yes. that would be nice. but the factor is access to a CNC mill ($$) and the cost of the raw material. sand casting material can probably be melted from large metal piece like screws/etc which are relatively cheap. unfortunately a trip to homedepot on the way home turned out empty handed.
sorry i meant the door knob handle, not the tubing... i actually saw the tubing you mentioned when i was scouring through homedepot for potential suitable parts for the support just now but at this point i don't need any of the tubing.
I would make it out of Delrin, a harder version of John's cutting board material. Sand casting would be quick, but you have to also think about how are you going to get melted iron or similar material, it takes a lot of heat. It's easier to contract a machine shop to make a set or even a 100 pieces. I think Mark had a design at the begining of this thread. I just thought of another way to do it, but I can ask a model maker friend of mine. If a cast can be made from a prototype, out of silicone. I think you can use a polyurethane that you can just pour in. Kinda like making ice cubes.
Update: Review of the Chudek Side Supports: they are first-rate! http://www.badmintoncentral.com/for...e-2086-aka-Tennis-Head)?p=1633318#post1633318
There's really no need, just get the CSSs +Watts tubing and stop racking your brain like Mark and Panda did for close to 2 years.
I bought some HDPE however when I checked the specifications, it is not as good as nylon. Nylon has a good tensile and flexural strength - better than Acetal, but in this case, I suppose we are also interested in compressive strength, where Acetal is better than Nylon by 1.8:1. I might try it out anyway with HDPE - which is high density polyethylene, I may as well use it. I also tested a nylon sample with the rubber compound and it seems to be ok - nylon doesn't dissolve, so I guess it could be workable. http://www.machinist-materials.com/comparison_table_for_plastics.htm
I have also coated my nylon supports with the rubber compound where it contacts the racquet frame - it does not slide around any more and seems quite firm. I have experienced some squashing of the racquet after stringing, but this may be due to the different string tensions. I strung a Carbonex 15 at 17/18lb and after releasing the clamps, it shortened by about 3-4mm - seems to play ok though.
This thread is great for all the fantastic creative ideas that you geniuses have thought up to improve stringing. I have recently converted to using Michal Chudek supports on my Silent Partner Crump machine. Since Michal made them specifically for the machine, they are a perfect fit. They are darn solid with no slipping or give. The main advantage over what I had before is that there is no issue with interference of the the fixed clamps by the base of the support. These supports have been worth every Polish zloty. Thanks Michal.
I have to sell this custom supports (4 pieces, nuts, wingnuts, pads, some buckup tubes). Immediately, normal production time is around 10-14 days. One set only. Supports: 140PLN Shipping : 25PLN (to Europe) 30PLN (to North America) 35PLN (to Asia) Total:165-175PLN (60-65US), payment by PayPal, delivery time- 7-14days (registered letter, Polish post) Communication: my e-mail or private message. Picture below.
