While removing the dash from my truck for a stereo replacement, I inadvertently snapped the retaining clips on the passenger airbag disconnect switch.
It is a discontinued part from GM, and the aftermarket seems to have skipped over it, so my options were to buy a used one from eBay and know that the plastic would likely be just as brittle, or to make the one I had fit.
After a few minutes with the calipers I had the shape of the switch module, and figured out a design that would work with the remains of the original mounting tabs.
I originally made it in acrylic (Flashing jig - #8 by evansd2), then @eflyguy pointed out that acrylic isn’t so friendly to electronics since it can build up static electricity. So I redid it in wood, easy! It was much easier to align the pin holes in acrylic, so it’s good I did that first. I’ll have to remember that next time I’m trying to line things up where I wouldn’t be able to see them otherwise.
Today’s mini project was a super simple practical cut… I have some S-hooks on a wire rack over my utility sink, from which I hang various items so they can drip dry. But the S-hooks are easy to knock off the rail, and the hardware store doesn’t have an item which has a nice open hook on one end, and a carabiner on the other.
So, I just made a simple shape that friction-fits the top part of the S and keeps it captive on the rail.
I can rotate the part and remove the hook if needed. The fit is VERY tight but the acrylic held up very well to being torqued, which surprised me. I thought those thin spots would break as I rotated the piece.
(The metal is about .304" diameter and the hole in the acrylic is designed at .010" smaller, a value I found through a few test cuts.)
Front rail of a vice-grip clamp rack. The rest is just 3/4” ply cut on a table saw, but the laser was perfect for the precision bit that spaces them nicely.
Cordless drill battery slide, pull the one from the bottom, they all slide down. That way I cycle through them evenly without wearing one down more than the others.
Those were probably flagged and removed per the forum guidelines. We’ve been asked to keep it “G” rated on this forum because kids are viewing the forum with their parents.
If you would like to use a spoiler blur on them yourselves, you probably won’t draw flags on them. (Too many flags and the Discourse system will automatically lock you out.) The spoiler is in the little gear icon.
Sorry, it’s just the way it works.
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