SWMBO is after me to make some turned fan/light pulls for Christmas presents. I looked at a couple that we have- there is a thin metal clip in the end of the bead chain. Where do I get them? 😕 Thanks.
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Pull chain parts
- Thread starter John Torchick
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- pull chain
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Craft supplies sells the chains with little ball on the end.
Begin with a through hole 1/8" diameter and short hole 1/4" diameter.
You can always just epoxy in a length of pull chain too. Then you won't need a through hole.
The chain goes through the and the ball stops at the end or the 1/4" hole
I have a stepped pin drive I use with a cone center to turn them
I have done these as a class project I made a bunch of mandrels from wood and glued in a short length of brass rod.
These can either be held in a four jaw chuck or have a wooden Morse taper turned on them.
I usually turn and drill the blank in a chuck. This way I can turn the area around the 1/4 hole.
Also for a really nice look glue a turned cap in the 1/4" hole.
A small ball on a 1/4" tenon,
Al
Begin with a through hole 1/8" diameter and short hole 1/4" diameter.
You can always just epoxy in a length of pull chain too. Then you won't need a through hole.
The chain goes through the and the ball stops at the end or the 1/4" hole
I have a stepped pin drive I use with a cone center to turn them
I have done these as a class project I made a bunch of mandrels from wood and glued in a short length of brass rod.
These can either be held in a four jaw chuck or have a wooden Morse taper turned on them.
I usually turn and drill the blank in a chuck. This way I can turn the area around the 1/4 hole.
Also for a really nice look glue a turned cap in the 1/4" hole.
A small ball on a 1/4" tenon,
Al
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Our local hardware store sells it in either the blister pack or by the foot if you need a lot.
Our Home Depot store has all sorts of parts in the aisle with the ceiling fans.
Thanks to all! I'm pleased with the members of this forum. They are most helpful and not hesitant to help others. I'll check HD, Lowe's, and our Ace Hardware stores. Also, I'll check Hobby Lobby and Michael's. Man, I'm going to be busy!
FWIW, the Mrs. and I stop in HL about one a week to see what is new and check the clearance stuff. She got some items on sale at about 70% off at our last visit. Real men browse through Hobby Lobby! 😉
FWIW, the Mrs. and I stop in HL about one a week to see what is new and check the clearance stuff. She got some items on sale at about 70% off at our last visit. Real men browse through Hobby Lobby! 😉
I used to cut the chain connector in half hook it on the chain and pull it through the 1/8" hole end .
Easy to remove if needed, jut poke it back out.
You can use the cheapest available type for the hidden part. Save the brass for the show part.
Easy to remove if needed, jut poke it back out.
You can use the cheapest available type for the hidden part. Save the brass for the show part.
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If you are putting in an order to CSUSA, that is your cheapest source for sets of 5 with chain and both ends. An Ace near me sells a bell that goes on the end of the chain for about 10 cents each. You won't find them at HD or Lowes but you can get lengths of chain there. You can get blister packs of the connectors but the end bells are a little harder to find. I had an article on lamp pulls in June 2014 American Woodturner. I did a YouTube video on making these here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOsiW9TgA_s
They are quick and fun to turn.
They are quick and fun to turn.
Mike, thanks for the video! Watched it and saved it as a Favorite. 😀
Guess what! SWMBO brought it up again. Chain is no problem but might look at CSUSA for the small parts. Everyone in the family has ceiling fans and lights. Will work on my technique to make a small finial to fit in the 1/4 inch hole.
Not trying to take money away from Craft Supplies… but my Ace Hardware has a section of the electrical dept. with a bunch of small lighting parts like this. Might be worth a check at yours to eliminate the shipping costs from CS.
When I made some more years ago than I remember; I just epoxied the beaded chain into a stopped drilled hole - maybe an inch of chain captured inside the turning. Have 4 of them in the house and none have pulled off the chain, so it’s a solid connection.
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Thanks, Owen. Lowe's and Ace both have good selection of lighting parts. Will work out something.