Looking for a recommendation of a plastics fabricator to make simple machined parts?

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West Coast

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Hi - I am fitting an additional grab handle to a cockpit table - the table frame is 28mm dia SS tube and the new handle is 25mm SS tube. There are 2 ends of the new handle where the 25mm tube runs parallel with the 28mm tube over 150mm or so, and I am going to drill the existing 28mm tube and connect with 2 M8 bolts over each 150mm (welding etc not possible)

Tried to find off-the-shelf plastic or stainless saddles for 28mm and 25mm tube (placed back to back) which may do the job but no luck.

So - looking for someone to make me a thermoplastic "saddle" type part with 1/2 radius 28mm on one side, 1/2 radius 25mm rad on the other with say 5mm separation. Ideally 2 at 150mm long, or 4 each 40mm long would do.

Any recommendations? Thanks!
 
You could get some nylon sheet the thickness you want, using hole saw cut the holes and then cut the outside to suit. Could all be done on the kitchen table with basic tools. Plastic sheet available in small sizes so little waste, would not take long to make, probably quicker than someone 3D printing
 
West Coast said:
Hi - I am fitting an additional grab handle to a cockpit table - the table frame is 28mm dia SS tube and the new handle is 25mm SS tube. There are 2 ends of the new handle where the 25mm tube runs parallel with the 28mm tube over 150mm or so, and I am going to drill the existing 28mm tube and connect with 2 M8 bolts over each 150mm (welding etc not possible)

Tried to find off-the-shelf plastic or stainless saddles for 28mm and 25mm tube (placed back to back) which may do the job but no luck.

So - looking for someone to make me a thermoplastic "saddle" type part with 1/2 radius 28mm on one side, 1/2 radius 25mm rad on the other with say 5mm separation. Ideally 2 at 150mm long, or 4 each 40mm long would do.

Any recommendations? Thanks!
Click to expand...
You can see it, we cannot--do not have a clue what you are describing-- Sketch??
 
Why not use a strip of cutting board as suggested say 10mm wide by 5mm thick, by 150 long. Bolt it in place as you mention and then just fill the ensuing gap's with body filler. essentially the same but a lot less fabrication required.

Regards Clive
 
West Coast said:
Forgive the messy sketch - but here goes


View attachment 83332

Here is a photo of the mock up of the grab handle.

View attachment 83333
Click to expand...

There are numerous types of pipe clamps than can be used.

brass_pipe_clamps_clips_brass_clips_buckles.jpg


You could also use some worm drive clamps across both pipes.

You could also use some stainless steel cable ties
 
Thanks for the ideas - however still thinking best if I can find a small scale plastics fabricator who could make these for me. Any suggestions?
 
So you buy some polypropylene sheet 40 mm th from direct plastics online which comes in white, or a cheaper alternative is RG1000 which comes in black ( I use it for rope cutter bearings for Ambasador rope cutters & rope cutters of my own construction)
link
Then you cut it into pieces 70 *30 - Then drill a hole in one end 28 diam. In the other end a hole 25mm diam. You then cut the excess away leaving the 2 half moons with a 5mm gap. This will give you your block 40mm long
There are other plastics. You need to look at their technical bits with each material. I would use Tuffnol whale 25 Th because I already have it.
I think that the best drills would be hole saws( selected for the outside diameter) because you get the starter drill through first & if you grip it in a clamp the hole saws should not bite if you take your time & keep cleaning the teeth. Keep the speed down & lubricate with paraffin if you get a problem
I would use my pillar drill to drill the plastic and a bandsaw to cut the plastic but I expect care with a jigsaw would cut the plastic Ok

On thinking about it-- drill the holes first so you have a bigger piece to clamp then cut it up. So if the holes are a bit out you can cut the sheet to accomodate
 
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West Coast said:
Hi - I am fitting an additional grab handle to a cockpit table - the table frame is 28mm dia SS tube and the new handle is 25mm SS tube. There are 2 ends of the new handle where the 25mm tube runs parallel with the 28mm tube over 150mm or so, and I am going to drill the existing 28mm tube and connect with 2 M8 bolts over each 150mm (welding etc not possible)

Tried to find off-the-shelf plastic or stainless saddles for 28mm and 25mm tube (placed back to back) which may do the job but no luck.

So - looking for someone to make me a thermoplastic "saddle" type part with 1/2 radius 28mm on one side, 1/2 radius 25mm rad on the other with say 5mm separation. Ideally 2 at 150mm long, or 4 each 40mm long would do.

Any recommendations? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Your easiest solution would be to buy some double-sided saddle washers. These are plastic, with a concave curve each side and a hole through the middle. If you're going to use M8 bolts, you'd obviously need 8mm holes. You can buy these online from BPF - BPF - Plastic Double or Twin Saddle Washers - Buy Online Note that the photo in the listing is of a washer with a much bigger spacing than 3mm (they use the same photo for all the different spacings).

LTSS.png
 
I have a mate, he is a one man engineer, has lathe, mill, drill.
If you are stuck, pm me and will forward his number.
He understands marine work as myself and another local spend our free time smashing up boats on ocean sailing th3n return to UK for repairs and refinance.
Simon
 
pvb said:
Your easiest solution would be to buy some double-sided saddle washers. These are plastic, with a concave curve each side and a hole through the middle. If you're going to use M8 bolts, you'd obviously need 8mm holes. You can buy these online from BPF - BPF - Plastic Double or Twin Saddle Washers - Buy Online Note that the photo in the listing is of a washer with a much bigger spacing than 3mm (they use the same photo for all the different spacings).

LTSS.png
Click to expand...

This could be exactly what I am looking for - an hour on google did not find these suppliers - thank you
 
West Coast said:
Thanks for the ideas - however still thinking best if I can find a small scale plastics fabricator who could make these for me. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

I really doubt you'd find any fabricator that would be interested. (If he was he'd be scratching gravel)

You'd be better off getting plastic sheet (as suggested above) and finding a mate with a wood router
 
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