Author Topic: Industrial Design Student seeks advice (Read 2024 times)

Will McD · « **on:** September 21, 2009, 01:07:08 PM »

Hey everyone, I've been reading this forum daily for over a year now. I cant get enough of cafe racers. I noticed there are a wide variety of professional tradesmen and DIY builders that post here, so when I was given my major project for my 3rd year of Industrial Design studies I though this would be the perfect place to seek some advice.

My goal is to design a hand tool/power tool used in fabrication.

My question to everyone is what kinds of tools do you find frustrating or difficult to use. Maybe you wish MIG welding guns were adjustable, maybe cutting shears are all wrong..

Any suggestions and comments would be awesome!
Could be a specialty tool, or anything you can think of.

sangyo soichiro · « **Reply #1 on:** September 21, 2009, 01:30:13 PM »

This is a tough one. People have been thinking about improving tools for a long time.

How about this:
I always have to be extra careful not to scratch or chip the paint when I'm wrenching. Would be nice if I didn't have to worry about that. Maybe you can come up with something better....

rustrocket92 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 21, 2009, 03:07:09 PM »

I hate damaging stuff with tools. ( ratchets, wrenches, screw drivers ) I have found a solution for the ratchet thou. I use composite ratchets alot for assembling things then final torque is applied with a torque wrench.( it gives way less opportunity to bump or chip something.) and you can get compostite ratchets fairly cheap also. I don't know what could be done about the wrenches or screwdrivers to help them from damaging your product in case of a slip up.

bucky katt · « **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2009, 03:36:53 PM »

i'd love to see a bench vise with a power in-out. there are times when i'm trying to hold something heavy or awkward that i would really appreciate something like that.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #4 on:** September 21, 2009, 03:48:38 PM »

What a great idea! You could step on a pedal to make the vise close or open!

BlindJoe · « **Reply #5 on:** September 21, 2009, 04:30:30 PM »

might as well make it power swivel too

tramp · « **Reply #6 on:** September 21, 2009, 04:35:36 PM »

watch out for your fingers on that one
how about some one who helps but keeps thier mouth shut
and knows when to get out of the way
knows what music to play
and keeps your drink cold

BobbyR · « **Reply #7 on:** September 21, 2009, 04:47:01 PM »

Quote from: bucky katt on September 21, 2009, 03:36:53 PM

i'd love to see a bench vise with a power in-out. there are times when i'm trying to hold something heavy or awkward that i would really appreciate something like that.

+1

DammitDan · « **Reply #8 on:** September 21, 2009, 05:03:41 PM »

How about an adjustable socket wrench?

Something that clicks to the correct size?

bucky katt · « **Reply #9 on:** September 21, 2009, 05:22:24 PM »

Quote from: DammitDan on September 21, 2009, 05:03:41 PM

How about an adjustable socket wrench?

Something that clicks to the correct size?

sears made something like that about 10 or 12 years ago, it didnt work out good. i have looked at trying to build either an electric or maybe even a pneumaticially operated vise. i have a bit of a background in tool making (my dad was a tool designer for pratt and whitney for 42 years and alot of his knowledge rubbed off) one of these days i'll get off my ass and try to build one.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #10 on:** September 21, 2009, 09:17:50 PM »

My pop couldn't tell the difference between a screw driver and a pair of pliers.

Anyway, I thought of a couple. I seem to work between tires and fenders a lot. I'd like a nut starter. Maybe like a shallow socket that would hold the nut and have a knurled edge to make it easy to turn. Then, have a roto-rooter extension so your ratchet would snake around the tire; work the ratchet next to the tire while the socket is tightening the nut in the middle of the fender.
?

Ecosse · « **Reply #11 on:** September 22, 2009, 01:16:37 AM »

Quote from: bucky katt on September 21, 2009, 03:36:53 PM

i'd love to see a bench vise with a power in-out. there are times when i'm trying to hold something heavy or awkward that i would really appreciate something like that.

veddy interesting idea.

Dead Bound · « **Reply #12 on:** September 22, 2009, 07:07:50 AM »

Like the computer years ago, at first only big companies could have one. Now there is atleast one in every house thanks to Gates and Jobs.

How about designing some take home tools? As a Mech Engr, I am tormented by this idea.

Come up with a lathe, C&C machine, powder coating system, etc. that we can all have. Make it more affordable and accessible to the consumer.

Ecosse · « **Reply #13 on:** September 22, 2009, 10:11:35 AM »

Quote from: Dead Bound on September 22, 2009, 07:07:50 AM

Like the computer years ago, at first only big companies could have one. Now there is atleast one in every house thanks to Gates and Jobs.

How about designing some take home tools? As a Mech Engr, I am tormented by this idea.

Come up with a lathe, C&C machine, powder coating system, etc. that we can all have. Make it more affordable and accessible to the consumer.

good idea. they've done similarly with woodworking power tools why not with "our" tools?

Will McD · « **Reply #14 on:** September 23, 2009, 01:36:20 PM »

Hmmm all great ideas, although wrenches aren't powered and CNC and powder coating is a bit beyond the scope of my project. I talked to some of the maintenance guys on my campus and I had a lot of complaints about TIG welders. They are relatively new and have room for improvement. Not so much the technology but the usability of the product itself. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I have done lots of MIG welding but no TIG.

Thanks again guys

DammitDan · « **Reply #15 on:** September 24, 2009, 06:48:53 PM »

I thought it could be hand tools OR power tools?

Guess it's just powered hand tools, eh.

ajfriz · « **Reply #16 on:** September 26, 2009, 11:48:40 PM »

Quote from: Will McD on September 23, 2009, 01:36:20 PM

Hmmm all great ideas, although wrenches aren't powered and CNC and powder coating is a bit beyond the scope of my project. I talked to some of the maintenance guys on my campus and I had a lot of complaints about TIG welders. They are relatively new and have room for improvement. Not so much the technology but the usability of the product itself. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I have done lots of MIG welding but no TIG.

Thanks again guys

What are they complaining about with TIG welding? I have a lot of certs with GMAW SMAW GTAW and FCAW and I have no complaints with GTAW (I do with others however). It is one of the most versatile types of welding.

Will McD · « **Reply #17 on:** September 27, 2009, 03:10:45 PM »

Quote from: ajfriz on September 26, 2009, 11:48:40 PM

What are they complaining about with TIG welding? I have a lot of certs with GMAW SMAW GTAW and FCAW and I have no complaints with GTAW (I do with others however). It is one of the most versatile types of welding.

Well after talking to 3 professional welders I had several common issues that came up. The most common was the weight of the hose. Apparently trying to do precision work with a heavy hose hanging off your torch can be hard. A swivel joint where the hose connects to the torch was suggested. The foot pedal was an issue with welders who are welding in difficult spots where they are laying down, or climbing ladders etc. They instead use a torch with a dial on it to adjust the gas. The dials dont lock so they are accidentally changed when they bump into stuff. It is also hard/impossible to change the dials whilst welding.

Look guys, I'm not re-engineering welding technology, I'm just looking to improve the usability a little. You shouldn't have to adapt to a tool that you use everyday.

gerhed · « **Reply #18 on:** September 27, 2009, 03:19:23 PM »

Quote from: DammitDan on September 21, 2009, 05:03:41 PM

How about an adjustable socket wrench?

Something that clicks to the correct size?

I've used many adjustable wrenches that work O.K. with little or
no load applied.
When it comes to crunch time, though, with some weight and knuckles exposed,
most will fail.
There is a need here.

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Author Topic: Industrial Design Student seeks advice (Read 2024 times)