Being a combination of "thrifty", and always looking for a challenge, I decided to see if I could make my own go pole. On the other hand, since anything worth doing is worth overdoing, I ended up over engineering it. That gives you some options to modify as you see fit for your own use.
I bought everything from Home Depot, except the tripod mount which I got on ebay (I bought them at two different times, hence the different prices). All parts are available from many sources. Because of bulk buying, I was able to make two (one for my dive buddy) almost as cheaply as one. Total cost for two - $17.44. Here is my parts list:
Step by step:
Cut the PVC to length. I chose 18", other seem to like 12".
Drill a 7/32" hole in each end cap. That size is not critical, but it will make the hole tight for the bolt and eye ring. Siliconing will waterproof the hole anyway.
On the eye ring end, screw the eye ring through the cap and secure with a washer/lock washer/nut on the inside. You can get away without the washers, but that's one of the overengineering options.
On the bolt end, screw the bolt through the cap from the inside out. Because the bolt is just slightly longer than needed, you have two options: grind a little off the bolt, or shim it from the inside with flat washers. I did one of each with equally good results. Either way, you will have a flat washer and a lock washer on the inside and outside. Again, you don't need the washers on either side, but it adds some insurance, especially for the tripod adapter (and your camera!).
Silicone the inside of each end cap. Not necessary, but will help insure waterproofing and making the pole float.
Cement the ends on.
Add a bungee loop if you'd like. The eye ring allows for a double bolt snap as well.
That's it.
I bought everything from Home Depot, except the tripod mount which I got on ebay (I bought them at two different times, hence the different prices). All parts are available from many sources. Because of bulk buying, I was able to make two (one for my dive buddy) almost as cheaply as one. Total cost for two - $17.44. Here is my parts list:
| Part | Mfg | Home Depot # | ||
| Stainless steel 1/4" x 1-7/8" eyebolt with nut (2) | Lehigh | 071514002354 | $ 2.27 | |
| Stainless Steel 1/4" lockwasher (6) | Everbilt | 887480004113 | $ 1.18 | |
| Stainless Steel 1/4" flat washer (6) | Everbilt | 887480003413 | $ 1.18 | |
| Stainless Steel 1/4" x 3/4" hex bolt (2) | APF | $ 0.72 | ||
| PVC 40 pipe 3/4" x 10' | 754826200495 | $ 2.57 | ||
| PVC 3/4" cap (4) | 611942038534 | $ 1.48 | ||
| ST-03 tripod mount (1) | Ebay | $ 4.39 | ||
| ST-03 tripod mount (1) | Ebay | $ 3.65 | ||
| $ 17.44 |
Step by step:
Cut the PVC to length. I chose 18", other seem to like 12".
Drill a 7/32" hole in each end cap. That size is not critical, but it will make the hole tight for the bolt and eye ring. Siliconing will waterproof the hole anyway.
On the eye ring end, screw the eye ring through the cap and secure with a washer/lock washer/nut on the inside. You can get away without the washers, but that's one of the overengineering options.
On the bolt end, screw the bolt through the cap from the inside out. Because the bolt is just slightly longer than needed, you have two options: grind a little off the bolt, or shim it from the inside with flat washers. I did one of each with equally good results. Either way, you will have a flat washer and a lock washer on the inside and outside. Again, you don't need the washers on either side, but it adds some insurance, especially for the tripod adapter (and your camera!).
Silicone the inside of each end cap. Not necessary, but will help insure waterproofing and making the pole float.
Cement the ends on.
Add a bungee loop if you'd like. The eye ring allows for a double bolt snap as well.
That's it.
