Weave pole base design

[cindy.lubin1@gmail.com]

The variety of weave pole base design and possible impact on certain weave styles most recently came to my attention.  Specifically, the occurrence of weave pole bases that move a lot when a dog enters and subsequently cause poles that are still ahead of them start to wobble back and forth.  This recently occurred and a pole whacked a dog in the head (full disclosure: it was my dog) which caused them to bail out on the weave poles and not want to perform them again.  Upon inspection, the bases only had 2 horizontal feet for each 6 pole section and the base itself was fairly narrow.  So, there were only 4 total horizontal base feet for a set of 12 poles and it was observed that the poles really moved a lot in general when being performed.  I didn't think to measure how long the base "feet" were or how high the support pins were to hold the PVC poles, but I'm wondering if there has ever been any discussion about base design and poles that wobble back and forth ahead of the dog.  We have always run on bases that had a support foot at each weave pole (alternating so to not be in dog's path) and so poles are quite stable even with a hard charging dog.   Thanks for allowing me to post.

[Chris Nelson]

You're correct there are no hard rules in regards to feet design, other than having them placed opposite the dogs path.

I prefer sets with a foot on each pole for stability reasons.     I think after the jump adjustment we recently made, and the tunnel bag adjustment we made, if we required clubs to purchase weave poles as well they might possibly plan a mutiny.

This would be something where I think the exhibitors should express their concerns to the club directly, and see what their response is.

It's something that could be mandated, but it's probably a long ways down the road.   Need to let all the clubs rest a little bit financially for a few years

[Shirlene Clark]

As you know Chris in Australia we have amazing weave pole bases that never move and are quite weighty.  I would hate to have extra feet per each pole as it ain’t required for our very stable bases.  I would think when addressed eventually it would be wise to take into account the design and weight of the club’s existing bases.

Cheers
Shirlene

[Edraith]

My partners dad just made me a base set for 6 weaves. The base is aluminum, feet thick steel (only four of them), and the pegs to go inside the pvc poles also solid steel. It breaks in half (3 and 3) for ease of storage and movement. But holy frick is it weighty. I cant wait to use it ^.^ see photo for half of it. It slots together and then has internal pin (nothing sticking up). Everyone who sees it wants one. I told him hed have a business making these LOL.  Totally smooth top, heavy duty but super easy to store and manouver around! He made my Aframe too. Which is the only one I have ever seen with zero gap at the top that even a nail could catch in, the way he did pipe in pipe to give 100% adjustability, breakdown for longterm store or such. Wheels too! I can actually move it around fine with a tow strap which clips into the base of either side for easy wheeling around or pivoting it. O

[JimmyS.]

admittedly, I use to make them with 16" long feet on each end only. I also used solid round bar for the pole uprights. I quickly realized that not only was that really not enough feet, the solid bar uprights made it top heavy as well.

My latest design is 4 center feet at 12" long and then pipe uprights to get rid of the top heavy-ness when dogs are weaving. I have been super happy with it so far.

attached a couple pics

[Sara Langston]

Jimmy,  Can you make your files .jpg???  I can't open them like they are.  Thanks. 

Sara

[JimmyS.]

Jimmy,  Can you make your files .jpg???  I can't open them like they are.  Thanks. 

Sara

fixed!!

[Sara Langston]

Thanks, Jimmy. 

Sara