Comparing homemade scoops

[2wheeldevil]

Left one:
14 gauge SS with a wood handle-7.8 lbs.
Right one:
18 gauge SS with a carbon fiber handle-4.2 lbs.

Left scoop is indestructible but a little heavy-not bad for working in the water. 6 yrs use without a bend or nick.
18 gauge SS will be tested to see if it can take the abuse I give it. Smaller holes in back and sides also catch the small stuff.
Note:
Scoops with wide flat tops are not designed for strength and they will bend and the welds will usually fail with rough use. These scoops below distribute the force throughout the entire scoop.

 

[KSDfisher77]

Awesome fabrication work!! They look sharp! Do they got a special name for your stainless steel scoop material? Or do you got to punch the holes thru flat sheet stainless? Thanks.

 

[2wheeldevil]

Start out with a flat sheet of stainless steel. Welding guy also uses a metal brake to bend the SS. Holes are drilled using a drill press.

 

[fwcrawford]

Nice looking scoops!!

 

[2wheeldevil]

Live and Learn:
18 gauge SS is nice and light but not strong enough for the top piece on the scoop.
As you can see the SS is starting to bend. Should have made that top piece (3 in x 4 1/2in) out of 14 gauge SS. It is still holding but may have to weld another top piece in there to beef it up.

 

[Odanscoils]

Maybe make a cage out of 1/4" rod. Then welding the thin metal to it. Kinda like a stockcar does with tubing.

 

[2wheeldevil]

Decided to do it right and replace the top piece and the triangle brace with 14 gauge SS. The triangle brace was slightly bent too.

 

[2wheeldevil]

Top section and brace replaced with 14 gauge SS, good to go now.

 

[Odanscoils]

Top section and brace replaced with 14 gauge SS, good to go now.

Use Tig or mig ?

 

[2wheeldevil]

Use Tig or mig ?

Tig, I think, had it done for me.

 

[Odanscoils]

Tig, I think, had it done for me.

I still suggest solid round bar to each corner to the tubing.
Hopefully will keep those welds from cracking.
I'd show you mine.
Though my wifey relocation program is running in high gear lately.

 

[2wheeldevil]

Pattern for the scoop is attached. The top piece is 3" x 4 1/2". You then have to form fit the back piece once you have it bent and welded. Angle for the tube handle is up for your liking, I went with about 70 degrees. Form fit the triangle brace once you have the angle on the handle tube cut. Center punch holes are shown and then you have to start drilling the holes. Inside height of the scoop is 5 1/4 on the 14 gauge scoop and 5 3/4 on the 18 gauge scoop, I like the 5 1/4 best.