Connecting Bar Stock to Shaft Collar

[dmw16]

I am trying to build a rack and I want to basically make an "X" from metal bar stock and then put a shaft collar and each of the 4 ends so that I can fasten the "X" to four pieces of tube stock.

I have looked on a few sites (namely McMaster Carr), but all of the shaft collars are simply made to fasten around tube (or other shaped) stock with no provisions made for fastening anything to the outside diameter of the Shaft Collar.

Does anyone know where I can get a shaft collar that will accommodate the attachment of rectangular bar stock?

Thanks.

EDIT:

Something like this: http://i49.tinypic.com/24ngrdf.jpg

 

[Triumph]

drill it and bolt it together? i can't quite picture what you're describing.

 

[dmw16]

added a crappy pic to the original post...

 

[FoBoT]

do you weld or live near Bryophyte (she has a welder)?

 

[Triumph]

blocked at work.

 

[Howard]

It has to be disassemblable, I assume, so no welding? Rod ends aren't quite what you're looking for, though.

Why not buy a rack, or at least build it from aluminum T-slot framing?

 

[dmw16]

do you weld or live near Bryophyte (she has a welder)?

I don't think so. The other challenge is that I need 8 of them and they need to be pretty precise. So a guy with a welder probably wouldn't give me the result I need.

I guess it seemed like something that should exist. But maybe not

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Why not take the bar stock and collars to a local shop and have them welded on?

 

[dmw16]

It has to be disassemblable, I assume, so no welding? Rod ends aren't quite what you're looking for, though.

Why not buy a rack, or at least build it from aluminum T-slot framing?

Interesting idea...

 

[Paperdoc]

How about machining the 4 (square) ends of each piece of bar stock in the "X" so they are round. Make then the right diameter so the tube stock can just fit smoothly over the end. If you want to be able to disassemble etc., drill one hole through one side of the tube stock near the end, then drill into the rounded bar stock end a matching hole and blind-tap it. Use a round-headed machine bolt and lock washer to fasten in place. Or, thread the rounded bar stock end and thread the inside of the tube stock to match and just screw on.

 

[dmw16]

Some great responses that are making me rethink my approach. I don't really have access to a machine shop, but there are places online where you can make a drawing and they'll quote small-run stuff. It may prove cheaper to buy a commercially available option (which is about $1500). But being stubborn and an engineer I am not on a mission to do it myself

 

[Howard]

I don't think so. The other challenge is that I need 8 of them and they need to be pretty precise. So a guy with a welder probably wouldn't give me the result I need.

I guess it seemed like something that should exist. But maybe not

Welding can be very precise.

EDIT: A power rack?

 

[Evadman]

I have a welder and plasma cutter. You by Chicago?

 

[Evadman]

I tried my usual supplier of such things (The Chassis Shop) and the do not have anything like what you describe.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

what exactly are you trying to build? that will prove very helpful rather than us all trying to blindly guess what may work.

 

[Meghan54]

How large in diameter are your corner posts of your rack, the posts that'll fit through the collar?

I'm thinking along the lines of using large tie rod ends, or something akin to them, for the collar/swivel section. Then, just attach threaded rod to connect the X'd ends.

 

[Analog]

What you have in your drawing is almost like a connecting rod in an engine.

 

[PottedMeat]

what exactly are you trying to build? that will prove very helpful rather than us all trying to blindly guess what may work.

this.

when OP says 'rack' I'm thinking some sort of shelving or scaffolding. Like the 'X' on some scaffolds to hold the bars apart. where the 4 loops on the ends fasten on to the round bars.

 

[FoBoT]

this.

when OP says 'rack' I'm thinking some sort of shelving or scaffolding.

'rack' made me think

 

[Evadman]

That is a much better rack.

 

[Squisher]

I have done a ton of fabricating in my 30 years of being a diemaker. I too am totally lost by what you are trying to do.