I've had these three baskets for two years now, and they've been fairly servicable, but over time the sheet metal has become banged up and deformed. You can bend them back into shape, but they're never quite right. The edges of the basket base and top are also rather sharp and tend to cut up discs that hit them, not to mention threatening fingers. I'll probably stick with them for a while longer, but ultimately I'll probably need to replace them.
Interestingly, the designer has stopped making them and is instead selling plans for an updated and improved version of the same basket which you can make yourself with materials you can buy at Home Depot or Lowes for $60 or less. This version of the basket doesn't require any welding or unsuual tools and can apparently be put together in an afternoon. I haven't sprung for the $19.95 plans yet, but if you're interested they're available at discgolfbasket.com. They look like a potentially pretty viable option if they are as good as advertised. I do notice that in the images on the site they're mounted directly into the ground, which suggests that the foot problem weren't solvable with off-the-rack hardware.
I'm also looking into some of other relatively inexpensive baskets on the market. An eBay dealer is selling the InStep portable basket at a pretty reasonable price. It's lightweight and not highly rated on play quality, but it's highly portable and sturdy. I've got one of their strollers for our youngest, and their workmanship is first rate. They're under $100 so I ordered one. I can always throw it in the back of the pickup for putting practice if nothing else.
Another option I've been considering is to follow the example of the maker of the three baskets I have and design a basket of my own using materials available from Home Depot. I figure that if someone else can do it, so can I, and having seen the shortcomings of other designs I ought to be able to correct them in my design, including making sure there are two layers of chains, a stronger central pole and more stable base. Plus it'll be a fun little project and something fun to write up for the blog readers.
Ultimately, I'll probably settle on a mix of baskets, with a couple of higher end permanent baskets for the best holes and whatever I can build, salvage or live with for the other holes. Keep an eye out for more news as the course comes together. I'm even tracking down some good aerial photos of the land so I can do a map.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Scott Butki
Where do you live? If I'm nearby I'll chip in for costs.
2 - Dave Nalle
I live just east of Austin, and I appreciate the offer, but if I took your money I'd have to guarantee you access to the course which might be problematic. However, if you're in the area and I get enough holes that are playable I'll send you an invite when we have an inaugural play day.
I'm also having some problems finding something suitable for the basket part of the basket. None of the ready made stuff at Home Depot is the right dimensions as far as I can tell, so I may have to bite the bullet and go to Lowes - which I hate.
Dave
3 - Brian J.
If you like the InStep basket & want to improve the "catchability" of the basket there is a simple modification that can be done.
The cost for supplies is around $20-$25 and is well worth the effort.
Instep Basket Mod
It's a great basket & can be found on Ebay as you suggested.
I bought mine from a seller named "abctradercompany007" who actually lists a few baskets each week "auction style" so if you're lucky you can get them super cheap...
(I only paid $68 shipped)
4 - Brian J.
Sorry, my link doesn't appear to work.
When I "previewed" the post it was working....?
Anyways. If you go to the PDGA.COM forums & do a search in the Equipment section under "InStep Basket Modification" you should be able to find it.
5 - Dave Nalle
The search function on the PDGA site really, really doesn't work well. Can't find a good link to the info on modifying the instep basket there at all. Can you maybe try getting the link again? My InStep basket is taking forever to get here, but I'd love to be able to upgrade it when it does.
Dave
6 - Brian J.
here
If you did buy from the seller I listed, I found it helpful to email him after a few days to make sure he ships it. :)
7 - Brian J.
Bah. I forgot to mention, the directions call for 21 S-Hooks, but if you read down the thread you really only need to buy 14 since you are using the 7 that are already there.
P.S. I liked your other article on disc golf. Good stuff. :)
8 - Brian J.
Apparently the redirect function doesn't work.
We will have to leave it as a cut/paste link. It's not long enough to where it screws up the rest of the page. :)
http://www.pdga.com/msgboard/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=374271&page=14&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1
9 - Phillip Winn
The redirect function doesn't like ampersands.
10 - Dave Nalle
>>If you did buy from the seller I listed, I found it helpful to email him after a few days to make sure he ships it. :)<<
My basket has arrived, apparently, but he shipped it signature required, so I have to go down to FedEx to get it tomorrow.
That last link did work. The modification looks very similar to the design I've done on the homemade basket I'm working on, which has 20 chains attached to an inner and outer ring with 12 on the outside and 8 on the inside. Those S-hooks are a major element of my design
The chain design on the InStep basket must be pretty poor if it needed that much modification. The end result looks good, though.
Dave
11 - brian j.
The basket without the extra chains was "OK".
It did a good job of catching the discs & holding them in, but you'd get some that would either bounce out or just fly right through.
The extra chains makes it (in my opinion) the perfect "inexpensive" basket. Very easy to break down to move, light enough to be able to move, and still is close in design to the more expensive course baskets. (which aren't exactly perfect, I had one spit out a 100 foot throw today, disc landed in the basket & bounced right back out, DOH!)
Let us know how you like it.....
12 - Dave Nalle
That 100 foot put is always a risk. At that distance it's going to come in at an odd angle or with so much force that more can go wrong. My typical experience is for it to come in hard and angled down and do a kind of skip through the basket and hop out the other side.
Dave
13 - adoni
I purchased 3 inexpensive baskets 2 years ago, but have replaced them with REAL baskets as of late. The problem with the sheet metal design is the edge. They came with plastic like you can get for the edge on a car door, but never stayed on. I've had to get rid of many a disc because it got sliced or nicked on the sharp edge. I did make a basket on a dare from my brother. I drew up the plans using CAD and built it in my woodshop. Here's a link to where it can be seen:
http://discontinuum.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=2040
I'm not against a cheaper basket, just be careful that's all.
adoni
14 - brian j.
Adoni: That basket is AMAZING. Truly a work of art.
Good job.
15 - Dave Nalle
I solved the problem with the sharp edges of the sheet metal by coating them with PlastiCoat, which works better than the little plastic trim and stays on permanently. But if you don't do that those edges are indeed a bitch to deal with.
Dave
16 - Fris and Etta
Thanks for sharing your process on this. It is good to see other people with similar questions and aspirations. Have you considered the good old 4x4 and tire basket?
17 - Dave Nalle
I tried a 4x4 based basket design very briefly and realized that it wouldn't hold up over the long term. Everything loosens up too fast, even if you use carriage bolts to hold it all together. It's also too damned heavy.
Look for a followup on my current design if my allergies die down enough for me to assemble it and take photos this week.
Dave
18 - Gary
Excellent article on cheap disc golf baskets,Just wanted to let you know I am the manufacturer of the disc golf baskets you purchased on discgolfbasket.com. And would like to correct some of your information.The baskets were made in Tennessee not Oklahoma,and I have sold the domain name to the person selling the plans.I have no affiliation with him.I am currently selling a modified version of the basket on ebay as Garywelder.I know my comments may read as a little passive aggressive but I sincerely appreciate the compliments and have improved some of the problems on the baskets.Thanks
Gary
19 - Dave Nalle
I'll check out the new model basket on ebay. I still need 1 more basket for my home course, so maybe I'll pick one up.
Dave
20 - wondercrack
Good stuff!
I'm collecting stories and images of homemade disc golf baskets at chaaaching.blogspot.com
All you do-it-yourselfer's eat your heart out and send in your jpegs!
21 - jeff
I am just getting into the sport and I have built a prototype out of plastic chain and 1/4 inch plywood and a 5 dollar garbage can at wal mart. it is smaller than an "official" basket, but it works pretty good for a practice basket. I used a 1.5" pvc pipe and pound a stake into the ground and put the pipe over the stake. Not something you can leave outside all the time, but I found the plastic chain on sale and the whole thing runs about $25 per target. If you guys figure out a cheap lightweight basket that is the part I can't quite get right. My criteria is that the parts be easily available and cheap and require a minimum of modification. Let me know if you have any ideas and I can send pix if you like
Jeff
22 - Shawn
I am planning to build myself a basket and I saw the plans you speak of on ebay. I don't or won't buy it. I myself am a machinist and find it hard to believe you can build a sturdy basket that cheap and easy. The basket you described sounds kinda crappy. I have access to a machine shop and will design and build somthing for my yard soon. I think you need to have galvanized steel or aluminium so you dont rust or corrode. I don't like the stands and prefer permanent. I think your best bet when building your own is find someone who can weld or machine or both. If you don't know what your doing your gonna waste your time,efforts, and funds. Thats why the good baskets cost so much.
23 - texas sushi
hey. i'm looking to do the same as you. i really dont want to spend a whole lot either. i just got into the sport. have you played the peace park course or the one in san marcos?
24 - Rob Zurfluh
Home courses.....yeah..... I curently have 5 baskets, but 9 holes. One home-made one...a friend of mine made it - check out his blog
I have 2-in-step baskets. Had to replace the chains after 2 years. Got a MachV as well as a MachII. The In-step catches really well with added chains.
25 - Phil
I welded a basket from quarter-inch square steel tubing. I build it to the exact dimensions of the full size innova disc catcher basket. The steel only cost around 20 dollars, but the chain cost over 50 dollars because I used a heavy galvanized chain. I used an aluminium cyclone fence post for the pole. I actually prefer my homemake basket's quality over the Innova discatcher, perhaps because of the heavier chain. And all together the cost was only around 100 dollars. So if you can weld, or have a friend that can weld, I would consider going this route.