My goal was to design a double-ended turning tool using minimal materials. To achieve this, I decided to 3D print the handle, which accommodates a turning blade at each end. For safety purposes, I created a cover that fits over the end of the tool not currently in use. When I want to use the tool, I can simply remove the cap and switch it to the other side, making the tool highly versatile.
In order to fabricate the two stainless steel blades, I sought a type of stainless steel that was thin enough and easy to bend into the required shape. I stumbled upon a solution while examining a clothes peg; the particular one I was looking at was made from plastic and contained a stainless steel flat spring. After disassembling the peg, I reshaped the metal into the cutting profile I needed. The flat spring from the peg is designed in a U shape, which provides the spring mechanism for the plastic clothes peg.
The first step involved taking apart the clothes peg used for washing lines, ensuring that the plastic components were set aside for recycling, as they were not needed for this project. The only parts I required were the metal spring clips. Please refer to the images to see how the project has turned out.
This resulted in a very inexpensive turning tool with a reusable handle.
