Video
![]()
Here is an idea for a ball joint. You have some kind of 3D printed plastic part on each side of a spherical ball magnet. The bolts can almost but not quite touch the ball. The bolts can also just be loosely mounted. The magnet will keep them in position. I think I can generate more than the required force with these over-sized magnets. If this works it is a $40 solution. I found a $120 solution that used costly precision steel balls that were tapped and I still would have to buy the magnets.
Here is an idea for a ball joint. You have some kind of 3D printed plastic part on each side of a spherical ball magnet. The bolts can almost but not quite touch the ball. The bolts can also just be loosely mounted. The magnet will keep them in position. I think I can generate more than the required force with these over-sized magnets. If this works it is a $40 solution. I found a $120 solution that used costly precision steel balls that were tapped and I still would have to buy the magnets.