Sand Scoop I Built

[grumpyolman]

Trying to attach a picture for the first time. Here's a sand scoop I made. Takes some time to drill a kajillion 5/8 holes and had to use the Drill Doctor to resharpen the bit a couple of times. Total cost to me was $12.00. I got the aluminum tube from a metal supply house and used 8 stainless bolts to vary the probable combinations of the tubes to make 3 different lengths of a handle. It is a little unfair that I have a TIG welder and was able to weld it myself. The drill press didn't hurt either. I used a plasma cutter to make the shape of the digging end of the scoop but could have used a sabre saw with a metal cutting blade. Luckily I have accumulated a pretty nice shop to do this kind of work. I have enough left to make another scoop but don't know what I'd do with it.
If you set out to do this and need a nice geometric pattern for the holes, draw it first on a piece of paper and then tape the paper drawing to your tube and center punch, where you'll drill your starter holes, right through your paper drawing. For what it's worth! Regards...Jim

 

[Chi Town Bruce]

size stock & gauge was used, handle looks 1 inch. Did ya rent time on a plasma?

More photos please!

 

[grumpyolman]

As you Requested. The scoop is 6 inch diameter 6061 T-6, 11 inches long. The pieces welded directly to the scoop and the insert are !" OD with a 5/32 wall thickness. The handles pieces are 11/8 OD and a 3/64 wall. No! Didn't rent a plasma cutter. Got one for the shop several years ago. Regards...Jim

 

[Chi Town Bruce]

n/t

 

[fieldboy]

n/t

 

[grumpyolman]

Never thought of that. Made mine pretty stout but I haven't used it enough or in different substrates to make an estimate of its soundness. Sounds like a reasonable idea to consider for sure. I did dig Bahama sand, in the water, until I had it buried and then reefed on the back really hard. Didn't complain to me at all. Thanks! Regards...Jim.

 

[Bobbie]

n/t

 

[grumpyolman]

Bobbie...haven't take lessons from the person you mentioned. I did go to a community college night class for two semesters to get the basics so I didn't electrocute myself or friends. I learned which end of the torch to hold and how to prepare the tungsten. After that it was mainly practice. Regards...Jim

 

[Arkie John]

...I coulda saved over a HUNDRED bucks!

aj