Military Surplus Pole Turtledog Stand Drill Template

**umd_daveob** · 07-01-2018, 14:04

I'm going to attempt to make the turtledog stand out of some aluminum military poles. I've seen multiple people say there is a drill template somewhere to ensure the holes on all the poles are the same so that they are interchangeable. I'm having trouble finding the template directions though. I do not have access to a drill press so I will be using a cordless power drill and hoping the bubble on the back drills a straight enough hole for my purpose.

**SnrMoment** · 07-01-2018, 16:50

Google is your friend.

**gmcttr** · 07-04-2018, 16:17

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...l=1#post854600

The trick is to put two poles together (you will drill the male and female ends together), measure the same distance from the collar on all "two section sets" and center punch the spot to be drilled since you will be using a hand held drill. Make sure the poles stay fully inserted in one another while drilling. A simple homemade wooden V-block will help hold the sections steady while you drill or you can clamp them in a vise.

Here's a photo of the jig I used with a drill press but I noted it to indicate the above advise.

IMG_3221 (Medium)noted.jpg

If done accurately, all of your sections will be interchangeable.

**swoody126** · 07-05-2018, 14:42

i realize it is never safe to assUme anything BUTT...

if you are in the process of installing the little spring buttons

IMG_2657.JPG

to keep the poles from separating during setup/take down the process aint rocket surgery

use any tool you may have that will hold a span and scribe the paint

it could be something as simple as an elementary school compass or something like the caliper i used

decide where you want the buttons to pop out and scribe that location on all the poles

IMG_1077.jpg

once done drill the hole w/ a bit only slightly larger than the button in the parts and if there is any interfearance drill the hole one size larger

since the holes are not for exacting tight fits and simply for keeping parts together it'z no problem

leg sections held by spring clips.JPG

a bit of wobble factor will not be the death of the project

in fact it will allow easier assembly and disassembly

sw

**Buckaroo** · 07-05-2018, 15:01

Where did you end up getting the military poles ? Ebay ?

**swoody126** · 07-05-2018, 15:18

now for plugging the bottom of the poles to prevent them from sinking in soft ground

since i didn't want an 8' high tripod i cut the lower legs @ 2.5' long which left me with a dilema

the collar was welded to the drops ;-(

so i took the vibrating multi tool w/ a metal cutting blade and cut the welds(this can be done w/ something as simple as a hack saw blade held in a glove)

cut the welds.JPG

there are 3± spot welds holding that collar on and when you get them cut the collar can be encouraged to escape the drop

collar slips off.JPG

i found a hole saw blade that had an inside diameter that equaled the inside of the aluminium tubing and cut 6 plugs out of an abandoned 4x2 to provide 1.5" thick plugs for the open ends

3 holes were drilled in each collar and subsequently counter sunk

collar plug cut tube finished.JPG

counter sunk wood screws were then used to hold the plugs in place

end view tube plugged and collared.JPG

¿ clear as mud ?

sw