Drain Plug solved!!

[Huw Powell]

> I have no plastics technology understanding, but I see plastics with many
> different characteristics offered in a wide variety of
> shapes/dimensions.  I mean, you can buy stuff as sheets, rods, square
> tubes, square rods, etc. from relatively small dimensions up to multiple
> inches.  I could see a 1 1/4" rod of appropriate plastic being turned down
> to whatever dimension fits the threads and then threaded with a nice collar
> and then the wrench surface beyond that, so it's formed just like a bolt
> with fixed washer.  No idea of the equipment needed, but I can't see the
> result costing $35 each if you set up and made more than a handful.

Ok, first, it is hard for me to see Audi charging $35 for one of these,
it's a bitout of line - I'm willing to bet the initial price data point
included some fudge or chrome, like overnight shipping, special order
charges, or the like.

But on with the banter... have you sent any drawing to machine shops
lately to get prices?

First, you really have to pick that plastic right - no melties in the
tranny fluid, or due to nearby engine/exhaust heat first.  Then, strong
enough to handle wrenching in and out.  Still, ought to be quite easy
given the abundance of material specs floating around on the web.

Sounds like it would have spend time in two different machines, probably
some sort of cnc lathe/screw machine for the round part and threading,
and some sort of milling setup for the tool faces.

--
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/

http://www.humanthoughts.org/