Making a Powerful Linear Actuator

I looked at buying a Linear actuator but they are too expensive for the project i wanted to do so I thought i would make one and document it for Instructables so that others can follow what i do for their project or improve on it.

I have 2 options for you guys here, the frist option I tried and a slightly improved model.

Step 1 What you will need

You will need the following materials and tools

Tools:-

Welder - Optional

Hacksaw - a junior hacksaw is fine

flat head screw driver

vice - i used a hobby vice which was fine

Mitre block

Hammer

a metal file

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Materials : -

Epoxy Resin - Araldite is what i used

threaded rod - M10

Nuts - M10

piece of clothes rail

clothes rail holder

DC Motor or a Cordless Drill with forward and reverse

Petroleum jelly

Comments

[heathbar64]

You will find some very useful gears in an old kitchen mixer. they have a worm gear and two ring gears to go on it. this could mount the motor perpendicular to the screw.

[espdp2]

I like it. I have some ideas that could use that. What have you used it for? And roughly how powerful is it?

[n1cod3mus]

I havnt used it yet i was intending to use it to raise a vacuum platform for a vacuum former i was going to build but i have found another method.

i expect it could lift a fair weight as the motor is an 18v that came from a cordless circular saw.

[zack247]

very cool!

[n1cod3mus]

thanks man, i'm sure there are ways to imporve on the design, i am still lloking at a way of gearing it so the motor is beside the shaft, but i cant figure a way using cheap materials where the gears wont give out to quickly.

[DeadlyDad]

If space isn't a problem, what about using bicycle sprockets and a short piece of chain? Heck, by using two different sizes, you could change the speed of actuation at the same time. You could also try stopping by a garage or photocopier repair place. Either should have junked strong gears that would do the trick.