Home Made Tools

Home Made Tools

During my many years of taking things apart, putting them together and making a lot of the ‘things’ needed along the way, I’ve had the need to make or modify a tool. I could say I get this from my Dad ‘cause he does it as well, but I think it goes much further than that. Perhaps some of us are more inclined to this way of life but I think most of us have it. That being said, I wanted to share something I came across in one of my Dad’s toolboxes.

At first glance I thought it was just a flexible screwdriver made by any major tool company. With a closer look it’s clear that is not the case. It has a wood handle which didn’t seem odd since most of this stuff is more than four decades old. From the wood handle is actually an 1/8” aircraft cable inside a precisely fitting clear vinyl cover and welded to a 3/16” ball end hex key which has been cut to about ¾ “. It’s very well made and the aircraft cable allows for pretty high torque.

It was most likely made for a specific need at one time, a certain automobile or other piece of equipment which is probably long gone. But, if you need an 8” flex driver for a 3/16” socket head screw then I have the tool you need.

Author: Rick

A life long woodworker, I've been building guitars since 2006 after attending a guitar building course presented by Martin guitars. I build acoustic dreadnoughts, electrics, and the "Hambone", a Terz guitar. I am a North Carolina native and am currently located near Charlotte, NC.