$20.00 and an hours work, straight shaft for excallibur

[Grubstake]

I wanted a straight shaft for my excallibur, but I didn't want to spend the $100.00 for it, so being a person that makes most of my own stuff, here what I did. I went to walmart, and bought an alluminum extention for a paint roller, the tubing is just the right size for the upper shaft, I cut it to size. It cost $10.00 and went to the bike department, and bought two handles for mounting on a racing bike, $7.00 and then to make the arm cuff I bought some 4 inch white pvc cuppler and sawed it about 3/4. I bought some nylon bolts and wing nuts, a couple of end caps from the hardwhear department. total about $20.00 and an hours work. Heres pictures of the finished product. Grubstake

 

[Rustyjuan]

Just kidding. looks great! can't beat the price!

 

[padigger]

Great job, my feeling too when/if I get around to the Excal, see no reason to spend an extra 100 for something I can do myself, especially if it isn't electronic or something that needs micro-tuned.

That cuff should be bright enough to keep the mosquito's away

 

[Grubstake]

Its one of the luggage carring straps they sell at the air port, for a couple of bucks, I know what you mean by rainbow, but I don't care, it severs the purpose. and was on hand already. I just glued velcro to it for an arm strap. I have been married 6 times and I'm married now for 13 years to the same gal, so I'm very secure about my man hood, if you know what I mean. Grubstake Ps Beside Jessie Jackson lets me detect his property, he thinks I'm in the rainbow coalition. Ha! Ha! Grubstake

 

[NamVetLesTreasureSeeker]

Hey Grubstake, You might want to consider using 1/4 in. stainless steel hardware with 1/4 in. plastic washers, 1 under the head of the bolt, and another under the wing nut, so you don't have metal bolt/washer in direct contact with the plastic housings of the EXCAL.
I don't know if the plastic hardware that you are using will hold up to the stress of swinging your EXCAL under chest deep water. But, if you are not going to water hunt in chest deep water, you should be fine with what you have. I use commercially made straight shafts, and have had two different manufacturers, and as far as I know, everyone uses stainless steel hardware to mount the Control Box/Battery Pod to their straight shafts. Like I said. I don't know personally if the plastic hardware will hold up, while detecting in the water. Great Job, whatever you decide! Just trying to be helpful. HH

 

[Grubstake]

I have detected in waist or I should say neck deep water, and I have used the nylon bolts and wingnuts, they hold up fine, I always carry extras with me no matter what detector I use, that seems what all the coils on detectors are mounted with now days. I'm also a nam vet, I was there from 1967-1969. US Army Medical corps. I was in the 529th medical clearing company, in Camaran Bay. My job was in Medical Supply, I drove convoy to supply our out lying company detachments, in Na Trang, and Bami toi in the central highlands. I was station in Siagon the last six months of my secound tour, I was in a deal they called Poject Count. Right after the tet offencive. Grubstake

 

[NamVetLesTreasureSeeker]

Hey Brother, WELCONE HOME!! I spent some time in Nha Trang, Beautiful Beaches/Women, and some nice bars too!! I spent my last couple of weeks in Nha Trang, after my company was transferred down from PhuBai in I-Corp. Part of Vietnamesation of the War program.
I was with the combat M.P's, 504th M.P. Bn, 18th M.P. Brigade, June 71 thru mar. 29, 1972. What state are you located in now?

 

[Grubstake]

I live in Mariposa Calif, just outside of Yosemite national park. I'm mainly a nugget hunter, but with 7 fresh water lakes within 80 miles of me I like to hit them also. And my uncle lives in Monerey Calif. He metaldetects and has water and nugget detectors too. So he comes here to my house for nugget hunting, and I go to his to hunt the beaches in Monterey and Carmel. Grubstake I test coiltek coils for Rob Allison and Doc once in awhile, I hunt gold with a minelab 2200sd. And have found quite a bit. I mostly post on Nuggethunting forums and the Yank-Aussie forum for gold nugget shooters.

 

[NamVetLesTreasureSeeker]

Hey Grubstake, That's abit far from Delaware! If I ever get out that way, I would like to hookup with you to learn something about gold nugget hunting. I don't want to know your "Honey Hole", just would like to try some nugget hunting with someone who knows what he is doing. Because, I am a total rookie when it comes to gold nugget hunting, and futhermore, I don't want get SHOT trespassing on somebody's claim!! Do you belong to the GPAA or Lost Dutchmans? In the summertime, I watch all the gold prospecting programs that I can. They can be pretty interesting at times, provided Tom Massey is not wasting everyones time with mining history lessons, and alot of boring sightseeing of the inside of old gold mines.
As for myself, I am primarily a saltwater/beach hunter. But, in the off season, I play around in old farm sites, and old city parks.
Take care MY BROTHER, it was a pleasure chatting with you! Nice to meet more Vietnam Vets/Other Vets in the hobby. HH

 

[Grubstake]

I mostly hunt on Blm or private property, yes I'm a member of the GPAA, My uncle is a VET also, he was with the Marines, we were both there at the same time, but he's 5 years older than me. He got a Purple heart and a Navy Cross, while he was there. Long story, they were pinned down on a rice paddy, one of his guys got hit. He went and threw him over his shoulder and crried him back, said to the coreman, take care of him DOc! The Coreman said he's dead, I better take care of you. My uncle did not even know he had been hit with an armour piercing round in the jaw. They evac him to okinawa for a month to heal and then right back out in the field. Grubstake

 

[padigger]

Hey Grubsteak, in the rainbow coalition that's good, I'd take my time detecting that spot till Jesse invites you over to detect his place.
Can understand 6 glad to hear u are in control, I was lucky on 2, now 38 years with one, Nam - 67-68 DacTo 299th Engr