~ DIY Probe Holder Project~

TJ's Reef · Jan 9, 2014

So for those of you that might want to make a Magnetic or even glued in Probe Holder different from what's available (more holes/less holes/different colors etc..)

I wanted/needed to have a 4-hole magnetic Probe Holder that would need for both pieces to be exposed to SW so this is what I did and how I went about it. First off gathering necessary materials which I already mostly had except for nylon screws. I made three because it does not take much longer and knew once completed would have friends say "Hey, where's mine"

Patterning out probe layout on scrap piece of 5/8" then drilling out holes. Cut off piece and drill next one.

Reset Drill Press to bore then tap holes for nylon set screws by hand.

Using some 1-1/4" acrylic rod that I salvaged from a shower grab bar while remodeling my Master Bath I cut to length for this next part.

Then back to Drill Press with matching size mortising bit to fit

These pieces were cut to 5/8" in length to hold 5/8" x 1/2" neo mags, but were first flat sanded and cleaned up a bit along with Probe Holder body.

I then took the clean pieces and placed in the body section for a better/safer hold while boring out for magnets in a round piece of acrylic

One set for each unit after boring I set aside and other I glued in neo-mag then flipped over and glued onto base with Weld-On 16 to fully encase the magnet like this

For the remaining sets I capped off with some 1/8" acrylic sheet (blue) using same #16 then sanded to fit before doing a light polishing with buffing wheel and rouge. Then tested for accuracy of placing magnets in correctly.

Back to top pic as was first installed in my sump showing need for being all water proof because location over baffle. The empty hole location was/is for a Conductivity Probe.

Cheers, Todd

caldone · Jan 10, 2014

Where did u get the magnets?

reefwiser · Jan 10, 2014

Nice Job I like the magnetic style for holding it in place. As you can put it in areas that a clamp on style wouldn't work.

joshporksandwich · Jan 10, 2014

Very cool. I wish I had the time, patience, tools or smarts to build stuff like that lol.

TJ's Reef · Jan 10, 2014

Thanks Guys, being semi-retired and once a Cabinet/Furniture Maker have both the time and tools for this stuff. Skills if you call it that are just many 100's of hours in a shop and being a bit of a perfectionist. These magnets and most others for many projects I purchased from magnets4sale.com and they have the best selection and prices I have found so far. I originally was referred to them by Marty (mfinn) here on another forum we both belonged to.

Cheers, Todd

P.S. Josh, I have the time, tools and patience and you have some CRAZY zoas......hmmmmm

Troylee · Jan 10, 2014

looking good.. a man after my own heart..:1smile1

kschweer · Jan 10, 2014

Very nicely done.

Stemick · Feb 26, 2014

That is awesome Todd. My currant probe holder is zip tie. Works for now. But thinking about building one of these. How thick is the acrylic, what diameter of rod did you use, and did you use ceramic? Thinking about gathering up the stuff to try and build one of these. Might have to come check yours out before I do. I also have a sheet of .25" acrylic that I"m think about making frag racks out of I might use the same magnet design for that to.

Eckolancer · Feb 26, 2014

Want to build me one

TJ's Reef · Feb 28, 2014

Thanks guys, always nice to be able to build/fabricate exactly what you want for less $'s if you don't include/value your time....lol

Stemick, I stated that the acrylic rod was 1-1/4" and salvaged from a shower towel bar. The other material is/was scrap 5/8" that I machined for the actual probes. I think minimally you'd need 1/2" to be able to tap for the 1/4" nylon screws though you could laminate two or more pieces of 1/4" acrylic flat stock for this to work. If you cannot get a hold of the acrylic cylinder most plastic stores have 1" or larger cubes you could substitute with.

Cheers, Todd