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24th Apr 2019, 10:32 PM #1New Member
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Help me make a rotating rod / pole thing...
Morning all, I have been challenged to build something "arty", I'll do my best to describe it and what help I need (all measurements are approximates).
Imagine a 4ft high concrete pillar.
At the top there is a 3 inch hole in the centre, about 3 inches deep.
In that hole is a freely rotating metal disc with 3 x 1cm holes in the top.
Coming out of each of those holes is a 1cm metal rod, about 24 inches long.
The bottom half of the rod is fixed in to the disc, which rotates in the concrete hole.
Half way along the rod is a joint with the top half of the rod rotating around some bearings.
The idea is that the three fixed rods rotate around the hole in the concrete pillar and the top half of the rods rotates around the bottom half.
(have I described this OK?)
I think I can do the bottom bit, the metal disc which rotates in the top of the pillar with 3 rods protruding out of it.
So, my question is, how do I make a 2ft long 1cm metal rod which spins for the top half only?
Oh and it's got to look reasonably good as it's arty...
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24th Apr 2019, 11:19 PM #2Gear expert in training
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Make one half of the rod with a 5mm spigot, the other half with a mating hole (a 5mm H7 reamer should give you a nice running fit) and pop one of these in between https://www.ebay.com.au/i/262667219648?chn=ps
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24th Apr 2019, 11:58 PM #3
Hi somersetpaul.
First up welcome to the Forum.
Perhaps if you gave us an idea of what sort of metalworking tools you have available to you. How much metal work experience do you have?
That will help members answer your question better.
Grahame
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25th Apr 2019, 12:04 AM #4New Member
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OK good questions...... very little knowledge and experience (but reasonably handy with my hands) and only the basics (no lathe, etc) but do have access to some basic tools if needed
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25th Apr 2019, 10:10 AM #5Most Valued Member
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25th Apr 2019, 10:20 AM #6Gear expert in training
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My understanding is that the bottom half is supported, so...gravity.
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25th Apr 2019, 11:19 AM #7Most Valued Member
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I would call that an inadequate level of retention. How about your idea but with a groove in the male part to accommodate a small SS grub screw?
Chris
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25th Apr 2019, 11:26 AM #8Most Valued Member
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Something like this. Going to hard without a lathe though.
Chris
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25th Apr 2019, 11:42 AM #9
That's the way I read it,as well. The rods are all standing vertical.
Without acess to a lathe, I can't see another way of drilling the hole in the rods or turning the spigot on the mating piece.
However we have a wide range of members, some of them, seemingly, able to create the impossible out of nothing.
Failing that, I suggest you quickly become friends with a lathe owner. A small machine shop could do the work, but I suspect the project may be affected by budget??
Before you do anything price the reamer and availability that elanjacobs mentioned.
Regarding reamers- the reamer is necessary to obtain a smooth precision fit in the hole surface between spigot and hole. There are machine reamers-for use on the lathe or a hand reamer used by hand.
The spigot can turned smooth but the hole needs to be reamed.
There are so many variables which can complicate the project. Some of them can be discounted if you can fully describe the function of the project and what the unit is expected to do.
Grahame
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25th Apr 2019, 11:47 AM #10Most Valued Member
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25th Apr 2019, 07:19 PM #11
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25th Apr 2019, 07:42 PM #12New Member
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25th Apr 2019, 07:45 PM #13New Member
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Thanks for the replies all, very helpful (and daunting)
It's to "copy" a piece of art which my misses loves but we could never afford.
Stuart Stockwell Sculpture
I will do something different with the leaves and the pillar, but the rotating mechanism is mesmerising to watch.
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25th Apr 2019, 07:54 PM #14Most Valued Member
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Helluva lot closer than Oz.
Paul,
I'm intrigued about the need for the upper pieces of rod to be able to rotate. Why is that? Can you draw a sketch of the piece of artwork, photograph the sketch and post it here for us? Will it be displayed where people can touch it?
You could also try posting your question here: https://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com
It's a model engineering forum, but there are a lot of UK based members who might be able to help you.Chris
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25th Apr 2019, 08:32 PM #15New Member
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I am trying to make something resembling this..
Stuart Stockwell Sculpture
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