20mm Conduit Half-8Way Connector

thingiverse

DO NOT USE THIS FOR ELECTRICAL PURPOSES, THE HOLES WILL DRILL THROUGH THE WIRING. This is my HALF-8-Way (despite being ultimately, 5 way) connector for joining 20mm electrical conduit parts to form a frame for netting/frost covering garden sections... or maybe helping to build fanciful two and three-dimensional trellises. WHY HALF? Well it's to provide a compatible "edge joint" for the bottom edges of domes but also works well with 8-Way and 4-Way cross connectors (see below) in 2D applications. By the way, if you're looking for an alternative 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or even 10-way connector in a number of weird and wacky configurations for 20mm conduit, have a look here: 1- Way "Stake styled" Anchor found here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6228095 1-Way "Screw down" anchor found here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6228135 2-Way "Straight" Connector: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6187349 2-Way "Right-Angle" Connector: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6188056 3-Way "Y" Connector: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6181085 3-Way "T" Connector: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6163480 4-Way Cross Connector: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6163584 5-Way Connector: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6181104 6-Way Connector: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6181111 7-Way Connector: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6187567 8-Way Connector: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6167506 Quarter 8-Way Connector: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6196723 9-Way Connector: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6190630 10-Way Connector here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6182651 Now this is a serious connector, and it needs some hefty infill (say 50% or more) and additional boundary layers for maximum strength. The commercially-made joining pieces for these electrical conduit pieces.... are not designed for load-bearing applications nor the stresses of bent hoop structures. WHY DO THESE CONNECTORS WORK IN ONLY ONE PLANE? Since my first-generation 2/3 plane connectors broke due to FDM layer separation issues, all the connectors in this series are printed so all connectors extend out on one plane, meaning that FDM printers are more than capable of building these very strongly while lowering the risk of snapping bits off. To build structures on multiple planes, I use multiple offset T-connectors, rotated to connect things in whatever missing plane my parts don't point in. Of course, you can rotate the other connectors too. :-) If you're worried about these connectors vulnerability to UV/water, I recommend using PETG/ABS or whatever outdoor suited filament of your choice... and taping the connectors to block UV rays once the frame is assembled and in place. I used PETG and protecting it with tape works. Tape also has the advantage of being able to smooth any protruding bolt holes to reduce net snagging. Something paint can't to... :-) Frankly, I'm still in the testing phase, but I'd love feedback, nothing has snapped or otherwise failed me so far, but I'm only most of the way through my first couple of seasons. I'd love to see pictures of the structures you can make.