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

[carnotricecooker]

Thanks for the instructable! Say, what's the estimated cost of the total unit? It would also help if you posted the make/model/part no. for any components if possible.

[n1cod3mus]

I estimate about £15 not including the motor which was salvaged.

It hard to give makes and models as it was just an old circular saw which I had kicking around originally from B&Q but they dont make it any more.

[n1cod3mus]

to be honest most of this was just junk I had laying around at the time. I have since decided that this actuator Is not going to do what I need it to do and I'm going to build a scissor lift arrangement.

[trey710]

Just curious. What would something like this lift. I'm wanting to lift about 30 lbs and i'm not sure if something like a drill will do that.

[n1cod3mus]

you might want to put it though a gear box first to get the torque, you could use a wheel chair motor, or washing machine motor.

[n1cod3mus]

you would also need a bigger thread and nut, as you dont want the thread to be stripped off. my one lifted about 5kg with out issues.

[trey710]

Thanks for the feedback. After I saw this I was digging around a bit more and found a scissor lift idea I liked.
In the end I'm trying to build a standing desk kind of like the Wallaby standing desk. I think I can take an old car jack, weld a pole to it vertically and place platforms on the pole. A simple drill attachment to the scissor jack would raise and lower my desk.
Another weekend project....

[n1cod3mus]

excellent, do you have the link to the scissor lift project as I too am building something which would be quicker and more stable with a scissor lift.

[n1cod3mus]

another idea might be to make a scissor lift.

[iridiumobsidian]

I was wondering if there's a way to actuate this linear actuator by way of infrared remote control like in this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLodZGNvV9k

[boston7513]

Wicked cool instructable I would not have thought it was so easy. I was thinking about how linear motors work before I did this search and I hadn't thought to do it this way Thank you!

[n1cod3mus]

no problem

[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.

[n1cod3mus]

I've actually changed my mind about using this in my former and i'm opting for a scissor lift type setup

[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.