what is this?

Post Reply New Topic

does anybody know what this hollow component is called? the saw marks is from me trying to remove it. i need to memove it and add a new one to fix the thermostat it holds together. any help would be greatly appreciated

Assuming it has a thread on the inner part...

I think that's a type of ring nut.
The two slots engage with what amounts to a two-pronged screwdriver and it's undone like a screw.
Or, assuming those two large slots are a result of your sawing and wouldn't normally be there - it's a captive nut.
Or, if it's not threaded then some sort of collet.

What purpose does it serve in the thermostat - was there something passing through it?

thanks for the reply cornflake. i Think it is a collet. perfect

it passes through the assembly of parts and hold them together. I dunno if it is a thermostat actually, might just be a type of variable resistor to control a thermostat.

Thanks again!

Neither the thermostat nor a variable resistor: no electrical connections.
Although - some part of a control knob mechanism may pass through, forming a lever to tweak something else.

there are electrical conections. just not in the picture

It looks like a pop rivet to me - a little aluminium tube with a flat on both ends, one flat being made by popping out a central steel core during assembly. A rivet has no thread, but is used in a similar way to a bolt to hold components tightly together.

Drilling out the soft aluminium core would separate the metal components, which are likely to be harder and survive gentle drilling.