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50 “Must Read”Homemade Tools

Go directly to the HomemadeTool

Must Read  subforum.

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Mini Dozer

By dozerbuilder01

Homemade mini dozer adapted from a

zero turn mower. Bodywork was fabri-

cated from steel and intended to repli-

cate the appearance of a Caterpillar

Model 22.

SCR Motor Speed Control

By Paul Jones

Homemade SCR motor speed control

constructed from salvaged rack-mount

electronics. Vintage unit utilizes a

2N3669 SCR rated for 16A at 200V.

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Nut Driver

By Rick Sparber

Homemade nut driver fashioned from

scrap "" mild steel rod.

Disc Sander

By Christophe Mineau

Homemade disc sander constructed

from wood and based on the John He-

isz model. Features a pivoting table sys-

tem.

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 Aluminum Foundry 

By scorch

Homemade aluminum foundry con-

structed from lumber, sand, fire clay,

charcoal, wire hangers, and a soup can.

18” Bandsaw

By mr95gst

Homemade 18" bandsaw constructed

from wood, steel, aluminum, and MDF.

Powered by a surplus treadmill motor.

Inspired by the designs of John Heisz

and Matthias Wandel.

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Thermo-Forming Machine

By backyard cnc

Homemade thermo-forming machine

constructed from plywood, vacuum

tanks, a vacuum pump, and electrical

components. Capable of utilizing 24" x

36" plastic sheets.

Regulated Bench Power

Supply 

By knoba

Homemade regulated bench power sup-

ply adapted from an ATX computer

power supply. Outputs 24Vdc, 12Vdc,

5Vdc, 3.3Vdc, and USB 5Vdc.

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Desktop CNC Mill

By Liquidhandwash

Homemade desktop CNC mill featuring

components 3D-printed from ABS plas-

tic. Overall dimensions are 400mm in

width x 400mm in depth x 300mm in

height.

Dovetailing Bench

By Brendon

Homemade dovetailing bench hand-

made from Goncalo Alves and Marble-

wood. Features a Moxon vise.

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Belt Sander

By hardtail69

Homemade belt sander constructed

from steel and powered by a 2 HP mo-

tor.

Drill Press Modification

By immortalx

Homemade drill press modification com-

prised of replacing the base and col-

umn, while also repositioning the motor

and spindle. Intended to increase throat

depth to facilitate luthiery work.

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C-Clamp Modification

By Manitoba Man

Homemade c-clamp modification con-

sisting of utilizing a bolt-on extension to

add 7" of throat depth to the clamp.

Rotary Table

By Astro

Homemade rotary table utilizing a right-

angle wormbox with an 80:1 reduction.

Features a 10" diameter top plate.

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Lathe Leveling Foot Pads

By Paul Jones

Homemade lathe leveling foot pads ma-

chined from ASTM mild steel. Pads are

2.1" in diameter and 1.5" in height.

Lathe

By Terry1967

Homemade lathe constructed from re-

purposed wood, a surplus pillar drill,

and router collar/spindle.

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Slitting Saw Arbor

By rossbotics

Homemade slitting saw arbor fabri-

cated from 4140 steel and featuring an

integrated R8 shank.

Back Saw

By rob streeper

Homemade back saw constructed from

1095 steel. Features a traditional folded

back and wooden handle.

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Rotary Table Chuck Mount

By Catfish

Homemade rotary table chuck mount

fabricated from W-1 drill rod and 1018

CRS. Intended to facilitate the process

of utilizing lathe chucks in conjunction

with a 10" rotary table.

Toolmaker’s Vise

By rossbotics

Homemade toolmaker's vise fabricated

from O1 tool steel. Rendered in CAD,

the entry includes a set of construction

drawings.

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Cross Slide Dial Indicator

By Paul Jones

Homemade cross slide dial indicator for

a Unimat SL 1000 lathe. Capable of be-

ing utilizing for both lathe and milling op-

erations.

Lathe Tailstock Clamping

Lever

By Paul Jones

Homemade lathe tailstock clamping

lever machined from 12L14 steel and

tapped 3/8-16.

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Press Brake

By jniolon

Homemade press brake fabricated from

steel and powered by a 20-ton bottle

 jack. Capable of bending "" steel plate.

Sheetmetal Flange Bender

By Eagle_view

Homemade sheetmetal flange bender

constructed from steel and utilizing

.875" bearings. Intended to facilitate

the process of creating right-angle weld-

ing flanges in 22-gauge stock.

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Swing Arm Radius

Sanding Jig

By immortalx

Homemade swing arm radius sanding

 jig constructed from square steel tub-

ing.

 Vacuum Testing Machine

By Hotz

Homemade vacuum testing machine

constructed from an inhaler machine,

an electrical box, a power switch, a vac-

uum gauge, hose, wire, and high-

density foam. Intended to facilitate the

process of testing engine valve seal effi-

ciency.

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Threading Insert Tool

Holder

By rossbotics

Homemade threading insert tool holder

fabricated from O1 tool steel. Capable of

mounting a TNMC43NV carbide threading

insert on either side of the tool, thereby fa-

cilitating its utilization on both the chuck

and tail stock ends of the lathe.

Lathe Spindle Control

Lever Knob

By Paul Jones

Homemade lathe spindle control lever

knob machined from 12L14 steel and

tapped 3/8-16.

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Cylinder Square

By rossbotics

Homemade cylinder square fabricated

from a length of heat treated 4140

round stock. Accurate to .0002".

CNC Engraver

By kd8wdave

Homemade CNC engraver constructed

from black iron pipe and utilizing an Ar-

duino module running Grbl software.

Controller cards and stepper motors

serve to position the Dremel cutting

head.

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CNC Router

By baskarz

Homemade CNC router constructed

from 32mm square steel tubing and util-

izing surplus photocopier stepper mo-

tors. Powered by an Ozito 850W router

and driven via Mach3 software.

Pig Roaster

By Razz

Homemade pig roaster constructed

from a surplus fuel oil tank and a trailer

axle. Mounted to a welded trailer frame.

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Cordless Driver Power

Supply 

By The Fe Factor

Homemade cordless driver power sup-

ply powered by an 18v 27.8 amp power

supply and mounted in a tool box.

 X-Y Backlash Reduction

Method

By Rick Sparber

Homemade X-Y backlash reduction

method for a CNC-operated RF-30 mill

drill. Consists of shimming the lead-

screws and tightening the adjustment

nuts.

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T-Square Fence and Table

Extension

By mr95gst

Homemade T-square fence and table ex-

tension constructed from angle iron,

melamine, and repurposed steel tubing

sourced from a treadmill. A HF toggle

clamp was utilized as a hold down.

Stick Welder

By scorch

Homemade stick welder powered by

four surplus microwave oven transform-

ers. Welding current is 170 amps.

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Frame Jig

By hardtail69

Homemade frame jig fabricated from 2"

x 2" and 2" x 3" square steel tubing.

Features positionable saddles to pro-

vide a level, flat, and square surface

wherever needed.

Quill Backlash Reduction

Method

By Rick Sparber

Homemade quill backlash reduction

method for an RF-30 mill/drill. Utilizes

an automotive gas spring to apply down-

ward pressure on the quill and, thence,

to the pinion.

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Retractable Threading

Tool Holder

By Captainleeward

Homemade retractable threading tool

holder adapted from a mini lathe tool

holder. Intended to speed the process

of thread cutting by enabling the cross

feed screw to be withdrawn to a meas-

ured and marked location.

Boring Bar Holder

By Paul Jones

Homemade boring bar holder ma-

chined from 6061-T6 aluminum. In-

tended to hold .5" boring bars in con-

 junction with a Unimat lathe.

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Machinist Jack

By Paul Jones

Homemade machinist jack fabricated

from ?" CRS rod stock and utilizing a

#-20 hex bolt as the jackscrew.

Push Block

By Christophe Mineau

Homemade push block constructed

from plywood. Intended for utilization in

conjunction with a table saw.

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Engraver’s Bowl Vise

By Christophe Mineau

Homemade engraver's bowl vise con-

structed from wood, a repurposed stain-

less steel kitchen bowl, steel scraps,

lead, and plaster. Utilizes a system of

miniature bench dogs to secure the

workpiece.

Spokeshave

By Christophe Mineau

Homemade spokeshave constructed

from ebony and finished with Carnauba

wax. Features brass screws and a car-

bon steel blade.

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Injection Molding Machine

By scorch

Homemade injection molding machine

constructed from a 1-ton arbor press,

an injection molding cylinder, and electri-

cal components.

Stick Welder

By scorch

Homemade stick welder mounted in a

wooden cabinet and powered by two

surplus microwave oven transformers.

Capable of producing 73 amps of weld-

ing current.

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Marking Gauge

By Brendon

Homemade marking gauge constructed

from brass and Amazon rosewood. In-

tended to facilitate the process of cut-

ting straight dovetail baselines across

the grain. Utilizes a replaceable blade.

Barrel Rifling Tool

By Clinton

Homemade barrel rifling tool con-

structed from steel rods, nuts, washers,

and a masonry drill bit.

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 Atmospheric Water

Generator

By Captainleeward

Homemade atmospheric water genera-

tor constructed from a condenser, an

electric fan, a 5-gallon bucket, a 30-

gallon drum, and filters. Capable of pro-

ducing five gallons of water per day.

RF-30 Mill CNC Setup

By Rick Sparber

Homemade RF-30 Mill CNC setup com-

prised of stepper motors and electronic

components in a wall-mounted enclo-

sure.