Tom of Iowa2 Posted November 23, 2003 Share Posted November 23, 2003 Messing around in the shop the other day with some springs and steel and gippers........trying to make our own grippers for fun. Made me think?(and i did a search but couldn't find real good answer)WHY are gripper handles usually made of aluminum?I'm sure there is something to 'it' that we are missing? ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wsm_fan_uk Posted November 23, 2003 Share Posted November 23, 2003 I'm not sure how the spring sticks into the handle, but if it is done with barbs, you would need a soft metal like aluminium/brass that the harder metal of the spring would be able to stick into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGuy Posted November 23, 2003 Share Posted November 23, 2003 I think aluminum is used as it does not rust, and is easier to machine than steel as well as being lighter. I see no reason not to use aluminum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Browne Posted November 23, 2003 Share Posted November 23, 2003 I'm not sure how the spring sticks into the handle, but if it is done with barbs, you would need a soft metal like aluminium/brass that the harder metal of the spring would be able to stick into. The springs are either bonded in the handles with a 2 part epoxy or as Tetting does it, with compression pins (expansion pins) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Van Weele Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Warren says he uses aluminium because it is alot cheaper to knurl and not as hard on the drill bits like OldGuy said. It can also be knurled and drilled alot faster about 3:1 was the ratio I think he told me. It also sticks better with the chalk giving you a better grip on the gripper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAMMERHEAD Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 I was talking to Warren as well and I remember he thought very highly of the alum. handles. They cut down on the cost of shipping, and since the gripper isn't as heavy it doesn't play mind games with you. He said that a gripper with steel handles just feels harder because of the weight; when in fact it isn't harder, just heavier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom of Iowa2 Posted November 25, 2003 Author Share Posted November 25, 2003 (edited) All good reasons.Thanks for ALL the feedback. I Just didn't know and Jerry has (literally)tons of steel.They were just trying to figure out some different gripper configurations/designs and were wondering about the handle??Thought it had magical properties...like the INCH dumbell rolling out of one's hand ...'magical' yes aluminum is very easy to work with...more expensive to purchase though....Again,very interesting and valid 'reasons' Edited November 25, 2003 by Tom of Iowa2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom of Iowa2 Posted November 25, 2003 Author Share Posted November 25, 2003 The springs are either bonded in the handles with a 2 part epoxy or as Tetting does it, with compression pins (expansion pins) This is also 'news' to me. Which is the stronger bond?Does it seem to matter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Browne Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 My opinion is; I believe Tettings pins are superior to the epoxy bond. The handles will not loosen in Tettings` grippers (which I have several of and have yet to happen ). Whereas the bonded grippers in fact can become loose, which has happened to a few of my bonded grippers. (I do believe someone a long while back said a PDA pinned gripper handle was a little loose on theirs, but can`t recall for sure) Not a problem though, I just rebonded them with JB-Weld and they are better than they were originally after using the JB. To me JB-Weld is the superior product that is easily available on the public market. I have used far superior products than JB when I worked in the Aerospace industry. But then you are talking Military Specs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Van Weele Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 I think the epoxy bond is alot better for mass production but the quality is not as good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom of Iowa2 Posted November 25, 2003 Author Share Posted November 25, 2003 Is the J B Qwik?as strong as the J B Weld? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Browne Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 Is the J B Qwik?as strong as the J B Weld? I have seen the JB Qwik, but have not tried it so I can not give you an opinion. Believe it or not I actually tapped threads in JB Weld for kicks to see if it would work ( as an experiment and it did tap) but I myself would not actually use a tapped JB to hold 2 items together. Maybe for a temporary situation only It is great for rebonding loose gripper handles I`ll bank that for sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom of Iowa2 Posted November 25, 2003 Author Share Posted November 25, 2003 Believe it or not I actually tapped threads in JB Weld for kicks to see if it would work ( as an experiment and it did tap) but I myself would not actually use a tapped JB to hold 2 items together. Maybe for a temporary situation only Interesting.Can you paint over JB Weld? or would enamel cause it to 'break down'??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Browne Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 Interesting.Can you paint over JB Weld? or would enamel cause it to 'break down'??? Yes, you can paint it , grind it , sand it...... I bonded a piece of 4" dia round stock ( weighed 30 lbs) to a piece of 5" dia round stock (weighed 35 lbs) end to end. After it cured I could not pull them apart. I fooled around with this piece for a while pinch lifting it from the 4 inch end and even dropped it numerous times (outside on soil) and it did not break apart. I had to take a 2lb. hammer and give it a few good whacks to break it apart. Anyway, JB Weld is a good item that is easy to use and cheap way to make things stick together. It makes for good filler material too. I obtained some steel plates that had small 3/8 holes in them. Filled the holes with JB... sanded them down flush.. painted the plates.. you can not even tell the holes were there. It`s kinda like an excellent bondo job on a car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom of Iowa2 Posted November 25, 2003 Author Share Posted November 25, 2003 Thanks.Very useful information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Browne Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 Thanks.Very useful information Tom, I checked out the label of the JB Qwik and it is primarily for household items, hobbyist and artist. Low key stuff. My opinion is JB Weld is 2-3 times the strength. I believe the Qwik would bond gripper handles but no where near as tight and durable as the Weld Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.