Introduction: Mechanical Connections: Textile to Metal and Wood - Werkplaatsidc

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In this instructable I will show how to connect textile to metal or to a small piece of wood.

I'll show 3 different methods.

Method 1: Seaming Metal: Step 2 - 6

Method 2: Rod into tube: Step 7 - 10

Method 3: Rod into block: Step 7 - 8 and 11

Step 1: Tools + Materials

Tools

The basic tools you are going to need are:

- Pen / Pencil / Sharpie

- Ruler

- Scissors

- Utility knife

- Vise

Tools Method 2 - Rod into tube:

- Basic tools

- Pliers

- Dremel with metal cutting disk

- Sewing machine

- Pins

- Bit of sanding paper

Tools Method 3 - Rod into block:

- Basic tools

- Drill

- Sewing machine

- Pins

Materials:

- 2 pieces of fabric measuring 150mm x 150mm

- A sheet of aluminium 0.8mm thick - this thickness can be easily cut with utility knife, and easily bend by hand

- Rod: 4 mm diameter

- Aluminium tube: 10 mm diameter

Step 2: Method 1: Seaming Metal

In this method you will need:

Aluminium sheet

Basic tools

Cut a strip of the aluminium sheet using your utility knife.

The strip should be 30mm wide and 150mm long.

Measure 10mm from the top and mark a line.

Step 3: Bending the Strip

Put the strip in the vise, leaving 20mm exposed from the top.

To avoid marks from the vise, put a piece of cardboard, wood, ... between the workpiece and the vise.

Bend the top piece over.

Step 4: Closing the Strip (1)

Put the aluminium strip in the vise under a 45° degree angle.

Do not close the strip all the way. Leave it a bit open like on the photograph.

Step 5: Closing the Strip (2)

Put the strip in the vise and insert the peice of textile.

Now you can close the strip all the way.

Step 6: Second Bend

This is the last step.

The strip will be bend for a second time to ensure a tight bond.

Step 7: Method 2: Rod Into Tube

You will need basic tools + tools Method 2.

The first step is to mark where you will bend over the textile.

Bend the textile and hold it in place with a few pins over the entire length.

This ensures that the textile won't unfold while sewing.

Step 8: Sewing

Sew the folded piece of textile.

TIP: To make that the pins can easily be removed, put the thicker side toward yourself while sewing.

Insert the rod into pocket you just sewed.

Step 9: Aluminium Tube

Mark two lines on the tube.

Put the tube into a vise. I would not reccomend to clamp the tube like I did.

Use the dremel to cut along the lines. Make sure to put on safety glasses.

Use a piece of sanding paper to clean up the rough edges left behind from the Dremel.

TIP: Choose a tube that is close to diameter of the rod. This wil minimize play of the rod in the tube, and create an even greater connection.

The closer the tube fits inside the tube, the smaller the slot will need to be.

Step 10: Inserting Textile Into Tube

Put the piece of textile with the inserted rod into the tube.

Use a pair of pliers to close the tube.

The textile is now firmly attached to the tube

Step 11: Method 3: Rod Into Block

Textile to wood or rectangular block

You will need: basic tools + tools Method 3

This method uses the same rod technique from method 2, only now we are going to attach it to a block.

This block can be metal, natural wood or MDF.

TIP: When using MDF do not drill the hole like on the photograph. When drilling the hole like this the MDF will crack for sure, if not right away certainly when put under load.

Step 1: Drill hole through the piece.

Step 2: Make a slot along the length of the hole.

Step 3: Insert textile with rod.