DIY plugspinner photo tutorial

[Davis]

Just wondering about a couple things. You said in your original post that you used 3/8" steel rod, but the measurement you gave (.124 inches) is actually about 1/8th inch; I'm guessing 3/16" would work too, right? Also, what did you use for a spring in Prototype #3? It doesn't look like a mousetrap spring.

Oh, one other question. Did you consider making these and selling them? Because you've done a brilliant job.

Keep up the good work; like the other guy said, I look forward to seeing more of your projects.

Davis

[Calismth]

I made one of these today using this tutorial. One thing that messed me up is that I didn't bend the metal end before drilling....and when trying to bend the metal it snapped where the hole was drilled lol. Overall this is an AMAZING tutorial =) much appreciated.

Cali smth

[raimundo]

Notice how as the prototypes go on, the long shafted screwdriver tip begins to get shorter, as I was reading this, I was wondering why he specified a long piece of rod stock when the thing could be made from a 16 penny nail
in any case the prototypes proceed toward a simpler and more efficient tool, which is what prototypes should do.

excellent post fisher.

[raimundo]

Just thinking about the 16 penny nail and realized that the spring could be slotted into the nail head and or the nail head could be related to a trigger that stops in a slot in the nail head and then is pulled out to release the spring. probably with a piece of tubing loosly around the whole spring area to hold as you position it.
I may have to make some prototypes myself.

[Fisher711]

Hey guys been away for a while, and just checking back in. Glad you like. Anyone got some pics of you home built plugspinners?

Mike

[Fisher711]

Also thought I might add that the first plugspinner is still in use and works great. I gave away the others and have not had any complaints about them...

Mike

[Raymond]

This is a great looking design. It is so simple. As I read about the problem with the rod breaking at the hole, I thought that you might flatten the rod on an anvil with a hammer before drilling the hole. This way there would be more metal around the hole.

Or maybe make a sleeve that fits snuggly on the rod. Then drill a small hole inline with the rod through one edge of the sleeve. The spring will now fit into the sleeve hole. The sleeve can be epoxyied onto the rod.

[Fisher711]

Just a reminder, the rod I used is 1/8" not 3/8" as listed in the OP. Not sure how to edit posts to fix problems like that.

Mike