Hi everyone,

Here are a few ideas I have for potential articles on shop-made workshop tools. All things I have considered doing myself but not yet got around to.

In part these can be treated as ‘design challenges’, but hopefully they are ideas with practical applications.

If you have any other suggestions, please send them to me or to post them below. I’m sure forum members will have more creative ideas.

• A Fractal vice – the type with several moving jaws that adapts to unevenly shaped workpieces.
• A device for bending music/piano wire or metal rods. Bonus points for something handheld that could be used in hard to reach areas.  An example could be bending a control rod already threaded through a tube or hole.
• A device to help with marking out a line that bisects any angle for marking out without having to measure the original angle.
• An accurate device to gauge an internal bore that can then be used to take a micrometer measurement from (something easier to use than the normal T-shaped devices). Alternatively an accessory that could be used to modify digital caliper.
• An easily made quick release alternative to toolmaker’s clamps.
• Useful accessories using Stanley knife blades etc. in holders – miniature guillotine or a balsa stripper for example.
• A vacuum forming tool, possibly using one of the easily available rechargeable pumps for camp beds/inflatable toys.
• A multi-position clamp/handle for holding small parts for close hand work, painting, finishing etc.

If you are interested in designing/making and documenting one of these tools for the magazine, please get in touch.

Please don’t take this as suggesting I am not interested in articles on other subjects!

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