# How to make bracket adjustable?

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-make-bracket-adjustable/40464>\
**Category:** Modeling Questions\
**Created:** [March 8, 2026, 3:35pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-make-bracket-adjustable/40464 "2026-03-08T15:35:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 13\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Havarv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Havarv](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Havarv)\
**Post date:** [March 8, 2026, 3:35pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-make-bracket-adjustable/40464/1 "2026-03-08T15:35:56Z")

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Hi,

I’m new to this software and CAD in general.

Im working on a bracket model for a motorcycle part, and I have some questions that I hope someone might be able to help me with.

I need to make this part adjustable, I need an adjustable angle on the bracket but also a way to move the angled piece in and out to adjust length.

Adding picture that maybe explains what I need help with. Any tips and tricks are highly appreciated!

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/f/d/fdcd94d52bd7970cba2738d0606971c869a307c4.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![Oregonerd](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/oregonerd/32/8012_2.png) [@Oregonerd](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Oregonerd)\
**Post date:** [March 8, 2026, 5:16pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-make-bracket-adjustable/40464/2 "2026-03-08T17:16:17Z")

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You will likely need a couple of joints.

 ![Adjustable-Friction-Knee-Joint-Class-I-Rehabilitation-Equipment-3516400742](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/e/b/eb9a34a30b02927702e13d4cb9961e85d59f9a45.jpeg)

 ![AdjustFrictionDampner](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/0/a/0a75ea84d2f5d2c7658bedac3d600335f457d486.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![Oregonerd](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/oregonerd/32/8012_2.png) [@Oregonerd](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Oregonerd)\
**Post date:** [March 8, 2026, 6:10pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-make-bracket-adjustable/40464/3 "2026-03-08T18:10:47Z")

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Here is a quick of a version of a friction joint I am working on for a shower head wand holder. Working on version 2 soon

 ![FrictionJoint](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/c/0/c088f6762a237e6a97e722af847d9a82144ff5f7.jpeg)

 ![ShowerHeadHolder](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/e/9/e91509396e433458ec486e6a872f2a851ef43c41.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![SCALEMODEL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@SCALEMODEL](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/SCALEMODEL)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2026, 7:46am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-make-bracket-adjustable/40464/4 "2026-03-09T07:46:55Z")

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If you want your model to be adjustable you can setup your sketch using constraints.

Locking some areas down and letting other area freely move.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Havarv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Havarv](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Havarv)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2026, 9:54am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-make-bracket-adjustable/40464/5 "2026-03-09T09:54:02Z")

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Main issue is that the joint will have to hold decent amounts of force, and I have no clue how to make a joint.

If you have any tips on videos to check out etc let me know.

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**Author:** ![Havarv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Havarv](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Havarv)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2026, 9:55am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-make-bracket-adjustable/40464/6 "2026-03-09T09:55:22Z")

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Yeah I’ve figured out the constraints to make the model itself adjustable. But yeah as someone above mentioned I need joints.

Just gotta figure out how to make some strong joints. And then im guessing a sliding mechanism for the length adjusting.

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**Author:** ![TigerMike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/tigermike/32/32650_2.png) [@TigerMike](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TigerMike)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2026, 3:40pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-make-bracket-adjustable/40464/7 "2026-03-09T15:40:07Z")

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What are the footprint dimensions of this part?

How much vertical adjustment and angular adjustment are you looking for?

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**Author:** ![Oregonerd](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/oregonerd/32/8012_2.png) [@Oregonerd](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Oregonerd)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-make-bracket-adjustable/40464/8 "2026-03-09T17:55:43Z")

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The first consideration is how to manufacture it (I use 3D printers). Tiger Mike is asking what are your constraints (size, shape etc.) are. Also does it need to be tool-less design? You want it to move/adjust it without needing for example and hex/ allen wrench? Also things to consider is elegance vs strength.

To make my joint I sketched a circle with a line bisecting it. Revolved half the circle 180 degrees to make a hemisphere. I selected the face of it to make a new sketch. Sketched a circle to punch a hole for the screw. I made a copy of it for the other side of the joint. Went back to the 2nd sketch to make the gear like teeth on the face of the hemisphere making a circular pattern of teeth. I added the teeth to the 1st hemisphere (boolean add tool). Then I aligned the copied hempisphere face to the 1st hemisphere face and subtracted them so the teeth became matching divits in the other hemisphere.

To make it compliant (spring built in) I will make slots in the hemishperes to work like a spring mech.

Think in sketches. Planes are really handy for making sketches on. Planes can be moved and rotated to orient them anywhere you need to make a sketch.

 ![CompliantRatchetingJoint](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/2/d/2da95dad44535c7669f084d961aa41399a7059bf.jpeg)

 ![CompliantRatchetingJointSketch](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/8/f/8f21aecf79feab4aa56cde234a57e65c7ea5a733.jpeg)

Others will help with videos, I use screenshots.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Havarv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Havarv](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Havarv)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2026, 6:26pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-make-bracket-adjustable/40464/9 "2026-03-09T18:26:26Z")

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So at the moment the angle is 32.5, this would be optimal with a range from 30-35 degrees.

Vertical adjustment would be optimal around 5cm total adjustable length.

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/7/9/7989148ce50d6b14c96b4748ff7bed48e7f54e91.png)

No clue if this shows the dimensions enough, first week of trying the software so im quite the beginner.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Havarv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Havarv](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Havarv)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2026, 6:31pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-make-bracket-adjustable/40464/10 "2026-03-09T18:31:37Z")

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Does not need to be a tool-less design, on this part since it will be well hidden strength will be number 1 priority compared to elegance.

The part will be mounted on a motorcycle fork, clamped around and then the flat surface will be mounted towards a front fairing. Hence the strength over elegance.

Adding a picture of a previous rendition of the bracket, easier this way to show the use of the model.

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/1/a/1a08d1b2d9a7dea9f88913cb2931938038da1e24.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Oregonerd](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/oregonerd/32/8012_2.png) [@Oregonerd](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Oregonerd)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 12:11am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-make-bracket-adjustable/40464/11 "2026-03-10T00:11:16Z")

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Slots and nuts and bolts? Curved slots and nuts and bolts?

 ![Bracket](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/5/9/591af52d0d3bb2fb9beed2e89621fa43400f2cd0.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TigerMike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/tigermike/32/32650_2.png) [@TigerMike](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TigerMike)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 4:07am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-make-bracket-adjustable/40464/12 "2026-03-10T04:07:34Z")

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Here’s one way to go. In the interest of strength, I added arc’d ribs at the housing (in purple) that interlock with the slider in steps. Overall height adjustment is 5cm. The arc’d rib allow the slider (translucent orange) to rotate left or right by 3°. The method of assembly is to tighten a bolt or screw at the dowel that slides up and down in the vertical slot at the housing. The arc’d ribs are overkill and can be eliminated if a friction fit at the slider and housing is enough when tightened at the bolt.

I’m sure there are other ways, but this is what came to mind. Hope it helps or at least gives you an idea for another approach.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SCALEMODEL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@SCALEMODEL](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/SCALEMODEL)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 6:42am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-make-bracket-adjustable/40464/13 "2026-03-10T06:42:43Z")

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When I saw this I had an idea.

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/6/c/6c78d0eb78bb8afd194d8379f1eaa2bacc51e0cf.jpeg)