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Handmade Wooden Handle for detecting.

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Post  CostasDee Thu Jul 11, 2013 10:37 pm

Hi guys,

I recently was talking to another member who had recently purchased a wooden handle off a bloke selling them on eBay, and once he put it on his detector, he thought the feeling and "strength" of this new handle, to be fantastic. Unfortunately I didn't personally get to see it or feel it as he put it on and then very promptly left for a nice well earned trip over to the west, where he is currently filling up trailer loads of gold to bring back to the east. His only concern was the location of the quick-track button, being on the front top of the handle, making it a little awkward to press, but apart from that, the handle felt extremely good in his hand and he felt it gave him more control of the detector.

Trusting his fairly good sense of judgement, I contacted the seller and told him that I was interested in buying one, but as he hand makes all the handles, would it be possible to relocate the position of the quick-track button to make it somewhat easier to press. To my surprise, he told me that he was working on a new design and that he would have a prototype ready in a week or two. After about a week, I received a couple of photos from him clearly showing the new design, and what a ripper it looked.

Handmade Wooden Handle for detecting. Img_1110

Handmade Wooden Handle for detecting. Img_1111

For those that have seen the previous design, this one is very similar with the exception that the quick-track button is on the top of the front now, rather than the front of the top, so pressing it is so easy and similar to pressing a trigger on a rifle. The back part of the handle has a section that bobs out and rests comfortably on the part of your hand between your thumb and forefinger. I can see that as you don't need to grip the handle tight as you do with the normal standard grip that comes with the detector, so as to hold the weight of the coil up, because the weight is now also shared with the top of your hand also. This should make it easier and less tiring to swing the detector, which should result in less fatigue especially after hours of swinging.

I received mine today, and just to clarify the situation, I did not ask or get a free-bee and I did pay full price for my handle. I immediately put it on and swung around in the backyard to see how it handled and I was thrilled. It felt good in my hand and I also felt that because of its "rock-solid" feel that I had more control over the coil. For those like me, that have had the displeasure of swinging a 2.5Kg Coiltek 24"DD coil before, where it almost feels that the standard plastic handle is going to break, and although I wont be able to retest it for a week or so with this new wooden handle, I know it will be much easier to both lift and to control. No more fear of having a handle break on me, no need to carry a spare (although I'll still keep the standard plastic one in the car to sell with the detector when the time comes), no need to replace a ripped or weathered foam... In a nutshell, falls into the category of one of the best accessories that I have bought to help me enjoy my detecting more.

Handmade Wooden Handle for detecting. Img_1112

As I mentioned earlier, the bloke that makes them, hand-makes each and everyone of them, so he basically makes them in his spare time. He' recently joined the forum under the username "handleman" and will be able to answer your questions if you have any.

Once again, I am not doing the bloke any favours or trying to push a product that's crap. I bought it outright and am just an extremely happy customer with this product and it's potential to make my life a little easier and less tiring. I'll try and do a follow up review in a week or 2 when hopefully I'll finally manage to get out for a swing.
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Post  Guest Thu Jul 11, 2013 11:08 pm

Interesting report Con
thanks very much Very Happy 
dave

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Post  Guest Thu Jul 11, 2013 11:29 pm

Costa the hand grip looks very well made. But I was wondering if over time, like a days use if it may start irritating, or rubbing the skin along the top of your hand near your thump. Could you let us know if this happens or not.

Also I got my new hand grip yesterday . I sent the old one back to Minelab last Thursday. Not bad 6 days turn around time including the weekend.
wombat Wink 

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Post  CostasDee Thu Jul 11, 2013 11:50 pm

Wombat, the turn around time and the service I have received from Minelab on the 3 times I've sent a detector in, has been impeccable.

I can see what you are talking about concerning irritation with constant use. I just tested it out here and if you can see in the last photo, there is a slight bump about an inch below the button, which you can rest your forefinger above it, as in the first photo and the handle also rests along the top of your hand , or rest your forefinger below it and there's no contact with the back of your hand (similar to a standard plastic one).

I'll definitely give a much more thorough report after I manage to sneak away from the wife for a couple of days.
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Post  mullockgrubber Fri Jul 12, 2013 7:29 am

Good report Costa' and thanks, one thing is that the green button is facing forwards now and think would be a bit more protected from damage.

With the standard hand grip the button is upwards and a bit exposed to being knocked about.
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Post  Guest Fri Jul 12, 2013 9:04 am

Costa does it come with it's own Quick Track Button or do you have to remove your old one of the Minelab handle ??? If not, how hard is it to remove it from the old handle and place it on the new one.???
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Post  CostasDee Fri Jul 12, 2013 10:28 am

Unfortunately Wombat, Minelab have a monopoly on the button so you have to use your existing one. Imagine if the new wooden handle came with a new quick-track button included, it would be cheaper than the plastic one you get at the shops. To fit it in the wooden handle you simply guide the plug section into the front opening, and then push it round the bend through the little access hole at the top and it comes out the bottom. I placed a minute bit of silicone lube on the outside of the switch and it slotted into the slot with a minimum of fuss. Took all of about 2 minutes to do the whole inserting thing. My existing plastic handle must've been a modified SD one with a hole drilled into the top for the quick-track button and was absolutely no fuss to remove. Obviously the handle must've broken for the previous owner of my machine and rather than spending the $130 odd to replace it, he did the $30 mod. So all up Wombat, from the time I started to undo the control box to get the plastic handle off to the time I was lining up the new handle and tightening the screws, it would've been under 15 minutes. Good thing is, I don't have to do it again until either I sell the detector and put the plastic one back on or the quick-track button breaks, cause the handle itself is pretty indestructible.
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Post  CostasDee Fri Jul 12, 2013 10:58 am

Wombat (and others), I've just done a very quick vid of the handle on the detector. I'll be posting it soon and you'll be able to see it in motion. Hopefully that'll answer some questions.
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Post  Guest Fri Jul 12, 2013 11:38 am

Thanks good buddy for the info:D 
wombat Wink 

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Post  CostasDee Fri Jul 12, 2013 12:11 pm

Ok guys, I've done a very quick vid so hopefully it'll give you an idea of what it looks like fitted. Please excuse my Sunday best attire.... Q03 
 
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Post  sandy2010 Fri Jul 12, 2013 12:51 pm

HI C/D....Thanks for that......FOUR QUESTIONS: 1) Price....2)Is it made from jarrah timber...3)A coil cable clamp on the handle would be a good idea.....4) Where to find the Guy.

Cheers.


Last edited by sandy2010 on Fri Jul 12, 2013 12:52 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : additional word.)

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Post  CostasDee Fri Jul 12, 2013 1:09 pm

Hi Sandy2010...
1) About $100 including postage but he will no doubt put a comment on soon and introduce himself and give a definite price as there is a little bit more work with the new design over what was needed for the old design (which cost $85)
2) He uses solid recycled timber, ie he doesn't go to Bunnings and buy the stuff that's on the shelf, he normally buys old furniture or doors with solid wood that are made from Red Cedar or Oak.
3) Yes I tried fitting my old "cable thingy" one and although it could be adapted, I didn't have time to mess with it for now.
4) Until he introduces himself to the forum, I don't think it's proper for me to be giving out his number so it's probably better to send a PM to "handleman" as that's the username he's joined the forum under. I will make him aware that there is interest and that he should log in.
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Post  sandy2010 Fri Jul 12, 2013 2:35 pm

Thanks C/D.....I understand your answer re: contact........I thought perhaps he was on Ebay or similar.

Be lucky.

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Post  CostasDee Fri Jul 12, 2013 3:57 pm

He was (still is?) on eBay but I reckon it's better if possible to deal with him direct through the forum as it'll cost the same for buyers but it saves him a few bucks not paying the ebay/paypal fees. Personally I reckon the money spent on this solid handle is far cheaper anyway than the cost of a new plastic handle (although you don't get a new quick-track button), so the buyer is already way in front $$$ wise.
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Post  G.B. Sat Jul 13, 2013 12:22 am

Looks good, but with the quick trak button in that position wouldn't it be prone to getting bumped when pushing in under bushes, maybe some type of protruding bumper stop or button guard would help, but in any case looks better than the minelab handles
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Post  CostasDee Sat Jul 13, 2013 12:40 am

G.B. wrote:maybe some type of protruding bumper stop or button guard would help

....but it does have one G.B., it called your finger lol! 
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Post  bristlehound Sat Jul 13, 2013 3:13 pm

I have been using one of these handles for about a month now and can honestly say it's brilliant. Comfortable all day with a strong positive grip and much less fatiguing than the original. I detect several days a week have had no sore spots. Mine has the button on top but I can imagine the front placement could be a bit more convenient and easier to get used to. (Oh, and it does find gold! Smile Smile Smile  )
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Post  Nightjar Sat Jul 13, 2013 6:47 pm

Button can be purchased from Jaycar;

Button
http://search.jaycar.com.au/search?w=SP-0656&view=list

Plug can be purchased from Radio spares;


http://australia.rs-online.com/web/p/industrial-automation-circular-connectors/0468958/?searchTerm=468958&relevancy-data=636F3D3126696E3D4931384E525353746F636B4E756D6265724D504E266C753D656E266D6D3D6D61746368616C6C26706D3D5E5C647B367D247C5E5C647B377D247C5E5C647B31307D2426706F3D313426736E3D592673743D52535F53544F434B5F4E554D424552267573743D3436383935382677633D4E4F4E4526
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Post  CostasDee Sat Jul 13, 2013 7:06 pm

You are a champion Nightjar. Although I knew about the button as I fitted that same one to to my SD, I didn't realise that the plug was available for public purchase and thought it was a propriety (specially made for Minelab) plug. Although a little expensive, it's good to know that it's an available option. Many thanks Nightjar. cheers
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Post  DoctorWho Sun Jul 14, 2013 1:04 pm

This has got to be a great idea for those detecting trips especially for use with the heavier DoubleD coils that I use. I might have to look into this a bit more. Thanks for the write up.
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Post  CostasDee Sun Jul 28, 2013 8:31 pm

Well guys, just returned from a weekend detecting and had a lot of time to test the wooden handle. I used it with the Commander 15x12 then I put on the NFA 14x7 and then came the real test, I used it with the Commander 18" round. I can honestly say that it worked FANTASTIC. The 18" is not a light coil but with the handle I could twist and control it beautifully. I was very impressed with it and am very glad that I bought it. For me, the little lump at the rear worked a treat and allowed me to lift the coil off the ground using my hand and finger-grip together, not just the tight finger-grip that you must do with the normal supplied handle. It did not hurt my hand like I thought it "might" have after a full days detecting, so for me it worked fine. Saying that though, Hobo and GB both tried it and thought that for them, it "might" irritate them if they constantly used it. I had similar thoughts in the beginning but can honestly say that I had no problem and in fact it was beneficial having it there with the extra control and lift that it gave me, especially with the larger coil.

Slippery sweaty palms may be a concern in summer, but I think if that becomes an issue maybe masking tape or gaffa tape around the hand-grip would probably fix that issue if it arises. So in conclusion, I found it great and am extremely pleased with it.
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Post  Guest Sun Jul 28, 2013 10:49 pm

g'day all, I am the handle man and first I would like to thank costadee for getting me to have a look at this forum and for the review he has done on the handles I make. and I must say I am very pleased with his results. I am sorry I have not been on line for a bit as I have been busy working on quicker methods of making these handles and have improved a tad but it all comes down to the hand finishing and shaping and I think it will always take a bit more time with this new design. now about the handle, I mainly make them from QLD oak or red cedar because of the timbers lasting quality. I use stain on some (and this depends on the look of the wood) finished with about six coats of clear coat. once I have some stock ready for sale I will be selling them for $100 + p&h which will be by express post at $9.55 anywhere in Australia. I have worked it out that I have to send it this way because of slow delivery by sending it parcel post and I know people don't like to wait for 8 days to get a parcel sent only a couple of thousand k's away.I sent one to the west coast of w.a last week and it took a day and a half so to me it's worth it. now down the track I hope to supply a retailer a few so you will be able to buy them near you. been thinking about painting some of them colours (black, camo etc) like anyones thoughts on that. But that's it in a nut shell. fell free to ask any questions. handleman

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Post  Guest Sun Jul 28, 2013 11:38 pm

Looks like a great product ! If I may take up what Costas said about summer sweaty hands ! Could you press a knurled pattern on the hand area ,like the stuff you se on the handles of an old Smith and Weston pistol ?

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Post  Guest Mon Jul 29, 2013 6:55 am

that would give you more grip alright but my handle is designed so you don't have to grasp it tightly. I made my first handle in 2003 and I found that the time your hand sweats most is when your digging for the target and you don't take much notice as you grab your detector again. holding the handle is basically strain free and I have never found my hand slipping on the handle due to sweat, but that could be just me. anyhow that can be something else to look into. oh and I forgot to mention with the new handles you will be able to fit the plastic cable guard to it now. I will be posting some photo's soon.

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Post  Guest Mon Jul 29, 2013 9:28 am

Well done handleman ! It looks like you have done your homework indeed ! cheers 

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Post  Redfin Fri Aug 30, 2013 5:27 pm

So will fir on a 2200 ? [with the button mod]
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Post  Guest Fri Aug 30, 2013 5:56 pm

g'day redfin, yes it will fit as long as it has a 7/8'' shaft and you can always fit to your next upgrade, the handleman

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Post  CostasDee Mon Sep 02, 2013 9:17 am

Redfin, I have a 2200d with the button mod and although I haven't fitted the wooden handle I bought to this detector, I can say that you will have no problem fitting it to the shaft and depending on the button that you get, it may fit perfectly or you may have to wrap insulating tape around the thread of the switch one or two times around in order for the button to snuggly fit. Either way, the thread of the switch isn't used and is concealed inside the wooden handle so it's no issue.
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Post  Redfin Mon Sep 02, 2013 9:19 am

Ta for that, next couple of grams I get will get one.
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