[harum]

Hello, I want to know in general how to connect the end of an ~ 1 in. hollow steel tube to a similar tube in a T-joint way, except that this connection has to be flexible, i.e. the angle between the tubes could be anything with two degrees of freedom. Is there an easy way to do this connection with parts from a hardware store? The connected tubes do not have to be continuous with each other or air-tight, because this is not for plumbing or the like - just connected through a joint. Appreciate any suggestion. H.

[ballengerb1]

Hard y to give good advice when we don't know the application. What will the pipes do and what will flow inside?

[harum]

Well, nothing flows inside - it is not that fancy. This does not have to be steel pipes. Two wooden bars would do too. What I do not know is what to look for in Home Depot to make T-joint-like flexible connection of two bars/pipes. H.

[ballengerb1]

Stuff the pipe with a thick reinforced rubber hose with an OD the ID size of the pipe.

[harum]

Thanks a lot. What are "OD" and "ID"? Ok, here is the drawing of what I want to do in general. The pipe to be connected to the pipe A has to be able to swing back and forth and left to right (green arrows), i.e. be flexible, and potentially to rotate around its own axis. How do you call this kind of connection between these two tubes? The simplest thing would do. As I said the pipes do not have to be directly connected to each other, just through this flexible joint. What kind of joint would work here? Appreciate any suggestion. H.

[KBC]

This looks like a swivel joint.

The center needs to be a ball bearing plate or something similar.

I can't remember where I saw this type of adapter,but I will look around.

KBC

[harum]

Thanks! I think a strong spring (flexes in all directions) would also work except that I have to connect it somehow to both pipes. Something joint-like would be sturdier though.

[KBC]

If we knew the purpose we might have a better idea of adaptation.

[harum]

I guess I have found what I wanted to use: universal joints and drive shafts, as in the images. Now I have to come up with the way to attach them to pipes.