Collapsible pole

[lafatlife]

has anyone made a pole that can collapse into itself so that you can fit a detector into a back pack? If so, would you be willing to share your idea?

thanks

 

[Jeff In North Georgia]

Seems like I saw one somewhere that used a leg from a camera tripod.

Jeff

 

[GoGoGopher]

Use tent poles or other such poles that fit one inside the other for length...fit 2 together, cut either end so the final length is what you want...Use bungie cord inside the tubes to keep them tight when put together...fasten these with rivets and small washers inside the tubes...you should be seeing my vision by now...kinda like a folding cane used by the blind...

HH,

 

[silversmith]

I've seen somewhere kinda what you want. Maybe it *was* the tripod leg. Some of those were *multi extendo* types. The problem you're going to have I think, is with the non-conductive first section coming out of the coil. It might be a good idea to take a piece of 1in dia alumimum tubing and tape it to your detector shaft in parallel with it, and just above the coil, wrap the coil-wire around it and test if it upsets your detectors function. You know, I think maybe I saw the multi-extension thing on a vintage detector on E-bay. You might check there under "vintage metal detectors" Those old detectors usually go relative cheap. You could just maybe buy one and use the shaft on your project. I'll surely be watching this one. Good luck.

Addendum: Watch the Tripod idea. As I recall, the legs usually aren't round, but flat, with stops. How long they would last, swinging a detector coil back and forth might be a gamble. Something worth pondering anyway.

 

[mlamp20412]

I made a collapsible MD shaft out of PVC. It is shock corded like a tent pole, but I used parachute cord and a cord lock instead of bungee cord, just used what I had on hand. The sections are about 13" or so. I did this for a BH SSII and it would be the same for most BH machines. There is no wrist rest, so you hand gets tired from griping the handle after a bit, but not too bad. I had not taken a picture yet, but this is a crude sketch. Not too bad for stock and 4" coil.

 

[silversmith]

Well, you done and jumped the gun on me!!! If you call around to detector repair shops or watch on E-bay Vintage detectors for a cheap A H Pro detector, it has the perfect telescopic pole. I just took one off of my A.H. and will be using it on a Compadre when it gets here. When finished 'll post an article here. If you can a tripod with round legs that might be Ok too but I don't think the ones (most) with channel shaped legs will tolerate swing back and forth very long. Good luck.

 

[lafatlife]

Round legs would be preferable for the reasons stated. My concern for the tripod poles is the end might be too small for the coil to attach to.

I will look on ebay for the mentioned detector. Thanks for the info!!!

 

[mlamp20412]

Here are some pics of the finished collapsible pole.

HH-

 

[lafatlife]

Mlamp, that isn't too bad but how much weight does it add to your machine?

Thanks

 

[mlamp20412]

Not sure that it adds too much weight, but it is hard on the hand since it is supported by grip alone. I would not want to hunt more than an hour or two with it. I did it more for the packability.
BTW Merry Chrismas everyone!

HH-

 

[silversmith]

If you could figure a way to bend the handle around so it was above the "box", like a cane, it might put the detector in balance. That might put less strain on your wrist and hand. Just a thought.....

 

[kered]

You could also try a fly fisher wading pole,they are pretty robust, brake down small and have an internal bungee cord, a bycicle horn grip for handle slotted onto the section required and tightened and use your own elbow cuff, or even a leather belt made into a loop around the upper forarm