Calling those with a clam or similar ice shanty

[duketter]

Ok, it is about time to do some ice fishing.  Hopefully in the next week or two.  Anyways, I picked up a used clam 5600 this year.  My question is this.  To fold it back down you have to push those tiny buttons in on those poles.  I haven't used it yet out on the ice...but I am thinking it may be hard to do when you are out there, especially if it is cold and you want to go.  I have put it up and taken it down a few times in my basement and sometimes they are hard to push in.

Does anybody have any tips for making these little buttons push in easier?  Maybe spray them with some wd-40?
Everyone know what I am talking about? 

Thanks!

[Byron/PA]

You think ahead much better than I did, which is good. The problem is not so much that the buttons are hard to push in, it's that condensation forms on the poles, then freezes, even with the heater going. My first idea was WD40, but that froze into a terrible mess. I then went to a silicon spray, which worked better. Have been thinking about trying to coat the poles with wax? Anybody have any ideas??

[Waubay Fisher]

Duketter,

I also have the Clam 5600 and have thus far enjoyed it the few times I've used it!!  I haven't however had any problems with the little buttons sticking?  Maybe after lots of use they could start sticking though?  I have yet to get mine setup and cleaned prior to using it this winter - so I'll have to check and see if mine stick.

I would say silicon spray would probably be the best -  I would think wax would eventually dry up a bit wouldn't it?  Silicon though would definately be better than WD...

[duketter]

I think the silicon would work the best too.  Good thing I didn't try wd-40. 

You would think they could have invented something a little better!!!

[Waubay Fisher]

Ya know, it might not even hurt to give the folks @ ClamCorp a call about this.  Maybe they have had similar reports from their customers about this problem and may even have some better advice than the silicon spray?!?!  Certainly wouldn't hurt to try anyways!  If nothing else - good feedback is what makes products better!

Here is the link to Clam's site with their contact info, I'm not sure how to post links but hopefully this will work...

http://www.the-clam.com/info_center.html

[duketter]

I have sent them an email.  I can post the results when I hear from them!!

[NorthwoodsIce]

I have a clam 2000 and that has poles that have buttons to release and was having similar problems.  I finally tried car wax and have not had the problem since.  If that doesn't work just keep trying new things.  Just because one thing works for one guy doesn't mean that it will work for the next.
Northwoodsice

[Skeeter41]

I have a clam 5600, the buttons only froze once, but all I did was lift my heater up to them for about 20 second and then pushed them in.  Heat does wonders to ice

[LoneWolf]

If you check under "Ice Shack Tips" you'll find alot of good info  .

[wyogator]

I wouldn't use WD for anything. It can be corrosive for one thing. TriFlo is a teflon spray which imop, works as good as anything. I use it for guns, reels, mountainbikes, motorcycles...you name it.

[duketter]

Here is the response from the email I sent to Clam Corporation:

"Some people choose to put some car wax on there poles to get them to slide
easier. I am not sure if this will help the actual button or not but it may."

So I may have to try that if those things give me trouble.
 
 

[jrsue]

Yes the buttons are very annoying. Its not that the buttons stick, its that the sring is way to stiff, esecially when its bitter cold, its really hard to push them in far enough to release.

I cut a couple 3/8 dia. doll rods 3 inch long and slightly rounded the ends . I keep one in pocket and when I want to take it down I grab the doll rod and use as a tool to depress the buttons. works good ,no more dreading the buttons.