My analogy of the Trinity.

Last night I was reading a book on, and called, “Historical Theology” by Alister E. McGrath (Blackwell publishing, 1998, reprint 2003) and In his section on the Patristic period of the Church (AD c.100 – 451) he mentioned the problems that arose in the Early Church in trying to describe the Trinity in an analogy that anyone could understand, without the danger of it running into Modalism. That is where the parts or modes, are distinct and distinctly separate. i.e. First one mode, then the other, then the next; such as with the common analogies of an egg (Shell, white & Yolk) or Water/ Ice/ Steam. All of which can be separated from the others and still function in some way.
And so there I was, sitting there, thinking, with this problem/question, hammering away at my brain, when suddenly an idea hit me like a hammer. The thought was so simple that I couldn’t believe that no one else had ever thought of it before. Which then made me worry that maybe it isn’t so great after all, and thus just like all of the others (such as Eggs & Water) has been tried before and found wanting. However, despite that concern, I have decided to write out my analogy of the Trinity and put it down for others to see, and to see who can be the first to shoot holes in my bright idea.
So here is my bright analogy/ idea that hit me like a hammer. Hit me like a claw hammer, that is! But first: Please remember that any analogy, even the best, can never properly refer fully to God. All we can do is say, God is a wee, little, tiny bit like this or that analogy.
Anyway, my analogy says that God is a little like a Carpenter’s or Claw hammer.
1. A claw hammer has a flat-headed surface to drive nails in with. It is also the part of the hammer, most people relate too when they hear the word hammer too!
2. A claw hammer also has a claw to help pull or separate things apart from other things.
3. A claw hammer also has a nail pulling application between the two claws of the hammer. Often not seen or noticed by most, but always there.
Thus a claw hammer is like God, in that a claw hammer has 3 separate and distinct functions within the one unity. And just like God, the whole hammer participates in every action of the hammer, no matter which application is being applied at any one time.
So just like with my claw hammer, every action of the Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit/Ghost) is part of and involved with each and every other action and part of the Trinity at the same time. They are never separate parts, acting separately from the others, but all working as one, despite whichever distinct action is being applied at any particular time.
Well, there was my brilliant analogy of the Trinity, what say you? Has it been used before? And what are the weaknesses with it? Your constructive thoughts please?