Does anyone know where to find specialized hardware, specifically a universal ball joint (the kind that has a ball in a socket and swivels). I’m trying to build an adjustment mechanism on a music stand, but can’t locate a source for this type of hardware.
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Replies
Locally, if you go to a camera store you should be able to find a basic ball and socket swivel meant to go on top of a tripod to mount a camera. The threads on camera mounts are all 1/4-20.
Reid Tool Supply Company, www. reidtool.com, has a few different items that might work, look under swivels and universal mounting systems. MSC probably has something similar.
John W.
How big do you think it needs to be? I made something like this a while back on a piece of sculpture.
I used a 3" diameter wood ball in hole with a bronze washer shaped plate which used screws into the wood around the hole to capture the ball in the hole. A 3/4" round tenon pass through the hole in the capturing plate, and into a matching hole in the ball. The screw tightness was the adjustment for compression on the ball.
I know this may be hard to follow, and may not fit your situation. If you don't find a better solution, email me and I'll send you a photo of a prototype that is still out in the shop. Good luck K
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