[HELP] Pivots - axles or pins?

[Captainowie]

Hi all.

In general, is it better to attach a pivoting structure with a pin either side, or with an axle going all the way across?

Would the answer depend on how wide the pivoting thing is? (e.g. the 2-stud wide base of a pneumatic cylinder vs. the 5-stud wide boom that cylinder is lifting).

Does this make sense?

On the one hand it seems unfair to place all the load on one part (if an axle is used), on the other hand, those pins look awful small next to a large boom.

Owen.

[DrJB]

An axle going all the way across is your best option ... for rigidity and minimum gap under load.

[Milan]

You need to count how tight you want it to be. if you use axle, the boom will have more lateral "play", with pins it will be tighter, and therefore less play.

If the boom is not very heavy (probably not if only 5 studs wide) I would go with the pins.

If the boom is very heavy, there are still options, like mounting turntables instead of axles or pins.

[Johnny P]

Imo there is no General rule for pin or axle. It al depends on the situation.

But most of the times an axle is stronger,but not always better.

[Zerobricks]

Depends...for a single connecting point a pin is more snug. For multiple studs wide connection point an axle wins.

[Blakbird]

A continuous axle (beam) is stronger in bending than two axle pins (split beam).

[Captainowie]

Sounds like the axle is the way to go.

Thanks folks!