6mm shaft material supplier

[jgeidl]

Does anyone have a resource for 6mm steel or aluminum rod that can be used for motor shafts?  I am taking everyone's advice and adding pillows blocks between my motors and wheels.  The motors have 6mm shafts.  I can find 6mm drill stock and 6mm stainless stock but both are pretty expensive my my standards.  I found one resource that has 6mm steell but they want to rape me on shipping for a little piece of steel that can't weight over 1/2 pound.

 

Thanks,

 

Jim, K6JMG

[blackstag]

In Texas I grab it from ace hardware generally cheap for tool steel rods in 36" lengths around 6 dollars here.

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[Butokim]

Metric???  That would just be way too easy. :-)  I will try Ace.

 

Thanks,

 

Jim

 

---

From: hbrob...@googlegroups.com [mailto:hbrob...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of blackstag
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 1:36 PM
To: hbrob...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [HBRobotics] 6mm shaft material supplier

[Albert Margolis]

6mm is very close to 1/4". American hardware stores should have steel
or aluminum rod in that diameter. Hobby shops might have aluminum,
brass or carbon fiber.

-- Al Margolis
founder, www.HobbyEngineering.com

[Claire Delaunay]

I have the same metric issue with my nuts and rods :-)
Usually I solve it buying at  http://www.mcmaster.com

Corebots www.corebots.net

[Butokim]

I have tired Lowe's, Home Depot, Orchard Supply, True Value, and now ACE with no success.  I just don't think I am going to find 6mm in a retail outlet.

 

James M. Geidl, K6JMG
D.B. Cooper, you have  a message.
 

---

From: hbrob...@googlegroups.com [mailto:hbrob...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of blackstag
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 1:36 PM
To: hbrob...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [HBRobotics] 6mm shaft material supplier

[Butokim]

Al, I have 1/4" in both steel and aluminum. If I only had to make something
fit on the ends I would use that and just chuck it up in the drill press and
hit it with some emery cloth to take it down to size. Unfortunately, with
pillow blocks, it has to slide all the way through.

Before this is over I may end up using 1/4" and make a 6mm to 1/4" coupler
to attach to the motor and drill out the hubs on the wheels. I have found
some really nice 6mm ball bear pillow blocks that I would like to use but
can always fall back on Delrin if I have to fabrication it myself.

Overall, I sure wish the motors were not metric.

James M. Geidl, K6JMG
D.B. Cooper, you have a message.

[Butokim]

Yeah, me too but they don't have any metric rod...at least none I can find.

 

James M. Geidl, K6JMG
D.B. Cooper, you have  a message.
 

---

From: hbrob...@googlegroups.com [mailto:hbrob...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Claire Delaunay
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 2:26 PM

[Austin Hendrix]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#rotary-shafts/=i2bwpx
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-aluminum-rods/=i2bxhg
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-steel-rods/=i2bxph

On 06/20/2012 03:02 PM, Butokim wrote:
> Yeah, me too but they don't have any metric rod...at least none I can
> find.
>
> James M. Geidl, K6JMG

> /D.B. Cooper, you have a message./
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* hbrob...@googlegroups.com
> [mailto:hbrob...@googlegroups.com] *On Behalf Of *Claire Delaunay
> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 20, 2012 2:26 PM
> *To:* hbrob...@googlegroups.com
> *Subject:* Re: [HBRobotics] 6mm shaft material supplier

>
> I have the same metric issue with my nuts and rods :-)
> Usually I solve it buying at http://www.mcmaster.com

> <http://www.mcmaster.com/>
> Corebotswww.corebots.net

> On 20-Jun-12 2:04 PM, Butokim wrote:
>> Metric??? That would just be way too easy. :-) I will try Ace.
>> Thanks,
>> Jim
>>

>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> *From:* hbrob...@googlegroups.com
>> [mailto:hbrob...@googlegroups.com] *On Behalf Of *blackstag
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 20, 2012 1:36 PM
>> *To:* hbrob...@googlegroups.com
>> *Subject:* Re: [HBRobotics] 6mm shaft material supplier

>>
>> In Texas I grab it from ace hardware generally cheap for tool steel
>> rods in 36" lengths around 6 dollars here.
>>
>> On Wed, Jun 20, 2012 at 3:10 PM, jgeidl <but...@gmail.com
>> <mailto:but...@gmail.com>> wrote:
>>
>> Does anyone have a resource for 6mm steel or aluminum rod that
>> can be used for motor shafts? I am taking everyone's advice and
>> adding pillows blocks between my motors and wheels. The motors
>> have 6mm shafts. I can find 6mm drill stock and 6mm stainless
>> stock but both are pretty expensive my my standards. I found one
>> resource that has 6mm steell but they want to rape me on shipping
>> for a little piece of steel that can't weight over 1/2 pound.
>> Thanks,
>> Jim, K6JMG
>> --
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[Maddox.Robert]

Why not use pillow blocks that are 1/4” and just cut down the end to 6mm to fit the hubs?

 

[Butokim]

Thank You Austin. I didn't scroll down far enough. I ordered a piece. I
hope they don't stick it to me on the shipping. They don't tell you what
the shipping is until some later date.

James M. Geidl, K6JMG
D.B. Cooper, you have a message.

-----Original Message-----
From: hbrob...@googlegroups.com [mailto:hbrob...@googlegroups.com] On

[Butokim]

That went through my mind too.  The only reason I am sorta stuck on the 6mm is because the pillow blocks I found are 6mm.  I realize there are a million pillow blocks out there. 

 

IO may have solved the problem.  Austin showed me here to find 6mm aluminum on McMaster's site.  I wasn't looking far enough down their list.

 

James M. Geidl, K6JMG
D.B. Cooper, you have  a message.
 

---

From: hbrob...@googlegroups.com [mailto:hbrob...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Maddox.Robert
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 3:22 PM

[ce...@wrrf.org]

McMaster Carr had been good for us on the specialty items.  MSC is another one and I think their shipping is cheaper, Tim remembers better than me.

Sorry to miss the SIG tonight and the BIG general mtg next week.  I'm in Atlanta taking about robotics and engineering to career guidance counselors and next week to industry folks at a women engineers conference on Columbus OH, city of our alma mater

Ceal Craig
WRRF BOD Treasurer
(408) 828 2643
Ce...@WRRF.org

-----Original message-----

[Alan Marconett]

Could probably turn down the end(s) from .25" to .2362".

Alan

-----Original Message-----
On Behalf Of Albert Margolis

[Chuck Nolan]

G'Day All,

With a strong and tightly adjusted lathe, you might be able to hold press fit tolerances, if you cut and measure and then cut.  Repeat Repeat Repeat  The final cut would be just a few thousands of an inch.

When I had such tools in my machine shop, we would still buy precision shafting from Motion Industries on 2705 Lafayette Street, Santa Clara 408-727-6408

I haven't bought from them recently, but we never paid to have them bring in an item, if it was out of stock, unless we wanted shipment by air.

If Motion is less cooperative, I would ask the Tech Shop where they recommend that you buy materials, as most of their members are individuals, like most of the club members.

Regards,
Chuck

---

From: Alan Marconett <KM...@sbcglobal.net>
To: hbrob...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wed, June 20, 2012 5:03:18 PM
Subject: RE: [HBRobotics] 6mm shaft material supplier

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[Butokim]

Thanks, Techshop is a good idea.

Jim, K6JMG

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[Butokim]

Ok, Guys,  After all my bitching about shipping costs, the rod I order from McMaster-Carr is shipping and they only charged my $5.95 to ship it...VERY pleasant surprise.

 

James M. Geidl, K6JMG
D.B. Cooper, you have  a message.
 

---

From: hbrob...@googlegroups.com [mailto:hbrob...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Nolan
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 5:11 PM
To: hbrob...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [HBRobotics] 6mm shaft material supplier

[robotMaker]

Hi Jim:

I was going to say Orchard Supply, since this is where I use to get most of my robot parts. Anything will do for a robot part and they had a lot of 'anything', in your case, I would expect that if you can find a metric bolt, that might solve your problem.

Cesar

---

From: Butokim <but...@gmail.com>
To: hbrob...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 4:55 PM
Subject: RE: [HBRobotics] 6mm shaft material supplier

[Butokim]

Thanks, Cesar.  I have ordered a piece of 6mm rod from McMaster-Carr.  I have an OSH right up the street and it is a very nice store.  Just once I would like to go in there looking for something that I intend to use for its original purpose.  I am always looking for something that I can repurpose from my current project.

 

Jim

---

From: hbrob...@googlegroups.com [mailto:hbrob...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of robotMaker
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2012 9:41 AM

To: hbrob...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [HBRobotics] 6mm shaft material supplier

[David Cotterill-Drew]

Always get mine on Ebay...

--

[Butokim]

Never thought of that. Great idea. I will try that next time I run into this kind of problem.

Jim, K6JMG
--
Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

[blackstag]

you also have  http://www.amazonsupply.com/  if you have amazon prime no shipping. 

[Butokim]

David,

 

Even though I had a piece ordered I thought I would take a look at EBay for future reference.  I didn't have much luck on EBay either.  Trying to find plain old steel rod, not stainless, not chrome plated, not hardened and not $20 per foot, and not in some faraway land is quite a chore.  But, what I did find, that would have worked just fine, are inexpensive screwdrivers with 6mm shafts.  Typically, only the tips of screwdrivers are hardened so one could easily cut a chunk out of the middle of these tools and have the 6mm shaft.

 

Thanks for the tip.  In the long run it worked out great.

 

James M. Geidl, K6JMG
D.B. Cooper, you have  a message.
 

---

From: hbrob...@googlegroups.com [mailto:hbrob...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of David Cotterill-Drew
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2012 12:08 PM

To: hbrob...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [HBRobotics] 6mm shaft material supplier

[robotMaker]

Hi Jim:

I forgot to mention one more thing, I keep forgetting more and more now days. I just bought some 5mm shafts for my bot. The bearings from the hobby shop, come as 5mm ID, such as from http://www.buytraxxas.com. The 5mm shaft hold my spur gears with the 5mm bearings. For the input drive shafts, I'm using 1/4" solid aluminum and I'm using something like a pillow block but not a pillow block. The bearing holder that I'm using I bought from OSH sometime ago. They are 'eye bolts' with a steel bearing in the middle. I use this since I can easily align the shafts without mechanical stress. Where did I find the 5mm shafts? Easy, at Joann Fabrics. They are knitting needles, and come in metric sizes( including 6mm), solid aluminum or plastic. Here is a chart of the sizes:

http://www.yarnfwd.com/main/needleconv.html

Cesar

---

From: Butokim <but...@gmail.com>
To: hbrob...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2012 12:37 PM

--

[KM6VV]

Just a comment,

I think 5mm aluminum shafts for axles is not a good idea.  Too soft, could easily twist.  I'd use drill rod.  A little tougher to work, but worth it.

Alan  KM6VV

[Butokim]

Knitting needles...what a neat idea.  Maybe I can freak them out for awhile when I go in with a micrometer and start reading their needles.

 

James M. Geidl, K6JMG
D.B. Cooper, you have  a message.
 

From: hbrob...@googlegroups.com [mailto:hbrob...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of robotMaker

Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2012 8:29 PM

[Alan Marconett]

Check the surplus outlets!  Lots of hardware used ¼” drill rod shafts, bearings, gears; you name it!

 

Alan KM6VV

 

From: hbrob...@googlegroups.com [mailto:hbrob...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Butokim
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 9:42 AM
To: hbrob...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [HBRobotics] 6mm shaft material supplier

 

Knitting needles...what a neat idea.  Maybe I can freak them out for awhile when I go in with a micrometer and start reading their needles.

 

James M. Geidl, K6JMG

[Butokim]

 

Alan,

 

I can find drill stock but intentionally avoided it because it is so hard.  There isn't any chance that the little guy I am working on is going to twist a steel or aluminum rod 6mm in dia. 

 

James M. Geidl, K6JMG
D.B. Cooper, you have  a message.
 

---

From: hbrob...@googlegroups.com [mailto:hbrob...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Alan Marconett
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 9:46 AM

To: hbrob...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [HBRobotics] 6mm shaft material supplier

Check the surplus outlets!  Lots of hardware used ¼” drill rod shafts, bearings, gears; you name it!

 

Alan KM6VV

 

From: hbrob...@googlegroups.com [mailto:hbrob...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Butokim
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 9:42 AM
To: hbrob...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [HBRobotics] 6mm shaft material supplier

 

Knitting needles...what a neat idea.  Maybe I can freak them out for awhile when I go in with a micrometer and start reading their needles.

 

James M. Geidl, K6JMG

--

[robotMaker]

I have done that, just to make sure, and the needles are precisely what they are marked to be. They are precision made, polished and tough. I usually get, "may I help you?" with a suspicious look on their faces.

Cesar

---

From: Butokim <but...@gmail.com>
To: hbrob...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 11:41 AM

[Christopher Myers]

Cesar,

  I have used these as bearings which do make alignment much easier, especially when you tighten up everything.  I've always called them "heim joints" but after a quick wikipedia foray found more info   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_end_bearing

[Alan Marconett]

Self-aligning might be easier, but you really want to FORCE the alignment.  Shaft A is located by these two bearing positions, and is therefore in alignment with shaft B…

 

Often critical bearings and supports are line-bored for accuracy.  If you make them yourself, you can often bore/drill them together to insure “paired” parts.

 

Alan KM6VV

[jgeidl]

Just an update.  I got my 6mm rod from McMaster-Carr a few minutes ago.  So, not only did they treat me right on shipping they filled the order in in less than 48 hours.  Good company.

 

Jim,K6JMG

[robotMaker]

Yep, those are the ones. In my case, they are very handy since I can move the drive shafts out of alignment out of the way, to get to the gear train, without having to disassemble the drive shaft assembly, just loosen one bolt, twist and get things done.

Cesar

---

From: Christopher Myers <cmye...@gmail.com>
To: hbrob...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 12:25 PM

[Michael]

Cesar,

That sounds interesting, but I am having a hard time visualizing this
setup. Would you mind posting a couple of pictures somewhere?

Michael