Man that is some good stuff. I've been wanting to make something similar for a while, but I can't weld so I didn't get around to it. I like this version. Looks pretty sturdy.
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Figured I'd start this thread to show an idea I devised. I was looking on the drift master website at their mounts and figured it couldn't be to hard to make so I came up with my own idea and hopefully it may help someone looking at possibly making their own as well. Any ideas or pointers are welcome. The overall dimensions are 18 inches high and 24 inches wide. For the pipe i used 3/4 EMT conduit, the drift master version looks to be 1 inch aluminum for the riser and 3/4 for the top. I googled how to make the fish mouth cut to mate the 2 pipes together and nothing is welded. I used a star base for the bottom and used a 3/8 threaded rod that goes from the base up through the vertical pipe and then drilled a 3/8 hole in the center of the top rail. I have a wing nut holding everything together and can be disassembled when needed. As far as a spacer between the rod and conduit, I used two 3/8 stainless washers and used galvanized nuts. One at the top and one toward the bottom. The O.D of the washers are almost exactly the I.D of the conduit so there is very little play. I was able to get the mount painted this evening so it holds up to the elements and tomorrow I plan to mount the rod holders. I will post a picture of the final assembly.
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Man that is some good stuff. I've been wanting to make something similar for a while, but I can't weld so I didn't get around to it. I like this version. Looks pretty sturdy.
If time permits I plan to finish the holder tonight. The only tools I have needed so far is a grinder and a measuring tape. I will post the ending results when finished
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Always better if you make something yourself. Good job.
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Here's the final product. I used 3/4 inch galvanized pipe hangers to attach the rod holders. One thing to mention when I purchased these rod holders I got them from Walmart for around $5 a piece, they are a metric thread and will go on to the 3/8 threaded fitting on the pipe hanger but are a little tight. I did go this afternoon to Academy and found some of theirs which are $10 a piece. As far as quality I will say that Academies are better due to the shaft is grade 8 whereas the Walmart is a grade 5 and I believe Academy threaded holders are closer to the 3/8 thread. I plan on making three more identical to this one only difference is that I may go with a 1 inch pipe for the vertical section and may end up possibly going to a larger base that way you end up with more surface area so there is less Twisting if any at all. On a practice piece that I made I notched the pipe where it goes on to the Starbase so it was able to slip over the ears, this made it so there is zero twist in the rod holder but there may be a time when you need to swing it left or right but that will not allow for you to do so at all. If anyone has any questions regarding this DIY project feel free to ask
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I made mine pretty much the same way but I used 3/4 solid aluminum round bar. Then I used 3/4 locking collars that I drilled and tapped to fit the drift master rod holders. I built 4 that I run on the front of my boat and push 16 poles when spider rigging I’ve been using my holders for 7 years and I love them.
SpeckledSlab LIKED above post
The locking collar threading would be a good idea. It could be threaded to match the rod holders from anywhere you want to purchase them. I bet the drift master holders would have worked perfect in my situation but the price just didn't do it for me.
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Yea I had the 3/4 solid bar and 15 locking collars give to me. When I had all that it was a no brainer to build my own. Its fun building stuff and tweaking on it until its like you want it. Heres a picture of mine best one i could find in my camera roll its 4-5 years old
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S10CHEVY LIKED above post
Those look great. Are they welded at the tee? I made mine in a way that if I wanna bass fish or pull a tube they can be taken completely apart and stored,only leaving the bases behind. Well atleast thats the plan anyway.
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I used emt and driftmasters for my Jon Boat.
Worked just fine. I used a pipe bender to shape the rail that holds the driftmasters. I ain’t painted anything yet. I like tinkering.
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