DIY Pinky Rests for Non-Leashless Tools

OK, so after hours of searching on the internet for ways I could turn my tools leashless I came up with pretty much nothing. I have tools that dont accomodate all these cool pinky rests made by companies like Grivel and BD. Now, Grivel seems to be making the most universal types of these gadgets however none seemed to be exactly what I was looking for (the closest thing was their Trigger but it seems to only be good for using as a trigger because the mounting system on the back would interfere with the hand if used as a pinky rest). The rest of these manufactured gadgets either wouldn't fit on my tools or didnt look like they would provide the support I was looking for (think: Slider by Grivel).

So, I set out to make my own pinky rests from scratch and what follows is what I was able to come up with.

• 2 x Hoseclamps (size of clamp depends on size of your tool shaft - ok get your minds out of the gutter)
• 2 x Rope Thimbles (I used 5/16in)
• 1 x Roll of Rubber Mastic Tape (found by the electrical tape in your nearest hardware store)
• Screwdriver
• Pliers
• Hammer
• Dremel tool (or something similar with a cutting wheel)

Price for supplies was approx $10!!

Heres what you start with-

Now take one of those rope thimbles and, after you're finished starring at it wondering what the hell they're really used for, take those pliers and bend it as straight as possible and beat the crap out of it until you have a flat peice of metal. Like this-

Now put a 90 degree bend in it about a quarter of the way up. Making it look like this-

Then put another 90 degree bend in it about half an inch up from the previous bend, making sure the section between the two bends is large enough to accomodate your hoseclamp. like this-

Where you make this next bend is totally up to you. Find a distance that you think would comfortably accomodate your pinky and make another bend, this time try to round it out. When you've made your bend the piece should ultimately look like this-

Now mark where you will be cutting. You will ultimately cut some metal off both ends.

Then cut the ends off at you markings, ending up with something like this-

Now take the rubber mastic tape and stretch and wrap the tape around the whole thing. This step is optional but in my mind serves a few purposes: It adds some insulation to the metal beacuase I, for one, despise the screaming barfies. It also adds tackyness. And just finishes the whole thing off nicely. Here it is with the tape-

All thats left is to fasten your new gadget to your tool (again, get your mind out of the gutter). The finished product-

Stoked to get out in the fall and see how they perform.

Want me to make them for you? Email me at [hucksquaw at aol dot com] and we can talk about it.

Disclaimer: This seemed to work for me but that doesnt mean it will work for you. Dont be a dumbass and hold me responsible if they aren't what you were expecting. Think carefully about whether these will work for you. I only put this up because I couldn't find anything like this on the internet so I thought it might help some people. It's only purpose is for reference. Also, as of 8/16, when this article was posted I have not tried these out so I dont know how well they will work or how durable they are.