I Suppose I'm Behind The Times - Creating The Best Covers For Detectors

[Doc]

Designing detector covers is an art form I have learned.  Anyone can throw together something to keep the dirt off of their detectors with some cloth and a sewing machine.  But if you want a tough well made well fitted cover, there are some hoops you have to jump through.

Designing a cover is no small feat.  First I have to make an exact model of the detector.  Next my fabricator who has been making my covers for over 25 years gets to work testing different designs, different prototypes.  By the way those prototypes and designs are not cheap.  Each one costs around $500 for the Master Designer fee, and the shipping back and forth.  So it's not unusual to have 4 to 5 prototypes before the design is modified and refined.  So before the first production cover is even sewn together I can have a minimum of $2000 to $3000 wrapped up in it.

Well up to now I have been making models by wrapping a detector in shrink wrap, then building a dam around the detector and pouring silicone around half of the detector, allowing 24 hours for the silicone to cure, then turning the detector over and pouring the other half of the silicone mold.  Another 24 hours.  Then removing the detector, putting the two halves of the silicone mold back together and pouring a 2 part resin into the silicone mold.  5 hours later I have a perfect mold of the detector to send off for cover design.

Well I have finally got into the 21st century and invested in 3D technology.  No more pouring silicone for me.  Just some 3D magic and I have a perfect detector mold.

Currently in the works, Equinox 900, Manticore, and Garrett Axiom.

This 3D tech speeds the modeling time significantly.

Happy New Year all!  Hope this will be a wonderful year for all of us. The last 3 years have been tough on everyone.  As long as you're not addicted to eggs, this year shouldn't be too bad.

Doc

Doc
 

[Lunk]

Doc, all the time and expense that you invest shows through in your line of top quality accessory products that are second to none, and that extra effort is much appreciated; keep up the good work, and welcome to the 21st century!

[Doc]

Thank you Lunk. -Doc

AXIOM 3D Model being printed.  Already printed the head and arm cuff.

Doc

[strick]

Thats mighty fancy tech there Doc..guessing it's too easy just to send them  detector to work off of when you get one? The cover on my 6k is some good stuff. Thank You.

strick 

[MSC]

Thanks Doc, you rock!

[klunker]

  just so you all are aware the yellow one handles EMI very well.

 

Thanks Doc.

[LuckyLundy]

Wow!  You now have the gear to make great gear.  Your working smarter, not harder…we all love your products 

Rick

[beatup]

Good on you Doc

[Doc Bach]

Hello Doc, I am not trying to change the topic of discussion here, but I have a question.Are the kneepads that you offer for sale really as good as advertised? I have been through more brands through the years than I can remember and without fail, none of them stay put.I finally got tired of pissing away my hard earned dollars, and settled for tactical style hunting pants with built in pads.Those worked pretty well overall but at 71 years old and still going strong ,I need more protection.Please let me know what your thoughts are and if they are still available thanks so much.

[Doc]

On 2/11/2023 at 7:16 PM, strick said:

Thats mighty fancy tech there Doc..guessing it's too easy just to send them  detector to work off of when you get one? The cover on my 6k is some good stuff. Thank You.

strick 

Dangerous stuff sending detectors overseas.  We have enough companies trying to rip off Minelab and other detectors.  I'm certainly not going to be responsible for allowing someone to be able to take a look inside at the electronics.  Then there is the sheer expense involved and the risk.  Send a $6000 detector to a foreign country and then back again and risk it getting stolen or damaged?  NOPE!  Then there is the Customs duty that the receiving country tries to charge on a metal detector coming into their country.  The U.S. customs trying to charge customs again when it comes back to me.  It's a big hassle.  Better to send plastic molds with a value of $2.  They can look at them and tell they have no commercial value.

So 3D printed molds are the way to go for numerous reasons.

Doc