Critter Resistant Toothbrush Holder
by CYNICALifornia in Living > Life Hacks
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Critter Resistant Toothbrush Holder
The Problem
I have always been a dog person. There has never been time in my life that I haven't had a fine four-legged companion. However my latest pooch, a hound named Chester Copperpot, has developed a sweet tooth for my wife and my toothbrushes. He also happens to be big enough to put his paws up on the sink and steal them, no matter how far back they are.
The Solution
Stash our toothbrushes up out of reach of the dog by making a a rack the attaches to the mirror. (this should put them out of reach of most any other critter that may spoil your implements of oral hygiene in the middle of the night)
I have always been a dog person. There has never been time in my life that I haven't had a fine four-legged companion. However my latest pooch, a hound named Chester Copperpot, has developed a sweet tooth for my wife and my toothbrushes. He also happens to be big enough to put his paws up on the sink and steal them, no matter how far back they are.
The Solution
Stash our toothbrushes up out of reach of the dog by making a a rack the attaches to the mirror. (this should put them out of reach of most any other critter that may spoil your implements of oral hygiene in the middle of the night)
Materials and Tools
Materials
-Piece of acrylic
-Two Suction Cups with Hooks
Tools
-Marker
-Trusty Dremel
-Butane Torch / Heat Gun
Note: We're using power tools folks, so be careful and use protective gear.
-Piece of acrylic
-Two Suction Cups with Hooks
Tools
-Marker
-Trusty Dremel
-Butane Torch / Heat Gun
Note: We're using power tools folks, so be careful and use protective gear.
Design
Grab your marker and start sketching your design. Basically you need to holes at the top big enough to get the suction cup hooks through, a place to bend the acrylic, and two (or more) slots for toothbrushes. Sketch on the protective film, we'll remove it later.
Consider this:
-This is a sketch, so you can deviate from it in the next step
-This doesn't have to be perfect to work, so don't fret too much
-If you want to accommodate more toothbrushes stretch out the design
Consider this:
-This is a sketch, so you can deviate from it in the next step
-This doesn't have to be perfect to work, so don't fret too much
-If you want to accommodate more toothbrushes stretch out the design
Cut
Use your Dremel to cut out your sketch. Remember to take it easy and don't force the tool, slow and steady is the best way to run your rotary tool.
Test the fit of the hooks and the toothbrush. Start small and go wider, because you can always go wider. Be sure to cut the notches for the toothbrushes in at least a good half inch.
Clean up the edges with a sanding drum on your Dremel. This will let you even out the roughness of your cuts. Light pressure it the key here.
Peel off the protective film at this point. Now that we're done with the Dremel we don't really need it. Though do take note where your bend line is.
Test the fit of the hooks and the toothbrush. Start small and go wider, because you can always go wider. Be sure to cut the notches for the toothbrushes in at least a good half inch.
Clean up the edges with a sanding drum on your Dremel. This will let you even out the roughness of your cuts. Light pressure it the key here.
Peel off the protective film at this point. Now that we're done with the Dremel we don't really need it. Though do take note where your bend line is.
Bend and Finish
These steps take a little finesse and a bit of patience. Don't force it!
Use the heat gun attachment to bend the acrylic. To do this hold the acrylic against your workbench applying a light and steady pressure downward. Then slowly trace an imaginary line, back and forth, across the acrylic where you want to bend it. Keep at this and eventually it will soften and bend. Keep this up until you have something like a 90 degree angle.
Use a small flame to melt the edges a bit. Go slow and keep the flam about a half an inch from the acrylic, we're trying to melt it here, not burn it. This is probably the hardest part of the instructable, and it is entirely optional. You might practice a bit on a scrap, or avoid it all together, though it does give it a nicer look.
Stick your new toothbrush holder on the mirror and enjoy the peace of mind of having unmolested toothbrushes. Remember, good clean glass makes for a good firm seal.
Use the heat gun attachment to bend the acrylic. To do this hold the acrylic against your workbench applying a light and steady pressure downward. Then slowly trace an imaginary line, back and forth, across the acrylic where you want to bend it. Keep at this and eventually it will soften and bend. Keep this up until you have something like a 90 degree angle.
Use a small flame to melt the edges a bit. Go slow and keep the flam about a half an inch from the acrylic, we're trying to melt it here, not burn it. This is probably the hardest part of the instructable, and it is entirely optional. You might practice a bit on a scrap, or avoid it all together, though it does give it a nicer look.
Stick your new toothbrush holder on the mirror and enjoy the peace of mind of having unmolested toothbrushes. Remember, good clean glass makes for a good firm seal.