The Construction Kit
You may find that nothing quite fits the description of what you are looking for. It may be that you can't quite describe what you have in mind, and don't know if it will work in practice, even if you could describe it sufficiently for someone else to construct. The 'construction kit' using tube connectors might be a way to develop your idea. This kit allows the parts to be re-used so that if your first idea is unsuccessful you can modify the result until it is, or start again on a new tack.
This table shows the full range of 'Kee Klamp' fittings. An almost identical range goes by the name of 'Pipeclamp'.
The most useful fittings are No21 and No14.
With eight No21 joints you can construct a cube or cuboid. Four No14 joints allow straight tube to be connected so that an 8 feet length can be split into two 4 feet lengths which will more easily fit in a car and is less cumbersome.
This illustration uses 8 No21 and 4 No14 joints combined with sixteen 4 feet lengths of tubing to make a 4x4x8 cuboid. With an additional four No14 joints and four 2 feet lengths the width can be increased to 6 feet for a 4x6x8 cuboid.
Four No21, 2 No14 joints and 8 four feet lengths of tubing can be made into a gallows frame as this illustration.
Other useful joints are No40, which is useful for setting up a freestanding post, No10, which is suitable for a cross-piece on top of a post and No45 suitable for attaching a cross-piece to a post
Joint No17 can be used to connect a cross-piece to a tube, but as a single joint, No45 is more stable. Two No17 joints are ideal for securing a tube beam across the top of the cuboid. This type of joint allows the position of the beam to be quickly and easily moved to suit. No17 is also suitable for fixing the top of a post to the beam. The bottom of such a post may be held by a No61 joint screwed down to a suitable ply plate, such as the 'Hi-Fi' plate described in the 'post' page.
Jont No78 is intended for a gate, but can be used to attach a small semi-concealed support.
Whatever your ideas there is usually a joint which will suit.
The Kee Klamp range is suitable for steel tubing of the following overall (outside) diameters:- 13.5,17.5,21.3,26.9,33.7,42.4,48.3 & 60.3mm. These correspond to internal diameters of 1/4,3/8,1/2,3/4,1,5/4,3/2 & 2 inches. Pipeclamp covers 21.3-60.3 OD. For these purposes the most suitable sizes are 26.9-48.3. I have standardised on 42.4 although 48.3 may have the aggressive look you seek. 26.9 and 33.7 may suit smaller assemblies. The smaller diameter joints do not appear to be significantly cheaper than those of larger diameter.
Interconnecting tubes of different diameters is not readily catered for. There are few fittings suitable and only joint adjacent tube sizes. I also use aluminium tubing for lightness but this seems to be more easily available in metric OD sizes, such that 40mm is the nearest equivalent to 42.3mm steel size. The tolerences mean that additional sleeves are necessary to ensure a tight fit, but the overall assembly is significantly lighter, and the strength and stiffness is very good.
Tubing can be cut to size, but if your tube supplier can do, it the convenience is worthwhile, even if you have to trim some pieces yourself later.
Make sure you inspect and remove with a suitable file burrs etc. from the tubing , especially the ends, and the fittings, before use in proximity to good clothing/bare flesh. Mild steel should be painted with hard enamel paint. Check and remove galvanising burrs. Non-anodised aluminium can be polished with a silicon based scratch resistant polish.
Check all the joints are fully tightened and check the stability of your fabrication, in the way it is going to be used, before attaching anyone to it, such that they would be injured by the assembly overturning.
All the above information assumes you have a little successful knowledge of DIY. If you have little ability and aptitude in this area, it may not be for you. The information here is presented in good faith, but the writer cannot accept responsibility for any subsequent accident or injury, however caused.
This page hosted by  Get your own Free Home Page
|
