choppedliver

Thanks to the suggestions of forum members, DFA especially, Ijust got done making my first all thread gig. This is one heavy duty, bad mofo.

It is made of 316L Marine Grade Stainless Steel which is highly resistant to salt water unlike the cheap 304 stainless alloy that is readily available in hardware stores. This will likely be the last gig I'll ever need.

Since I was welding it, I made everything out of the "L" version of 316 which is the "low carbon" version suitable for welding. The flat bar, tubing, all thread, filler rod, is all 316L

It is designed to attach to your every day, common, pool cleaning handle. These are light weight aluminum, and they are available for less than $20 from walmart and any pool store. This one goes from 6ft to 12ft long.

The pool handle slides over, then you run a screw through it and tighten down. Alternately you could put a handle inside the tube. The tube is very heavy duty steel and wont bend or crimp.

The biggest challenge was finding everything in316L, and finding it cheap enough. I ended up buying a BUTTLOAD, so I have plenty left if anyone wants me to make them one.

EDIT: I am adding the following information about handle attachments.

I designed it with a common pool handle in mind, but also maximum flexibility, because there is no "standard gig handle".

With flounder gigs, it's just about ALWAYS a "Make it fit to the equipment of my preference" kind of situation. The pool handle was just an idea to make sure you don't have to go and try 10 different things before you find one that will work. It is standard and widely available. I don't like the tapered "one size fits all" approach because it is only tight on one point, the point where the diameters are the same.

--This is standard 3/4" PIPE schedule 10, which means the OD is 1.05 inches.
--It is schedule 10, which means the wall thickness is .083.
--Subtracting two wall thicknesses from the outside diameter gives an inside diameter of .884 inches

What this means is any 3/4" adapter, reducer, increaser, etc can be used to make it fit what ever size pipe/tubing you want. With the inside diameter, it will fit some cane poles, rake handles, etc. With the outside diameter, it will fit inside many common tubings.

My 3/4" gig will slide INSIDE 1" sch 5, 10, and 40 metal pipe, though 40 might be extremely tight, as the dimensions are almost exactly the same. 1" OD pipe is 1.315 inches OD. The inside diameter of sch 5, 10, and 40 is 1.185, 1.097, and 1.049 respectively.

My 3/4" gig will slide OVER 1/2" Pipe. Remember , I'm talking about PIPE, not tubing. Either one of these would have a few hundredths of inch "slop" which can easily be remedied with duct tape, silicone tape, etc.

"1/2 inch" PIPE has an outside diameter of .840
"1 inch" PIPE has an outside diameter of 1.315.

Pipe inside diameter varies with the "schedule" ( thickness ). The outside diameter stays the same, so that it can be used with standard fittings and adapters
Remember I am talking about metal pipe. PVC Outside diameters follow the same sizing, but I'm pretty sure the thickness ( schedule ) dimensions do not. This is stainless steel schedule I am using.

Another alternative is 1.25 inch Aluminum TUBING ( not pipe ). 1.25 inch Diameter with a thickness of .090. This is 3x thicker than a pool handle, and it fits with .02 difference, for a nice snug fit.

Here is some pics:







Let me know what you think!



EDIT: Here is my two prong version, and some more pics







I went to Lowes today to see what all I could find to fit my gig handle, in addition to the pool handle and others things mentioned above. I foundLOTS of things<UL><LI>4 ft 7/8" Wood Dowel... very close fit, $2.98. </LI><LI></LI><LI>Finish factor extensible aluminum painting handle, 6ft to 12 ft, $10.96, fits inside, exact fit</LI><LI></LI><LI>3/4" inch copper pipe fits inside perfect</LI><LI></LI><LI>3/4" CPVC ( NOT SAME AS PVC ), fits inside, exact fit. </LI><LI></LI><LI>1/2" PVC slight gap, can be cured with tape, fits inside</LI><LI>True Bilt rake handle, fits inside, exact fit</LI>[/list]
Here is a pic of some of the flat bar Im using

IGIG2

looks pretty solid, whats the I.D. and o.d of the pipe coming off the gigg? How much you looking for to make one?

choppedliver

The pipe is 3/4" sch 20 stainless, so it is 1.05" od, .083 wall thickness, for an i.d. of 1.05-(2*.083) = .884 inches.



The pool handle is something everyone can get their hands on, which is why I designed it for that.



For a four pronger, I figure about $50 would be a fair price to cover my materials and labor

Freespool

How sturdy is the pool handle?

choppedliver

VERY.



I just added pics of my two prong version

Linkovich

Lookin good

jigmaster

I like the design also that with the wider portion will be effective as a paddle for addedmanueverability.

Other than that if you run accross a light weight Flats boat push pole to attach your gig head would be an awesome setup.

I found a broken one at a yard sale for only 5 bucks but would have gladly paid $25 or more.it was originally 20ft long but was crushed about half way, i was able to salvage 11.5 ft and used pvc fitting to reduce to Gigg head fitting.

choppedliver

Do you have a pic? I can make any pole you want.

choppedliver

By the way, the pool handle when collapsed is two poles inside each other, so it is extremely sturdy.



If you have it extended all the way out to 12 ft, its got more flex in it, but still plenty strong to gig a flounder.

Snatch it

Not bad at all!