I've recieved a couple PMs about how to modify an InStep basket to this
http://www.jslsnet.com/images/final.gif

So here are the instructions.

Cost
Instep Basket ~ $80
Modification tools ~ $25

You'll Need
7 - 24 link lengths of 1 1/4" link chain
21 - 1 1/2" S hooks
1 - 3" metal ring
1 - 7" metal ring
2 - hammers, or 1 hammer and 1 screw driver
1 - pliers

Where to buy
Links,S hooks, hammer(s), pliers, screwdriver - larger hardware store (Home Depot/Lowe's Etc)

metal rings - hobby or craft store (Michaels/Hobby Lobby/etc)

http://www.jslsnet.com/images/chainmeasure.gif

The bottom of the chains on the basket is attached with 7 large S hooks. Pry them apart with the hammer(s) and screwdirver. Take the bottom loop apart.

Take the S hooks you just removed from the factory chains and attach the 7 new chain lengths to the top inner ring of the basket.

http://www.jslsnet.com/images/shook.gif

Next attach the outside chains to the 3" metal ring using the new S hooks.

http://www.jslsnet.com/images/innerchain.gif

Finally drape the inner chains in between the outer chains and attach the inner chains to a 7" ring with S hooks.

http://www.jslsnet.com/images/outerchain.gif

That's about all. The bottom of the basket should look like the following.

http://www.jslsnet.com/images/finalbottom.gif
http://www.jslsnet.com/images/final.gif

If you have any questions, let me know.

Jake

Looks great, How does it work?

It actually works very well. The only concern I have ever had about it would be if it were sitting at an angle because it is a little top heavy because of the extra set of chains.

You could always secure it with a piece of u-shaped rebar to keep it from tipping, assuming you are placing it on grass/dirt.

I love my InStep basket (it goes together and apart again SO FAST!), but it does bounce a lot of shots out that would go in just fine in the Mach3s on the course.

How does it do at sucking it in the putts? (compared to stock)

How much more does it weigh? Still easy to set up?

I've only had it for a while, but the instep basket might be the best $90 I've spent on a toy in a long time.

What's better between an instep and a skillshot? I'm looking for a cheap basket to practice with.

The mod sucks up a ton more putts. I hardly have any spit outs compared to the factory model. As far as weight, it does weigh a bit more then the original, I would guess somewhere between 5 and 10 pounds more. As far as setup, it is pretty much the same.

I've really liked my instep, but I have never used a skillshot. From what I have seen the skillshot is a bit smaller and looks like it is lighter and easier to pack and go. The only knock I have against the instep is that the basket wiring seems to be a little light-wieght when compared to a mach3.

Can you , possibly modify the chain link to 2 gauge ?

How difficult is it to change the chains?

i will make these changes to my instep....i have been meaning to do it anyway. thanks for the info!

i think the insteps are great for practice and that's about it! we'll see what the modification does :D

Made the mods this weekend yep $25 dollars took about fifteen minutes to do. Improved basket 100%. Thanks for the information.

I'm glad the mods worked for you. Any changes or suggestions for the instructions? Would you mind posting pics of your finished basket?

Looks just like yours. Except I couldn't get the right size rings used 6" and 4". When I find 7" and 3" they will be replaced.

Change in insturcutions: Only purchase 14 S-hooks as you will be using the original seven. And don't let a four year old try to help you'll be done in ten minutes.

Don't have a digital camera.

Just ordered one from ebay $48 plus $39 shipping = $87 total !
Time to go to home depot and get the extras,
thanks so much for posting the photo and mod info.

I'm going to use these specs to mod my single-chain Mach-2 basket. It really is in need of the second set of chains. Thanks for the posting, including pics!

Woohoo. I'm excited. I just bought one of these insteps off ebay. $68.66 shipped!!!
I placed a bid before I left tonight, assuming I would get outbid... apparently everyone was out getting drunk (like I was) and my $41 bid won it.
I plan on doing the mods you posted when putting it together. The extra set of chains makes it look just like our local course baskets as far as size.
I only plan on using to practice my puttz with it so I'm sure it will be great for that.

i got my instep off a website called 'lifestylefascinations' for $68 including shipping... brand new and swift shipping, too. i've seen a lot of e-bay sellers try and ask $100 or more including the shipping... don't fall for it folks.

i like my instep... i get spit outs 1 out of 20 putts that should've gone in ... but i don't really care... i know when they're dead center and when they're not hitting the chains enough to deserve to stay. if i'm not too lazy i'll add the second set of chains... which is really all this basket's lacking (for backyard putting, at least)

Instep over a skill shot? in my opinion, definitely. it's more like a real basket... you can drop your putt in more instead of having to go line drive at a vertical target (NOT my putting style!). and if you do want to go line drive... put your instep on the tougher setting.

random instep info bits brought to you by synchro

If you're getting a basket to practice putting, it might be better to leave it as it is because a target that's worse at catching is better for learning. Learn to putt on a basket with 10 sets of chains then go out to a course with chainstars and it's like a free 4 putts. I practice on a home made basket that looks a LOT like a disccatcher and it only catches like 40% of the putts you'd expect to stay in. I've gotten good on this and when I'm out shooting, EVERYTHING catches better than it. It's great when you get to some crappy local made basket that's beat up and looke like it couldn't catch a 2 foot putt that lands in the basket, and still sink 20 foot putts is truly great.

Thanks for posting that Pat. You just saved me $25. :D
I think your idea is right on.

synchro: I found that instep at lifesytlefascination but it seems (with shipping) the price would be about $90+ (they add $15 to regular shipping rates). That is, unless I found the wrong site. linkie (http://www.shoplifestyle.com/store/product.asp?pf_id=6206&source=ntrcs)

Glad to hear you like it though. I'm sure I'll enjoy mine.

that's the same site (unless another company got really tricky). I think the 59.33 + shipping + 15 extra bucks for shipping equaled 68.50 when I got mine a month and a half ago. maybe they raised it? hope not... good luck!

oh yeah. and since buying mine my putting has gotten heaps better. muscle memory galore on my putting technique has made it automatic... ****, it feels GOOD!!!!

I got my basket today & am totally happy with it.
I am able to (safely) set it up in my apartment from 15 feet out.

This will be so awesome to use in the winter when our great Indiana weather stops me from playing outside. I can see my putting only getting better from here out.

One question though, it says to use the upper hole (35 inches up) for "senior" play & use the bottom (30 inches) for "junior" play.
To me the 35 inches looks too high.
Is everyone using the lower hole/pin?

I may end up doing the mod anyways even though now I don't think it is needed. Playing inside I don't want any going through :D
But this will not be done until I have some spare change to buy the extra materials.
Great basket.

Bump...relinked the images

Mods like this for to the Instep stop some putts that hit the sweet spot but blow thru anyways. With the Instep I started putting lower and left. These putts would stay better, but the same putt crashes into the basket or spits out of the chains at the course. These mods make a practice basket that catches more like course baskets.



If you're getting a basket to practice putting, it might be better to leave it as it is because a target that's worse at catching is better for learning.

Thanks for the great step-by-step instructions. My basket is now modified :-)

ERic

actually it is MUCH better to add a 3" or 4" ring for the original set of chains, not a 7" ring. This will help keep the chains from opening up too wide letting discs slip out the back. The wider the ring the more the chains can slide apart after impact.

It looks like its 2.0 proof coil not 2.0 straight liberty that is used for the inside chains of the basket in the photo of the modification.
It is best to use the 2.0 proof coil on the inside chains like the inside chain used on Titan Pro-24.
This heavier chain helps deaden the putts and keeps the discs from hitting the pole and bouncing back out or cutting through!

The original chains are the outer ones and they do go to a 3" ring. The new chains are added to the interior and connect to the 7" ring.

Oh my bad.
I guess I didnt look close enough,
I still feel its best to have smaller rings to prevent less chain movement!

I recently used a different (much cheaper) mod. Info at http://discgolfer.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=1809917%3ABlogPost%3A138395

I got mine at Sam's Club. They are $69. I bought mine on clearance for $37 dollars out the door. Well actually my friend saw it on clearance and bought it cause he knew I would want it. Comes up to me at the bar and says he has something for me and it will only cost me $40. I bite, not knowing what I was buying, and bam...he pulls out an in-step.

I used 23" of chains, adding 6 chains and connected them with a 7" ring at the bottom. It is sweet and catches great. We use it for temp courses on non sactioned events.

I modified mine in a similar fashion except I did not use rings, just chain links. I got my InStep for $40.00 at Sam's Club. Putts stay in much better. I figured the mod out myself, will look for some rings and upgrade. Very cheap and takes only a few minutes to modify. Highly recommended!

I got mine at Sam's Club. They are $69. I bought mine on clearance for $37 dollars out the door. Well actually my friend saw it on clearance and bought it cause he knew I would want it. Comes up to me at the bar and says he has something for me and it will only cost me $40. I bite, not knowing what I was buying, and bam...he pulls out an in-step.



I bough my InStep at Sams last year during the month of April or May. I should have bought a few more...I got mine out the door for right below $60. If those baskets are on clearance now, I am heading down to Sams buy a few more...I think the InStep is the best DG purchase I have made to date...and since the basket is easliy modified...it is a no brainer!

Did a quick search and online and right now the InStep basket is going for anywhere from $70 to $130...