Well, we've got two now, and it's not really doing much for me.
Any luck with anyone repairing these tubes, and reinforcing the area that
the bipod clamp seems to crack eventually?
I thought I remembered a thread on this and searched, but alas I did not find it.
Ohhh maybe it was on that "other" board.... Oooops!
How about a fiberglass repair kit from your friendly neighborhood orange big box?
After two years of our crews using them we went back to the aluminum or whatever material the Seco rods are made of. Too many cracks, etc.
Tempting....
I have a buddy who's built some wooden boats with West Epoxy systems and he seems to think they've got a product that will work well with Carbon Fiber.
I hear you there. I had little problem with them personally.
It did not start being as much of a problem until more hands got access to them.
I haven't had a carbon fiber rod crack on me yet (knock on wood) but I do use small pieces of inexpensive rubber kitchen drawer "grip" liner around the pole to use as a snug way to cinch down my bipod legs and my dc holder on the pole without putting too much muscle on it. Also helps prevent the poky little fibers that come from abrasion on the mount areas.
In past discussions, many were using a PVC sleeve to strengthen the area where the bipod attached to the rod.
Though light in weight, they do not survive impacts, many little knocks and changing nature's stress that together add up.
0.02
I had cracked a couple until I lucked into a thin piece of stainless pipe stock that was the right diameter to fit around outside of rod. I epoxied 6” sections where the clamp fits on and no problems since. Before I found the stainless my plan was to use al3
I repaired mine with strips of carbon fiber and 2 part epoxy. It worked great although the rod does get fatter in the repaired area.
I Have Two Carbon Fiber And Two Alumalite Crain Rods
These 2 piece 2 meter rods are no longer available it seems.
Early on I lowered the level bubble so that there was just enough room above it to clamp a SECO triped 1/8" below the top of the first section. The bubble base is a round full circle around the rod holding it's shape. The top has the threaded adaptor base, so that short section of the rods are quite rigid. Knock on aluminum/carbon no problems in 10 years. Because in that position the SECO tripeds extend below the bottom of the fixed rod section I added 3" between the bottom and the rod tip. Since I had 3 ProMark 2s I used the short 3" extender that comes with them at the bottom. For the fourth rod I used a 3" length of 5/8" all thread and 2 5/8" extender nuts (1 1/2" long each). To get 1 1/2" long nuts I had to check various auto supply stores. When I found them I bought extras for future rods. I'm not sure I could find them now if I needed them. Once set up the bottom section stays together for months on end, no every day clamping which probably lessens abuse.
The data collector clamps just above the reinforced end of the top section, but it needs far less pressure than a triped.
Paul in PA
I've wrapped ours in Duct tape - at least it stops you getting splinters in your hands.
From the comments here it looks like a common problem, mostly from being crushed by clamps for bi-pods and data collectors, I think.
If I were to get a new carbon fibre pole, I'd be wanting a fixed clamp or clamps permanently mounted.
But in reality I think aluminium a better choice for longevity.
> I had cracked a couple until I lucked into a thin piece of stainless pipe stock that was the right diameter to fit around outside of rod. I epoxied 6” sections where the clamp fits on and no problems since. Before I found the stainless my plan was to use al3
I did something similar, but used aluminum tubing. I slit the tubing lengthwise, spread it just enough to provide a snug friction fit (its internal diameter was slightly smaller than that of the rod), then slid it onto the rod. No cracks that I've noticed after about a year and a half of regular use.
I have never had a problem with my rod cracking but nobody uses it but me. If I did have a problem, I would try using the thinwall chrome plated brass drain pipe that is used under a sink.
http://dearborn.oatey.com/apps/catalog/showskus.asp?ctg=71&subctg=0&prodgrpid=543
The ID is slighly smaller than the pole. you could split it down one side and slide it over the rod with epoxy holding it in place. Wrap it with electrical tape to hold it until the epoxy cures. The more tape you wrap it with, the tighter it will be.
If you didn't want the split then just use the bell part. It will slide right over the pole.
James
SI Precision makes a carbon fiber 2 meter pole that has "crush-proof" center mounting area for your data collector bracket and bi-pod. I have personally used them and find the machining to be much better compared to the SECO equivalent.
:good: easy source of strong thin pipe
I use a pvc 1" connector. The ridge on the inside has to be ground off with a Dremel. Instead of using epoxy, I use a pipe clamp. The clamp is immediately adjacent to the bipod, so it is not in the way. The connector can be replaced a couple of times a year.
> The connector can be replaced a couple of times a year.
Why would you need to? Does the PVC crack after awhile?
How we do it here.
This is a section of a 2.5" alum. post from a Berntsen's Ac. During the course of time, a few get cut off for whatever reason so we save those sections. We cut out a section of it, slice it open and bend it to the correct diameter to fit the rod - works great - put it on your new rod, before wreck-it Ralph has a chance to do his thing.....
Thanks, now I know who made my topcon 2 meter rod.
It might not be cheap but I bet Jamestown Distributors
could hook you up.
I tried to get there direct site but deleted it....
