Machined me a new gadget for my keys

[Lichtbote]

Inspired by some keyholders out there, and Kampfers way to make one himself, i started tinkering with ideas to make me my own.

First i needed to know if i will like the way of "folding keys", so i used one of the screwws you get with many IKEA furniture, to connect their loose components to bigger and more rigid constructions. Just a piece of inside threaded tube with 2 big and flatheaded bolts, made me some discs from Teflon as spacers and to get a smooth movement. Added the keys and carried it with me some weeks for testing comfort and useability.

Well, obvisiously i liked it  - and so i used my lathe yesterday to make me a "version 2". Not sure if there will not be a more improved version 3 over the time, but only time will tell.

OK, enough of my boring texting - here are the pics. The flashlight is my stainless Fenix E05 2014.

[Lichtbote]

Construction is basically the main rod with the attachment ring on one side and the threaded part for the keys on the other. Then the Teflon spacers, and finally the thumbwheel.

Between each 2 metal surfaces comes 1 of these Teflon discs, and when everything is lined up the wanted way, the thumbwheel holds all together and adds the friction to avoid the keys from freely circling around.

[babola]

Nice, I like it!

As a tinkerer and fiddler myself, I always appreciate this kind of work done by others, wear it in good health!   

[Grant Lamontagne]

Very cool!

Def

Sent from my smurfing hunk of techno sorcery

[MadPlumbarian]

Interesting, what keeps the thumbnut on to prevent the keys from falling off? JR

[Lichtbote]

Thanks for your nice comments, guys. 


It´s hold by friction, JR. The construction is not based on tighening 2 end until the keys are tight enough, that would loose over time by the movement of the keys.

Think about the same as tighten 2 nuts on a threaded rod against each other. The keys have their defined space, the unthreaded part you can see on the pics. This part is only slighly smaller than the keys and the teflon-spacers together. The thumbwheel runs on the threaded part until i gets to the step between threaded/unthreaded part, when it arrives there you can fasten it - same way as the 2 nuts or a nut on a surface, it can´t go further and you decide how much you thread it on. Now the 2 lathed parts are like one, just with the defined space in between. That´s the moment where the teflon starts it´s work - it ensures by being pressed together a certain amount of "springloading", while it´s "slippyness" ensures the keys are still moveable.

It´s a little bit tricky, some try and error, but when found the right distance, it works fine.

Off course its no problem to add some Loctite/superglue to be more reassured.  Then it just needs some added heat next time you want to disassemble it.

[zoidberg]

Wow.      You got some skills brother. 

[Lichtbote]

Thanks. 

I´m just a simple man, trying to machine my way in the universe. 

[ducttapetech]

Nice job!!!

Nate

[Aloha]

Very nice work there.  I always appreciate the simple uncluttered approach to things and this is exactly that.  Nice idea on the teflon washers too. 

[Kampfer]

Awesome!!!

[Lichtbote]

Thanks. 

I was inspired by stuff i´ve seen here. 

[Kampfer]

What about automobile keys? I found them problematic.

[Lichtbote]

I usually don´t carry them on my keyring, as i don´t want to have all of them with me while only driving 1 car a time. So i just grab the key of the car i plan to use.

But the attachment ring on the one side is meant for something that kind of use - to temporary attach whatever should be with you at that time, and to take it of when not needed. Be it flashlights, small MTs, car keys, the keys used at work, or for rented space like garage, storage room, warehouse, workshop, ..... clip it on or off, just like you need it.

[Kampfer]

i like that, except i don't have more than one car to choose from.