1) Submitted by
W.P. Wilson, from Americus, GA
on 7/19/2008
Customer Rating:
Great Quick-Disconnect:
I gave these bullet catches a 5* rating for their versatility and function. I have never used then as a furniture catch. I use them in the process of my work, which is a GA. Dept. of Agriculture Fuel Inspector.
One of the things we always check is the water content of fuel storage tanks. It is a chemical test performed by coating a tank "stick" with water paste which changes color in the presence of water (litmus type test). Some of the larger tanks are up to 16' deep, and a 2-pc. “stick” is used, because there is no way to transport a single 16' "stick" in a PU Truck. I made my own tank stick of two 7" pieces of 3/4" anodized thin wall (1/16" wall thickness) square aluminum tubing (No Sparking allowed here guys & girls). I join them together by inserting a 6" long X 5/8" X 5/8" square piece of rosewood, (extremely strong), cut to fit the inside dimension of the tubing 3" into the top piece. This is secured with polyurethane glue and two aluminum pop rivets through the tubing into the rosewood. The 3"long X 5/8 X 5/8” square rosewood extension has a 3/8" diameter bullet catch inserted and centered 1&1/2" from the end of the tubing. In the mating piece of tubing I drill four 1/4" holes on center 1&1/2" from the end of the tubing. The two pieces simply snap together when needed, and are separated by depressing the ball of the bullet catch with my thumb while pulling apart the two halves. On the other end of the top half of my “stick” there is a 3” rosewood plug inserted and secured with polyethylene glue and aluminum pop rivets. The plug had a 3/16” hole drilled through it and is threaded with a 6’ X 1/8” diameter piece of braided nylon cord. The cord is secured to a 4” X 7/16” headless bolt with a hole drilled into one end. The end of the cord extending from the tubing is attached to a key ring acting as a stop to prevent the cord from disappearing inside the tubing. This allows me to check tanks deeper than 14’ without losing my “stick”.
The great thing about these bullet catches is their economy and durability. They come in 5-packs. I keep an eye on them, and when they get a little worn I pop one out and insert another. I join and separate my tank stick numerous times daily. In over two years of use it has never separated and caused me to lose the bottom half in a tank. I have replaced the bullet catch once. I still have three left, and the rosewood joint has never failed.
2) Submitted by
L.A. Jones, from La Mesa, CA
on 11/5/2007
Customer Rating:
It would be very helpful to know the gap measurement for this device. If you have a close fitting lid or door, these must be mitered in. I decided to use these as an afterthought on a toolbox with a drop front. They were to hold the front in position when the top was raised. I had to cut 1/8" out of the sides to accomodate the strike. The data sheet tells height and width. How about the interference measurement? My toolbox application works very well actually. In the middle of installation I was "fit to be tied" but I just did what looked sensible and it turned out good.
"I just finished some bookcases using my new rockler pipe clamps. With the high lift and the great price,these clamps are a deal!!! I build full time, and if i need it Rockler sells it. Great job guys!! " -
Ken Lambert
- 01/26/2009 See more...
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