Cheap coupler between stepper and allthread

[kylecroft]

Hi

I am trying to build a linear slide. I have a small unipolar stepper motor. The shaft is a gear (see pic) that measures 5/16" from the end of one tooth to the opposite tooth. I want to couple this to a 1/4" or 5/16" all-threaded rod. I would like to be able to do this cheap (<$15) and I would prefer to be able to get the parts at a local hardware store.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Kyle

[mxtras]

You could do it for next to free if you use a piece of stiff hose or tubing.

Your pic did not attach, by the way.

Scott

[kylecroft]

Oops, here's the pic. I wasn't able to get a very good pic, but I'll put this one up anyways. About the tube: do you suggest epoxying or just friction-fitting the tube onto the rod and motor?

Thanks for the reply,
Kyle

[the__extreme]

I don't know how cheap or crude you're looking to go here but...

You could epoxy a 1/4" T-nut to the gear. Look up weld nut on mcmaster.com. You could expect some serious misalignment though!

You could also get some wood dowling, drill a 1/4" hole in it, jam the gear into one end and thread the rod into the other. This would be for a 5/16" threaded rod. Probably want to glue the gear in place also.

The tubing is also a good idea, allows your joint the flexibility for misalignment. I'd go with the tube. Depending on what size you get, it should hold without epoxy: http://www.8linx.com/cnc/day6.htm

- Shawn

[kylecroft]

Thanks for the reply!
I think I'll go with the tube. Thanks for the picture, too!

Kyle

[SORCHEROR]

cant you remove the gear from the shaft?what size motor is that?are you making just one?

[SORCHEROR]

you have a unipolar driver for them yet?

[kylecroft]

Originally Posted by SORCHEROR cant you remove the gear from the shaft?what size motor is that?are you making just one?

I suppose I could remove the gear using this method:
http://www.beam-online.com/Robots/Tu...ger/pager.html
but that would just make a bigger size difference between the rod and shaft.

I don't know what you want for the size

Yes, I'm only making one

And I have a Linnistepper for the driver.

[SORCHEROR]

well i guess your best bet is the stiff tubing and some clamps
steve