The toolbox thread

[patches]

22 hours ago, patches said:

Not the most exciting tool addition to the collection, but decided the little Makita battery powered vac needed some support from a Festool corded vac, to tackle the more dust intensive tools.

Let's see if these live up to all the rage (much like how my wife insisted we needed a Dyson Stick Vac 😅 )

 

So I tried out the Festool vac last night and it's significantly more powerful than the Makita. Tried it out on the mitre saw and there was a notable difference in the amount of dust left behind after some 2x4 cuts.

I'll likely keep the Makita for a while as it's cordless, has AWS (bluetooth tool activated start), although only 2 of my tools have this capability. Also the vac bags are a fraction of the price of the Festool ones.

But this Festool can suck the chrome off a tow-hitch, so if I find I don't neeeed the cordless capability, and if I spring for the Makita AWS receiver (which will enable the Festool vac to be activated by Makita AWS tools), then I may flog it.

[Rouxkeloos]

Let us make a tool. At work, I have access to 3D printing. I want to make a chain keeper. The Morgan Blue ones look nice and are cheap overseas—I cannot find them around here.

Since 3D printers are not too happy with overhangs, I'm going for a 2-part design that will snap together. I've kept my dimensions very tight—I have a lathe to tweak it should it be required.

Below are pics of the two halves separated:

 

 

I would like to appeal to your collective wisdom. Is snapping together a feasible idea? I don't know much about the material properties of 3D printed plastic (The filament I plan to use is PETG due to resistance to solvents.)

If my idea is not good, I can also do a single print with a 45-degree overhang and either make the design work like that or cut away excess on the lathe.

Please let me know what you think.

 

 

[TheoG]

In principle I see no reason for it not to work.  I would not mind having one of those available when working on the bike or even transporting with the rear wheel out.

Edited March 28, 2023 by TheoG

[ChrisF]

3 hours ago, Rouxkeloos said:

Let us make a tool. At work, I have access to 3D printing. I want to make a chain keeper. The Morgan Blue ones look nice and are cheap overseas—I cannot find them around here.

Since 3D printers are not too happy with overhangs, I'm going for a 2-part design that will snap together. I've kept my dimensions very tight—I have a lathe to tweak it should it be required.

Below are pics of the two halves separated:

 

 

I would like to appeal to your collective wisdom. Is snapping together a feasible idea? I don't know much about the material properties of 3D printed plastic (The filament I plan to use is PETG due to resistance to solvents.)

If my idea is not good, I can also do a single print with a 45-degree overhang and either make the design work like that or cut away excess on the lathe.

Please let me know what you think.

 

 

 

Please tell more about how this is to be used ....

 

Is this a "chain guide" ?  Then why the wheel design ....

 

Is it a "jockey wheel" ?  If so, what about a bushing or bearing setup ?

 

 

 

Just trying to better understand the design concept.

[Eddy Gordo]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cn-MlVnPG3y/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

[TheoG]

29 minutes ago, Eddy Gordo said:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cn-MlVnPG3y/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Wow, that's a very neat trick, never saw that before.  Will use it for sure.

[TheoG]

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

 

Please tell more about how this is to be used ....

 

Is this a "chain guide" ?  Then why the wheel design ....

 

Is it a "jockey wheel" ?  If so, what about a bushing or bearing setup ?

 

 

 

Just trying to better understand the design concept.

As far as I understand its to keep the chain in place when transporting or anytime the rear wheel is out, preventing the chain from hanging loose and slapping around.

[Rouxkeloos]

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

Please tell more about how this is to be used ....

Park tools call it a dummy hub. Because quick links have a limited lifetime, it is a useful way to clean a chain with the rear wheel removed.

 

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

Is it a "jockey wheel" ?  If so, what about a bushing or bearing setup ?

The plastic material will have low enough friction not to require a bearing.

I became aware that designing an annular snap fit (the way some plastic containers close) is above my abilities. Therefore, I have resorted to a thread. M22 is coarse enough that slight dimensional deviation will not cause havoc. 

I'm going to start the process tomorrow morning, and I will report back. There is a good chance I end up ordering one after failing to produce it. I have learned that DIY is most often not a way to save money, but it is fun to learn new things.

 

[ChrisF]

31 minutes ago, TheoG said:

As far as I understand its to keep the chain in place when transporting or anytime the rear wheel is out, preventing the chain from hanging loose and slapping around.

 

 

Aaaahhh, thanks.

 

VERY handy tool !!

 

 

I have a make shift wheel I use for this.

[ChrisF]

On 3/28/2023 at 5:59 PM, Rouxkeloos said:

Park tools call it a dummy hub. Because quick links have a limited lifetime, it is a useful way to clean a chain with the rear wheel removed.

 

The plastic material will have low enough friction not to require a bearing.

I became aware that designing an annular snap fit (the way some plastic containers close) is above my abilities. Therefore, I have resorted to a thread. M22 is coarse enough that slight dimensional deviation will not cause havoc. 

I'm going to start the process tomorrow morning, and I will report back. There is a good chance I end up ordering one after failing to produce it. I have learned that DIY is most often not a way to save money, but it is fun to learn new things.

 

 

I took a 100mm diameter wheel.  Removed the tire from the white rim.  Then drilled out the shaft for the through axle.

 

 

Certainly, friction is not an issue for this use.

 

 

And YES.  A very handy tool

 

For the QR bikes this one does the job nicely -

 

 

Just so much nicer using the chain scruber with the wheel off

Edited April 18, 2023 by ChrisF

[Rouxkeloos]

Because I enjoy working with beautiful tools (as long as cosmetics don't degrade functionality), I have made some mods to my SKS Renkompressor pump. The result is shown below, and I've done a separate thread showing the steps taken.

 

[TheoG]

21 hours ago, Rouxkeloos said:

 

 

If your print is a success, may I order one from you please?

Edited March 29, 2023 by TheoG

[Rouxkeloos]

2 minutes ago, TheoG said:

If your print is a success, may I order one from you please?

Yes, of course. I expect it in the next few days and will post the results here.

[TheoG]

Just now, Rouxkeloos said:

Yes, of course. I expect it in the next few days and will post the results here.

Thanks, just a stupid question, why did you make it in 2 pieces?  Wouldn't a simple one piece "pulley" type part do the job?

[Rouxkeloos]

Just now, TheoG said:

Thanks, just a stupid question, why did you make it in 2 pieces?  Wouldn't a simple one piece "pulley" type part do the job?

The issue is with printing overhangs. 3D printing can deal with 45-degree overhangs. Because 3D printing deposits melted plastic in thin layers, you need some form of support under everything. I wanted a bit steeper slope on the inside (so that the chain doesn't climb out). In some examples I saw online, people made this with a slope. It will probably work just as well. Alternatively, I could have printed the slope and taken it down on the lathe afterwards. I'm mainly doing this to learn something, so I like the idea of complicating it a bit—even with an increased chance of failure...

[Hairy]