Homemade Extender the Lightning Rod

Very clever design but those little springs could never give enough tension for me. I hate to say it but I want to feel like I’m about to rip it off. You should combine your spring design with a more traditional design, now that would be something. Keep up the good work though, very clever.

Thanks Dino9X7. :)
They actually compress completely at a little over 12 pounds if I remember right, but that might have been just one side. It was a while ago now since I tested them.

I have the spacers set so my length compresses them to a point where the two sides provide a total of about 5 pounds resistance. The springs loses about 30 or 40% of their length.

Now you’ve gotten my curiosity, I’ll get back to you. ;)

So it works out that as is (two rods) it will pull 12 pounds before the springs collapse entirely.

Although you can certainly use much more tension than that with different attachment methods (Bib hanger, etc.), I don’t suggest using this quick connect style with much more than 5 pounds.

In theory, one could change to a vacuum head attachment, add a couple more rods, widen the base to spread the force, and be pulling at tensions of 24 pounds or more. Essentially hanging, without the weights. ;)

Cantlook - have the instructions been uploaded? I just want to make sure I didn’t miss it! Again, great Design Many thanks Max

I constructed one and have used it for over a week. I agree with cantlook in that this is not designed for high tension stretching, due to the fact that the attachment is a noose. Changing the base height and spacer length can actually give a lot of tension but I don’t think that is safe with a noose around your head. I am going to experiment with a different attachment method.

An AFB attachment woul be something.

Hopefully your newest design is a great extender. I’ve been searching for a bunch of homemade stretchers/extenders, but I’ve never used or heard of 90% of the materials mentioned and there usually isn’t a detailed template on how to construct.

Looking forward to your newest work!

I like your design looks great

I would love to make this but cnt see exsactly how post a detailed sketch of peices befor and after?

Hope, look at Cantlook’ profile; then check all the threads he started and you’ll find detailed instructions with pics.

Where did you acquire the 1” plastic block? I am sold on this design vs. The pipe fittings.

Sorry, also what material type is it and the diameter inside and out?

I was lucky at the time to have a plastics wholesaler nearby, I went looking for 1” thick PVC but they didn’t have any in stock so I left with UHMW plastic (black) but really any material could work. I imagine a hardwood floor sample from a big box home improvement store would provide enough quality wood to build this device.

I don’t recall the exact dimensions, but the advantage of fabricating your own is you can custom size it to your needs. I used various sized “hole saws” to make the pieces.

Use a larger saw to cut out two “pucks” of the same diameter, one puck gets the center cut out to become the base and the other gets cut in half and rounded to become the head piece. Good luck. :)

Hmm, I have some Oak already and could laminate it to 1” and make a classic. Also have some bamboo flooring on hand.

Thanks so much.

Cantlook, how did you cut the step in the base?

Or is it an extra half circle piece glued onto the main base circle?

Thanks!