pinch bolt knob

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I have this removable vise here that's mounted to a 2 inch tubing that goes into 2.53" trailer hitch receiver tubing.  It's really sturdy, but a little sloppy, so i tapped it and used a 1/4 20tpi for pinch bolt.  Problem is, no matter how short I cut the handle, it would still catch on my shirt.Was going to get a plastic knob that has a 1/4 20 sticking out, but seeing that I have some spare 2" spheres around, I decided to make a handle.drill through the center of the ball, and cut off the head of the bolt.  Plug weld, chuck it up to my cordless drill and polish it on a belt sander.problem solved.
Reply:Nice work! I woud have used a short bolt and keep a wrench handy or maybe use one of those flat knurled plastic handles with a metal insert. But sure yours looks way better!
Reply:next time d & t it on the  side and you wont have to use up your balls like that..
Reply:Very cute!  Must be nice to have a couple extra big bronze balls hangin' around!  Me, I would have located it on the back right corner, at 45*, halfway up.  That would tighten the inside tube to two sides to take up the play in BOTH directions.  And it would be out of the way.  However, that would be good for right handers only!  Also, I would have used a 1/2" +/- disk 2.5" diam for easier gripping.  And a bigger fine thread bolt like 3/8-24 or 1/2-20, grade 8 with the end ground smooth and flat so it won't mar up the inside (vise) tube.  Yours looks very nice though!
Reply:Originally Posted by Fabn4Fun  However, that would be good for right handers only!
Reply:Bistineau - sorry - my ignorant superstition showing thru!  Good thing I didn't say anything about "wrong-handed" . . .
Reply:Eye bolts work well too for snagless fasteners.  You can weld a nut or washer on if you need a shoulder.  And they can be torqued/untorqued with an adjustable wrench, screwdriver, or other piece of material that fits through the eye.
Reply:Bistineau:  i know what youre saying about lefties.  I am left dominant (as in i write with my left) but i can do anything else right handed.  partially out of nature and partially because i injured my left hand pretty bad a few years ago and had to learn.  its nice being able to get into spots without a thought that others have trouble with
Reply:If your going to have a threaded holw how about just using a set screw.  no snagging involved.  Snagging is for salmon fishing
Reply:This is too funny a coincidence... Oxy, I really like your choice of vise, the orientation and location on your bench. I like how you think.Take a look at my vise setup.  You can just see the two bolts I use to keep the reciever tight.  I used solid 1" round bar, cut a notch in the side.  Stick welded that to the corner of the steel tubing.  After that I drilled and tapped the through holes in the 1" bar stock.  Note: there is a wooden drawer there, when fully shut, it just misses the bolts.  Because of the top drawer, there is not enough room to add t handles to the bolts. This means I have to use a wrench to really tighten them up, but that's not a big deal.  Oh, and for anyone who is thinking of a receiver hitch style slip fit, with a corner bolt system.  Please learn from my mistake.  Make sure the seam of the outer tube is adjacent to the screw bosses..  When I tighten up the bolts, one of the surfaces of the inner tube hits the weld seam of my outer tube.  not a good idea.  I will fix with a die grinder and hand file, but thats a pain in the neck.  --zip. Attached ImagesLast edited by zipzit; 04-27-2012 at 08:49 PM.
Reply:I found a better view of the receiver hitch with corner bolts...  This was an in-process photo.. I had just finished countersinking the three bolts that hold the vise to the steel plate.  That plate sits flat on top of the bench.  Next step was to weld a square tube to the bottom of that plate. Attached Images
Reply:Looks great!  mine not as nice piece 3 inch pipe wheel off 18 wheeler. Really nice table too.
Reply:That would make a cool custom shift know for a manual too.Looks great.I don't think I will ever get tired of seeing random stuff people come up with to make their life easier, or just for decoration.
Reply:Originally Posted by zipzitThis is too funny a coincidence... Oxy, I really like your choice of vise, the orientation and location on your bench. I like how you think.
Reply:I don't think they were suggesting a larger bolt to get more clamping force. A larger bolt with its larger surface area will take longer to disfigure the threads from use and if something was to fall against it, it is less likely to bend the "dainty" 1/4" bolt.Not a big deal. In a few years IF you have an issue, it would be easy to drill out the plug weld holding the bolt and D/T the hole larger. I like the use of the ball cause you don't see that everyday and it looks comfy for gripping.Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:strong recommend for the bigger bolt....this is 3/4 and really holds the  insert snug.. Attached Images
Reply:Well, I like it Oxy. The balls are great for stuff like this. I use them in my work a lot too. I must have a couple hundred in stock. I use big nut's and washers too for "tightening knobs". 1" size works great. Washer welded to the bolt head on edge so it's like a big key handle. I'm to lazy to tap the hole though. I just drill a 1/16th oversize hole and weld on a nut.  200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.