# Secure ends of metal rod **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 21, 2014, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628 "2014-04-21T19:59:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/1 "2014-04-21T19:59:31Z")
I bought a reel mower yesterday (we have a very small amount of grass to mow). Anyway, there’s a roller on the back that acts as support and height adjustment ([image](http://s27.postimg.org/5rxqd8zv7/image.jpg)). That roller was attached to the main assembly with cheap plastic which of course snapped right off as I was giving the thing a test push around the lawn. So I went to Lowes and got some metal parts to rig it up with ([image](http://s27.postimg.org/jkc58vqmr/image.jpg), [closeup](http://s27.postimg.org/b0srb4iab/image.jpg)). I’ve got the axle in there as tightly as I could get it, but it’s still not secured at the ends, so it could still just slip out. I don’t want to have to put a hole through the rod because A) I don’t have a proper metal drilling bit, and B) the rod is only about 1/4" so even with a proper bit, drilling it will be a pain in the ass. Is there a way to secure the ends without having to drill a hole through it? ---
**Author:** ![Hoss\_N.Feffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/90db22/32.png) [@Hoss\_N.Feffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoss_N.Feffa)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/2 "2014-04-21T20:19:11Z")
I would try making a “head” at each end of the rod. If it were threaded inside or outside, you could put on a bolt or not (it looks like it’s not threaded). You could weld or glue a small plate to the ends of the rod to make a head. Something relatively cheap that might be “good enough” is to stuff a tapered rubber stopper in each end. Edit: If you’re OK with the axle turning with the roller, you could also permanently attach it to the roller (glue, etc.) and the roller would keep it from slipping out either end. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/3 "2014-04-21T20:21:06Z")
Is that a rod or a piece of tubing? If it’s tubing, then you may be able to run a length of all-thread through it and use washers and nuts on the ends. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/4 "2014-04-21T20:31:25Z")
Trying to think of a simple cheap way to do this and I think this is a job for JB Weld and a couple of metal flat washers. ---
**Author:** ![Hoss\_N.Feffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/90db22/32.png) [@Hoss\_N.Feffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoss_N.Feffa)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/5 "2014-04-21T20:35:53Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > Trying to think of a simple cheap way to do this and I think this is a job for JB Weld and a couple of metal flat washers. That’s actually what I pictured in my mind when I mentioned gluing a plate. **DCnDC** : You can probably find JB Weld with the [other] epoxy glues at your hardware store. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/6 "2014-04-21T20:43:48Z")
I don’t know what they are called, but there are little “caps” that slide onto axles that have little “teeth” in them that grip the rod. Look at kid’s ride-on type toys, or garbage can wheels. I bet they have them at Lowe’s. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/7 "2014-04-21T21:00:37Z")
Sorry for the half-assed answer. I had to restart the computer. It wasn’t letting me type. What you want is called a “push nut cap” (link is for photo only- I’m sure you can buy them onesie-twosie somewhere Plastic or metal, just know what size rod you have. Edit: link not working! Google “Push nut cap” ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/8 "2014-04-21T22:27:45Z")
Here is an ebay link - [Shop by Category | eBay](http://www.ebay.com/bhp/push-cap-nuts) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/9 "2014-04-21T22:55:55Z")
Thanks for the help, everyone. I’ll hit the store after work tomorrow and get some push nut caps. Or I might just replace the entire axle with a threaded rod and secure it with nuts. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/10 "2014-04-21T23:08:37Z")
I know you specifically said you didn’t want to drill a hole but that really is the way to go for a long term fix. An 1/8" hole and a cotter pin will last forever and is easily removed when you have to replace that plastic roller. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/11 "2014-04-21T23:11:41Z")
> [@UncleRojelio](#): > > I know you specifically said you didn’t want to drill a hole but that really is the way to go for a long term fix. An 1/8" hole and a cotter pin will last forever and is easily removed when you have to replace that plastic roller. +1 ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/12 "2014-04-22T01:19:59Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Thanks for the help, everyone. > > I’ll hit the store after work tomorrow and get some push nut caps. > > Or I might just replace the entire axle with a threaded rod and secure it with nuts. Yeah the caps won’t hold well, they are caps to block the hole (eg to stop dust going in, or to make it safe ) , not to be a fastener. A better and cheaper fix… You could fashion a plug made of wood, and hammer the plug in… ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/13 "2014-04-22T02:14:58Z")
threaded rods are soft and make lousy axles because they aren’t smooth… those push nut caps with a snug fit will work. drilled holes on the ends and a cotter or R pin would work too. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/14 "2014-04-22T05:49:58Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > +1 +1. the push caps will come off unless they’re glued on. If it is ever to be serviced then drill holes and cotter key them with a washer. I’ve glued on my own caps for a vacuum cleaner drive shaft by drilling a round piece of aluminum that fits tight to the rod. It’s only purpose was to to keep the belt from sliding off the end. The mower looks like it might get a lot of side loading so any glue used has to be long wearing. ---
**Author:** ![bluezooky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@bluezooky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bluezooky)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/15 "2014-04-22T07:37:51Z")
I’ve built thousands of trolleys going into schools and hospitals, if you have the right size cap it will never come off without a rather large hammer and screw driver to lever it off. No glues required just tap around the edges till its in place. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/16 "2014-04-22T09:26:17Z")
Is this a new item that broke on first use? I’m usually all for make do and mend, but it sounds like this thing is not fit for purpose - why not just return it for a refund and buy something a bit more robust? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/17 "2014-04-22T12:15:09Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Is this a new item that broke on first use? Yes, it is brand new. > [@Mangetout](#): > > I’m usually all for make do and mend, but it sounds like this thing is not fit for purpose - why not just return it for a refund and buy something a bit more robust? Everything on it works fine except for that roller which was attached with plastic arms. As far as I can tell, without spending 2 or 3 times more, these types of mowers are all built that way. I am satisfied with the metal parts I replaced the arms with; they are steel and should last well past the lifespan of the whole mower. I just needed some ideas on finishing it. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/18 "2014-04-22T12:27:40Z")
OK. I think that’s quite commendable really. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secure-ends-of-metal-rod/686628/19 "2014-04-22T12:29:21Z")
I think a [shaft collar](http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/power-transmission-motors/collars-couplings-components/shaft-collars/_/Navigation;jsessionid=B8ykSJlBk9yd1z4gpHF2LpnNKNBNd1SLT461pHDFn6GJh1FGg0YD!-1440799311!-360936581?term=&termca=&termpx=&sortby=webrank&sortdir=descending&searchmode=productSearch&zipcode=&filterByStore=&filterByVendingMachine=&r=~%7Ccategoryl1:%22603582%20Power%20Transmission%209and%20Motors%22%7C~%20~%7Ccategoryl2:%22608501%20Collars,%20Couplings%209and%20Components%22%7C~%20~%7Ccategoryl3:%22603515%20Shaft%20Collars%22%7C~) might be what you need.