Cracked Clamps - ouch

[md8n]

The top clamp just decided it didn’t want to work anymore - as I was trying out different arm stacking options.

Here’s what it did

The bottom hole in the picture was damaged earlier, when I had to drill out a screw. However the other two just happened, with the screw head pulled completely through.

For comparison, here’s the other side, with what looks like some hairline stress fractures.

My plan at this stage is to carefully machine out the remains of the three holes back to that next surface. Then 3d print a plug with the relevant holes etc. and glue that in.

[md8n]

And the 3d printed fix glued in place

And the clamp reinstalled

[jwolter]

That’s clever! Keep us posted on how it holds up. I imagine it would be relatively easy to replace even if it does occasionally break.

[kyleschoen]

Mine cracked in the same area & flagged for Bar and Anna in the hardware improvements thread. That area seems a little thin.

[md8n]

So the 3D printed fix is holding up really well, however the Inner Post has suffered some damage, with the plastic just giving up and flaking away.

The 3D fix sits around 0.5mm proud of the rest of the clamp arm. So, it’s possible that this caused extra stress on the plastic around the nut hole. Obviously, I’ll be keeping an eye on it