Helix- a Minimalist Bracelet Wrench Set

I love the current "wearables" trend. I think it is so cool how designers are managing to reshape the objects we use everyday, be they tech or tools, into something that fits comfortably on a wrist or around a neck. However, one thing I've noticed is that most of the current wearable tools on the market have a very heavy, industrial look to them. This got me thinking; why aren't there more wearable tools that don't immediately signal their purpose at first glance? I immediately gravitated towards making a wrench set since they're a tool I use quite often. My design includes two open-ended wrenches (1/2" and 3/8") and two enclosed box wrenches (1/4" bit driver and 8mm).

- 1/8" wide leather strip

- Small files

- Coping saw

- Hacksaw

- 1/8" thick x 3/4" wide steel flat stock

- Bench vise

- Drill or drill press

- Download Image 4 and resize it so that the line dimensioned 10.00 is 10mm long. Print this out; you will use it as a template.

- Glue the template to the flat stock.

- Cut off the section of flat stock containing the template.

- Drill holes in every corner, and inside the 1/4" and 8mm enclosed wrenches. These holes will allow you to change the direction of the cuts. Make sure that the holes drilled inside the enclosed wrenches are large enough to accommodate a coping saw blade.

- Start by using the coping saw to cut out the enclosed wrenches. This is the most finicky part of making the wrench, which is why I suggest you do it first just in case.

- Use the files to ensure that the enclosed wrenches are the correct size.

- Use the hacksaw and coping saw to cut out the rest of the wrench.

- File all the cuts smooth.

- Remove the template. I used a wire brush to do so, and to give the wrench a bit of a brushed look.

- File all the edges smooth to remove any burrs.

- Apply a protective coating.

- Measure your wrist. Double that measurement, and add 6"; this is how much leather you need.

- Fold the strip of leather in half, and pinch the first 1/2" of the folded end between your fingers. Tie an overhand knot in front of the pinched section, forming a small loop.

- Thread the leather through the wrench. There are a variety of ways to do this, but after a couple days of wearing I found the best methods to be either the one shown in this step or the one shown in the thumbnail of this Instructable (the method shown in this step, but flipped over).

- Tie an overhand knot in the other end of the leather. The bracelet fastens by passing this knot through the loop formed in the other end (as shown in Images 7 and 9). Make sure this knot fits through the loop, and adjust it if necessary.

- Re-tie the second knot until the bracelet fits comfortably. Trim the ends of the leather to a length of about 1/2".

- To use the wrench, simply untie the second knot and remove the leather strip. To turn it back into a bracelet, thread the leather back through the wrench and re-tie the second knot.