500 degrees for 5 minutes equals a more stable Xterra. Details inside! :detecting:

[khouse]

I think I may have posted this mod a couple of years ago on my X30. So now I've done the mod to the X70. I have a commercial heat gun that I set on 500 degrees F. Then I soften the ABS plastic stand. Wait until it's like a noodle then press it to a flat surface. I also narrowed the arm cuff as seen in the last two pictures. My forearm measures 13.5 inches and now it fits snug. Also the stand width is increased by almost 2 inches!

 

[AlaskaAng]

[size=large]Great idea! So WHY does't Minelab switch to this type of stand??? Certainly they know owners are having problems keeping the machine upright...

Good idea and thanks for the tip!

Ang[/size]

 

[khouse]

Most all detectors with the control with batteries above the rod fall over. Engineers have to know this. It would seen a simple fix for them to widen the stand?

 

[Donut]

Do you think it would be possible to order another armrest and mount the second armrest (top piece) to the bottom and drilling out the center of the embedded nut so the bolt would fit threw. I think this would give it a wider base and it would be possible to give it the 500 Degrees touch for a even wider base and still be higher off the ground.

Doug

 

[Grant]

That is a great Idea! why didn't Minelab do that in the 1st place I've owned over 10 detectors same problem some metal! Great job and good thinking to bad you can't patent that one! Grant

 

[khouse]

The top and bottom are different. I think it would be possible to add an upper section to the lower as I have done this exact mod to an Ace 250.

 

[Bavaria Mike]

I did not bend the stand fins as much as you did thinking it might get caught on my jacket, does work well and it does not fall over easily now. HH, Mike

 

[sport.pilot]

Can you describe exactly how you did the modification? Did you heat just the sides of the stand where you want to bend them out or did you heat the entire wing of the stand to be able to flatten it out? Did you do one at a time? Also, did you remove it from the rod before you did the heat treatments? If so, how did you grasp the stand to put pressure on it to bend it. Finally, I have a heat gun that gets extremely hot, but I do not see a temp control on it. What type of heat gun/device did you use for the project? Thanks.

 

[Donut]

n/t

 

[Donut]

Well I went and bought the upper half of the arm rest and mounted it on the bottom. It works GREAT I didn't even have drill the new one out. It fits perfectly, It is higher and a lot wider than the original lower base. I did not have to make any changes at all to it. The cost was a little over $8.00. The only thing is that you will have to be a little careful that you don't hit it on something to break it. It doesn't even get in the way. You don't even know its there.
Minelab needs to look at this. Hint,Hint.
Donut,

Doug

 

[khouse]

I left the stand on the shaft. Heat both sides up at the same time. Heat one wing on both sides for a little then move to the other side. My heat gun has a temperature control. But you will know your too hot or too close if the plastic starts turning shiny and nothing is bending. Take your time and heat evenly. Then when both stand wings are flimsy set your detector on a hard surface and gently push the wings apart by pushing the shaft down. Hold it there for just a minute until it cools. The stand does not hit my body.