Background

This is a catch-all category of special application tools. The intend for much of this list is to enable readers to see equipment that could be used in their own operations, even if the initial purpose of the equipment is for a different industry or task.

Potential list of unique tools and gadgets is endless. Part of the value from reviewing this list is to get in the habit of (a) brainstorming specialized designs to solve your particular problem, and (b) searching for equipment ideas in industries other than your own.

Ideas and Options

Bench tools

 

Flexible shaft tools

Flexible shaft tool with additional suspended tools	Components (www.foredom.net)

Flexible shaft tools provide the advantage of eliminating the need to hold the motor, i.e., the heaviest part of many powered tools.  The motor is suspended over the workstation

Used in niche industries like jewelry and dentistry, but have wider potential application elsewhere.

Myriad of end pieces for grinding, sanding, and cutting.  Including an attachment that converts the rotation motion into a reciprocal motion

Precision powered hammers

reciprocal tools

jewelry engravers hammer

 

Lifters

Panel and sheet handling

Panel handler (www.telproinc.com)

Tools and equipment developed for dry wall handling in the construction industry can be used for other types of sheets and flat materials. The are a number of vendors of similar equipment, many of which provide a variety of specialized tools of this sort.

(Pentagon Toolswww.dtxinternational.com)	www.theliftnlock.com

 

 

foot lever to raise a door or panel. Version at right stays up until released.

Block lifters

Designed for pavers, but conceivably useful for any block-like load (www.pavetech.com)

 

First issue

Holders

Holding especially slippery items

Fish grabberswww.hyparkspecialty.com	Some gloves

Some items are difficult to hold because they are slippery. Certain gloves can be used, but

available many sporting goods stores and on-line retailers. Many other varieties of fish grabbers and holders

Strap wrenches

Strap wrench	Two strap wrenches used to loosen sticking spray pump

The strap wrench was designed for removing oil filters from cars.  They can be used for any cylindrical object.  In the example above, two are used to open a sticking spray pump. Available in hardware stores and similar.