Help me find a stanchion top?

ProDave

ProDave

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A couple of the stanchion tops need replacing, but I can't find any.

The stanchions are 20mm outside diameter stainless steel tube.

The existing tops are made of black plastic and have a hole through them for the guard wire to pass through, and a grub screw to secure them to the stanchion.

Anything similar would do, even if made of metal, but searching I just can't find any.

Before I set to with a block of plastic on my lathe to make my own, anyone know where I can buy them?

Thanks.
 
ProDave said:
A couple of the stanchion tops need replacing, but I can't find any.

The stanchions are 20mm outside diameter stainless steel tube.

The existing tops are made of black plastic and have a hole through them for the guard wire to pass through, and a grub screw to secure them to the stanchion.

Anything similar would do, even if made of metal, but searching I just can't find any.

Before I set to with a block of plastic on my lathe to make my own, anyone know where I can buy them?

Thanks.
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HR sell them. Probably available from Transworld
 
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They are tapered the black is probably that size. Try Transworld (HR Agents) at Hamble Point, they may be able to supply just the top.

Your description of the top and stanchion fixing is exactly as fitted to HRs.
 
Stanchion top

My local hardware chain sell white plastic caps for things like stool and chair legs in a variety of sizes. They are very cheap. I just cut a slot ijn the side for the wire and they could then be held on by screws or even glued on. good luck olewill
 
So it's not just me then, noboy else has found the right thing available to buy?

If I have to make my own then a plastic conduit coupler is the easiest starting point http://www.screwfix.com/p/tower-heavy-gauge-conduit-couplings-20mm-black-pack-of-2/28255

It has a shoulder half way through, is exactly 20mm internal diameter, so it will fit snugly over the top of the stanchion and I can just drill a hole for the guard wire.

But I would still prefer to buy the right thing, it's just as this thread has shown, nobody seems to sell them, or if they do, they are keeping quiet about them.
 
We had the same problem. Couldn't find anything suitable. As stanchions have been replaced over time the number with black caps has diminished. You could have some consistency by having stanchions with black tops on one side and those without on the other side. At least that makes it less noticeable.
 
ProDave said:
So it's not just me then, noboy else has found the right thing available to buy? ....
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Talulah said:
We had the same problem. Couldn't find anything suitable....
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Neither have some Rival owners. We have a similar type except they are just push fit and not secured with a grub screw. The consensus was nylon and machine them up: drill hole, turn stanchion insert ID, turn to a slight conical shape, pair off. The consensus was that it could be done faster DIY than searching for suitable tops - even shaping by hand.
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
Neither have some Rival owners. We have a similar type except they are just push fit and not secured with a grub screw. The consensus was nylon and machine them up: drill hole, turn stanchion insert ID, turn to a slight conical shape, pair off. The consensus was that it could be done faster DIY than searching for suitable tops - even shaping by hand.
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Well I'm always looking for excuses to use my lathe to justify having it, so that's almost certainly what I will do. being machined from solid, they will no doubt be stronger than the old ones.

Being a small boat, I only have a total of 6 stanchions so I might as well make a set of 6 new ones.

Then, seeing as they are rare, I'll stick the 4 good old ones on ebay. ;)
 
My boat's lost a couple of the black plastic bungs. I've replaces them with a bit of teak cut with a hole cutter and then sanded to fit. Looks good, but I need to do the other 4 to match!
 
ProDave said:
I can get black Nylon 66 solid bar dirt cheap on ebay.

But I can't visualise what Nylon 66 is like. Is this a hard or a soft plastic? Will it machine well on a lathe?

If so a half metre length will cost me £6.40, enough to make plenty of them.
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Sounds like it should be suitable.
'Nylon 66 Rod
www.directplasticsonline.co.uk/Nylon_66_Rod.html
Our Nylon Rod is a superb wear and abrasion resistant material and well suited to machining. Nylon Rod has high mechanical strength and good sliding ...'
 
Not meaning to hijack your thread, but rather widen the knowledge base! My stanchions have tubes through for the wire, so a cap can olny have two prongs either side to locate into them. If I make some on the lather from nylon, can anyone recommend what adhesive would be most successful at fixing them?

Rob
 
My length of nylon rod arrived today and it didn't take long to make my new stanchion tops.

I had enough material to make 8 of them, 6 in use, and 2 spares. All fitted and they look nice. Nicer in fact than the old ones.

The old ones were a bit wider than the stanchion tubes and fitted over the outside. Whereas my new ones are the same diameter as the tube, and the lower half turned down to be a tight push fit down the inside of the stanchion.

The 4 good old ones will be finding there way onto ebay next time they have a free listing weekend. As they seem hard to get, and not everyone has a lathe, I feel someone might want to buy them.
 
ProDave said:
My length of nylon rod arrived today and it didn't take long to make my new stanchion tops.

I had enough material to make 8 of them, 6 in use, and 2 spares. All fitted and they look nice. Nicer in fact than the old ones.

The old ones were a bit wider than the stanchion tubes and fitted over the outside. Whereas my new ones are the same diameter as the tube, and the lower half turned down to be a tight push fit down the inside of the stanchion.

The 4 good old ones will be finding there way onto ebay next time they have a free listing weekend. As they seem hard to get, and not everyone has a lathe, I feel someone might want to buy them.
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You could try the Forum for sale site, seems more appropriate and in the forum spirit.
 
rob2 said:
Sounds like you have a commercial opening! Turn some more and sell them on ebay as no-one has found a supplier.

Rob.
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I doubt it would be cost effective.

But yes I agree the forum for sale section may be a better bet.

Trouble is, I have no idea how much they are worth and how much to ask, which is where ebay is handy as the market sets it's own rate (as long as more than one person bids)
 
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