Finally, after about a year of research and testing (and by testing, I mean intentionally breaking staves) I have created a truly user-friendly titanium breakdown staff that is super tough, straight, really well weighted and has no hardware protruding out of the shaft diameter.
The staves are grade 9 titanium with titanium threaded hardware welded into the tube ends. All of the breakdown joints are threaded 8 mm hardware with mild steel floating threaded rod to connect them.
What I have accomplished is a staff system that can be customized to any specifications... length overall, length broken down, wick configurations and (soon) LED ends.
As an example I am working on a set right now that consists of two 17" center shafts, intermediate shafts for 3-1/2 foot doubles, intermediate shafts for a 5 foot contact staff, four 6" practice wick ends and four 6" burn wick ends. Every piece of this is interchangeable and fits in a 20 " case. This is just an example of a system that someone contacted me about a while ago that illustrates the possibilities of custom configurations. Anything goes.
I am trying to create a one-package system for all needs of travel related staff systems. If 3 or 4 or 5 staff configurations all fit in one case that can be as short as 20" it should save a ton of trouble...
The connection points are super stable and as simple as threading two pieces together. They don't rattle or wear out and they stay straight.
Right now I am working in 5/8" x .049" wall tubing which is really low-bounce and has a weight that is good for spinning and contact both. I will be looking into some larger diameter shafts as well, but this will take a little time.
COST??? It's titanium so it's a bit expensive... Breakdowns range from $200.00 to $600.00 depending on how custom it gets. The system mentioned above is an example of the upper price range but it is three full staves and extra ends.
Anyway, what I am looking for is FEEDBACK! I would love to hear some opinions. I know they are pricey, but... In any case the feedback is highly appreciated.
Thanks, Michael
The staves are grade 9 titanium with titanium threaded hardware welded into the tube ends. All of the breakdown joints are threaded 8 mm hardware with mild steel floating threaded rod to connect them.
What I have accomplished is a staff system that can be customized to any specifications... length overall, length broken down, wick configurations and (soon) LED ends.
As an example I am working on a set right now that consists of two 17" center shafts, intermediate shafts for 3-1/2 foot doubles, intermediate shafts for a 5 foot contact staff, four 6" practice wick ends and four 6" burn wick ends. Every piece of this is interchangeable and fits in a 20 " case. This is just an example of a system that someone contacted me about a while ago that illustrates the possibilities of custom configurations. Anything goes.
I am trying to create a one-package system for all needs of travel related staff systems. If 3 or 4 or 5 staff configurations all fit in one case that can be as short as 20" it should save a ton of trouble...
The connection points are super stable and as simple as threading two pieces together. They don't rattle or wear out and they stay straight.
Right now I am working in 5/8" x .049" wall tubing which is really low-bounce and has a weight that is good for spinning and contact both. I will be looking into some larger diameter shafts as well, but this will take a little time.
COST??? It's titanium so it's a bit expensive... Breakdowns range from $200.00 to $600.00 depending on how custom it gets. The system mentioned above is an example of the upper price range but it is three full staves and extra ends.
Anyway, what I am looking for is FEEDBACK! I would love to hear some opinions. I know they are pricey, but... In any case the feedback is highly appreciated.
Thanks, Michael
posted by:
|
Oregon
|
-
Re: Titanium? Break downs?
Sat, January 19, 2008 - 9:30 PMOh, and I now have pictures on my profile page of these staves.
Also, for the record the five foot, three piece breakdown shown in the pictures weighs 1 LB.-10OZ. or...750 grams. -
-
Re: Titanium? Break downs?
Thu, January 24, 2008 - 10:21 AMdo you have any pictures...I have been spinning for a long time and every break down design I have seen so far has sent a fire safety into the audience to recover one of the ends
If it looks great and safe i might be interrested -
-
Re: Titanium? Break downs?
Fri, January 25, 2008 - 1:18 PMPictures are on my profile. There are quite a few so look around. If you don't find the info you need contact me...
Michael -
-
Re: Titanium? Break downs?
Mon, February 4, 2008 - 9:48 AMI have played with Michael's staves before and they are very well balanced and work great with contact. I am a bit used to my larger diameter aluminum staves, but when i have used Michael's I have been able to land my moves perfectly with no learning curve He is a fine craftsman too! Well built stuff.
-
-
-
