Blog (Tips & News)
subscribe to our rss feed
by
scott
Jun 23 2009
Make Cheap Standoffs with Nylon Tubing
Tan Tran came up with a cheap substitute for aluminum standoffs: nylon tubing. Polyethylene does a decent job too, and can be had for under $.10 a foot at your local hardware store. The 1/4" OD (outside diameter) stuff shown in these pics accommodates up to #8 size screws.
Neat tip! My Dad uses Hama beads (http://elgusanoinfame.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/hama_beads.jpg) as spacers. I think they’re about right for M3 bolts and have the advantage of being ready cut to a uniform length. You can get huge tubs of them from toy shops for not very much money, handy to have in the workshops!
Very nice tip. Awesome idea.
If nylon tube is too luxurious, you could salvage the insulating jacket from cables and heavier gauge wires.
Nice tip. but an even better material to use is the tube that makes up any one of the millions of cheap disposal Bic type ball point pens. Their tough, sturdy and always free.
great ideas…
The white Bic Pens can be sliced the same way as well
(complete instructions)