Three Axis (connector?) Thing

OK, I was bored, so I made this three axis connector thing. It works like it did when it was in my head, but now that it is in the real world I have no idea what to use it for. It pitches, it rolls and it yawns.

If you removed the two center pieces and replaced them with a single piece with holes at opposite ends and on perpendicular sides then I guess you could use it as a "universal" connector.

Anyway, here it is in case you ever need it for something, whatever that might be.

OK, the first thing you need is either a basement full of stuff left over from other projects, or some old metal furniture, or a nearby flea market, or a way to get under (or over) the fence at the junk yard and past the security guard dog around 3:00 AM (just kidding!).

You can buy 1" and 3/4" square tubing in 36" lengths at Home Depot for around 10 bucks a piece. Even if it were galvanized (You will also need some paint to keep it from rusting. Mine started rusting in the bag on the way home!) it would still be a ripoff.

OK, now that you are over Home Depot ripping you off you will also need a one inch length of 1/4"-20 threaded rod, four nuts and two small fender washers and two cut washers and two 1/4"-20 hex head bolts by 1-1/2" or 2" (whichever length has enough unthreaded area to prevent the nuts from getting closer than 1" to the hex head) and eight more small fender washers, two cut washers and four nuts. Out of revenge buy these at Lowes.

First cut two, 1" lengths of 3/4" tubing. Then drill 1/4" holes through the center of the two opposite sides for the threaded rod connector.

Place a fender washer between each piece and insert a 1/4" approximate 1/2" threaded rod. On each end of the threaded rod inside the pieces of 3/4" square tuning add a fender washer, cut washer and nut.

Make whatever adjustments are necessary to the length of the threaded rod to allow the washers and nuts to be installed so that there is at least 1/4" space between the ends of the threaded rod and opposite inside wall of each piece of square tubing. (See picture.)

The next set of holes is on the sides perpendicular to the holes for the threaded rod. These holes are off centered so that the bolt will fit between the inside wall of the tubing and the threaded rod and nut and act as both a stop and as a joint. (See picture.)

Now cut two pieces of 1" tubing to whatever length you want and drill 1/4" holes through opposite sides about 1/2" from the ends.

On the sides that are perpendicular to the holes cut along the edge and remove a strip of metal about 1-1/4" long. (See picture.)

Now drill your mounting holes or whatever.

Now insert the bolts into a fender washer, then through one of the holes on the 1" tubing, then through another fender washer then through the holes in the 3/4" tubing then through a fender washer then through the other 1" tubing hole and then through another fender washer. (This may take lots of patients and some manual dexterity.)

Now mount a nut on the end of the bolt and screw it down to the bottom of the threads, add a cut washer and screw down the other nut.

Now repeat this prodecure using the other 1" piece.

Vah Wah Lah! Your three axis connector is now assembled.

Enjoy!


...also please report any possible uses.