Suggestions for a new thumb

[Rebo]

Last Wednesday my table saw decided to chew my right thumb off all the way down just past my nail and make sausage meat out of it so no chance of recovering it.
They operated on Saturday and think that they have saved the joint, fingers crossed.

Do not open the spoiler if you are squeamish!!
Picture was taken 5 minutes after it happened and before more got cut a way by the hospital.

Spoiler

Being right handed this injury upset me anyway but it wasn't until this morning and I came on here that I really registered the impact this was going to have on my hobby life.
After feeling sorry for myself for a short while I decided to turn a negative into positive. I am going to build myself a new thumb!

I know it's early days yet and I am still bound in masses of bandages but it will at least keep me occupied.
I'm thinking a Deus ex sleek styled digit held on by a wrist strap. A floating thumb print that will press against the stump(ugh!) lower down so that I can register the pressure of my grip on an object.

I'm signed off work for 4 weeks and have a 3d printer what would you suggest?
Concept art and ideas are most welcome.

 

[mattycsi]

Nice pic, looks painful.

I think you should go the cartoon villain route and have a different attachement thumb for every occasion. Like, a lighter, but with a really big flame, for social gatherings. Or a super bright LED for a torch. Maybe a small swiss army knife or a laser pointer. I would even go as far as to fashion a utility belt so as to carry all variations to be prepared for any eventuality.

 

[xl97]

make 'nub-caps/knub-kaps' (TM) haha..

you could make helmets.. (Storm trooper, Vader, Sports)

maybe somewhat functional? like a (rubber) stamp, your name...a smiley face, a 'thumbs down'...lol)

or turn it into something that HELPS your hobby life.. something that a 'simple' thumb couldnt do.

make it an exacto blade attachment.. screw driver/bit holder,.... or something to do with molding/casting tooling.. or a mini ruler. (forge it out of metal so the blade wont win next time)


go funny with it.. like with an OVERSIZED thumb.. when you give the thumbs up to people (you'll really mean it)



I broke both my thumbs once, and it was rather difficult doing every day stuff.. I couldnt imagine it being permanent. (sorry)


*everything 3D printed of course!




good luck.

 

[B Wo]

+1 to the thumb for every occasion. Like the villain's glass eye in Last Action Hero.

Sorry about your thumb.

 

[blue2k]

Digit tips will usually grow back if you don't damage the bone (even if completely severed or degloved). The nail will never really look normal though. There may also possibly be some lasting nerve damage. Did your doctor say it will never recover?