Loss-Proof Comb

by Phil B

1.5K252

Intro: Loss-Proof Comb

My comb sticks to the soft leather on my key wallet and my comb often falls out of my pocket unnoticed. I am tired of replacing combs. I have tried to put my comb into a different pocket, but sometimes forget and lose another comb.

I looked for a folding comb, but those often looked like a dagger, and that will not work well at airport security. I decided to make a wooden frame into which I can mount a comb.

Materials

  • Hardwood
  • #6 x 1/2 wood screw
  • Spray finish

Tools

  • Table saw
  • Sander
  • Vise
  • Plane
  • Drill and bits
  • Countersink
  • Half-round file
  • Screwdriver

STEP 1: Select Hardwood

I have some beech I can cut down to fit the size of my comb. I cut it to be just a little longer than the comb.

STEP 2: Set the Saw

I set the depth on my saw's cut to be just a little more than the height of the comb. I set a tall rip fence.

STEP 3: Rip a Slot in the Hardwood

I very carefully used a pusher stick arrangement to cut a slot for the comb. I had to move the fence a little and make a second cut to get the necessary width on the slot.

STEP 4: Reduce Thickness

The piece of wood was thicker on one side than the other. I need both sides of the slot to be the same thickness. I could have resawn the wood, but I did not want to risk things going wrong while sawing a small piece, even with pusher sticks.

I put the wood in a vise and used a hand plane to reduce the thickness some. Then I used a sanding drum above a small table surface to reduce the thickness and be certain both sides are parallel.

STEP 5: Round the Corners and the Edges

I used the sanding drum to round and shape the wood by hand. The small wood screw will hinge the comb so it folds out like a pocket knife. I drilled a hole through one corner of the comb and used that as a template for locating and drilling a hole in the wood. Then I used a countersink for the screw head.

STEP 6: Give It a Test

The comb is mounted in the wooden frame. The countersink has been made for the screw head.

STEP 7: Cut Away for Opening the Comb

I made a half-round cutaway so I can grasp and open the comb.

STEP 8: Finish

I used a spray shellac to finish the wood. Although it does not show clearly, the finish added a nice golden tone. I should lose far fewer combs now.

2 Comments

3366carlos 7 years ago

Wow, brings back memories when I use to carry a similar one, now I don't even have hair.

Phil B 7 years ago

Thanks. I thought I had seen combs that food out of a case. Mine is working well and I have not lost it, yet.