Skeletool rubber mallet mini-mod

[tommywp]

Long time reader of the forum and I wanted to add something to the collective knowledge base with my first post. I've spent hours drooling over the 'project skeletool' mod and couldn't rest until I had some sort of hammer.

Metal work is far beyond my skill set, so shoving a tight fitting piece of rubber in to the caribenner seemed like the next best option. As luck would have it, those black rubber straps proved to be the perfect width. A few minutes with a pair of shears, razor, and drywall screen is all it took. Not capable of driving nails, but has proved useful for light duty hammering. I used it to close a paint can and the rubber didn't budge. When it eventually does move, it will be easy enough to refit or replace.

Not much of a mod, but I like it.

[JAfromMn]

A light deal hammer for a light duty tool.

Great idea for a easy mod tommywp

Welcome mto 

[Metropolicity]

Maybe add a bit of shrink tube over the rubber part so it in case it moves, the metal acts as a frame?

[enki_ck]

Interesting mod.

Welcome to MTO.

[Kampfer]

I like it, big Skeletool fan here.

[ducttapetech]

Cool simple mod. I like it.

Nate

[tommywp]

Thanks for the welcome everyone.

Metro - That's a good idea. I'll add some and see how it goes.

[NKlamerus]

Very nice. Love the use of a bungee cord

Welcome to MTO!

Be sure to check out Evils mods......it will inspire you to continue

[SteveC]

Cool Mod and welcome to the forum   

[tommywp]

A while back I drilled two holes in to my stone fire place, filled them with wood dowels, and screwed eye hooks in to the dowels to connect the fireplace screen to so that my kids can't pull it down.  One of the dowels popped out this morning and as usual I had my Skeletool in my back pocket.

This was it...the first real test of my rubber mallet!!!!!

Four very controlled whacks drove the dowel back in.  The rubber got moved out of place so that one end was pushed up in to the caribeener. (Haven't gotten around to adding the shrink tube yet, so don't know if that would have helped.) Had my LM Brewzer in my coin pocket and used it to push the rubber out, then took a minute to get the rubber back in position. No damage to the Skeletool but could have been if I gave the dowel another whack.

So on the plus side, I was able to use the Skeletool for a job that it would otherwise not have been capable of (and I got to fiddle with the Skeletool and Brewzer a bit...which is really half the fun of carrying all this stuff). On the negative side, the rubber moved and the Skeletool could have been damaged.

Given the low effort and cost of the mod, I'm going to consider it a partial success. Going forward, when I use the mallet I'll be sure to check the rubber after each whack.

[tommywp]

Figured out how to address the movement of the rubber. The bungee strap gets progressively wider as it goes out towards the s-hooks (see pic). If you use the rubber from the exact point where the widening starts, you can put the skinny section inside the caribeener with the slightly fatter portion serving as the striking portion of the mallet. Because the rubber is wider it is no longer able to move up in to the caribeener. Figured is post the resolution for posterity.

[JBW1]

good idea 
im liking the second one best. the more you use it the more sturdy its going to get . Also i like the tapered look better.

[tommywp]

the skeletool is still my favorite edc and I'm still digging the mini mallet. The tapered rubber jammed in the caribeener has proven to be reliable...it doesn't move. I've been thinking it would be better to have a hard striking surface so I just 3D printed a metal cap to attach to the rubber. To give you a feel for size, the walls are 1mm. Cost $15, which I know is ridiculous, but if anyone can get past that it's you guys! Looks like it will be around 3 weeks until I get it. Any recommendations on a good rubber-to-metal adhesive that I can buy in small quantities (this is the only use that I have for it)?

[tommywp]

The walls on the first version of the metal cap weren't deep enough, but version 2 came in the mail today and it looks promising! It's currently just jammed on to the rubber but was still able to give a few good hits on a nail before falling off. It's all going to depend on the rubber-to-metal adhesive and I'd really appreciate any recommendations.

[AimlessWanderer]

Why did you go for sticking it onto the rubber, rather than printing something to fit direct? I only ask because a hammer with a suspension system seem counterproductive 

[tommywp]

I actually think the rubber is the key to the whole thing, as it is what attaches the striking surface to the tool. And it does so without requiring any mods to the Skeletool itself...which id probably mess up if I had to drill etc. it really doesn't move at all. If I just shoved a piece of metal in the caribeener it wouldn't stay put.

[AimlessWanderer]

Ah, I see. I didn't realise you were avoiding drilling it. Evostik contact adhesive is probably what I'd try first 

[tommywp]

Thanks 50ft - couldn't find the Evostik at Home Depot, but made me realize I should get something impact resistant. Went with Impact Tough Gorilla Glue, so we'll see.

Here's the Skele with the hammer complete. I think it's pretty sweet.