how to make a flexible holder with Loc Line or Snap-Loc

Found a new way to mechanically attach to Snap-Loc and Loc Line products to create rigid yet adjustable holders for a variety of uses like holding a camera or a flashlight by using a rubber well nut as a way to anchor. I use 1/2 inch loc line and the well nut is threaded for 1/4-20 for use in a 1/2 inch hole. I think a more proper name for the well nut would be a "Swell Nut "

[@emilsitka7590]

You sir are a genius! Gotta love the internet. Gave me the answer I came here to find.

[@neuromanglers]

yep..the internet is a powerful tool

[@fuelerr]

Thanks for the upload. I'm going to order some materials and see what I can come up with.

[@VanmeterFL]

Wow! That is so COOL!

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

This stuff has always struck me as very useful. Glad you think so too. Edit: Lol. I made a phone holder **exactly** like the one you did with the same clamp!

[@LawGPT]

This is very helpful. I don't know why Loc-Line doesn't make a 1/4-20 mount. This is a workable solution.

[@eggy_ramen]

Such a great idea, I'm definitely going to use this. Thanks for sharing!

[@neuromanglers]

Thanks...yep I use this ever day in some way or another

[@lurchie]

This is a fantastic Idea! I've had some success with washers, 1/4 20 bolts and hot melt glue for a permanent mounting solution, but am looking forward to experimenting with the expansion nuts. I can't believe that there aren't more DIY'ers making videos about the amazingly versatile material (Loc Line)!

[@neuromanglers]

Thanks. Was one of those rare moments when I had an idea and it worked perfectly on the first iteration

[@BobStrawn]

Brilliant. Simple methods rule!

[@neuromanglers]

Thanks

[@corychainsman5958]

That rubber well nut is a spectacular solution. Good thinking! I love that it doesn’t mar the plastic segments at all. I wonder what size well nut I’ll need for the 3/4” loc-line.

[@neuromanglers]

3/4 well nut is the largest I have found that is still called a well nut...it will work great for 3/4 Loc Line

[@subirbhaduri]

Great idea. I was just looking for some method to connect and dissect such flexible coolant lines for making a custom adjustable table for various devices (and also a laptop)!

[@neuromanglers]

Thanks, hope it works out for you. There is another product that is similar and has a steel cable inside that locks into shape by tensioning the cable. It is for holding dial indicators, I think the linelock could be made to lock in position same way but have not had a chance to work with it yet

[@subirbhaduri]

@@neuromanglers thanks. I tried to find the rubber well nut in my locality in Pune, India but so far no luck. However to make things simpler i tried to use the regular anchor bolts which work great too. This is of course inspired by your video, so thanks for it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX2ufX6YfbF3rNE

[@neuromanglers]

you can also use a rubber stopper, anything that swells when compressed. Well nuts are often used to attach luggage racks and mirrors to vehicle sheet metal body work so an auto body shop may be your best bet

[@subirbhaduri]

@@neuromanglers thanks. Will definitely check it out in an auto shop.

[@k.hanbok2297]

Really the best idea. I also saw a video while looking for an idea to use the loc-line for a tripod. I'm surprised that you think faster than me and have already made the product. Can you tell me how much weight a 1/2 inch pipe can support? Thanks again for sharing the idea.

[@neuromanglers]

it varies depending on the angle, length and vibration so you should experiment with that to know if it will be suitable. You can also insert a stranded steel cable thru the pipe and tighten it to lock it in place even more firmly, similar to how an adjustable dial indicator holder works. that type is made from metal and is stronger

[@K6TJO]

Outstanding tip. Thanks for sharing. Where do you buy the hose and we’ll nuts?

[@neuromanglers]

thanks, you can find these products at McMaster. They have an excellent on line catalog where you can actually learn about each item they offer by viewing the specification sheets. Mcmaster has the most informative catalog I have ever found

[@MountainParameters]

What a great idea! At the moment I am trying to figure out how to thread a hole in a 1/2" PVC manifold I made up so I can screw them in and use them for a hydroponic drip system. I bought some from China and it says the threads are 1/4", but I can't seem to figure out what tap I need for these threads, they sort of look like they are M12 x 1.25 to me, which of course is a tap I do not have on hand anyway.

[@neuromanglers]

Thanks, good luck with your drip system

[@MountainParameters]

@@neuromanglers Thanks for that. After I made that post, turns out my neighbor had the exact Tap that I needed. In case anyone else needs to tap threads for those the 1/4" version uses a standard 1/2"-20 Tap, not the M12x1.25 that I was guessing at.

[@neuromanglers]

1/4-20....thanks, good to know

[@dcsmith5839]

Great solution,I've just started using Loc Line for a few off label projects.Would have been nice to have some links or hardware size list though.Thanks for posting.

[@neuromanglers]

Thanks, will add that in some time. Mcmaster carr is where I find everything I need

[@neuromanglers]

I use the 1/2 inch trade size Loc Line and the well nut is threaded for 1/4-20 and sized for a 1/2 inch opening

[@rodpontemayor]

Thanks for sharing this. Definitely will come in handy for camera mounts and much more. What size is that yellow loc line and well nut?

[@neuromanglers]

The loc line I use is trade size 1/2 inch and the well nut is threaded for 1/4-20 for use in a 1/2 inch hole.

[@dyoder614]

Brtilliant

[@gfos82]

What size nuts did you use and what size are the rubber washers? At the end of the threaded rod you can get a ball mount from ram mounts that fits on the 1/4 20 thread and then you can use the loc line with their mounts.

[@gfos82]

www.amazon.com/Mount-4-Inch-20-Female-Threaded-1-Inch/dp/B009GLW1PG/ref=sr_1_19?dchild=1&keywords=ram+mount&qid=1607548359&sr=8-19

[@neuromanglers]

I believe the rubber well nuts I used are for 1/2 inch holes, the washers were fender washers for 1/4 and the filler nuts 5/16 if I recall that.....I just grabbed what I had that fit

[@WAYNENYC100]

There are terrible because you need to buy they expensive tool to re-attach them. Using a vise won't work, not sure why you suggested that, I'd like to see a video of you attaching them back together with a vise. Good Luck

[@neuromanglers]

It is easier with the special tools but a vice can work if you are willing to improvise

[@lesternielson9280]

wow cool stuff! how much weight the various sizes can hold, with a given length, before sagging would make an interesting video. I'm thinking using a can of beer as your standard weight! lol

[@neuromanglers]

thanks for your suggestion. how much these holders can support varies depending on the condition since they are stiff when new but can get worn as they are used. I have thought about using a soft copper tube inside to give it more support. I also notice the yellow solvent resistant versions seem to have a tighter fit initially

[@davecc0000]

​@@neuromanglers Great ideas you share here. Thanks! For a given size (ie, 1/2”) did you find that one brand held more weight than another without joints slipping? Adam Savage used Loc-Line for his LED work light project. He found that it wouldn’t support the weight/distance he wanted so used large diam aluminum armature wire inside the Loc-Line to add strength. I think he didn’t use copper because it might “work-harden” sooner than will aluminum: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gH2Wpo1ubdt0lZI

[@neuromanglers]

Not really, the products I used had been used previously so the comparisons would not be meaningful

[@northwiebesick7136]

1/4-20 threads??? Would that be the same as saying G-1/4 thread??? I believe G-1/4 is the term used for the standard A/V equipment bolt-on and accessory connections, am I wrong???

[@neuromanglers]

1/4-20 thread is what it actually is ...if you want to make it

[@northwiebesick7136]

@@neuromanglers I get that that's what the stuff you are using, is called, but I know that a lot of tech KZbinrs call the standard threads on all their tripods and stuff, "G-1/4 thread", or something like that, so I guess the question, unless you already answered it with a "yes", is this... No matter what you call it, are those threads basically the same, or more specifically, interchangeable??? For example, could I take a standard cellphone mount I have, for a tripod, and use it with this, without modifications???

[@neuromanglers]

G thread means the thread is not tapered but it does not convey the diameter size, which is generally but not always found to be 1/4 inch diameter in lightweight AV gear. Normally, bolts and nuts are G thread to the extent that it is assumed to be G thread unless otherwise specified. G 1/4-20 thread is just a normal 1/4-20 thread you would find at most any hardware store. Often those screws have captive retainer rings and other features to limit damage to equipment but I have carefully used standard 1/4-20 machine screws in these applications for decades with no issues when a custom mount is needed

[@northwiebesick7136]

@@neuromanglers thanks... That more, advanced answer I guess you could call it, was exactly what I was looking for, insofar as it answered my question famously, and gave me more information on what's different between regular bolts and these

[@northwiebesick7136]

I bought a set of double ended audio/video screw mounts that have a longer M5 connection on the one side, and a plate, with 1/4-20 threads on the other, as well as a few M5 T-nuts to pound into wood, so that I can try my hand at making a rig with wood and hose clamps, for putting on poles, possibly using some flex-seal type type of rubberizing spray coating to give a little protection to all audio/video poles I might use the homemade screw mount on... Basically, I'm looking to take and save money on professional options, and make less bulky options (hopefully), that are cheaper...

[@mitri5389]

i think line loc for holding things is a poor method for such a task. you should look into armature wire, its really flexible unhardened aluminum wire, its cheaper, more flexible and can hold more weight with added benefits of making it thicker or thinner diameters by removing or adding strands with a drill if need be.

[@neuromanglers]

Thanks, I bet you are correct. I agree the Line Loc is not designed for holding much more than its own weight. I will look into armature wire