I am wanting to attach one part to another in such a way that it will hold securely, but can be removed easily and reattached. This should not be a screw-on connector, as that will not work in this case.

Please look at the photo of the split push pin on this web page. This is along the line of what I think I need.

http://www.micforg.co.jp/en/c_pushpine.html

I have tried to search in an attempt to locate sources, but searching "push pins" gives the expected results that are of no use, and searching split pins doesn't give anything much better.

Is there a name for these parts, and what are they commonly used for?

As well, does anyone have an idea for a better way to do this?

I need to attach a small part to a flat surface of a sheet of plywood. I can embed a female connector part in the plywood if necessary.

Michael,

Would a cilinder shape magnet work? Im thinking you could take say, a 1/2"long by 1/8"diam.neo magnet drill an 1/8" hole in one part 1/4" deep and epoxy it in fixed. The joining part could have a hole to accept the male (magnet cilinder) and conected by a small piece of metal epoxyed in the bottom of the female part.

Gimpy

Sent you a PM, Gimpy.

Michael, would these do? http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merc......ntenance

Michael, the reference you give at the top of the page is computer part. They are called Heat Sinks, they set on top of computer chips to dissipate heat from the chip. These usually go through the motherboard and spread out to look it in place in the hole. They can be found on computer video cards as well. They are very small pins.

You did not say how thick your material is. Sauder furniture makes all kind of metal assemble parts for their chip board furniture. I think you may be in need of something special.

The only thing I can think of from your description, would be to place a nut in the wood, and that would allow a screw in to hold a temporary attachment.

Possibly. I'll have to check the size.

Thanks!

Would a T-Nut or heliacoil work?

http://www.helicoil.in/

I think what you are looking for is called a push pin or pin anchor.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/sea......154118:s

But now need to find one that is removable. Computer fans for the CPU are removable push pin anchors, but they are built onto the fan with heat sink.

Michael,

Look here:

http://www.richco-inc.com/products/rivet......uts.html

What about a wedge and r-key?

Here are some automotive removable rivets, it might wear the material over use.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/push-in......Z1z0kw7q

The ones with the screw slots are removable.

This place is offering a free Fastner Handbook, may be worth looking though.

http://www.acfcom.com/fastener_handbook/......od624AEg

This may be of interest:

http://www.voltplastics.com/product_view.php?id=433

Here are heatsink cooler spring rivets similar to what you were requesting.

Michael, I know there are also two piece plastic fasteners that work sort of like pop beads. You just push the parts together and the hold, then just pull them apart. I used to use them to hold plexiglass covers on rack mounted computer card cages. 4 of them held a 15" X 20" piece of 1/4" plex. I wish I could remember who made them, but it has been about 25 years since I used them.

This may be what you are looking for. Thanks to ClintonMagus for the link. http://www.richco-inc.com/zmag-page?pageid=89

Sometimes a simple solution works best. You could drill a slightly undersized hole for a lock nut in the plywood,
epoxy the edge of the nut and the matching inner wall of the hole, being careful not to get any on the threads, and put the lock nut in the hole, flush with the plywood.
With a hole through the part to be attached, put a bolt or threaded attachment, and there you go, a nearly permanent yet simple on/off attachment.

I am not sure, however, if this goes against your "no screw type" devices you mentioned.

Would a pin with a cotter pin work?

My hardware store also carries threaded barrels. Hollow barrel with wood threads on the outside and threads on the inside. Guessing you are already familiar with these.

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions! I will explore the different options to see what might work best.

http://www.gdc-computerhardware.com/serv......s/Detail