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Member's Forum What is the most useful tool you ever made?
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  • Replies 62 replies
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What is the most useful tool you ever made?

dougw
dougw over 2 years ago

There are many great topics that relate to tools, and there are endless numbers of tools to discuss, but inevitably we run into situations where we don't have a good tool for the job and have to cobble a tool together to complete the work.

I make some little tool to do a specific job all the time, but I never stop to think whether it is a remarkable tool. I don't even document that  I made a tool.

I don't think we ever asked the question - what is the best tool you ever made, so I'm asking now. If you are like me it is going to take some time to recall something significant. In fact I am posting this question before I even have my own answer, but give it some thought. I suspect the answers will be interesting.

My most recent tool was just a wooden needle to apply ink to a 3D print - much more precise than a paint brush. I'm sure when I scan through some of my projects, I will come up with something better....

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  • dougw
    dougw over 2 years ago in reply to bradfordmiller

    When someone calls me a tool, I'm not sure it is a compliment...Relaxed

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  • dougw
    dougw over 2 years ago in reply to scottiebabe

    Workbench - the ultimate multi-tool ...Thumbsup

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  • vmate
    vmate over 2 years ago in reply to anniel747

    imageimage

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  • vmate
    vmate over 2 years ago in reply to anniel747

    It's a super high quality, space-grade dust filter. Definitely not washed and dried wet wipes, I'd never do that.

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  • bradfordmiller
    bradfordmiller over 2 years ago in reply to scottiebabe

    I was going to say it's your own mind, but that's a great answer too :-)

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  • davebullockmbe
    davebullockmbe over 2 years ago in reply to scottiebabe

    Ha!

    Yes, before I retired my workspace was renown for being untidy, even though I knew where everything was.
    So much so that my colleagues suggested that I enter it for the Turner prize :-)
    Dave

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  • scottiebabe
    scottiebabe over 2 years ago

    Arguably the most important tool is your workspace/workbench and its a lifetime work in progress. 

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  • rsc
    rsc over 2 years ago

    It's hard to say what the "best" tool I ever made, but I have to say that I've re-purposed many screwdrivers using a grinder and a dremel cutter.  One of my most memorable gadgets was an air bearing I built to test friction between a rubber seal and a plastic piston.  I can still hear my mother's voice screaming - "Where are all my butter knives"  They made the best screwdrivers and prying tools, but you never could put one back in the drawer after trashing the end of it.

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  • cstanton
    cstanton over 2 years ago in reply to dwinhold

    Ooh very nice

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  • beacon_dave
    beacon_dave over 2 years ago in reply to kmikemoo

    I've seen similar constructions for turning off mains water supplies at the kerbside. The water pipes over here tend to be buried at somewhere between 750mm to 1350mm to prevent freezing in winter.

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