Jandy Pool Valve Handle

[jls667]

The company Jandy is a very popular pool valve company. The handles are all made out of plastic. I am looking to make one out of metal. What I am asking here is for some suggestions for material and machining?

[Tech2]

Aluminum 6061 should work well. The eMachineShop software will automatically use the best machining method.

[jls667]

Most of the design of the handle is straightforward. What do I do about the indentations in the hole? I am not sure how to make the cutouts.

[Tech2]

You could draw two concentric circles of slightly different diameter. Then draw straight lines out from the center, crossing both circles. Intersect the straights with the circles and delete the unneeded segments.

[jls667]

That worked great.

Any idea why I get an error each time I try to price my design?

[Tech2]

You would need to post your design for assistance.

[jls667]

Where would I post the design?

[Tech2]

Here.

[jls667]

Attached is my designed lever to replace Jandy's plastic one above. Since this is my first time designing something with 3d software, I am very open to suggestions.

[Tech2]

That looks fine to me.

[jls667]

I am particularly concerned whether Aluminum is strong enough and whether I made it too thin.

[Tech2]

Aluminum 6061 is rather strong. And if it worked in plastic it should certainly in metal. Not sure what you mean by "too thin" but I doubt I could help with that.

[jls667]

I made the Aluminum the same thickness as the current plastic handle. In other words, you are right that it worked in plastic for some time. I just don't want the new handle to ever break.