Sketchup tool ideas

[Andreas]

I sat down this weekend and learned how to use Google Sketchup, which is a free 3D design program from Google. Thought I'd have this thread to post tool ideas I come up with. Starting off with just reposting the first ones I did:

[Andreas]

Since I got a microbit kit I've been wondering why they aren't more popular. They're techincally a standard too, and much smaller and easier to lug around than standard bits. Personally, I'm more likely to need the small screwdrivers from that kit than the larger ones from my standard bit kit, as I msotly do everyday tasks these days.

Most the tools that exist for microbits are just smaller versions of the normal bit tools though, nothing awefully interesting. I was thinking that with the size of those bits, you could easily make a keychain tool that would be able to contain both a driver and a few bits and still have a size that made it very keychain friendly. I designed such a concept tool, which uses shortened microbits that magnetically lock into slots in the handle. The reason for the T-handles on the side is to fit them into their own not-as-deep slots in the driver on front, whereas normal (longer) microbits would go all the way to the bottom of the driver. The grooves for those T-handles would be magnetic to lock the special bits in place,and there would be a magnet at the bottom to hold normal microbits in place in the driver.

The model is based off accurate dimensions of the bits and so everything is to scale, including the model of the LM Squirt which is there to show size. The tool is a total of 58x10x10mm, which is pretty much the same as a single handle on the Squirt. Each special bit also has a small handle to pull them out of the slots in the handle.

I'm not planning on making this, and I'm not suggesting anyone does. I'm just posting some sketches of an idea I had for a tool I'd have liked to have.

[Benner]

Very impressive that. 

[John]

+1 but having one key driver and micro bits that slot into it would be better idea JMO,you could also use the keyed driver holder like a small finger spinning micro driver,I like the idea 

[Andreas]

+1 but having one key driver and micro bits that slot into it would be better idea

Not sure I get what you're thinking of here?

Edit: do you mean like having a very deep bit driver and store all the bits behind the "active" one? That would actually be very nice, and more compact

[John]

A bit like this mate 

[John]

Call the green and black parts handles,so one handle and several micro bits to fit 

[Andreas]

That's nice, very neat idea! My keychain could have used one of those at times.

But for what I was thinking though, I want something that can store the bits too. Most bit holders are neither keychain friendly nor very compact

But your first post gave me an idea, rather it gave me the idea I thought you meant.

A microbit pen. Basically a pen sized driver where the bits fit in the handle, The white things are handles to add some grip.

[Freudian Frog]

Reminds me of asian pencils. Will I be able to take the usable bit and shove it back into the top to access the next?

[Turnstone]

Reminds me of asian pencils. Will I be able to take the usable bit and shove it back into the top to access the next?

Me too. I used to have a pencil with several color "bits" when I was a kid. Quite cool, but not very useful, as you had to go through nearly all colors to reach the right one...

[Screwtape]

Reminds me of asian pencils. Will I be able to take the usable bit and shove it back into the top to access the next?

I used to love those pens, until one of the bits got lost

[John]

What I was thinking this would be a cool idea if: the handle could slot into a 1/4" standard driver but you could use the handle with the micro bits separate for small fiddly jobs  I'm not getting this across very well am'I 

[Andreas]

I'm not getting this across very well am'I 

http://sketchup.google.com/

I think I got you now would indeed be nice to use both bit types. That's what my first sketches are for, a convertor between the two types