One of the neat things about 3D printing is that you can create custom parts to fit salvage to use in projects. For example, [Willyrags05] took a lamp — looks like something you might find at a resale shop — harvested the gooseneck tubes from it.
Before 3D printing, it would have required ingenuity to cobble together some way to secure base and add a clamp to the other end. A blob of epoxy wouldn’t look as nice and not everyone can machine nice round adapters. Don’t have the same lamp? No problem. You can easily modify the adapters or create new ones to print for yourself.
Outside of the 3D printer, the project required a way to cut the ends off the tubes. [Willy] used a chop saw, but it seems like a hacksaw or bolt cutters might work. Neatness doesn’t count since the printed adapter will cover all sins.
Once the tubes are ready, some glue, magnets, and alligator clips (why aren’t these crocodile clips?) complete the assembly. [Willy] mentions he needs stronger magnets, but we might have been tempted to make the bases wider with depressions for multiple magnets. This is probably a project you won’t duplicate exactly, but it may well inspire you to upcycle that old lamp in the attic.
Maybe you prefer a vise-like holder. There are plenty of other choices.
Nice ! Very usefull as you always miss one hand or two when soldering.
Btw in french it’s a “crocodile clip” !
To me they are crocodile clips too (native UK speaker).
In Finnish they are “pike jaws”, as in the fish.
“Krokodilklemme” or shorter “Krokoklemme” – I’ll let you all guess which language. :-)
Roach Clips here in Canada
The cheap ones get fish lipped and won’t hold finer wires and leads, the worst won’t when new. They get whopper jawed! Time for a new gator to come along and swallow the fish.
Oh for the Mueller clips of old. Cleveland Ohio. I have some still going strong.
I have a clip each pointing up on 2 weighted bases without any length of arm. Compact and used often.
The short length enables resting hands on the bench to do fine work, some try to do this fine work in the air with arms having to provide stability. Good if you can play the Theremin but not for most of us.
Still around.
https://ww2.muellerelectric.com/
Ask them why it is called “alligator clip” , they invented them.
This isn’t a hack it’s a diversion. This really doesn’t belong on hack a day.
Yeah this is perfect hack a day fodder. It’s about reuse and modification. Indeed a hacked together solution.
I’m personally tired of those clamps (as in, the end part that actually clamps down on things, or rather, is supposed to). I’m looking for a better quality alternative. Anybody found something?
Omnifixo FTW