Straight shaft aluminum

[Ray Hogan]

I've searched through many, many straight shaft threads. What I've seen is 7/8 aluminum for making a straight shaft. Is all 7/8 about the same? I can only find it here locally at Grainger. Does wall thickness vary and thus inside diameter differ? Thanks ahead for any advice or information.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Ray, I've had good results at the local Ace hardware with the 7'8 aluminum rod purchased,the lower rod fit exactly as it should.One more important item that will help is Plugger's rod connector,these work very well and will eliminate most of your drilling.It probably wouldn't hurt to take a lower rod with you at the store to match up both rods.Good Luck Ron

 

[NamVetLesTreasureSeeker]

One of Our Forum Sponsors, INDIAN NATIONS DETECTOR Sales has THEM!! BEST of LUCK, Les Robinson.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Les,Thanks Ron

 

[Ray Hogan]

n/t

 

[tvr]

I have used On Line Metal several times for material for various projects. Normally a better selection than the local hardware store; better prices, but there is a few day wait for delivery.

Have not seen Pluggers shaft locks, but most shaft locks move either a cam or a taper to tighten a piece of plastic against the shaft to keep it from wiggling.

On the shafts I've built, I have not added shaft locks and just live with the little bit of wobble. The shafts stay loose enough to take apart and clean. On a couple of original equipment shafts with shaft locks, I've had more than one time, after being in the water and then taking a few hour drive back home, that it took some persuasion to get the shaft pieces to release from the locks.
Cheers,
tvr

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Ray,I've used these on Fishers and Minelabs ,the cam lock will slip onto your straight shaft and is locked in place with a large plastic wing nut used to pinch the cam secure and then the lower shaft is slide in place to the correct length and then bolted into place.IMHO this system works better than the stock setup.and very inexpensive $12-$13 bucks.Good Luck Ron

 

[Ray Hogan]

Just wondered if any hole drilling was necessary, or if it was a telescopic thing?

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Ray,with this cam lock I would not drill set holes in the shaft,it works that well.The only drilling needed is to mount your control box,the stock Minelab handle should slide on and then tighten screws once in place,very simple and clean with no fuss.Good Luck Ron

 

[dewcon4414]

I even cut the old locks off the and put them on my Xcal shaft. Very simple.... wing nut cranks down on lower shaft... doesnt get any eaier OR cheaper for how good they are.

Dew

 

[recout]

I have built a few shafts for my Excal. I use pluggers Universal Shaft Lock. no drilling is need to use it. Just slid it over the 7/8 pipe and use a screwdriver to tighten the screw and then install the lower rod. and tighten it. very easy.

 

[tvr]

I may have to try the pluggers shaft lock.

 

[NamVetLesTreasureSeeker]

Ray, They GO ON Very EASY!! The Bigger OPEN END, goes on the END of the UPPER Shaft, and has a SET SCREW, that YOU TIGHTEN Down, and SECURES IT IN Place!!
Then you SLIDE the Lower Rod INTO the SMALLER Opening, and It has a THUMB KNOB You TIGHTEN, that SECURES the LOWER Rod!! That's IT!! THEIR Worth the
EXPENSE, Believe ME!! Les Robinson.

 

[Ray Hogan]

The local Ace Hardware had the 7/8" by 8' aluminum tubing clearance priced at $8.50, regularly $33.00, of course it was all gone as of yesterday, ha.

 

[Ray Hogan]

n/t