text: always start with a diagram and a neat list of all the variables and constants that you know. Write what you are trying to find, in this case L.\nThen look for formulas with the knowns in them, find a formula or formulas to get what you want to know,\n\nIn this case Friction = normal force x .5 (coeficient of friction)\nTorque = force x length.\n\nI can't tell from your description what the diagram would look like, but those two formulas should solve the proble.\n\nIf you can not figure this out, I recommend industrial design instead of engineering. I wish someone suggested that to me when I was in your position, because industrial designers actually do what I thought engineers did.\nEngineers do what i thought managers did.\nAnd managers....well who knows what they do.