 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
First,
I flattened these nubs and drilled a small pilot hole in place
of them.
:: See
image 5 after shot...
NOTE ::
The use of a drill press is highly recommended for some of
the following steps.
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
Next,
I will resurface the other ends of these pistons. These are
the ends where the aluminum rods are installed.
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
Using
a circle compass, I found the radius of the piston ends and
marked the center for each peice.
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
Here,
I'm in the process of threading the cuff ends of the arm pistons.
I typically use SAE 30 motor oil to help ease the thread cutting
process.
The red
arrow indicates where I've drilled a 7/16" opening for
the aluminum piston shafts.
Here again,
these parts will need to be polished up but I will deal with
that later.
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
As
I mentioned earlier, at least one of the arm pistons will
have to be modifyed to work with the cuff mount. The red arrow
indicates where I've carved out a groove.
This is
a good time to test fit your hardware. With mine, I removed
the lower protruded keys for a better fit.
:: See
image 1 before shot...
NOTE ::
These pieces should never be glued in place!!!
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
Here,
I've test fit the piston with the mount in place. The red
arrow indicates the newly carved clearance.
As for
the other two pistons, fitting is close but there is no need
to modify them.
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
After
making sure everything fits well, epoxy in the main beam of
the arm to the cuff.
You may
use either tape or rubber bands to hold the beam in place
while the epoxy sets.
NOTE ::
Be sure to install the base screw before the glue sets!
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
When
given the opportunity, I will go a little overboard on making
an epoxy bond as strong as it can possibly be. Here, I've
drilled a few extra holes for the epoxy to flow through when
attached to the wrist plate.
By doing
this, I've just created over 360 planes of bonding power.
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
Here,
I've carved in a little flow groove on the bottom of the wrist
plate. This will help to releave pressure when these two parts
come together.
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
Thread
the cuff to the elbow. This makes the perfect, upright stand
for you.
Now, epoxy
the hand in to place.
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
Ball
and socket joints between the arm and the wrist.
On the
left, you will need to remove excess up to the first rib.
The red arrows indicate these areas.
On the
right, you will need to resurface and drill a 3/8" x
1/4" opening for the aluminum rods that come with the
kit.
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
This
photo represents an early stage of the cleanup of these parts.
NOTE ::
I've drilled a small pilot hole in each of the ball ends.
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
Here,
I've shaved off the upper hemisphere of each ball end. Cut
three 10/32 round head screws like shown and epoxy them in
place.
You should
still retain a nice spherical shape with these parts.
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
Epoxy
these parts in place like shown. Each piece should line up
with the screws heads on the top of the wrist plate.
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
Test
fit the socket ends to the aluminum rods.
It's a
good idea to drill a release valve for the excess epoxy to
flow through. The read arrows indicate these holes. You can
always come back and fill them later.
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
Test
fit all of the parts. Thread in the screws only far enough
that the rods line up to the angles that you need.
NOTE ::
Only the bottom screw has been epoxied in place. The other
three should not be glued!!
Once you
have everything line up correctly, connect the arm back to
the elbow and stand.
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
A
little modification to the arm piston ends.
Here,
I picked up a few of those magnetic thingies found out almost
any hardware or auto parts store. Cut the ends like shown
and drill the piston ends to accomodate them.
I've made
a diagram here to indicate a few depths. Epoxy the magnets
in place like shown.
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
With
the arm in the stand, epoxy in place these newly magnetized
piston ends. Be sure to wipe away any excess that flows out
of the vent holes you created ealier.
Allow
this to firmly set before proceeding.
NOTE ::
Glue only the upper portions. The lower portions of the aluminum
rods must move freely.
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
Final
stage of this assembly is a snap...
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
...snap
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
...snap!
You will
not need to use any glue with these three joints.
|
|
|
|
 |
STAGE
VIII :: Arm Pistons Concept
|
Now
that I've got almost all of the parts in one assembly, I'm
going to work out a few details for the cables and some other
odds and ends that go with the kit.
Click
NEXT to continue...
|
|
|
|