low force hollow threaded structural collets? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2018, 02:10:55 am
content: Do they have a type of collet, that works kinda like a cable gland, which you can use for low force static applications like adjusting the height of a table for a precise job like soldering, rework, positioning lab equipment on rods (sensors, flasks, optics, etc), inspection, etc?The idea is that you can tap a hole (say 1/2 inch) then screw in a collet that has a 3/8 inch hole in the middle (or whatever the ratio is), which will be tightened with a threadI like it alot more then thumb screws.Do they have something like that, which can hold maybe 25lbs static? Above 1/2 an inch at least.Can something decent be made from say threaded aluminum hollow rod, thin saw, kinda loose nuts that happen to have the right tollerance, etc?I am thinking like, get a threaded tube with the right ID, make a threaded hole it threads into, cut it up like a pizza, find a ball bearing just slightly larger then the hole, bang it in there, deform the thing around the brearing to make a kinda claw thing, then get the bearing out hopefully its bendable but also malluable.Does anything come into mind for doing this in the shop with simple tools? the concept works in my head but I can see this turning into a colossal fuckup unless the materials are just right.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2018, 02:21:30 am
content: What did your research turn up? Did you find anything in that area?

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2018, 02:22:11 am
content: no only stuff for machine tools or smaller then 1/2 inchhttps://www.browntool.com/Listview/tabid/344/txtSearch/collet/ProductID/2169/Default.aspxwith different dimensions would be nice but I think you need to make something. I don't need some crazy tool holder thing, just an improvement over one of those shitty thumb screws. I really don't like them.A home made one would have exposed 'grabbers', i think, I cant figure out how to make a shrowd for it with off the shelf parts.The idea for a weak cheap home made one would be for the metal to have enough tension so you can just retract it into the thread so it 'grabs' on with its grabbers rather then having to compress the grabbers with some king of mating surface on the back. It would be weak but it does not need to be super robust or gas tight or anything. 10-20 pounds.I am trying to figure out how to make the fingers/grabbers with simple stuff that can be purchased ,like ball bearing followed up by a wedge or something. Like a ball bearing a tiny tiny amount bigger then the thread. I imagine with aluminum it would be possible to beat it in there then hammer it down then beat it out without destroying your hammered bends (it would not matter if you destroy the threads over the ball, perhaps you can heat it then beat it, then beat it again with some kind of cone shaped thing like a tap to spread it out just a bit so when the nut begins to straiten it, the fingers you made grab. The idea being that you position the ball so that your curvature over the ball is less then the diameter of the threaded rod, so you can open it up with a wedge and then it will compress itself on the face of the threaded hole you are putting it into so it clamps down. Might need to grind the threaded holes miter a bit so it has a surface to deform against nicely and evenly.Its a really really bootleg idea that misuses most purposes of the devices used.The other thought I had is maybe drilling drill-chucks all the way through so something can slide through em, then welding them to some kinda threaded pipe segment so they can be installed into stuff.https://www.zoro.com/jacobs-drill-chuck-keyless-steel-38-in-38-24-30354/i/G3139071/feature-product?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvrbaxvmx3QIVgyaGCh2d0wikEAQYAyABEgKlAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.dsonly 20 bucks. I just wonder how to accurately drill through the center of something thats probobly hardened without a mill. Maybe just stick a punch in there a little tightened, beat it, fill it with oil then drill.. might self align enough.hmm yea i think i wanna use a drill chuck for this job its real nice anything else made at home is gonna come out looking post apocalyptic.