adjustable handle alternative, my adjustable handle stripped so I made a a new set

[cody michael]

what do you guys think, it needs a little polishing on the grinder, but I'm pretty happy with it for 2$ for 2 vs 20$ for 1

[Jim Seyfried]

That will work and it was probably a lot quicker. I would find a piece of hose to slip over the bolt to make it more comfortable using it. Nice job MacGyver.

[Paul Williams]

This is a woodturning forum. Make a wood cover to slip over the bolt.

[Thomas Canfield]

Look at McMaster Carr if you want to find the replacement adjustable handle screw. They have a big selection of sizes and handles. I bought one recently for drill press quill lock (metric thread) and also some others to offset shipping costs for a single piece. Of course, there seems to always be a need for something else.

[Marvin Hasenak]

For the handle I would drill and tap a piece of wood and turn it. Might as well make it fancy, carve a little checking pattern into it so it looks like a high dollar rifle bolt handle.

[cody michael]

all the replacement options I could find were around 20$ and I was not going to pay that. thanks for the ideas on how to make it prettier, I was mainly going for functional, its only a harbor freight lathe.

that is a good idea to pad the bolt, I will try it out and see if It would be helpful to have some padding.

[Thom Sturgill]

I'd say you've been looking in the wrong places. Rockler is a great supplier for jig parts, and carries some turning stuff.
http://www.rockler.com/ratchet-lever-knob-for-shop-jigs-bolt
I bought a couple of these when mine stripped out. Nice to have a spare on hand.

[Ken Burner]

I've had good luck with these folks for lever handles and such, http://t-nuts.com. Good prices and quick shipping.


Ken

[Thom Sturgill]

I've had good luck with these folks for lever handles and such, http://t-nuts.com. Good prices and quick shipping.


Ken

Thanks for the link. I've been looking for a source for knobs with studs to replace the set screws on some of my handles.

[cody michael]

Also, the harbor freight handles were a MM thread size, it was different from the jet lather that is similar.

but I guess there are some cheaper options than 20$.

[David C. Roseman]

what do you guys think, it needs a little polishing on the grinder, but I'm pretty happy with it for 2$ for 2 vs 20$ for 1

Cody, I'm not seeing how what you made is adjustable. :confused: But if it works for you, great. The advantage of the commercial "ratcheting handles" or "quick clamp levers" like your OEM part is that they swing out of the way if there is a clearance issue. Used on many different types of equipment, so are available as an aftermarket item in S.A.E. and metric for a lot less than you were quoted. Grizzly sells them for $3.95. Here's one in 5/16": http://www.grizzly.com/products/Ratcheting-Handles-5-16-18-Male-Long/G7327 . Another in 8mm: http://www.grizzly.com/products/Quick-Clamp-Lever-8mm-Male/G7334

The problem finding them is that vendors use different names for them. There was a recent thread on SMC on sourcing. http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?226875-Replacement-quot-Lock-Handle-quot-for-Jet-6x48-belt-disc-sander