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ergonomics

Work with metal? Handy little homemade shop device

Joel Bercardin

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posted 3 years ago

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Rachel Lindsay recently encouraged me to contribute more to this forum.

"Ergonomic: relating to or designed for efficiency and comfort in the working environment."

Here's something that may not make its convenience apparent on first glimpse. But it's explained here, with a how-to-make (scroll way down):
https://permies.com/t/102321/Small-homemade-gadgets

What it does is allow you to easily use one or more angle grinders — when near an electrical outlet, or using a multi-outlet extension cord — with efficiency. You don't need to wonder where you put the wrench for changing or tightening disks. It's perfectly safe. So far as I know, I invented it.

plug-end.JPG

My online educational sites:
https://www.pinterest.ca/joelbc/homestead-methods-tools-equipment/
https://www.pinterest.ca/joelbc/mixed-shops/

Staff note (Mike Barkley) :

Here's the link to avoid scrolling https://permies.com/t/102321/Small-homemade-gadgets#884250

John C Daley

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posted 3 years ago

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That is clever, I am glad you had a photo of it in use, it had my mind spinning until I saw it plugged in!
I use special nuts that have a fold down handle and thus dont need to use a spanner.
I just lock the disc, fold the handle up and twist the nut off.

John Daley Bendigo, Australia The Enemy of progress is the hope of a perfect plan
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Joel Bercardin

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Location: Western Canadian mtn valley, zone 6b, 750mm (30") precip

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posted 3 years ago

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John C Daley wrote:I am glad you had a photo of it in use, it had my mind spinning until I saw it plugged in!

Hmm... Yes, my wife is a sculptor, and a friend of hers, a metalworking & foundry-class instructor in the regional art school, was visiting here. He brought a little group & they were looking at the equipment we have in my mechanics/metal-working area... the instructor saw my device plugged into the power strip. "What's that?!" he exclaimed (common initial flustered reaction). LOL I'm guessing the hair stood up and the back of his neck.😂

My online educational sites:
https://www.pinterest.ca/joelbc/homestead-methods-tools-equipment/
https://www.pinterest.ca/joelbc/mixed-shops/

Jeremy VanGelder

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posted 3 years ago

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I have seen some drills with the chuck key taped to the cord at the electrical outlet end. That way the key stays with the drill. And it reinforces a good habit of taking the key out before you use the drill. Modern keyless chucks can be changed while the power is on. But with a keyed chuck you run the risk of leaving the key in the chuck, and then sending it flying when you turn on the drill.

Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.

Joel Bercardin

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Posts: 675

Location: Western Canadian mtn valley, zone 6b, 750mm (30") precip

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Jeremy VanGelder wrote:Modern keyless chucks can be changed while the power is on. But with a keyed chuck you run the risk of leaving the key in the chuck, and then sending it flying when you turn on the drill.

I've had that experience a couple time... with my drill press. Yikes! (Thank goodness, no injuries.

My online educational sites:
https://www.pinterest.ca/joelbc/homestead-methods-tools-equipment/
https://www.pinterest.ca/joelbc/mixed-shops/

Cam Haslehurst

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Looks good Joel. Those wrenches are bad for walking away!

I have also seen the angle grinder version of what Jeremy mentioned. However tying/taping the wrench to the cord could put more wear and tear on the cord over time.

What DeWalt did with their 4.5" grinder, and what I wish everyone did, was make two of the four holes on the screwdown nut (don't know the real name) fit a 5mm hex wrench. That way no actual wrench is necessary - just any old 5mm allen key/hex wrench you have around the shop!

My journal documenting my time living on the Stone Baerm Homestead in summer 2021: https://permies.com/t/160807/Stone-Baerm-Adventures

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Joel Bercardin

pollinator

Posts: 675

Location: Western Canadian mtn valley, zone 6b, 750mm (30") precip

107

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posted 3 years ago

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Cam Haslehurst wrote:Looks good Joel. Those wrenches are bad for walking away!

I have also seen the angle grinder version of what Jeremy mentioned. However tying/taping the wrench to the cord could put more wear and tear on the cord over time.

In my experience, it's a little awkward to use a grinder-nut key that is taped to the cord. But additionally, a) I've got three grinders, all of them requiring the same type of wrench, and b) I actually have two of the proper wrenches, but unfortunately both were sometimes too buried in my box of disks (or left by me somewhere on a bench or shelf) for me to find quickly when I needed one. Annoying.

My online educational sites:
https://www.pinterest.ca/joelbc/homestead-methods-tools-equipment/
https://www.pinterest.ca/joelbc/mixed-shops/

John C Daley

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posted 3 years ago

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Here is an image of the 'quick change' nut I spoke of earlier. They are available for all sizes.

s-l1600-19.jpg

Joel Bercardin

pollinator

Posts: 675

Location: Western Canadian mtn valley, zone 6b, 750mm (30") precip

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posted 3 years ago

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Hey, John, Jeremy, Cam, you guys are great. How about having a glance at these threads I started... and contributing, if you feel like it?

Homestead Shop/Shed
https://permies.com/t/62659/homestead-workshop-shed-situation

Homemade Rigs & Apparatis
https://permies.com/t/102420/Homemade-Rigs-Equipment-Apparatus

There's also this one that Dale Hodgins started, and that many people (myself included) posted on: Re-Use Projects
https://permies.com/t/12412/projects

Jeremy VanGelder

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Posts: 1787

Location: Proebstel, Washington, USDA Zone 6B

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posted 3 years ago

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Joel Bercardin wrote:But additionally, a) I've got three grinders, all of them requiring the same type of wrench,.

That right there is a huge win all by itself. So many manufacturers have to use their own size of wrench or key. Maybe angle grinders are more standardized. But still, that strengthens you against planned obsolescence.

Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.

I agree. Here's the link: http://stoves2.com