What's this thing called?!

[MYStargazer]

The whole fitting is made of plastic, and comes in two parts. The lower part has a flat, square base, with a column on it, on top of which sits a ball. The upper part has a cup to receive the ball, which is divided into leaves to open and close easily. The whole thing is about an inch high. They do exist - but I just can't think where I've seen them before. Google image searches have not come up with anything even similar.

I'm going to use these to attach interior panels, without having screws poking through, with the panels being easily removed for cleaning behind.

Thanks guys!

 

[sailorman]

View attachment 32987

The whole fitting is made of plastic, and comes in two parts. The lower part has a flat, square base, with a column on it, on top of which sits a ball. The upper part has a cup to receive the ball, which is divided into leaves to open and close easily. The whole thing is about an inch high. They do exist - but I just can't think where I've seen them before. Google image searches have not come up with anything even similar.

I'm going to use these to attach interior panels, without having screws poking through, with the panels being easily removed for cleaning behind.

Thanks guys!

Try http://www.hafele.co.uk/Hafele35a1/templates/hafele/intro.asp

 

[fisherman]

Google for 'secret fixing panels'. I make secret fixings from wood for things like the panels behind a toilet concealing the cistern, but they have to drop into place by about 15mm, so always a small gap at the top. There are ally ones that drop a very small amount.

 

[GeorgeLlewellin]

I have used Velcro to do this sort of thing, it works well, takes up less space and is easy to fit.

 

[Twister_Ken]

I have used Velcro to do this sort of thing, it works well, takes up less space and is easy to fit.

Ditto, except I used 3M's Dual Lock. Better than velcro - sort of system of interlocking 'mushroom' shapes.

http://solutions.3m.co.uk/wps/portal/3M/en_GB/tapes-adhesives/-/tapes/dual-lock/

 

[Woodlouse]

Ditto, except I used 3M's Dual Lock. Better than velcro - sort of system of interlocking 'mushroom' shapes.

http://solutions.3m.co.uk/wps/portal/3M/en_GB/tapes-adhesives/-/tapes/dual-lock/

Only problem I find with that stuff is it tends to pull the strip off the wall rather than peeling apart.

 

[Hugh Foulis]

Caravan door fitting. Used to keep the door in the open position. Towsure have them in their catalogue. Door retainer £1.99

HF

 

[nigelmercier]

It's a bit like the faces/candlestick illusion:

But with robot dogs/tow-ball

 

[yoda]

View attachment 32987

The whole fitting is made of plastic, and comes in two parts. The lower part has a flat, square base, with a column on it, on top of which sits a ball. The upper part has a cup to receive the ball, which is divided into leaves to open and close easily. The whole thing is about an inch high. They do exist - but I just can't think where I've seen them before. Google image searches have not come up with anything even similar.

I'm going to use these to attach interior panels, without having screws poking through, with the panels being easily removed for cleaning behind.

Thanks guys!

I think you are looking for Southco fastenings. http://www.southco.com/en-gb/c3

Yoda

 

[MYStargazer]

Thanks very much for your thoughts, guys.

Yes, I'd thought about using Velcro (not heard of the 3M stuff)... it's been used before on the boat but has stripped the underlying paint too easily when removed. I'm after a more robust solution which can be screwed into place.

I had thought of using "mini touch latches", with the body of the latch screwed to wooden battens (http://www.sugatsune.co.uk/s.nl/sc.7/category.67312/.f) but I haven't found anything small enough.

Here's another option I came across - http://www.button-fix.com/

 

[Euphonyx]

In cars aren't they called trim fasteners??

 

[MYStargazer]

In cars aren't they called trim fasteners??

Yes, you'd think so, wouldn't you? But I looked on Google Images for these, and they only seem to throw up these https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=t...I&biw=1440&bih=786&sei=88rGUdbuAumd0QW5w4DYAQ) which aren't hidden.

 

[alahol2]

You could epoxy a few of these onto battens. Exceedingly strong magnets for their size. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25-Very-Strong-Neodymium-Disc-Magnets-10x2-mm-N52-Grade-craft-reborn-10mm-x-2mm-/161038868855?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item257eaa2177

 

[fisherman]

You could epoxy a few of these onto battens. Exceedingly strong magnets for their size. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25-Very-Strong-Neodymium-Disc-Magnets-10x2-mm-N52-Grade-craft-reborn-10mm-x-2mm-/161038868855?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item257eaa2177

Yes, but how far from the compass? These magnets are almost impossible to separate in your hands, and someone lost his thumbs picking up two larger ones.

 

[MYStargazer]

You could epoxy a few of these onto battens. Exceedingly strong magnets for their size. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25-Very-Strong-Neodymium-Disc-Magnets-10x2-mm-N52-Grade-craft-reborn-10mm-x-2mm-/161038868855?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item257eaa2177

Thanks - hadn't come across these before. I wonder whether they'd rust. Perhaps they could be covered in something just in case. And, yes, I'd be interested to know whether they'd have much effect on compasses...

 

[quimby]

Only problem I find with that stuff is it tends to pull the strip off the wall rather than peeling apart.

Even at £125 for 5mtrs!

 

[Adamastor]

Fastmount.com
I saw them at METS, and even if they're more expensive than gobs of bubblegum, they do what it says on the bottle.
Quite a few of my customers swear by them, and the results are first class!