treeclimber165
Member A.K.A Skwerl
Being on a low budget and trying to maximize profit, I try to save $$ on equipment wherever I can do so safely. I have never been a big fan of expensive fiberglass polesaw handles and eveyone I know that uses them has a few broken ones in the corner of the shop. I guess they are too expensive to throw out even after they break! (kinda like old Stihl 020T's)
I have had excellent service out of homemade poles, using 1 1/4" dowel rod from Home Depot at $.92 per foot. The ferrule ends fit snugly without shaving also.
You need a couple rags (old socks work great), fine grit sandpaper, #00 steel wool and some polyurethane. Pick out a straight dowel rod with few or no knots, sand lightly to remove any splinters or loose edges. I use an old sock to paint a coat of polyurethane on and let it dry. Apply 3 coats, sanding with steel wool between coats but not after the final coat. Be sure to seal the ends well, they will soak up more. Mark and drill your holes for your ferrules, or shave one end to directly mount your polesaw head.
I just made an 8' pole for my new BigShot, cost was $19. The ferrules are available at Sherrill's for $11 each. Or you can scavenge the old ones off your broken fiberglass poles.
I have had excellent service out of homemade poles, using 1 1/4" dowel rod from Home Depot at $.92 per foot. The ferrule ends fit snugly without shaving also.
You need a couple rags (old socks work great), fine grit sandpaper, #00 steel wool and some polyurethane. Pick out a straight dowel rod with few or no knots, sand lightly to remove any splinters or loose edges. I use an old sock to paint a coat of polyurethane on and let it dry. Apply 3 coats, sanding with steel wool between coats but not after the final coat. Be sure to seal the ends well, they will soak up more. Mark and drill your holes for your ferrules, or shave one end to directly mount your polesaw head.
I just made an 8' pole for my new BigShot, cost was $19. The ferrules are available at Sherrill's for $11 each. Or you can scavenge the old ones off your broken fiberglass poles.