Doing the impossible!!

[jarndice]

I have been trying to get an M3 nut onto an impossibly located M3 bolt, tried all the suggestions I have seen here and elsewhere, the problem was that my fingers were long enough BUT TWO control rods (1/8 scale aircraft fuselage) were in the way I thought about putting the nut in the end of a plastic bendy drinking straw, I walked away thinking I had finally lost my marbles!!
But nothing ventured nothing gained,
BUGGER but it worked,
It is a very tight fit in the end of the straw which is exactly what I needed,
I recommend the straw be very dry as well as your fingers.
So hex spanner in the head of the bolt then threaded the straw through and past the control rods,
( If you are working in a confined space I recommend a head torch ) and onto the end of the bolt,
I gave the straw a twist and low and behold success.
It only works with nuts 5mm across the flats, which is the norm for M3 bolts and I do use a lot of M3 nuts and bolts in my builds so I hope it helps others when they have tried everything else.
shaun

[ALPHA]

Interesting concept Wo1c.....would that mean you could also increase the cross measurement with a bit of shrink wrap...Before using the straw extender???

ALPHA

[jarndice]

Your Brigadiership Sir, I was thinking that it works because of the strength of the plastic gripping each flat of the NUT/SCREW both firmly and equally. I doubt that scrinkwrap has both the flexibility to take and grip the NUT/SCREW whilst having the rigidity to allow the NUT/SCREW to be driven into place.
Using a plastic straw allows a better view of the place that you need the NUT/SCREW to go without it being obscured by fingers/grips/pliars/sockets.
I would be reluctant to try it if the straw is not vertical, I have doubts as to the strength of the sidewall when under load.
For gaining access where fingers or mechanical grips are too big/clumsy it would certainly be worth a try.
shaun.

[ALPHA]

Your Brigadiership Sir, I was thinking that it works because of the strength of the plastic gripping each flat of the NUT/SCREW both firmly and equally. I doubt that scrinkwrap has both the flexibility to take and grip the NUT/SCREW whilst having the rigidity to allow the NUT/SCREW to be driven into place.
Using a plastic straw allows a better view of the place that you need the NUT/SCREW to go without it being obscured by fingers/grips/pliars/sockets.
I would be reluctant to try it if the straw is not vertical, I have doubts as to the strength of the sidewall when under load.
For gaining access where fingers or mechanical grips are too big/clumsy it would certainly be worth a try.
shaun.

I hear what you are saying Wo1c....but I think you misconstrue my addition to your concept...the shrink wrap would be used for anything smaller than what you were applying the straw too....you could heat the shrink wrap to tighten it's hold....then if slipping should occur between the two plastic surfaces you could add a bit of glue...So you are still using the straw....just applying it to smaller fasteners

Maybe you could provide some photos

Just kidding...we all know you are selective in what you photograph

Happy Holidays to you and yours Wo1c

ALPHA

[jarndice]

I get where you are coming from Sir,
If I wanted to use a smaller NUT/SCREW I would cut a sliver of MASKING TAPE and stick it on opposite sides of the NUT/SCREW and the smaller the NUT/SCREW the more layers of MASKING TAPE I would apply.
The lady Janet and I are very grateful for the good wishes my friend.
We hope you and yours have a peaceful and joyous Christmas and New Year.
shaun.

[ALPHA]

I get where you are coming from Sir,
If I wanted to use a smaller NUT/SCREW I would cut a sliver of MASKING TAPE and stick it on opposite sides of the NUT/SCREW and the smaller the NUT/SCREW the more layers of MASKING TAPE I would apply.
The lady Janet and I are very grateful for the good wishes my friend.
We hope you and yours have a peaceful and joyous Christmas and New Year.
shaun.

HMMMMMMMMMMMM....Video of that masking process would be nice
Unfortunately...and I speak for myself....masking really becomes a tedious task when cursed with thumbs ....need nimble fingers to do a job as you describe...and perhaps a little bit of pinstripe tape

You all have snow there yet Wo1c?....Seems no one has it yet

ALPHA

[jarndice]

I bought an over priced TAMIYA Magnifyer some years ago and when it comes to detailing it really does go on the list of tools that you wonder how you ever managed before you got it. "Dremmel/ Microsaw/ Pin Vise."
Ahh yes snow, I live in the southern half of England (just to the North of London) And we get a flurry of snow one day in November and the next time we see it is at the end of January through to the end of February, Painless will be trembling with fear when he discovers we have sometimes had as much as 3 INCHES of snow in a 24 hour period!! although it is usually gone by the next day,
Not for nothing are we known by the rest of the UK as the softy Southerners and similar and ruder epithets.
shaun.

[ALPHA]

I bought an over priced TAMIYA Magnifyer some years ago and when it comes to detailing it really does go on the list of tools that you wonder how you ever managed before you got it. "Dremmel/ Microsaw/ Pin Vise."

TOOLS.....Interesting that you mention that Wo1c....takes me back to a short discussion Mcevoyi coined on the subject....a lot was said...a lot of favorites revealed .....what is most interesting about you bringing it up is...you used the most important tool you have to solve your dilemma ...the tool you were born with...nurtured by many as you grew ....It's funny how that tool is taken for granted....but in this case...it gave you the problem solving process of coming up with using a Straw ...how a utensil of meager use ...became a tool
Now...with that said......What the Heck you doin having straws handy....not many homes have them less there are munckins in the house....Are you one of those beer guzzlers that sip through those lengthy tubes????????????

Ahh yes snow, I live in the southern half of England (just to the North of London) And we get a flurry of snow one day in November and the next time we see it is at the end of January through to the end of February, Painless will be trembling with fear when he discovers we have sometimes had as much as 3 INCHES of snow in a 24 hour period!! although it is usually gone by the next day,
Not for nothing are we known by the rest of the UK as the softy Southerners and similar and ruder epithets.
shaun.

Such language....might only be used to describe Amercans ....yes indeed ..we all cut to the chase...no mincing of words ...beating around the bush...we laugh in the face of danger...spit on a fallen enemy ...we are truly Bastards....but that's beside the point
The inquiry was to SNOW....do you have it there now...or is it as scarce as everywhere else ?

Carpe Diem Wo1c

ALPHA

[jarndice]

In my real job (Grandfather) a couple of years ago I served ice cream lemonade to my two Granddaughters, this item of Haute Cuisine as I am sure you know requires drinking straws and while in my childhood wax paper straws were fine, todays youth will settle for nothing less than "BENDY PLASTIC STRAWS".
As to the Snow I recollect mentioning we have every November a Snow flurry which lasts no longer than a Readers Digest version of "War & Peace" and then in late January into February we get a little more Snow but the month between November and January we almost never get any snow, most certainly not at Christmas,
I of course am speaking of where I live not about the weather patterns across the more northerly parts of Great Britain,
Right now I am looking out of the window of the office/library and there is a thick fog making it difficult to see the nearer of two BEECH Trees near the bottom of the garden.
I am waiting in anticipation of the inevitable crash of a large branch of that Tree falling on the roof of my son in laws car, goodness only knows I have warned him but unlike your confidence in what is encased between my ears he truly believes that he knows better. Time, an aging Beech tree, and fate will prove him wrong.
Take care old friend. shaun

[ALPHA]

In my real job (Grandfather) a couple of years ago I served ice cream lemonade to my two Granddaughters, this item of Haute Cuisine as I am sure you know requires drinking straws and while in my childhood wax paper straws were fine, todays youth will settle for nothing less than "BENDY PLASTIC STRAWS".

Ahhh,,,,For some reason I pictured you as being a spry energetic youth...still hobnobbing and taking in some well earned world travels...not one who enjoys Grand Parental duties ....The experience of pacifying kidlets is evident ....plying Grand kids with shakes is quite the strategy...and yes ...those Bendy Straws do assist in avoiding situations like this


Once again...that is beside the point.....which is now.........YOU HAVE A TWO YEAR STOCK OF STRAWS???????????

As to the Snow I recollect mentioning we have every November a Snow flurry which lasts no longer than a Readers Digest version of "War & Peace" and then in late January into February we get a little more Snow but the month between November and January we almost never get any snow, most certainly not at Christmas,
I of course am speaking of where I live not about the weather patterns across the more northerly parts of Great Britain,
Right now I am looking out of the window of the office/library and there is a thick fog making it difficult to see the nearer of two BEECH Trees near the bottom of the garden.
I am waiting in anticipation of the inevitable crash of a large branch of that Tree falling on the roof of my son in laws car, goodness only knows I have warned him but unlike your confidence in what is encased between my ears he truly believes that he knows better. Time, an aging Beech tree, and fate will prove him wrong.
Take care old friend. shaun

Nothing I could add to that...except....in some cases ...we all have to learn...sometimes the hard way

You must live in at a High Elevation there Wo1c .....Fog usually doesn't show it's haze in lower parts...must be cool (temp wise )at least...which must make for memorable evenings in front of a crackling fire

Carpe Diem Wo1c


ALPHA