A lighter pole (probably very boring).

[Bearbonesnorm]

Although carbon poles are already pretty light, I wanted to see how much weight (if any) could be shed without sacrificing too much strength or practicality. The 'standard' Gatewood cape pole on the left weighs 76g which I don't think is particularly heavy but maybe it could be lighter. I dropped the wall thickness but that then meant that I couldn't source any carbon of the correct OD for the spigots. The solution was to use 'external spigots' which also helps to maintain strength - perhaps not quite as pretty but you really can't have everything.

Anyway, the resulting pole weighs 48g. I appreciate that's only 28g but a reduction in weight of over 1/3 is quite good when you're starting with something that's already pretty light.

[RIP]

The 48g experimental one you kindly crafted for me a while ago is still going strong. A little more flexi than normal but nothing's fallen down yet which I suppose is the test.

I was hoping you were going to announce that this latest one was 47g, which might have given me an excuse to buy it. However a 0% weight reduction is possibly a step too far even for this weenie .

[Shewie]

Awaits the tested to destruction data

[redefined_cycles]

Can we traded in our old poles for this new posher one

[fatbikephil]

Cue lots of 75g poles for sale in the classifieds.
No I'm not going to buy one, there is nothing wrong with the one I've got. Apart from its 28g's heavier. Sh*t.

[ledburner]

Awaits the tested to destruction data

I expect the video imax quality and surround sound!
it'll be only released on Betamax instead

I'm just thinking aloud (or is it allowed?).

I'm sure you've considered this, but why not supply with and aluminium socket instead,? carbon outer wall matching alloy inner wall?
is it a bonding or weight or sust a supply issue?
I assume it would make it lower profile..
I'd welcome your thoughts.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I'm sure you've considered this, but why not supply with and aluminium socket instead,? carbon outer wall matching alloy inner wall?
is it a bonding or weight or sust a supply issue?
I assume it would make it lower profile..
I'd welcome your thoughts.

I'd need to machine up aluminium spigots which would be heavier than either the standard internal carbon spigots or these external ones. Also more costly obviously.

[ledburner]

I'm sure you've considered this, but why not supply with and aluminium socket instead,? carbon outer wall matching alloy inner wall?
is it a bonding or weight or sust a supply issue?
I assume it would make it lower profile..
I'd welcome your thoughts.

I'd need to machine up aluminium spigots which would be heavier than either the standard internal carbon spigots or these external ones. Also more costly obviously.

Thanks for sharing your wisdom, we expect the carbon Ti hybrid version next

[Bearbonesnorm]

we expect the carbon Ti hybrid version next

Oohhh

[ledburner]

we expect the carbon Ti hybrid version next

Oohhh

But they ll be so Ultra Light Bling...
You sir, can charge wot you want!

[Bearbonesnorm]

But they ll be so Ultra Light Bling...
You sir, can charge wot you want!

Uhm, having just got some specs, transpires that using Ti wouldn't just be more expensive but sadly, would also make the poles heavier. However, the 'Ti bling factor' would remain which we know is worth at least £50 and 20g

[Bearbonesnorm]

In more exciting news - I was pondering whether I could shave any more weight off this thing and have achieved a further reduction of 14g, so we're now down to 34g and I'm reckoning there might be another 4 to come .... way and indeed hey.

[fatbikephil]

Sold! to the idiot with too much money and a weight loss obsession...
Let me know when available / how much etc. I may also get an extra bit for my current pole so I can use it on the Hexamid

[Bearbonesnorm]

I'll be in touch Phil If you want an extender for your current pole just give me a shout.

[RIP]

Think I'll hold out for that crucial extra 4g

[TheBrownDog]

I just googoohoogled what weighs 4gs and was impressed with the first result.

https://weightofstuff.com/things-that-w ... d-4-grams/

My fave is the 4 plastic coated paper clips ... maybe three if you use non-plastic coated paper clips (which you should on account of the environment and stuff)

[RIP]

Think I'll hold out for that crucial extra 4g

Oh dear. As suspected I do indeed have the 75 grammer. Well, it's 65g plus 10g for the extension.

So does this 34/30 grammer include the extension?

[Bearbonesnorm]

So does this 34/30 grammer include the extension?

'kin 'ell ... no it doesn't include any additional bits or indeed pieces.

[RIP]

So does this 34/30 grammer include the extension?

'kin 'ell ... no it doesn't include any additional bits or indeed pieces.

Ah well my interest has completely evaporated now then .

So the 34 grammer is 52.3% of the weight of the standard issue. Guess the extension for that would, proportionately, be 5.23g then. Equally when the 30g jobby (46.15% of original weight - impressive stuff!) is unveiled to great fanfare, an extension for that would be 4.61g. Hmm, keep Reg on the "interested" list until Phil submits his real-world rough-service testing report.

[fatbikephil]

Stu is regretting doing this now
How much does the elastic weigh? Scope to use some space age elastic to lose another couple of grams?
Sorry....

[Bearbonesnorm]

How much does the elastic weigh?

Confession - there's no shockcord in this one Phil. However, I still reckon 30g WITH cord is possible.

[RIP]

How much does the elastic weigh?

I still reckon 30g WITH cord is possible.

Honestly Stu, I reckon you're making a rod (pole!) for your back with this one .

And, in the same vein as "ONLY £2.99 per pack" instead of £3, you know you want to get it down to 29g as well.

I really need to shift some of my other poles on, I've got enough to support a whole marquee.

The whole with/without shockcord debate (possibly too strong a word, nobody apart from the three of us gives a monkeys ) is interesting. I've got some of each and dunno which I prefer. Probably the corded ones. But then my existing one is corded apart from the extension which is therefore prone to getting left behind, arg!

Considering I try not to buy stuff unless the incumbent thing is worn out, I'm concerned (Dear Marj...) about my unhealthy obsession with lighter and lighter shelter poles. I don't think it applies to any of my other possessions. Also it was my fault that Stu went all out for the world's lightest 48g pole last time, and now here we are in exactly the same place. Hmm.

[Bearbonesnorm]

nobody apart from the three of us gives a monkeys

I did say it was probably boring

Someone's asked me about a lightweight carbon tripod - that'll be something new then.