Another version of the Aluminum Surplus Military Pole Stand

[Agfadoc]

It's funny because my wife complains that I am always trying to make things better, for me, which usually includes being more complicated for her.

Keep changing it up, that's how new stuff is created!

[perchancetodream]

Thanks. Imagineering ways to hold these fiberglass pole sections together in a way that is as convenient to use as the snap buttons are for aluminum poles. Probably involving bungie cord.

[gmcttr]

Won't the snap buttons work?

[perchancetodream]

Hmm. Snap buttons are designed for thin metal. The plastic connector is 0.25" and the pole is 0.125" thick. The tallest button at Grainger is 0.390" - it will project just enough to engage the pole more or less flush with the surface. It might hold. I've been thinking that pushing it in enough to clear the 1/8" fiberglass pole thickness for disassembly might not be as convenient as it is with thinner metal. But now online I'm seeing 0.90" to 0.11" thickness for the aluminum poles. So maybe the additional 0.035" won't be a problem after all. For $7.51, what could go wrong?

On the other hand, micro clamcleats look pretty good. Screw attachment into 3/8" of material on the connector side of the joint. A short length of cord knotted through a hole in the pole on the open tube side of the joint. Alignment not critical, easy to secure and release. http://www.clamcleat.com/cleats/cleat_details.asp?theid2=166

[perchancetodream]

Also, a clamcleat would have a second function as a stop to keep the spread limiter from slipping up the tripod poles.

[gmcttr]

FWIW...the aluminum pole and connector add up to ~0.20".

The snap lock protrudes ~0.20"...

IMG_4141 noted.jpg

You may be right that they won't work well with the fiberglass version.

[perchancetodream]

Further development of the clamcleat idea. Q-Lok on a line knotted in a hole on one side, fasten to a similar line knotted to a hole on the other. Unlike clamcleat, no fasteners or projection from the side of the pole.

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/hardware...5000/index.htm

[Stovemandan]

I'm going to use saddle washers to connect my poles together.

http://www.componentforce.com/catego...saddle-washers

http://www.mossplastics.com/saddle-washers

[perchancetodream]

Very clean! A shoulder eyebolt would be a fine addition to the assembly. I scrimped there, used the hardened washer and filed-thread nut to make a shoulder.

[perchancetodream]

Uh-oh. Dutchware - can't buy just one.
Tarp Door Hooks and Quilt Clips look like they would work the same way as Q-Loks at a much more reasonable price. Don't need stainless steel / high load capacity just to keep the poles together when setting up and adjusting.