Question I need answered - Heim / or / Rod End Joints

Hi folks,
I have my crankarms completed and will attach the "bottom" heim joint or rod end (we call them rod ends here in USA)
I "have" looked at pictures of at least 50 different DIY motion sims, concentrating on how the rod ends are attached to the crankarms and that's pretty much a no-brainer -
My question is:
Out of my crankarm end , I have a 1/2" steel shaft coming out at 90degrees - I have two 1/2" lockable collars, one on "each" side of the rod end that's 1/2" also -
SHOULD these collars be "tight, against EACH side of the rod end / OR / should I leave some "spacing" for the rod end to be able to have it's full left-right travel........in the ball.

I know this is probably a silly-assed question, but all of the examples I have looked at, well, they are just all over the place.........and I just want to "do-it-by-the-book"....

Your help is ALWAYS appreciated folks.

Have a blessed one and again, Thank You.

Tom

Hi Tom, I am not sure if this is what you meant but to ensure full travel on my heim joints I use these:




They can be purchased via Ebay here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-8-CONE-SP...S-JOINTS-/370772707392?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

Historiker,
You can see I've had to leave "spacing" in the locking collars so the heim can get it's full travel..........
After looking at your "eBay item", I think this would work so much better - taking the space out of the collar -
Would this work - (Middle Picture) 1. Take the Lock Bolt "OUT" the one that's snugged against crankarm - (the crankarm is threaded as well as the shaft - the left or outboard lock nut should suffice - and hold quite well by itself.
2. Move the inside collar OVER to the left, against crankarm when the inboard locknut is now. 3. USE 1 of "your" cones - inboard - push rod-end up against inboard cone - slip an outboard cone on, THEN
use the other collar (as seen above) to Snug up against the outboard cone.....................Solution - Full rod-end movement.

PLEASE Confirm that this is a correct method of doing it, the "right way"?

THIS is the other topic I asked you to have a look-seen and give me feedback - http://www.xsimulator.net/community...of-ac-platform-4th-dof-is-this-feasible.5332/

Please answer the rod-end method so I can order the cones.

THANKS so very very much for your help.

Tom

Hi Tom, I think you can use the cone spacers and a couple of nuts to lock the whole thing together. One nut on each side of the armature, a cone spacer, the joint, another cone space and then two standard nuts (tighten these to against each other as keepers). You do not need to squeeze the joint between the cone spacers just snug the outer nuts against them and then as I said just tighten the two nuts against one another to lock them in place on the bolt. I would use a #8 hardness bolt.

Historiker,
GOSH, thanks so much - so simple - I have again learned a valuable informative method.....
You know - I "should" remember the phrase - "KEEP IT SIMPLE - STUPID" - Sure works in most cases.

I've already ordered the cones at eBay - 1.25 ea, free shipping - can't beat that.

THANKS again friend,
Have a most Blessed one,

Tom