Ball-joint threaded insert


If an IKEA-style threaded insert and a car tow hitch had a hybrid, it might look something like this. The aim was to minimise intervention on the coppiced branches while keeping assembly simple and intuitive. Each piece of wood only requires two operations: cutting to length and drilling 15 mm holes at both ends.

The assembly process of the whole kit was an important consideration. The threaded insert introduced a satisfying screwing motion, while also allowing for fine adjustments, varying the insertion depth to subtly modify the overall length of each branch.

Material and fabrication constraints eventually led to a shift away from including a thread, prompting the exploration of hammer-in and press-fit alternatives.