DaveD
Thats very sound advice. Basically what
repair5343 had suggested. Having the dimensions and instructions is a big help. Having the pvc and aluminum together gives a lot of sturdiness. And having the aluminum on it's own at the bottom will make it easy to put into the sand. No pounding needed. That sounds like a winner.
The aluminum you recommend should be 8 feet long. Now the 1/8' is what I am having trouble understanding. Is that a rating system for the quality of the aluminum (say like stainless steel pots are rated according to their thickness)? The measurement of 1" you mention, is that for the diameter of the aluminum? If so, is that going to be thick enough for a variety of rod butts? Or is angle aluminum not round at all. Is it more like a "L" shaped length of metal? Would the 1/8' be the measurement for the distance from one edge to the other edge of the aluminum. If so, what would the 1" represent, thickness? I am sure the store staff will have some idea, but I don't want to walk in with that, "I have no idea what I need" look on my face.
One other question. In order for the end product to be 5 feet long, the pvc will have to extend up more than the aluminum before the holes are drilled? How much aluminum should be exposed at the bottom? Since the aluminum will be 4 feet, what would be better for sturdiness, roughly 18"?
Thanks for the post. This one definitely sounds like a winner. I'll carry a rubber mallet along, just in case. Wouldn't want to take a chance at breaking one of these after putting the time into making them.
Just out of curiosity, could I use an aluminum pre-made sand spike in place of the pvc component?