Tools made as we get older

While using a N0 3 scalpel I was dismayed to find I no longer had hand control to hold the thin handle firmly so I set about making a thick handle similar to the thick biro grips.
They turned out different to what I envisaged they are really comfortable and give so much more control over the scalpel

All that is req's is 2 - 20cm x 2cm x 6mm hard balsa and some plastic putty, a dremel with an emery wheel or rasp for shaping and about half an hour.

The first pic shows the scalpel super glued on the first piece of balsa.



*2 The other side is added.



The gap is filled with a 2 part filler the Plasti-bond I use is a lot harder than car filler.



Shaping starts after the filler dries the final shape for best comfort is determined by your own hand size.
Hold the handle as you would a pen and with the other hand mark the position of your index and middle finger and dremel or file to a shape that suits you.





The second handle turned out a slightly different shape but just as effective.



Waiting for the second coat of dope to dry.



I hope this give others some ideas.

Damien.

Brilliant.

I have a surgical knife which frightens me to use so it's just sitting around. I shall attempt this now

Cheers

Ken

Good on ya Ken.

Scheesh they're sharp.

I had all sorts of warnings when I acquired it. I was seriously worried as they said they were good at cutting skin. I'm not keen on the curved blade and would have preferred a pointed tip.

I shall bond up handle like you suggest and it will help

Cheers again for the idea

Ken

A brilliant idea Damien

Yeah they are VERY SHARP.
I have the No 11 pointed tip blades the tip is very fine though and they tend to want to follow the grain more than the curved blades. Still they are made for cutting flesh not our modelling materials lol

Thanks Barry we do what we must.

brilliant indeed........just superb, Damien...well done than man.

neil.

Thanks Neil
I think similar handles for my needle files is next 1/2" dowel should do for that.

Damien you don't need to make a handle for your needle fines - you can buy them for a couple
of pounds and yes it is shaped on about 1/2 inch dowel but it has a thread and knurled nut to insert
the file and lock it in position. Quite useful

Geoff

Do you have a link Geoff I've never seen them in Australia or in tools on ebay

I'm weak in my right hand Damien after my Stroke so your idea is a Boon to me, thank you most profusley .

Your most welcome Tony

Damien I got mine with the files (but sold separately) from expo tools in Wales
but if you follow the link to Stockists they have one outlet in OZ.

Geoff

http://www.expotools.com/

Thanks Geoff,
I found these on ebay a bit expensive though, I have some 3/4 ally rod I'll make my own.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Anodized-Aluminum-Needle-File-Handles-/330239557437?pt=AU_Hardware&hash=item4ce3cfbf3d#ht_589wt_952

Looking at the expo tools site for similar handles those ebay too aren't a bad price