BigD Posted October 30, 2005 Report Share Posted October 30, 2005 Hey agility folks - Got a welder friend that will weld weave pole bases for me (too expensive to order online and ship to Hawaii) and lots of folks have requested alumnium bases. However, there is some concern about the weld strength of the alumnium holding up the dowel inside the PVC. We've got some single-stepping power-weaving dogs that PLOW through these things. I'm worried that the AL. will snap (as is the welder). Cost difference is almost triple for AL (more) just for materials. Steel is cheaper, will last longer (in terms of strength) but will rust quickly out here in the Pacific. (Painting them will help.) Anyone out there have a power-weaver that uses Al. welded weave pole bases with the alum. dowel welded to the base? If so, have you ever had it break? Or known of someone that had it break? Thanks! Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Posted October 30, 2005 Report Share Posted October 30, 2005 Not sure why rust would be a problem. So what if the bases have a little rust on them? If you're concerned, just repaint them from time to time. I would think aluminum bases would be too light, unusable unless very well staked down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelliePup Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Can't say anything about bases, but I can tell you about the stakes I use on the windy and rocky plains while I'm backpacking. I learned real quick not to go for AL, they bend, snap, and just don't stay in the ground. Titanium is the way to go for backpackers, but you're interested in pole bases. I'm willing to bet those dogs'll snap and bend those bases at the drop of a hat...I would go with steel... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 I think the weight of a steel base is an advantage in keeping the ploes stable. With all of the other equipment that's made of aluminum, I don't recall ever seeing aluminum weave pole bases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobh Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 I must agree steel . Weld all around the part that you put the poll on or the hard weavers will brake it off even if it is steel. LOL bobh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb Scott Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 We have an Aluminum base and love it. We don't even spike it down in the yard! After 3 years of use, it's still in perfect condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelliePup Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Are you just using it as a weight then Barb? I can see that...sorta. I'm really curious as to how it works... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigD Posted October 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Thanks for the feedback everyone! Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb Scott Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 KelliePup, I don't understand your question... The aluminum base is lightweight, but stays pretty much in place when it's in use. If we used it for a trial, we'd spike it down. It's identical to some being used in trials in IL. Barb S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelliePup Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 What I was wondering is if the pole is heavier on the bottom than on the top. And how thick is the spike? All my AL stakes bend really easily... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb Scott Posted November 1, 2005 Report Share Posted November 1, 2005 I thought we were talking about weave pole bases; all our poles are PVC pipes. They fit into cups on the aluminum base. Barb S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelliePup Posted November 1, 2005 Report Share Posted November 1, 2005 Okay...I'm really confused now...I just wasn't sure how they all fit together. I'm really new to this...for some reason, I thought the base fit into the PVC pipe and was either a really tight fit, or was held in with a screw, or even went through a PCV cap. I really need to look at one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsm Posted November 1, 2005 Report Share Posted November 1, 2005 Hi, I do have a retired power-weaver (with poor form) who broke weave poles. He broke PVC poles three times when they were on steel bases. And, at one trial, he broke the base by getting caught up in the last pole and somehow pulling the base up and breaking it. I do not know for certain that the pole base was aluminum, but I know it wasn't steel. Don't know if this helps or not, but thought I'd share. DSM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 Just a point of clarity for some of the less-experienced readers of this thread (not BigD or dsm). Bashing through weave poles is not, properly speaking, "weaving", though it may qualify at a trial. Dogs need to be taught to weave their way between the poles (albeit at speed), not push the poles out of their way. The latter approach is hard on both the dog and the equipment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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