Learning Center > Component Fabrication Info
Learning Center > Component Fabrication Info
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Below we give you summary information for the fabrication requirements for each of the components.
On another web page we go through a buy vs build analysis for a monitor stand. Unless you are an electrician with all these components already, you probably are going to need to build 10 or more stands for it to pay off to do it yourself, although some will do it anyway just for the fun of it.
hat said, you can save chunks of money and be far more creative if you at least get involved in buying an cutting your own tubing. That is easy to do and will save a lot compared to what we charge to cut and ship short pieces.
If you find this helpful and end up doing it all yourself, please consider sending us a donation so we can keep the ball rolling.
Mounting Flanges >>> used as is
Purchase and use. No modification done. Amazon is cheapest but must by in bulk. These are only $1-2 on amazon in bulk and they are $4-9 at your local hardware store.
EMT End Connectors >>> Can be used as is or modified for ergonomics
Purchase and use with no modification if you want to use the screw they come with.
If you want to use an Ergonic Thumb screw / wing bolt or any non-ergonomic screw head other than what it coms with, you will need to drill and re-tap the fitting, if you buy the same fittings we do. The threads it comes with are not standard nor metric. We rethread to M6 for the best selection of ergonomic screws.
NOTE: You can also tap to #12-24 threads. however there are almost no wing screw/bolt options and those fasteners are hard to find in general. Many don't know that size even exists.
Pipes / Tubes >>> Must be cut (and deburred)
For EMT and Copper
Cut with 1) chop saw and abrasive cut wheel 2) Grinder and thin abrasive cut wheel or 3) with mechanical pipe cutter.
Deburr with 1) flat blade as found on the cut off tool 2) with flat metal edge as found on putty knife or even razor blade 3) with small hand held deburr tool ($10+) or 4) with commercial debur tool ($40)
For PEX, CPVC and PVC
Cut with 1) plumbing pipe cutter. We suggest the ratchetted cutter vs non ratcheted. The non ratcheted is only really good for pex, but it can work on the others. No deburring required
Telescoping Coupling >>> Needs bushing or modification
The coupling needs to match the size of the larger of the two pipes you are telescoping.
This is a 3/4" coupling for use with a 1/2" to 3/4" telescope. To use as is, you MUST insert a bushing because the screw is not long enough to catch the inner pipe. We use 3/4" pex for the bushing.
For use without the bushing you must drill and re-tap one hole and insert longer screw / wing bolt. Like with the end connectors described above, we re-tap to M6 for better selection of wing bolts and fasteners than #12-24. .
3 Axis Bracket >>> can be used as is or change nut for ergonomics
Our 3 Axis bracket is a #0 conduit hanger. No modification of the conduit hanger body itself is made for our use. We sell it as it's purchased, but we also remove the nut and install a wing nut or ergonomic faster of your choice.
We purchase the version of this product with a 1/4-20 bolt and nut. We do not purchase the ones that are "speed screws" with some type of integral nut/thread pressed into the bracket.
#0 hangers state they are for 1/2" EMT but we try at all times to install them on 3/4" EMT when possible as that creats the tighter fit needed to grab the post and stay in place. If/when installed on 1/2" EMT, we have to use a bushing for our purposes.
3/4 Axis Combo Bracket >>> Requires modification & additional components/hardware
Our 3/4 Axis Combo bracket is qty 2 - #0 conduit hangers put together along with several other parts.
It is called a the 3/4 axis combo bracket because it can be used as a 3 axis bracket or a 4 axis bracket just by inserting the pipe/tube/post in different holes.
See the 3 axis bracket description for generalities about the #0 Hangers we buy.
To make this assembly, we then have to drill out the square hole in one of them to make it round -- we purchase an aluminum spacer and two star washers -- and we create an assembly.
Then we either use the stock nut, a wing nut or an ergonomic nut to bind the two brackets together, and we add a bolt and washer assembly to one end as the locking nut for the pole/tube/post.
This took quite a while to figure out. In fact, it's the second of two different designs. The first worked but it was more difficult to fabricate and more dependent on the bracket design. When we wer about to launch a new shipment of brackets arrived with a design change and that caused a need to rethink everything. This turned out to be a much better and more flexible design that is easier to make modifications to for assembly, but it created the necessity for the purchased aluminum spacer which was not required with the first design.
Multi-Use Bracket >>> Use the parts as is parts or change nut for ergonomics
The multi use bracket was first created as a support bracket for the 3/4 Axis combo bracket but one could be used by itself for some reason and two can be used together in a monitor plate application for a more adjustable holding system. A longer bracket also adds more adjustment.
Monitor Mounting Plate >>> Fabricate on CNC Router or via other methods
We fabricate our monitor mounting plate from ACM (Aluminum Composite Material).
You'll need to buy it from a commercial sign vendor in 4x8 sheets, or possibly in smaller blanks online.
We use a CNC Router to cut and drill.
For those trying to do it manually, It cuts easily with a razor knife and score and snap technique and any bladed tool. It drills easily. It's comparable to working with Luan. You can even use a palm sander to try to round or break corners or edges.
Alternatively you could make this out of Luan or metal. We made our porotypes from blank electrical cover plates (galvanized metal)
Assembly for a Monitor Stand Application
It assembles very quickly and adjusts very quickly.
You will typically need a screw driver for some of the adjustments.
You may need a pair of plyers if using any cast iron fittings.
You may need a wing nut wrench for the 3/4 Axis combo bracket if you buy that with wing nuts. (plyers used in unique way can also work).
You may need a drill if you are going to mount via a mounting flange
Typically Needed
Possibly Needed for EMT Connectors if cast iron fittings are not clean
Possibly Needed for wingnuts if you have assembly with them
Typically needed if you are mounting via a mounting flange.
Bases >>> Require purchased items, adapters, cutting of tubing and/or Drilling etc
The bases all require some type of purchased item, and then some variotion of adpate, cutting or modification.
As mentioned prior, on another web page we go through a buy vs build analysis for a monitor stand.
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