Homemade “wonder pup”

Wonder Dog and Wonder Pup are registered trademarks of bench clamps manufactured by Veritas (Veritas Tools - Workbench Accessories - Wonder Dogs® and Pups®), which are marketed by several woodworking tool companies.

Inspired by these clamps, after I made the http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/c...ench-dog-53495, several modifications were to follow:

1- The first change was the addition of a swivel handle. I used 3/8” (16 TPI) threaded rod, and hexagonal brass rod.

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2- The second change was the addition of a rectangular aluminum head to the screw tip, in order to attach wooden cutouts, for clamping curved or irregular shapes.

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3- Last change was to make the post with rolled steel, giving the final result of my homemade version of a “wonder pup”.

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Regards, morsa.

The hex brass handles create another option for you. Find a socket to fit the hex and you can drive the screw with your electric screwdriver.

Adaptors to drive sockets with your screwdriver are dead cheap...

Hex Drill Socket Driver Set 3 Pc

Thank you, mklotz. You're right; I have this 3/8” socket and the driver set, and surely works, assuming the handle is aligned with the threaded rod, but I guess it would be useful only if the threaded rods were long enough.
For these short clamps, with the extended handle, you can easily turn both the screw as the handle with your fingers until the head reaches the workpiece, then with the leverage given by the bent handle, you can apply the desired clamping pressure.

After I wrote last comment, I gave a try to the settings suggested by mklotz.

Attachment 14808

It really works!
It's much easier to turn the screw, although it works better near the edge of the bench than in the center. I must say I changed my mind and it's worth using these drill accessories.

Thanks again, mklotz.

I'm glad it worked for you. You may find it easier to use in the middle of the bench if you put a universal adapter...

3 Pc Universal Joint Socket Adapter Set

between the socket and the screwdriver. This will allow you to hold the screwdriver at an angle above the bench surface while the socket and the clamp screw remain parallel to and close to the bench top.

That’s right. The problem in the center is the angle originated by the drill above the bench surface. I was thinking it could be solved with a simple extension (so the drill is out of the bench) or with a wobble extension bar (so it could swivel at an angle). I don’t have (I didn’t even know) these adapters, which for the mechanism of universal joint would surely allow a bigger angle than wobble extensions.
Thanks for all these wonderful ideas.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by morsa

That’s right. The problem in the center is the angle originated by the drill above the bench surface. I was thinking it could be solved with a simple extension (so the drill is out of the bench) or with a wobble extension bar (so it could swivel at an angle). I don’t have (I didn’t even know) these adapters, which for the mechanism of universal joint would surely allow a bigger angle than wobble extensions.
Thanks for all these wonderful ideas.

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Or you can go first class and get a flexible socket extension...

eazypower 11 in. x 1/4 in. Hex Consumer Flex A Bit (1-Pack )-73609 - The Home Depot

That’s another brilliant idea, mklotz.
The good news is I have a 6” flexible extension; furthermore, today I did a try and it works perfectly:

Attachment 14831

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A semi rigid ferrule helps stabilize the joint while driving the screw, and can slide to bend the handle, in order to apply manual clamping pressure. This arrangement is also useful for use with manual screwdriver.

The bad news is, if I have this item, why didn’t I think of that? (Please, don’t answer the question :lol:).

No worries. One way to decide that you have a full complement of tools is to overlook the application of one to the job at hand. Note that I said "full complement" and not "too many". The latter is an impossibility.

Anyhow, glad it works for you.

Thanks Morsa for showing us your "Pup" dog build and all the iterations of driving it. Great Stuff. Thanks again!

Marv, you never cease to amaze me...just to know these things existed in the first place and all the opportunities to drive them just validates my earlier points of the great value you bring to everyone here. Many Thanks!

I did think the universal joints could cause some sticking issues at steeper angles but thought of my old Snap-On ball swivel sockets but now HFT has them at 1/4 the price...But the flex drive is even better...if only I remembered I had one...LOL

7 Pc 3/8 in. Drive SAE Impact Swivel Socket Set

MKOLTZ, How come you got all those trophies and I only got a few???....:O)

I suppose that being both a model engineer and a certified tool aficionado means I bring a sort of quirky combination of unusual information to the forum. That plus having been at this for 75 years and having a father who lived through the depression and the war and had to make what he needed; he passed a lot of his knowledge and DIY enthusiasm on to me.

Flexible drivers are also very handy with miniature equipment. This set...

https://www.amazon.com/Sourcingbay-S...engfa+tool+kit

which I own, contains one as well as the hard-to-find miniature hex sockets in sizes M2.5,M3.0,M3.5,M4.0,M4.5,M5.0,M5.5, There's even triangular screwdriver bits (haven't found a use for them yet) and some bits that look a bit like hex bits but have only t five sides (probably some alien spacecraft standard). Miniature pozidrive bits are hard to find and, if memory serves, it has those too. Regardless, highly recommended if you are forced to deal with the small side of the universe.

Quote:

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Flexible drivers are also very handy with miniature equipment. This set...

https://www.amazon.com/Sourcingbay-S...engfa+tool+kit

which I own, contains one as well as the hard-to-find miniature hex sockets in sizes M2.5,M3.0,M3.5,M4.0,M4.5,M5.0,M5.5, There's even triangular screwdriver bits (haven't found a use for them yet) and some bits that look a bit like hex bits but have only t five sides (probably some alien spacecraft standard). Miniature pozidrive bits are hard to find and, if memory serves, it has those too. Regardless, highly recommended if you are forced to deal with the small side of the universe.

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Busted me up with the Alien Spacecraft Standard! I was in Lowes one day and picked up this set...now on (of all places) Amazon. Even with the bad reviews, I like it and never given me any problems. Like the flex in your set though for another 10duckets. Somewhere I think I have a 1/4" flex driver... HFT has a Security Bit set <$10 that has a bunch of the odd ball bits in it...only used one of the odd balls I think somewhere in my travels and definitely not to reverse engineer alien technology.

This set is my Golden Go To for small stuff...present from my Mrs. Each of the blades is laser etched with paint for easy choosing. They fit like Snap-On and hard as rocks with a great feel to the handle.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mklotz

No worries. One way to decide that you have a full complement of tools is to overlook the application of one to the job at hand. Note that I said "full complement" and not "too many". The latter is an impossibility. Anyhow, glad it works for you.

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Nor ''too many full compliments''. Marv certainly earns them. Reminds me, his avatar a rather creative individual as well, worked in a Swiss (?) patent office early in his working life. The existence of impossibility is certainly achievable though; but no one's ever done it.
FLASHBACK: 1990's In Tim Allen's standup routine he'd say "I've got tools...I've got tools to MAKE tools. Yep, makes it possible, just never happens.

Great thread, with a little co-operation outcoming is an excellent product.

Im amazed how fast Morsa creates these new tools. I haven't even finished reading when he makes a new one.
Wow!

Thanks, Tuomas.

The trick is that besides presenting current (scarce) work, I’ve been presenting old works. These clamps were made in march-2014 (photos keep track of the exact date).

In the past, I was a member of a forum in Spanish (foromimecanicapopular.net) that no longer works. Reviewing the list of work presented there and the album of photographs, I’ve made an Excel file with the homemade tools-related topics; there are about 50 still pending issues, that I am threatening to share here.

Congratulations morsa - your Wonder Pup is the Tool of the Week!

Other nice entries included a Disc Sander by Ed., a Small Lathe Chuck Adapter Plate and Arbor by jjr2001, a Tailstock Die Holder by mattthemuppet, this clever Portable Magnetic Tool Light by jjr2001, and a unique Animal-Drawn Planting Machine by wanqare.

Ultimately it's the iteration on this tool that made it stand apart - hat tip to mklotz for his multiple recommendations :hattip:

Very interesting win. This is a good example of posting a tool as soon as it's "postable", but not necessarily perfect, and incorporating feedback to fuel the further improvement of the tool. This looks like a veritable DIY "soft skill". Another person adept at this technique is rendoman, with his posts in the Tools in Progress subforum.

This is your second win, so you'll be receiving a $25 online gift card, in your choice of Amazon, PayPal, Giftrocket, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current payment email address and gift card choice and I'll get it sent over right away.

Here's your previous winning tool:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/dremel-pin-router"><img src="https://www.homemadetools.net/uploads/134010/dremel-pin-router.jpeg" /></a></div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/dremel-pin-router">Dremel Pin Router</a> <span> by <a href="/builder/morsa">morsa</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/dremel">Dremel</a>, <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/punch">punch</a>, <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/router">router</a>, <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/rotary-tool">rotary tool</a>, <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/switch">switch</a></div> </div> </div> </div>

Congrats again and nice job! :thumbsup:

Congratulations, Morsa. Keep the ideas flowing. I'm anxiously awaiting the 50 ideas you have in store for us.

Congratulations, Morsa! I'm with the others on your prolific ideas and quick implementation of additional ideas of a thread...exemplary IMHO! Definitely looking forward to the next 50 like Marv said! :hattip: to Marv as well.

Well Deserved. ~PJ

Thanks, Jon. I am very grateful not only for the award, but also for your comments. I liked the concept of "soft skill"; It is easy to perceive all these qualities in relationships between users in this forum.

Let me think a little about that choice.:)

Thanks, mklotz. I am deeply indebted to you.
Please, continue to share your valuable knowledge and experience.

Thanks, PJs. In fact, whenever I'm facing what seems a good idea (like those suggested by mklotz), I try to put it into practice.

another one to put on my list, thanks for posting. And thanks Marv really appreciate your input.

Ralph

Quote:

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Originally Posted by morsa

Thanks, Tuomas......... made an Excel file with the homemade tools-related topics; there are about 50 still pending issues, that I am threatening to share here.

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Go ahead.
We dare you!

Just remember to set the clurch on your cordless drill to prevent over tightening! I have forgotten to do so and wound up either breaking things or leaving unwanted marks on projects.

Thanks for the tip motorhead. I mostly use the manual setting.