CTX 3030 Lower shaft

Jeff in Georgia · Jun 10, 2017

I've been considering buying a second shaft to keep mounted on a second coil for easy coil change over. But just couldn't pull the trigger on a Minelab or an after market version at the price of them and how they were made.

Decided to make my own. Made a little "twist" to this version, how the cable goes into the yoke / shaft. Was trying to reduce the bending stress on the coil cable and also where the cable goes into the coil. Came up with this.

cellrdwellr · Jun 10, 2017

That looks great Jeff! Is it sturdy? Any play in the coil? Nice job!

Jeff in Georgia · Jun 10, 2017

cellrdwellr said:
That looks great Jeff! Is it sturdy? Any play in the coil? Nice job!

Very strong, no flex.
Yoke was made on a lathe and using an end mill from a single piece of round plastic stock. Machined and designed for a precision tight fit with rubber washers. Carbon fiber shaft. The two are epoxied together.

AIRFORCEMIKE · Jun 10, 2017

sweet!!

DaviDs · Jun 11, 2017

That's some mad-skil right there! Fantastic work!

copperpenny · Jun 12, 2017

Very, Very, Very nice Jeff, I can see many people wanting them for sure, put me on the list

Buellride · Jun 12, 2017

That there SIR is PURDY!!!

Jeff in Georgia said:
I've been considering buying a second shaft to keep mounted on a second coil for easy coil change over. But just couldn't pull the trigger on a Minelab or an after market version at the price of them and how they were made.

Decided to make my own. Made a little "twist" to this version, how the cable goes into the yoke / shaft. Was trying to reduce the bending stress on the coil cable and also where the cable goes into the coil. Came up with this.

Steve · Jun 13, 2017

Looks good. What kind of plastic ? Do you now think the after market shaft is worth the $ after all the work you put into it?

Jeff in Georgia · Jun 13, 2017

Steve said:
Looks good. What kind of plastic ? Do you now think the after market shaft is worth the $ after all the work you put into it?

The bar stock was Delrin.
Machining it took a while but I really like how it came out.
Made 2, this one and one closer to the stock injection molded Minelab version I plan to use for a split / 2 piece carry-on flight version.
I may check into having some of the "twisted" yokes 3-D printed.

Worst part was finding the carbon fiber tubing in the right OD & ID at a reasonable price. I've got 4 pieces of the tubing to work with.

Like most mod. projects, it was more of a labor of love than a money making opportunity. And you get what you want, not what someone else would like you to buy.

Buying parts in larger volume and mass produced, I could see them being a profitable product to make.

Steve · Jun 14, 2017

Jeff in Georgia said:
The bar stock was Delrin.
Machining it took a while but I really like how it came out.
Made 2, this one and one closer to the stock injection molded Minelab version I plan to use for a split / 2 piece carry-on flight version.
I may check into having some of the "twisted" yokes 3-D printed.

Worst part was finding the carbon fiber tubing in the right OD & ID at a reasonable price. I've got 4 pieces of the tubing to work with.

Like most mod. projects, it was more of a labor of love than a money making opportunity. And you get what you want, not what someone else would like you to buy.

Buying parts in larger volume and mass produced, I could see them being a profitable product to make.

I think it's a lot of work... to profit $25 or so. And that's assuming nothing goes wrong with delivery or something else.
Delrin is a good choice. A bit heavy, and prone to uv damage/cracking if proper steps aren't taken to protect it. Nylon, pom, perhaps even pc with glass are all ok. Good luck

CTX 3030 Lower shaft

Jeff in Georgia

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