Page 19 - Making things move_ DIY mechanisms for inventors, hobbyists, and artists

xviii Making Things Move

least screwdriver tips, scissors, a file, a knife, and a saw blade. I’ve had a
Leatherman Blast for years, and at a cost of around $45, it has earned its spot
in my toolbox many times over. Check here for Leatherman brand models:
www.leatherman.com/multi-tools. The Maker Shed (www.makershed.com)
sells a few laser-etched models, aptly named “warranty voider” and “bomb
defuser.” For Swiss Army brand tools, check www.swissarmy.com/multitools
under the Do-It-Yourself category. For particularly frustrating projects, look for
a multitool with a corkscrew and/or bottle opener.

6. Duct tape and WD-40 “If it moves and it shouldn’t, use duct tape; if
doesn’t move and it should, use WD-40.” I’m not sure where I first heard this,
but it may have been on a page-a-day calendar my boss had on his desk at my
first engineering internship called “365 Days of Duct Tape.” Most readers will
be familiar with the standard wide silver duct tape you can use for just about
anything. WD-40 is also handy to use on everything from squeaky hinges to
lubricating gears and other moving parts.

The most important thing to have is not a tool. It is a commitment to safety. Don’t drill
a hole to mount your motor without wearing safety glasses, and don’t drill into a
piece of wood right on top of your kitchen table. You are likely to end up with
sawdust in your eye and a hole to cover up with a strategically placed placemat. Use
gloves when handling sharp things or rough edges that might cut you or cause
splinters. I will point out safety concerns in each specific project, but get in the habit
of thinking through an action before you do it to identify safety hazards and eliminate
them. Although cuts and scrapes heal, it’s very hard to grow back your sense of
hearing after too many hours listening to a loud drill, or to regain your sense of sight
after the Dremel cutting wheel flies off in an inconvenient direction. At the very least,
have a pair of safety glasses and earplugs around and use them. Safety precautions
should always be the first step of any project you do.