Which straight shaft do you recommend ?

[madmikegolf]

I'm going to be getting a straight shaft for the minelab excalibur II. I have narrowed it down to the Anderson straight shaft or the straight shafts from dixie metal detectors. The first three pics are of the the anderson and the next three pics are of the dixie ones. Thanks for all the help and a special thanks to FloridaBill. HH MIke

 

[Horsesoldier]

Have you looked at Babbs? Thats the one I prefer. It puts the unit right under the arm cuff, not 12" behind you.

 

[PaPa-Joe-Fla.]

I have the 2 piece straight shaft from Babbs, and the travel 2 piece scoop both fit in a small hard case for travel. They both are sturdy and well balanced. Here is a pic. I put the knob guard on mine also. I have a tendency to be rough on my toys at times. Here is a pic.

[attachment 93653 addon.jpg]

 

[bdahunter]

n/t

 

[goldbilly]

thank you!
Bill B

 

[bdahunter]

No Problem, Bill. You earned every word. Beautiful welds, clean lines and solid construction without a bunch of extra weight. What more could a surf pirate ask for in a straight shaft or a scoop. I've been meaning to ask you to make me one of thos all SS monsters for some of the tougher hunting grounds around Bermuda. Something with a reinforced cross meshed basket attached to a solid scoop front. I'll have to sketch something up and send it to you.

Cheers Mate,

BDA
PS my original scoop has had several hundred hours of use and abuse but it still looks like new.

 

[Cupajo]

Hi Mad,

If you are handy with simple tools and water proof epoxy it is amazing what wonders you can create!!! Odd bits of aluminum tubing are available for few bucks at local scrap yards and if you can match up the size you need the rest is simply applying a little ingenuity.

For my Infinium I was able to build a long shaft using a $1.00( At scrapyard) spring loaded pole that painters use to hang plastic partitions. This thing is in three sections that are spring loaded and locked together.(Easily cut with a plumbers tubing cutter!!) I found that the two smaller sizes were a match for the Infinium tubes. I used the thin tubes doubled for strength and after drilling a hole for the handle, epoxied it in place for a very strong construct. Other assorted holes turned it into a fine substitute for a more expensive shaft.

I scavenged the arm rest from a machine I don't expect to use again and now have a fine long shaft!!! Total cost (Excluding arm rest) Epoxy - Under $4.00 at Lowe's, Tubing- $1.00 at the local scrap yard and a bicycle handlebar grip I found in my assorted junk!!! Labor---$10,000.00 for creativity and 0 for the huge satisfaction I got from the project. (I can't charge for the time spent in the scrapyard as it is my home away from home!!!)

Sometimes buying makes more sense, but where is the creative fun in that???

GL&HH Friends,

Cupajo

(No one gets 'em all, but I'm workin on it!!!)

 

[Mike in Texas]

I have the One that Joe DeMarco designed and builds. He has a one piece and a two piece. I have the 2 piece. It really makes a difference from the stock shaft. I like it better that the one's that have the control unit and battery pod behind your back. He does not have the 2 piece listed on his web site but call him and he will tell you about it.

Here is the link to his site. http://demarcodetectorsales.com/

 

[North Georgia Relics]

I liked the Anderson over/under shaft so much I got the dealership. The over/under shaft mounts the elecronics under you forearm between the handle and arm cuff.

 

[Mstal]

Anyone use or know of the Anderson Excalibur Extension Shaft? I have to do something, my arms are killing me by the end of the day with the stock s shaft that came with my excallibur 2.

 

[Gulf Hunter]

On the Excal, we use the Lightning Rods. I have never used the other brands on the Excal though. Here is the website to order one. http://demarcodetectorsales.com/html/Newprod/NewProducts.html
Also an old shot of Huntress and I with the Excals on the straight shafts.
[attachment 94031 ExcalPirates.JPG]

 

[bdahunter]

I can't imagine that a straight shaft wouldn't be cheaper for the company and better for the customer, so why keep sending the stock shaft out with new units?? Very strange, seeing as plenty of surf pirates have given Minelab this feedback, including yours truly. It sure would be nice to have a shaft that is comfortable to use straight out of the box instead of having to spead another $100 to make the Excal ready for the hunt.

Cheers,

BDA

 

[Mr.Bill]

They have the original Excalibur straight shaft, and a most important thing that has not been brought up, is the knob guard that can be fitted to it.

The Excalibur is prone to knob damage, Babb's has taken a step toward fixing this with his Excal. shaft.

 

[GaBeachsweeper]

I'm swingin a straight shaft from Bill Babbs. No complaints.

 

[ratpack]

WHERE CAN I BUY THEM AT

 

[ratpack]

where do you find them?

 

[migolddigger]

I can say Bill Babb's straight shafts without a doubt. He makes the best you'll ever find. I got a chance to use one in Daytona this year and personal inspect all his designs. Nothing but top notch. You'll be glad you chose his. They are light weight, and very strong. I got one for my detector and it works great.

Thanks Bill

Tom

 

[EZrider]

Just got his Toro Oro scoop. I must say its very well made. Abouve what i was expecting. I can only imagine how well his shafts are.

 

[ratpack]

How did you get the twist lock off the old upper shaft to re-use on the new shaft. I am making one myself and I would like to re-use the twist lock to keep the two peaces joined tightly.

Thanks, Bill

 

[ratpack]

I BUILT MINE TODAY. BOUGHT A PAINTERS EXTENSION POLE FROM LOWE'S MADE OF ALUMINUM (USED THE SMALLER ONE) PERFECT SIZE I USED THE POP OUT PINS FROM MY LOUSY S ROD FROM MINELAB. PINS WERE EASY TO GET OUT I USED A TOOL THAT CAR MECHANICS USE TO RETRIEVE LOST BULTS AND NUTS. THE BALANCE IS RIGHT ON BUT I CANT FIND A TWIST LOCK THAT IS USED ON MY S ROD THAT JOINS THE LOWER UNIT TO THE COIL, CAN ANYONE HELP ME ON THIS? IM OUT OF IDEAS.