Intro: Easy to Clean Comb: for Pets

<u>Difficulty Level:</u> Moderate

<u>Cost:</u> min = .85¢

<u>Time To Complete:</u> 15 hours

Is it just me, or do you hate it when you have to clean a pet's comb? Well fret no longer because with this simple instructable you'll be able to solve that problem for good. The idea came to me whilst cleaning out my own hair comb. I thought to myself, "How could this process be made easier?", and that is where this instructable came in. So, if you're a fellow pet lover but wish that they were not as much of a struggle, then this is the instructable for you. Through the use of 3D printing and fabrics, you will be able to simply pull the hair off in one thorough swipe.

Please Note:

You can adjust any and all comb sizes to your own sizing needs.
If you are using Google Chrome while in Tinkercad be careful, hours worth of work tend to delete even if properly saved. If you'd rather not deal with this issue I'd suggest you use Safari instead since the problem doesn't seem to occur there.
Be sure to watch the Tinkercad tutorial before starting as to get an understanding of how it works.
Make sure your comb is the size you want so you don't end up needing to use the 3D printer more than you originally would need to.
When using Tinkercad be sure all portions of your comb are moved with it (the slots for the top of mine got left behind).
Click on the pictures to get a better view of how to make this comb.

Happy Creating!

STEP 1: Materials & Tools

Items needed list (click the links to see examples of the items and where you may find them):

3D printer and materials (I don't know how to get one of these; sorry.)
Tinkercad account
Nonwoven polyester fabric (1 yard)
Fabric scissors (any scissors work though)
A marker
A type of glue
Something to measure with
Tape (maybe) (just in case)

STEP 2: Making the Comb Base

1:

Make a tube with your desired length, as well as your desired side width.

Now you have your base.

STEP 3: A Cylinder's End

1:

Make a cylinder with the same radius as the tube, but make it have a much smaller length.

2:

Make a new tube that has a smaller radius and is slightly longer than the cylinder.

3:

Line the tube up with the center of the cylinder and group them together.

This is one end of your comb.

4:

Copy, paste, and then mirror your 1st end (just in case the small tube is not perfectly centered).

5:

Take your 1st end and line it up with one of the open sides of the large tube. Then group them together.

STEP 4: Dowl

1:

Make a cylinder that is slightly shorter than the long tube. Also make it have a slightly smaller radius than the short tube's inner radius.

2:

Line your new cylinder up with the center of the small tube on your second end. Then group them together.

This is your dowl.

STEP 5: Teeth

1:

Make a tall (about half of the height of the comb base or taller) paraboloid that is slightly wide at the bottom.

2:

Copy and paste as many as you want.

3:

Position the teeth connected to the top of the comb base and evenly spaced apart.

STEP 6: Clips for Clasping

Use these pictures as reference so as not to be confused (much).

1:

Using the scribble feature, create one clip (you can adjust its size after).

2:

Copy, paste, and mirror a 2nd one, then groupe the two clips together.

3:

Copy and paste the 1st group, then groupe the two clips together.

4:

Click the hole button for the 2nd group.

5:

Move the 1st group to both sides of the small cylinder, and move your second group to both sides of the walls of the open end of your comb, making sure that both groups are even with each other.

6:

Group them with what there in.

STEP 7: The Slots

1:

Using box, make a long, slightly thin and tall, rectangle, and put it at a -5º angle.

2:

Copy, paste and mirror the 1st rectangle.

3:

Move the two rectangle to either side of the comb teeth.

4:

Group the two rectangles to the comb base.

STEP 8: Printing Time

1:

Move the base of your comb into a new design document (copy and past it there)

2:

Delete your original comb base.

3:

Hit the export button and start printing.

STEP 9: Your Fabric Strips

1:

Measure the length of your dowl and subtract 2 mm (0.2in).

2:

Now, take this measurement and mark (make lines with the marker) this length out along the width (shorter edge) of your nonwoven polyester fabric.

3:

Cut strips of fabric following the lines you previously marked.

These strips lead up to are used in the following step.

STEP 10: On a Roll

1:

Chose one strip and measure 0.5in on one of the shortest ides (from the edge up); mark it with a line.

2:

From the line to the edge apply glue and place a 2nd strip at the marking (or tape it). Let it dry a little.

3:

Repeat until all strips are connected.

This is now your fabric string.

STEP 11: Time to Wrap

1:

Take one of the smaller end of your fabric string and stick tape halfway on the back of the edge (sticky part facing upwards).

1.5:

On the other end fold over a piece of tape so that it's like a flap.

2:

Lay the non-sticky part on your dowl and roll the fabric string around it once (until the tape touches more fabric string).

3:

Roll up your fabric string around your dowl (like a toilet paper roll).

STEP 12: Finishing Touches

1:

Slide your fabric roll into your comb base and use the tape flap to pull the end of the fabric string out through one of the slots on your comb base.

2:

Now, push the fabric flap onto the comb's teeth.

3:

Finally slide your tape flap edge of the fabric string into the other slot of your comb base.

Your all done! Congratulations!

STEP 13: End Product

The Comb:

This Instructable has multiple images in order to clarify any questions caused by description alone so that you can make the ideal easy to clean comb for you and your beloved pet(s).

Alternatives:

If needed you can use just the tape instead of glue.
Any scissors work.
You can imprint words onto your comb (ex. pet's name).
Customize the colors if you want.

Please leave comments, pictures of your own finished comb (if you even make one), and feedback of things you liked and did not like about my Instructable to assist others in improving the comb. Thank you!