Is it possible to get a rating for an old pole?

[Russ]

We just cleaned the school's shed and discovered some Cata-Poles that look like they are from the 70's. Is it possible to get them tested/flexed and have a new weight band put on them? Or, even if we can't get a new weight band put on them (to make them legal), does anybody flex them and provide the info at least? One pole is so old that even with a magnifying glass I can't make out or decipher what the model is - it looks like a 1230 (12 feet for 130 lbs) and the flex number looks like 8.25 (inches in the old days, of course), but I'm just not certain. If anybody provides such a service, what does it cost?

[Bruce Caldwell]

if the pole is before 1996 the coach can put his own 1" tape band on 6" down and intital it as long as you can confirm the engraved amount. IF you cannot you will have to have someone measure and certify it. The freight cost will be more than the pole is worth.

[lonestar]

if the pole is before 1996 the coach can put his own 1" tape band on 6" down and intital it as long as you can confirm the engraved amount. IF you cannot you will have to have someone measure and certify it. The freight cost will be more than the pole is worth.

Where is that written? In the federation rulebook it says that the handhold band is determined at the manufacturer's discretion, not a standard 6".

[lonestar]

We just cleaned the school's shed and discovered some Cata-Poles that look like they are from the 70's. Is it possible to get them tested/flexed and have a new weight band put on them? Or, even if we can't get a new weight band put on them (to make them legal), does anybody flex them and provide the info at least? One pole is so old that even with a magnifying glass I can't make out or decipher what the model is - it looks like a 1230 (12 feet for 130 lbs) and the flex number looks like 8.25 (inches in the old days, of course), but I'm just not certain. If anybody provides such a service, what does it cost?

Sending them to a manufacturer for recertification would cost more in freight than they're worth, but if you have the time and patience, I can give you the specs on how to build your own flex tester and do them yourself. Just PM me if you're interested. I have my own and can match any Gill/Bestflex number on a brand new pole just out of the tube.