder

This tool can be easily used to do maintenance of various tools. (For example: 3D-printer)
You can put it easily on your desk (doesn't take much space at all).

Making this tool is pretty easy, you just need to print the parts. (STL-files included and drawn on Tinkercad).
This gives you the possibility to adjust or modify as you like.

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During this project I made some adjustments by drilling extra holes, placing extra magnets (because my magnets weren't strong enough).
This project is also a prototype and adjustments will always have to be made depending on the components, material, 3D printer, ... This is also part of the process of building something and having fun modifying something.

Warning: These pieces will not immediately work perfectly for everyone.
I had to adjust my 3D printed parts myself by filing, drilling holes, ...

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+ OF THIS PROJECT:

- Lots of fun while drawing and building it.

- Flashlight works well.

--- OF THIS PROJECT:

- Screwdriver and bolt tightener doesn't work that well. It works, but needs some adjustments.

- The magnets weren't that powerful so it could use some additional strength.

- Lot's of printing hours and adjustments to make.

mechanical materials required:

- magnets (I used 12 mm diameter circular magnets)

- washers (I used 10 mm diameter washers)

- some old screws

- some small screws

- 1 screw and bolt (M4), minimum screw length 30 mm

- some screw bits

- old ruler and a pencil

electronic materials required:

- 2 LED's

- 1 resistor 150 Ohm

- 1 switch (diameter 15 mm)

- 1 9V battery holder + 9V battery

- some connection wires

Tools required:

- 3D printer

- superglue

- soldering station + tin

- some hand tools like pliers, screwdrivers, ...

As you can see I made all the drawings with Tinkercad. In this instructable you can find the different STL files to print the different parts. These STL files can be an inspiration to other projects/models.

The best thing is that you start from scratch and design something similar yourself.
I made my drawings, based on the materials I had.

This instructable is purely for inspiration for other projects / tools.

When you open the drawings and put them together into one assembly, you will notice that some dimensions are different. This is because I also had to take deviations into account on the basis of my 3D printer.
Drawing these according to your 3D printer is the best solution.

I have added some photos of some printed parts here. Keep in mind the support structure, tolerance, ...

Start with this first because printing does take some time.

In this step we are going to build the bolt 'tool'. For this, we need 2 magnets and two washers as well as the M4 nut and bolt (30 mm).

1. First we take the first printed part 'bolt tool' and place the two magnets in it. You may not need glue to place this because the hole provided is slightly smaller than the magnet itself. Applying some pressure ensures that the magnets are properly attached.

In my first prototype I had to drill extra holes to add extra magnets because they weren't strong enough to hold the different parts together.

2. Secondly, place the M4 nut in the slot so that it disappears completely in the opening so the bolt can be screwed in place.

The first part of the 'maker tool' is ready. By turning the screw deeper you can clamp different sizes of nuts / bolts to screw them in or out.

In my first prototype i used a M3 bolt (as you can see in the video). I updated this 3D MODEL for a M4 bolt, includes some changes so that the bolt doesn't keep turning.

This part comes between the flashlight / screw head and the bolt tightener.

1. On the one side you need to glue two washers in the provided opening so that they can be held together by the two magnets of the bolt tightener.

In my first prototype I had to drill extra holes to add extra magnets because they weren't strong enough to hold the different parts together.

2. In the other two holes you'l have to place two small magnets. Attach them by applying pressure or by gluing them down properly.

This is the most comprehensive step and requires the most skills (most fun part!)

1. Glue the battery holder in the part that has the holes for the LEDs and the switch (so that it can easily be taken apart afterwards when the battery is empty).

2. Glue the switch in the provided opening (this can sometimes require some filing to place it nicely).

3. Solder the red wire from the battery holder to the first terminal of the switch (it doesn't matter which connection).

4. Solder the 150 Ohm resistor to the other terminal of the switch.

5. Place the LED's in the right position in the two openings.

6. Then solder the other end of the resistor to the anode (plus or the long leg of the LED) of the first LED.

7. Go from the cathode (the short leg of the LED) to the anode of the second LED.

8. Go from the cathode of the second LED back to the black connection of the battery holder.

9. Place the battery in the battery holder and test the circuit.

10. Place the steel tubes (I took a piece of a long bolt for this and attached it to the opening) and fix it in the provided holes of the two pieces.

The wiring diagram of the circuit can also be found in this step.

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OTHER LED COLORS?

If you like to use other LEDs (green, red, white, yellow, ...) you will also have to use a different resistor.
The calculation of this is simple.

You build a circuit in serie, so the voltage is divided over the various components.

The LEDs I use each operate at a voltage of 2.6V. The LEDs consume a current of 25 mA.

9V (battery) - (2 x 2.6V) = 3.8V

3.8V / 0.025 A = 125 Ohm.

The resistor that matched the most was a 150 Ohm.resistor.

Always make sure your LED's are getting the correct voltage and current to make sure they don't get overheated.

1. Take a washer and glue it on one side of the flashlight (otherwise you cannot disassemble it).

2. Take a magnet and glue it in the screw head holder.

3. Now, place the screw head holder in the flashlight. Thanks to the magnet it is attracted towards the flashlight and the square shape so it cannot rotate when you are screwing.

4. To be sure, I have provided 4 more holes in which a screw can be placed to keep all parts together.
The holes are only provided in one of the two parts so that they can be screwed tightly into the PLA.

By placing the magnet in the screw head holder you can place the screw bits in the holder so it won't detach.

This section requires no actions and should only be placed over your 'handy tool'.

Here you can place different screw heads as well as a ruler and a pencil.

The 'Handy tool' has been made to inspire others who want to build tools/projects. This tool has been made for multiple uses such as screwdriving, use of flashlight, tightening bolts and hold bits, but anyone can get inspired by this to build a self handy made tool for multiple purposes.

Enjoy your build!