This is the MakerTool, a space age inspired electric multi tool that would be in an astronauts every day carry. This is a passion project of mine and will continue to be updated as more features are created and implemented and it is a great excuse to use some high end engineering filaments. Currently this tool features a high torque electric screwdriver, flashlight, tape measure, and bit storage for 2 ¼" bits, 2 4mm precision bits, and 1 ¼'' to 4mm adapter bit, magnetic parts tray, and fillet gauge. There are already more features in the works that will be backward compatible with all internals so there will not be a need to replace any major components, some of these features include swapable side panels for community made add ons, angle finders, and a continuity tester.

UPDATED TO V2

• added magnetic parts holder
• added fillet gauges for internal and external curves from 1 to 10mm
• now uses heat set inserts to screw outer shells together instead of reused self tapping screws

Assembly

If you are reading this, buckle up for a fun project and get your materials ready! There are video instructions of the assembly to follow along with.

Tools required

• Small precision screwdriver to take apart electric screwdriver and tape measure
• Soldering iron (2 small wires to solder only)

Step 1)

The first step in this project is to take apart everything, disassemble the entire electric screwdriver by taking out all the screws. Once its all taken apart save the electronics, the motor will slide out of its original polarity changer (grey piece used to change between forward and reverse spin) very easily so keep is separated till we reassemble it. Next take apart the tape measure. It has 2 parts, the outer yellow tape measure and the inner silver spinning spring. Make sure the yellow tape stays wound and then let the inner silver spinning spring unwind, we will rewind it later during assembly. I like to secure the yellow tape using a piece of electrical tape. Finally take the button out of its housing so we just have the small internals.

NEW STEP

Using a soldering iron, install the brass heat set inserts to the side panel with inner cutouts (this panel does not have outer holes for screws). Next glue in the 3 (8x2mm) magnets to each side making sure to glue them securely, I like to add a payer of hot glue overtop of the magnets to ensure they do not move.

Step 2)

Now we are ready to begin reassembly, starting with the tape measure. It's hard to see on the video and this is the hardest part of the assembly, but there is an “S” shaped bend in the middle of the spinning spring. We want to align the inner horizontal part of this with the slit in the tape measure rod. This part is very tricky so I like to take the upper part of the “S” and hook it around the top of the rod and then align the center bit with the slit. Once in, press it down to secure it and then we can lift it up about half way off the rod and rotate it counterclockwise 10 times. This will put tension back in the spring allowing it to retract as expected, once finished place it full down in its channel and leave it for later.

Step 3)

Prepare the button by removing its outer casing and then laying it in the outer shell to determine where to cut the wire. Be sure to leave an extra half inch to use wire strippers to get down to the bare wire for soldering.

Step 4)

Now we will assemble the electronics in the shell, beginning with the button. Put the button in its place and then route the wire through the channel making sure to press it in fully before moving on to the next section. Once it is laid in fully we can put the PCB and battery in its slot being careful to move the wire up around top of the battery and then down. Now we will separate the light cable and the motor polarity cable. The light cable goes down to the bottom and the motor polarity cable goes to the middle of the shell.

Step 5)

Now we will install the motor to the motor polarity changer and the place it in the shell. It is important to note how connection works. When the motor leads are in the middle of the motor polarity changer, nothing will happen if the button is pressed. If the motor polarity changer is rotated in either direction this will allow the button press to activate the motor.

Step 6)

Now we need to install the small internal pieces such as the button cover, and clear flashlight plastic.

NEW STEP

Insert all pieces of fillet gauge to the rod where it will sit before screwing the side panels together.

NEW STEP

There are 2 screw lengths to use, the leftmost screw that goes near the motor switch and button is small along with the vertical screw that goes through the bottom of the mode. The other screws for the center of the model are the long screws.

OUTDATED)

The last step is to place the other half of the shell on the one with electronics in it and then screw them together. When screwing the sides together you only need 1 screw per hole, the holes were made to work in either direction you choose. Its also important to apply a very firm pressure to sides of the model while screwing them together to minimize the seam between shells.

NEW STEP

Install magnets to magnetic bit storage

Step 8)

The last step is to install the magnets to the holes for bit storage and install the trim to cover all the screw holes.