Toothbrush X Acto Knife

by embochner in Workshop > Tools

6093 Views, 4 Favorites, 0 Comments

Toothbrush X Acto Knife

IMG_1342.JPG
IMG_1343.JPG
IMG_1338.JPG

I picked up a pack of 5 X Acto blades- number 11- for fifty cents at a flea market, and being that I do not own an actual x acto knife, I made one out of a toothbrush.
 
This is my first Instructable, I apologize for not having pictures for all the steps, making this into an Instructable was an afterthought, hope it still helps someone.
 
Please leave questions and comments.

What You'll Need

IMG_1344.JPG
IMG_1345.JPG
IMG_1338.JPG
Image07052011184817.jpg
TOOLS:
drill with bits
needle nose pliers
screwdriver
fire- stove, blowtorch or lighter
sharp scissors
vise

MATERIALS:
toothbrush
X Acto blades
small screw

SAFETY GEAR:
goggles
breathing mask or respirator (fumes from melted toothbrush are unpleasant)
gloves


Decapitate the Toothbrush

IMG_1348.JPG
Image07052011184342.jpg
 I hacked the bristle end off with a cleaver, a strong pair of scissors will work fine though.


Start Making the Hole for the Blade

2- Put the headless toothbrush in a vise, with the headless part facing up. Using a bit smaller than the width of the toothbrush drill into the top, being careful to drill straight down and not making a  hole in the side.
 sorry no pictures of this

Prep the Blade for Insertion

Image07052011173338.jpg
Image07052011173349.jpg
Image07052011173420.jpg
Image07052011173440.jpg
Image07052011173455.jpg
Grip the X Acto blade in a pair of needle nose pliers, with the sharp end in the pliers teeth. Using a stove (or blowtorch) to heat the bottom end of the blade until it gets red hot

Inserting the Blade

Image07052011184628.jpg
Image07052011184609.jpg
Image07052011185930.jpg
while the blade is still very hot, push it down into the hole at the top end of the headless toothbrush. you wlill have to work fast, because without heat from the blade it will be difficult to get it into the plastic toothbrush.

 while the plastic is still warm and malleable, use the pliers to crimp the edges so the plastic will harden tightly around the blade.


Finishing Touches

Image07052011184817.jpg
Image07052011184726.jpg
Image07052011184705.jpg
Once the plastic rehardens, use a very narrow drill bit to make a hole through the toothbrush where the hole at the bottom end of the blade is. the toothbrh I used was translucent so I was able to see exactly where the hole needed to be. take a small screw and and screw it into the hole using a screwdriver, (drill isn't necessary).This helps to hold the blade in place inside the toothbrush.

Optional- put a few drops of super glue into the hole before putting the screw in, it'll make it a bit stronger.

DO NOT USE TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH!

IMG_1342.JPG
IMG_1343.JPG
I strongly recommend not putting toothpaste on this toothbrush!

Always exercise CAUTION when working with  power tools, sharp objects, and fire.

   Thanks