The biggest problem with bending 12AWG copper wire into a frame was that I would always get the dimensions too big, then pinch the ends together and end up with a needlessly large frame. I sketched a bending jig, cut it on the laser, and formed a couple of frames. The idea was to make a U-shaped copper frame, then solder brass nuts to the ends to hold my tensioning bolts. The first was longer than necessary, but I kept it in case the short one did not work out.
Long and short copper frame bending jigs
I used M2.5 hardware because I had the materials but wanted to use the more common M3. I soldered standard nuts to the short frame and coupler nuts to the long version. I worried the short version would not have enough tension to hold the bolts in place, so the coupler nuts were a good experiment. The standard nuts were sloppy, but I added a nylon jam nut to rigidify everything.
I drafted a simple stand to hold the compasses and cut them out of plywood. They were not part of the compass, but they made them easier to hold and sit on a table. On the left, I have the short frame with standard nuts, and on the right, I have the long frame with coupler nuts. USA penny for scale.
Compasses in wooden stands
GitHub files for GrinderCompass
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Completed projects from year 7
Completed projects from year 8
Completed projects from year 9
Completed projects from year 10
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information on this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2023-08-24
I used M2.5 hardware because I had the materials but wanted to use the more common M3. I soldered standard nuts to the short frame and coupler nuts to the long version. I worried the short version would not have enough tension to hold the bolts in place, so the coupler nuts were a good experiment. The standard nuts were sloppy, but I added a nylon jam nut to rigidify everything.
I drafted a simple stand to hold the compasses and cut them out of plywood. They were not part of the compass, but they made them easier to hold and sit on a table. On the left, I have the short frame with standard nuts, and on the right, I have the long frame with coupler nuts. USA penny for scale.
GitHub files for GrinderCompass
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Completed projects from year 7
Completed projects from year 8
Completed projects from year 9
Completed projects from year 10
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information on this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2023-08-24
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