Hip sticks - looking for designs

[Hawkear]

I need to make up two hip sticks for my wife and I.
I have previously used a commercial design which had a belt mounted ball swivel. The annoying part of that design was that when pressure was lost on the bungee, the hip stick ball often used to jump out of the swivel socket. Maybe I had the wrong length.
Looking for ideas for better or even less expensive designs that I can customize for each of us.

 

[Nightjar]

Tool holder from Bunnings, pool table ball, fishing rod and a few extras shown in photo, works a treat.

 

[Hawkear]

Tool holder from Bunnings, pool table ball, fishing rod and a few extras shown in photo, works a treat.View attachment 3134

Thanks for the photo. Do you have any issues with the ball jumping out of the ball socket when downward pressure is lost?
I found when working with a hipstick of similar design over more difficult conditions involving mounds, slopes, bushes etc and having to often raise the detector coil the ball end often jumped out of the socket when downward pressure was lost. Most annoying in those conditions.
I sold that hip stick with a 5000 I had a few years ago but now I have bought another 5000 need another stick.
I have a spare Bunnings tool holder like that one so will make up another one similar to yours.
Just had a thought that maybe with some rubber banding around the holder and shaft just above the ball, that might prevent any tendency for it to pop out of its socket still providing flexibility for the ball to swivel.

 

[Pro-oz]

They normally come with a rubber stretchy cord just above the ball, I have had to replace mine doesn't come out if tied properly.

 

[grubstake]

These prior threads may offer some ideas for you, Hawkear:
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/threads/diy-hip-stick-for-atx-metal-detector.13857/#post-189333https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/threads/el-cheapo-hipstick.3751/https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/threads/hipstick-fail-and-fix.15562/https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/threads/detector-weight-transfer.23231/#post-358095

 

[Hawkear]

Thanks guys. I reckon that information solves my issue. I just didn't think to put a simple elastic retaining band around the bottom of the hip stick shaft. Should be a simple fix to the problems I was having using it in uneven ground.

 

[Nightjar]

Thanks for the photo. Do you have any issues with the ball jumping out of the ball socket when downward pressure is lost?
I found when working with a hipstick of similar design over more difficult conditions involving mounds, slopes, bushes etc and having to often raise the detector coil the ball end often jumped out of the socket when downward pressure was lost. Most annoying in those conditions.
I sold that hip stick with a 5000 I had a few years ago but now I have bought another 5000 need another stick.
I have a spare Bunnings tool holder like that one so will make up another one similar to yours.
Just had a thought that maybe with some rubber banding around the holder and shaft just above the ball, that might prevent any tendency for it to pop out of its socket still providing flexibility for the ball to swivel.

Never had a problem with it jumping out of the carrier. Maybe you are swinging a little fast???
Anyway as already mentioned if problem persists a heavy rubber band would probably solve the problem, Good luck.

 

[Goldchaser1]

This guy on ebay has the deeper style sockets,i've bought heaps off him,make my own with these and glass tent poles,we used to go through a few each year but i don't use them now,the better half still does though....
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1852507...Z_np61lTXu&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[Paul Schipper]

Thanks for the photo. Do you have any issues with the ball jumping out of the ball socket when downward pressure is lost?
I found when working with a hipstick of similar design over more difficult conditions involving mounds, slopes, bushes etc and having to often raise the detector coil the ball end often jumped out of the socket when downward pressure was lost. Most annoying in those conditions.
I sold that hip stick with a 5000 I had a few years ago but now I have bought another 5000 need another stick.
I have a spare Bunnings tool holder like that one so will make up another one similar to yours.
Just had a thought that maybe with some rubber banding around the holder and shaft just above the ball, that might prevent any tendency for it to pop out of its socket still providing flexibility for the ball to swivel.

Or maybe try inner tubes cut into bands or sleeves? I think some people call the Ranger Bands. They last a long while as they are vulcanised. Not like the little hair elastic they supply you. My issue has been with the belt clip wandering around from one side to the other might have to sew it in place.

 

[Mackka]

Get some cheap exercise bands, they will work a treat and you get fit at the same time.