Tool for holding hot 1/4" mandrels?

Heather/Ericaceae · #1 2008-01-19, 3:42pm

Hi folks,

I occasionally make magnets on the end of 1/4" mandrels. I'd do it a lot more often, but the dang things transfer heat and I need to use welding gloves to hold them. It's still hot and very uncomfortable.

I'm wondering whether these tools would help:

http://www.artcoinc.com/rod_holders.php

They're rod holders, intended to help finish off glass rod shorts. I like that they have a round shaft, so I could spin them just like a mandrel. Would they be strong enough to hold the 1/4" steel mandrels cut down to maybe 4" long? Has anyone tried this?

Thanks for your feedback! Cheers - Heather

evolvingBeau · #2 2008-01-19, 3:50pm

Those would probably work but you might want to just try some 1/4" stainless tubing..same diameter but it won't transfer heat..
Not sure exactly what you are doing so maybe there is a reason that wouldn't work?

Heather/Ericaceae · #3 2008-01-20, 9:43am

I'm building on the end... but it should still work with tubing, yeah. :blush:

BUT - maybe this tool would be good for holding threaded tubing for making knobs? My question is how strong is the grip on these fellas?

ArtcoInc · #4 2008-01-20, 10:15am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heather/Ericaceae

I'm building on the end... but it should still work with tubing, yeah. :blush:

BUT - maybe this tool would be good for holding threaded tubing for making knobs? My question is how strong is the grip on these fellas?

Tell you what .... Try one, and if it doesn't work for your application, you can send it back.

Malcolm

gwacie · #5 2008-01-20, 10:19am

Is it just the threaded rods that are bugging you? try screwing a bunch of nuts onto the rod above where your hand holds it by a couple of inches. It should act as a heat sink. If it's not threaded rod then switch to tubing for sure. The only burns I get with tubing is when there is liquid (water or wet release) in the middle...then watch out as it turns into a very hot a steam pipe!

ArtcoInc · #6 2008-01-20, 10:20am

An update:

I just tried to put a 1/4" mandrel in each of these. Because of the hinge on the clamp jaw, you can't slide a 1/4" mandrel all the way down inside of either of these. One style can hold on to 2" of the mandrel, the other can only hold on to 1-1/2".

I don't know if this would impact the way you were planning on using them.

Malcolm