mkeller234

I thought I had a great idea on how I was going to display some of my extra rear derailleurs. After a trip to the hardware store today, it looks like i'm back to the drawing board.

The original idea:
Buy a bunch of long M10 x 1. pitch bolts (same threading as a rear derailleur hanger). Stick the bolts through a chunk of wood, add some spacers and a coupling nut to thread the derailleurs into. Minimal, elegant-ish, strong and easy to make. One problem. M10 x 1. pitch bolts are not the most common... and when you do find them, they are about 2 dollars each. It would cost around 40-60 dollars to make. This is not a ton of money, but I definitely want to keep this project on a very small budget.

Now I am back to the drawing board:
- Maybe some hanging hooks, like a pegboard (not very refined)
- Maybe some sort of "U" shaped bracket?

Any ideas, photos or creative genius would be lovely.

jeffpepperdine

Why not skip the bolts and just find a way to secure some nuts to the board (glue?). Is is a display after all, and most derailleurs don't weigh that much.

Andycapp

While they are out there m10 x 1 isn't the "standard", so they'll be pricey and selection kinda sucks. How about just buying a 9mm drill and a m10 x 1 tap? I'm picturing a piece of aluminium (you could get fancy and frame it in a nice hardwood). Then lay-out you holes and mount the derailleurs. Sounds like a cool idea, can't wait to see what you come up with...

https://www1.mscdirect.com/eCommerce/...roductsContent

Michael Angelo 

You could mount a piece of Aluminum (strip)in your display case, drill and tap M10X1. holes for as many Derailluers you want to hang. You can even use some of that plastic mirror stuff as background. That way you can see the back sides of them.

Michael Angelo 

Great minds think alike.

Andycapp

^ I like the mirror idea!

mkeller234

I like the aluminum + tap idea. I'll seriously have to investigate that one. Still, it seems like it wouldn't be any less expensive. Though, maybe more elegant than the bolts.

mkeller234

Here is a very rough mock up of my initial plan. I used a rear axle, so it's obviously longer than intended. Maybe if I get a handful of junk rear axles, cut them down and cover them with spacers?


DSC01146 by mkeller234, on Flickr


DSC01145 by mkeller234, on Flickr

mkeller234

I suppose I could get a block of wood, similar to the one in the photo, and just drill and set some M10 bolts in it.

Where exactly does one find chunks of aluminum (cheaply)?

Lenton58 

I have a couple of old fountain pens — the original Parkers. I mounted one in a deep picture frame and used thin, solid, one-strand copper wire. I'll bet that a larger version of this would work really nicely for your collection. But you would have to make ... or have one made for you ... a large, deep picture frame that uses a thin plywood back. If it is it not worked and fatigued, copper wire has excellent strength for static stuff, and is very malleable and easy to manage. Just an idea that I have kept in my head for some other display stuff I want to do.

mkeller234

That does sound nice Lenton58, but I am also looking for something that I can remove, rearrange and add to with relative ease. Sort of a living display, I suppose.

I check out McMaster-Carr, I can get 3/8 x 3/8 x 6ft aluminum for about 11 dollars. That doesn't seem too bad, and it might have a more refined appearance. My Dad has the tools that I should need, so I suppose I should consult him next.

Andycapp

Love me some McMaster-Carr https://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-al...sheets/=k7mfon

Andycapp

^ there's that "great minds" thing again

16Victor

I like the axle mounting...keeps with the theme. Leave the threads visible and keep the cones as trim pieces. Maybe secure your wood or aluminum display bar to a picture frame with some QR nuts or skewers.

Drillium Dude 

Poprad made a beautiful derailleur display - and I'm not bringing this up because it features one of my commission works, either. It's the coolest component-display I've ever seen.

Mark, you should share it with this crowd

DD

mkeller234

Yes, please!

mkeller234

Until then, I am still farting around with that rear axle idea. I cut one down with a hacksaw, leaving two fully threaded and even pieces. I might stop by the LBS tomorrow and see if they have about 4 of 6 junk rear axles that they would sell cheap. If they all match and look decent... maybe i'd leave the threads exposed. If not, i'll buy some spacers and just cover them all the way up.

The nice thing is I can use the cutting table at work to route perfect sized holes in the wood so that a hex nut can be secured tightly.


DSC01147 by mkeller234, on Flickr

poprad

Here it is guys, just an uber-deep frame shadowbox type framing and monofilament line for attaching (not easy to remove):

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DD's work is what makes it gorgeous

rootboy 

I've got lots of aluminum Mkeller. Let me peruse the stash and see what I've got. Brass bar might look cool too. Got that too.
What size would be optimal?

tiger1964 

Wire? How about a mobile made out of derailleurs? Save that Gran Turismo in case you need a counterweight.

mkeller234

Well, just an update. I've just sent some 5/8in aluminum to rootboy who graciously offered to help me out. I think this is going to turn out pretty nice!

JPZ66

What about ordering your hardware from someboby like McMaster Carr ? https://www.mcmaster.com/#

Always cheaper than the local store...

Joe

JPZ66

Oh my !! My computer at work didn't even show the previous posts until now...I see it was already suggested......

Cheers,

Joe

Oldairhead 

Okay, here's mine. Made from a toothbrush stand, top removed, post radius'ed to seat the unit and then zip tied to the stand.

thinktubes 

Early onset cabin fever?